Part
I
Photo
References and Value Studies
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| Degas' Photo Reference |
As
we move from studying value to studying color and composition, you will need
some photo resources to work from. This week’s assignment is a photo shoot. For
this project you cannot work from existing
photographs but must create new photos to work from that are specific to this
project.
To begin:
study the compositional structure of the Degas’ pastels. Note: the strong use
of diagonals, the overlapping forms, the
clear indications of foreground, middle-ground, background, and the role of value- lights and darks- not just
the role of color. You want your photo/composition to be this thoughtful and
complex. Plan your photo shoot before you begin by doing small thumbnail
sketches, approx 5-8. Make sure you bring these sketches to class. You can take
inspiration from works of art, literature, music etc. What is the mood of the piece? Is there a narrative?
What is the figure’s relationship to the space? Decide who is going to be in
the photo. You can have a friend or classmate photograph you or you can
photograph them. (Clothed) Consider the location, props, pose, and most
importantly lighting!! Take lots of
pictures. Try different types of compositions. Change your point of view,
move props around, experiment with the pose. Make sure you are clearly defining
the foreground, middle ground, background? You can use an inexpensive camera,
like a cell phone, or you can borrow a nicer camera from North Seattle Community
College’s library. In either case you must be able to print your photographs. If you are planning on borrowing a camera
from NSCC’s library: plan ahead. Contact the library right away to make sure
you can check out the camera on the day you want. Bring in four examples of different compositions. Although details for
the figure will be useful for subsequent drawings, the four examples must be
complete compositional ideas. Photos must be printed out on paper. Black and
white printing is exceptable.
Grading Based On
·
Completion of requirements on
time
·
Thumbnail Sketches
·
Four different photographed
compositions, printed out
·
Thoughtfulness of project
·
Ambition of project
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| Degas |
