ABSTRACTION Week 1.
Project Aim:
This project is a way of developing the ability to understand the formal qualities of photography and to promote their inventiveness and creativity. Some people argue that all works of art are abstractions because they are representations of life rather than real life. Most people would agree that abstraction is a kind of sliding scale with naturalism on the one end and total non-representation at the other. This project is about how the camera can draw attention to the formal elements of art in order to create images in which the subject isn't the most interesting element.
Task 1 – Paul Strand
The image is by Paul Strand. It is entitled 'Abstraction, Twin Lakes, Connecticut' and was made in 1916. You can read more about the image here. The photographer created an abstract image deliberately, drawing attention to the Formal Elements. I have used the following handout to help students get to grips with the formal elements in this image
Focus: Light: Line & Shape: Repetition: Space: Texture: Value/Tone:
Task 2 – Find examples
Find three examples of abstract photography
Use the same questions to analyse the images with the rest of the group
Task 3 - Questions based on Abstraction
Answer the following questions...
What do we mean when we describe a photograph as abstract?
Is it possible to make an interesting photograph of anything? If so, how might you go about doing this?
What do you think photographer William Eggleston meant when he said he was "at war with the obvious."
Task 4 - Create a Popplet
Create a Popplet which will start your research off for the project.
Task 5 - Practical Element
Experiment with the following abstract ideas.. and more…
Task 6 – Written work
For each element – include a contact sheet, Methodolody and take notes and screenshots of any photoshop you have completed.
This work should be documented via the weebly site.
Week 2
Project Aim:
This project is a way of developing the ability to understand the formal qualities of photography and to promote their inventiveness and creativity. Some people argue that all works of art are abstractions because they are representations of life rather than real life. Most people would agree that abstraction is a kind of sliding scale with naturalism on the one end and total non-representation at the other. This project is about how the camera can draw attention to the formal elements of art in order to create images in which the subject isn't the most interesting element.
Task 1 – Paul Strand
The image is by Paul Strand. It is entitled 'Abstraction, Twin Lakes, Connecticut' and was made in 1916. You can read more about the image here. The photographer created an abstract image deliberately, drawing attention to the Formal Elements. I have used the following handout to help students get to grips with the formal elements in this image
Focus: Light: Line & Shape: Repetition: Space: Texture: Value/Tone:
Task 2 – Find examples
Find three examples of abstract photography
Use the same questions to analyse the images with the rest of the group
Task 3 - Questions based on Abstraction
Answer the following questions...
What do we mean when we describe a photograph as abstract?
Is it possible to make an interesting photograph of anything? If so, how might you go about doing this?
What do you think photographer William Eggleston meant when he said he was "at war with the obvious."
Task 4 - Create a Popplet
Create a Popplet which will start your research off for the project.
Task 5 - Practical Element
Experiment with the following abstract ideas.. and more…
- Painting with light
- Strobe
- Photograms
- Chemigrams
- Zoom Streaking
- Bokeh
- Abstract constructions
- Macro Photography
- Motion Blur
- Focus Blur
- Silhouettes - Abstract bodies
- Landscape and Architecture Abstraction
Task 6 – Written work
For each element – include a contact sheet, Methodolody and take notes and screenshots of any photoshop you have completed.
This work should be documented via the weebly site.
Week 2
How can focus affect the way we look at a photography?
Manually control focus on the camera. Look at distorted figures.
Manually control focus on the camera. Look at distorted figures.