Project 3

Prelim critique: 4/15, prints
Final Critique: 4/22, prints

Gorgas Photo Shoot

Photoshoot 1: Wednesday, March 25, class time.
Finalize scheduling/roles 3/9
Finalize concepts: 3/9
Costume meeting: 3/9 or 3/11
Production planning: 3/11, 3/23

Reference photos:

Female model: Dana Cottone. Need dress size for costume. Shoe size?

Male model: ? Pant/shirt/jacket size? Shoe size? Model can be from class or not.

Hair and makeup specialist. Need two people, at least one volunteer from class

Shot 1: Piano scene (use Female model/Dana)

Lighting and artistic design: Chi, Brian

Camera: Yanbing

Assist: Caroline

Shot 2: Bedroom corner chair/reading scene (use Male model)

Lighting and artistic design: Yanbing, Dana

Camera: Caroline

Assist: Chi, Brian

Shot 3: Open concept (Brian, Dana, Caroline, Chi, Yanbing) (use Male, female or both)

Lighting and artistic design: Caroline, Chi

Camera: Brian
Assist: Yanbing, (Dana)

Project 2

Wednesday 2/25 informal
Monday 3/2 formal, graded

Final critique: Wednesday 3/11

• 10-12 jpegs
• 6 prints (letter size)

Fourth Wall, Rear Window

Due Wednesday 3/4

• The main character L.B. "Jeff" Jefferies (played by James Stewart) was based loosely on the famous war-correspondent photographer Robert Capa. What significant traits do the real and fictional versions of this photographer share, especially with regard to photography?

• The modern usage of the word camera has origins in the Camera Obscura, or dark chamber. How can Jefferies’ apartment be considered analogous to a large camera?

In film and theatre, the concept of the fourth wall implies a separation between the audience and the actors. The actors engage in a drama while the audience passively spectates. The fourth wall is challenged or “broken”, most generally, when the audience is confronted directly by the actors and stage activity. This engagement places the audience in an active role. A lesser example has actors speaking directly to the audience. A more extreme example might be a theatre production with audience participation.

• In the most general sense, what defines the fourth wall in photography? Is this the same for film/cinema?

• How does the film Rear Window call attention to the fourth wall (and perhaps challenge it) through visual means? Pay attention to camera work.

• How does Rear Window call attention to the fourth wall through the storyline/plot/narrative?

• Describe the most poignant ways in which the fourth wall is challenged or broken in Rear Window as you see it.

• Overall, what seems to be Hitchcock’s attitude towards voyeurism here? Who is looking or spectating? Who is being observed? Are we as audience implicated in any way with Jeff’s fixation on his neighbors?

• How does the concept of fourth wall relate to the notion of point-of-view? How could you use some of these ideas to engage your audience more directly in you own work?

Portfolio Prints, Project 1

Choose most compelling image from project 1. Base this decision on discussion with classmates and faculty.

For Wednesday 2/18
Create three print size variations for the same image. Use best file-handling practices for enlargement. Three versions should be substantially different in size. In class we will compare and consider best approach.

For Monday 2/23
A total of six final portfolio prints, printed to optimal size. Take care with color and tonal balancing and best file handling practices.

Project 2 Proposal

Due: Wednesday 2/18

Written: Two page proposal, consisting of the following:

• A paragraph discussing the ideas and concepts you hope to engage in project 1. Some common themes in contemporary art include but are not limited to: identity, gender, body politics, race, class, place, spirituality, cultural heritage, personal fictions, narrative fictions, alternate realities, mysticism, etc. Choose ideas and concepts that are close to your interest and heart. If it means something to you, personally, it will be stronger.
• If you plan to extend project 1, indicate how the project will be evolving.
• Several paragraphs discussing two historical artists/photographers and two contemporary photographers/photographers who have also addressed these concerns. That makes a total of four. They should be well established artists. 

1. To assist with your research with contemporary artists, start with Lenscratch: http://lenscratch.com/photographers/subjects/
2. For historical examples, go to the library and look at a book on the History of Photography.
3. Your discussion of these artist examples should tell us how they address the themes and concepts in their work. 
4. For example, how did Cindy Sherman's work address the subjects of identity and gender? How did the work of Ansel Adams to contribute to environmental awareness?

• A description of any special photographic techniques, approaches or equipment you will be using and why this is important. This paragraph should be the shortest part of the proposal. Concentrate on the ideas/concepts, not techniques. 

Presentation: Also be prepared on Wednesday to share this proposal with the class and provide visual examples (on screen, from websites or scanned/grabbed images) of the four artists your researched, to help us understand your points. Use bridge to project a number of good sized images, or put together a short powerpoint. Finally, if you have already made images that may give an indication of where this project could go, please share those as well. 

Abe Morell Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghlxH_vulqI

1. How does Abelardo Morell draw from or acknowledge art history in his work?
2. How does his work both push photography to new limits while also acknowledging its history (as a medium)?
3. What are the most exciting aspects of his work, for you?
4. What aspects could inspire your own work?