I'M THERE IN SPIRIT

Assume that I am looking over your shoulder. Watching you post your portraits on your blog, frame at least two images and then experiment with digital painting. The substitute instructor has guidelines for digital painting techniques. You can easily create an image like the one shown above. Give it a try, check out the tool options, save what you do, and we'll start a new task on Monday.

BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST

Every once in a while I will tell you about a contest that is aimed at digital artists. This one is perfect because we've just finished doing portrait photography. The Hallmark Greeting Card Company is hosting a contest for funny birthday cards. Check out the details at the following website;
http://www.hallmarkcontests.ca/?lang=english

It needs to be an original image that YOU photographed. The image needs to be appropriate for a general audience and must not have any corporate logos showing, so they need to be cropped or clone stamped out.  There must be text that related to the humour of the image. The prize is $250 and the honour of having your card produced for sale by Hallmark. That would look good on a resume!

CRITIQUE AND PRESENT

This week we begin with two tasks to tackle. On Tuesday we will view a slide presentation of the Digital Landscape, Composite Photograph projects. Being able to give a meaningful, yet sensitive "critique" of a work of art is an important expectation for this course.

We will use a "sandwich technique" for our critique. In this method the person doing the evaluation begins with saying something specific and positive about the work. Be clear on why the feature is good. For example, don't just say "good use of colour", be more clear and say "good use of dark colours to establish a feeling of mystery or foreboding."

The second step is to say something specific that could be improved. Every artist has a desire to grow so even the best work in the class needs to be evaluated on terms of how it could be improved. On the other hand, a beginning level  project might have many weak aspects and the evaluator must pick one that the artist can address and will have the greatest impact. Never say anything hurtful.

The critique ends on another positive note. Find a final thing that you like or is done well. This leaves the artist with some direction to improve, but still feeling good about themselves. The purpose of a critique is not to discourage the artist. Sandwich the criticism between the compliments.

Our second task is to work on "presentation" skills. Our portraits are to be displayed in the library in a cooperative exhibit with the Visual Arts students. They have already "framed" their work, so we need to print hard copies and frame ours as well. Please get approval from the instructor before printing your work. 

We will use black construction paper to mat your photo.  Be sure you size the image to fit the printer page before you print. There is a paper cutter to do cropping. Measuring accurately makes a difference.

DIGITAL PORTRAIT ASSIGNMENT

This task has two parts. Your first job is to take a black and white photographic portrait that achieves its impact through excellent choice of subject, pose, lighting and cropping. The second is an artistic manipulation of a digital portrait that you have taken. They may be the same individual, or not.

You must take photographs specifically for this task. Take several so you have some options when you get to the computer. Do not take a portrait without the subject's permission. You must not interrupt classes in a hunt for a subject. Taking images of your Facebook page or the internet is not acceptable. 

Read the assignment guidelines for hints about factors to consider and options for manipulating the image. You may use your own camera, or borrow one in class. The due date is Friday, February 18th.

FIRST DUE DATE!

Your composite landscape is due today. Read your rubric and ask yourself if you have done what is being asked for in terms of the image design.

Then...the blog posting is just as important. Say something intelligent, with detail and correct spelling. When you're typing your post, notice the little blue icon at the top of the window, that looks like a framed picture. If you click on that it let's you browse to find the image you want to add to your posting. Remember, to really impress your reader, you  might want to show some of the "before" images that you used to create your landscape. Of course you kept them....  if not, perhaps you still have it as the background of your PSD document.

Here's a digital landscape by Angel Esteves. Notice that the rubric gives a level 4 for people who go above and beyond the project requirements? If you're done a bit early, save your finished project, then re-save with with the name "Artistic Filter". Pull down the Filters menu at the top and try out a couple of the options. They can make your image look like and oil painting at the click of a button. Maybe you'll like it even better, or maybe not, but it is above and beyond:)

Running out of time? Get your images posted now because they are on the school serve. You can do the text from home because your blog is accessible through the internet. You just need to go into new posts then choose the "Edit Posts" tab at the top to get in and add the text.

On Monday we're going to begin a PORTRAIT task. Bring your digital camera if you have one. No, a cell phone won't do. We have cameras to share if you need them.

One more thing...congratulations to Dani, Danielle and Taylor for figuring out how to be "followers" of this blog.

COMPOSITE LANDSCAPE ASSIGNMENT

The purpose of this task is to allow me to see where people's digital photo manipulation skills are at. I am looking for a smooth merge of the images.  I am also assessing your sense of design. Use the "Rule of Thirds", remember colour theory when making choices and be sure your image is balanced with strong focal point. Pay attention to your decisions and the techniques you use. Maybe you should jot down some notes so you remember what to say in your blog posting,

Keep the original image files and use some them in your blog posting so your reader can really appreciate what you accomplished. when yo post your final image you will need to save it as a JPG, GIF or PNG file and might even need to reduce the size of the file for it to be accepted on the blog. If you need help doing this just ask.

Check out some digital landscapes on the internet, and there are also excellent online tutorials. Read the assignment sheet and rubric carefully so you know what I will be looking for. Keep it in your binder and submit it when the task is completed. Let's try to get this done for Friday, that means complete, and posted on the blog by end of class Friday.

 

 Keep your note for this task. You are expected to know the three artists who are profiled here; Karin Kuhlmann, George Grie and Jim Kazanjian.