Art with Ms. Djordjevic
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  • Home
  • Contact
  • Classes
    • Photo I
    • Photo II
    • Creative Photo
    • Photo Portfolio
    • Advanced Photo
  • Resources

Photo I

This class explores the basics of traditional black and white photographic printing as well as digital photographic processes using Adobe Photoshop. We will examine both the aesthetic and technical aspects of the photographic process through several method based assignments. The uses of metering, lighting, composition, and technical aspects of the camera will be reviewed during class to give students a basic understanding of the art of photography.

Photo i Course expectations

Sandwiched Imagery

2/22/2021

 
Picture
© Duane Michals
Traditionally, sandwiched imagery is taught as sandwiched negatives—the process of literally sandwiching (or overlapping) two negatives together in the darkroom enlarger to make one image. For this project we will be creating sandwiched imagery by overlapping two images in photoshop to create one final photograph. There are a couple of ways to create a sandwiched image, but the outcome creates the same overall effect. 
Assignment:

Create 5 sandwiched images. Sandwiched imagery is also sometimes referred to as multiple exposure. The process of double exposure is done in camera, meaning you take two images over the same frame or piece of film, so the process is done in camera. We can explore that option, but we also can take two separate images and overlap them in post production (in Adobe Photoshop) and have more control over the outcome of the image. Both processes are acceptable for this project. You may notice in the images shown that many of them include a portrait image, this is because it is often more interesting if one of the images is more recognizable to the viewer. It also alludes to the idea of the person's thought process or memory. 

Steps:
  • Start by searching out imagery and creating an inspiration board
  • Think of ideas—how can you make your images interesting?
  • You are creating 5 images, this will be 10 separate shots to create the overlapped imagery but you should have many more options 
  • Post-production is where these will really come together—unless you are trying the double/multiple exposure route—try to think about how two images might come together, give yourself several options of imagery to try out

Objective: To use separate images and the idea of collage to make an entirely new photograph

Recreate A Famous Painting

1/14/2021

 
Picture
Nathan Siket :: class of 2016
For this project you are going to choose one famous painting and recreate it using any interpretation you think would be appropriate. You must approve your choice with me before you begin. You will pass in the recreation along side the original image (as seen in the gallery below). 


Things to think about:
  • Choose 1 FAMOUS painting that you are interested in. Think about what is possible for you to do. If you choose a painting of a ship at sea, how will you recreate a sea? You’re going to have to do a lot of preparation for the photograph.
  • Think about every little detail. Socked feet are ugly. A pile of clothes in your room is ugly. Get rid of unnecessary objects BEFORE you take the picture.
  • Brainstorm with your friends. You will have to set up your space or spaces. Involve your friends/family as models or assistants in the shoot. You most likely won’t be able to accomplish this on your own.
  • Remember, natural light or controlled studio light is best.
  • You will need to know the artist and the name of the painting

Resources: Recreate A Famous Painting Pinterest board

The Still-Life

12/1/2020

 
Picture
Irving Penn
The still life has been around for centuries, used by artists in order to practice painting techniques. In photography however, we can manipulate many factors in a still life to create a pleasing composition using the elements and principles. Using lighting in the studio, we are going to make interesting compositions of very simple objects. The idea of this project is to get you used to artificial lighting and learn how to compose an interesting image. 

Resource: Still life pinterest board, 5 lighting tips for beginners, 50 still life images

Assignment:
Your assignment is to photograph 50 frames of a still life. You will pass in 3 high quality images to google classroom from the shoot and print your most successful still life. You will manipulate lighting. You will also learn about ISO and shooting with a tripod. One final 8x10 print must be mounted on the front of black paper. 



Steps:
  • Analyze your still life
  • Manipulate the artificial lighting
  • Set up a tripod for your camera
  • Shoot a 50 digital frames (*Make sure your ISO is set at 400 for half the images, then play with ISO 800 and ISO 1600)
  • You must have multiple angles and views of the still life and focus on one area, not the whole mess of a still-life
  • You will cull down to your best 10 images and edit ALL 10 and make a contact sheet
  • Then choose your best 3 images with Ms. Djordjevic

PASS IN:
  • contact sheet of 10 edited images
  • 3 top still life images as single files
  • PRINT your best image

Objective: Use the camera to capture still life, both in studio and outside of the studio. Use lighting to enhance the image and shallow depth of field to focus on specific pieces of a composition.

​Resources: Still Life pinterest board 

Pinhole Photography

3/12/2020

 
Picture
A pinhole camera, also known as camera obscura, or "dark chamber", is a simple optical imaging device in the shape of a closed box or chamber. In one of its sides is a small hole which, via the rectilinear (straight lines) propagation of light, creates an image of the outside space on the opposite side of the box. Aristotle wrote about a rudimentary concept of the pinhole camera. Today, photographers continue to use pinhole cameras for artistic purposes. Many pinhole cameras can be bought (even pinhole kits can be purchased), but we are going to make ours from scratch!

This week we have been making real working cameras out of a can of oatmeal, a piece of aluminum with a tiny hole poked into it, some paint, and a whole lot of tape. I promise these are real working cameras and they give a very nostalgic, almost dreamlike quality to the images. Here are a few examples of homemade pinhole cameras. 
Objectives:

  • Study pinhole photography and construct a pinhole camera
  • Study the application of pinhole camera to create a negative image
  • Employ darkroom techniques to develop your prints

Materials:
  • Black tempera or acrylic paint
  • Oatmeal containers
  • Tin
  • Pin (to poke hole)
  • Black & white photographic paper
  • Mounting tissue
  • Black board

Steps:
  1. Obtain an oatmeal canister
  2. Paint ENTIRE the canister black (inside and outside)
  3. If your box has a clear plastic lid, cut a circle to place on the inside of the lid and paint it black, glue in with elmer’s glue.
  4. Carefully cut out a small window (about 1 in x 1 in) on one side of the oats box. It should be about half way up the container.
  5. I have precut aluminum squares for you
  6. Poke a hole in the aluminum (we will do this together)
  7. Tape the aluminum on the inside of the box with masking tape
  8. Paint the masking tape black
  9. Let it all dry!
  10. In the darkroom, cut a 5x7 piece of paper in half
  11. Scroll a small piece of tape on the back side (non shiny side)
  12. Place the paper inside the pinhole camera so it faces opposite the pinhole "lens."
  13. Go outside (carefully holding the pinhole with your thumb), find a great shot, set up your pinhole camera on a solid surface, and take your thumb off of the hole.
  14. Expose for about 10 seconds (depending on the amount of light)
  15. Place the paper through the darkroom chemistry. Now you have a NEGATIVE.
  16. Place the negative face down on top of a new piece of b&w paper.
  17. Expose with white light on the enlarger for 10 seconds.
  18. Mount your prints
    1. Prints must be cut evenly and straight
    2. Prints must be centered (use a ruler)

Grading Criteria: 
always refer to the BHS photography grading rubric

Content
  • Effectiveness in communicating the idea within each design
  • Subject/idea is uniqueInteresting angle/perspective
Composition
  • Quality of positive and negative image?
  • Image is eye catching; has visual impact
  • Uses interesting lines/shapes
  • It is visually balanced
Technical Quality
  • Construction of the pinhole
  • The image is in acceptable focus
  • Images are well exposed/developed
  • No dust, water spots or marks
  • There are no fix stains or tong prints
  • Images are neat and well presented.
Work habits 
  • Working with peers
  • Working with materials
  • Outside behavior
  • Arrives to class on time and fully prepared.
  • Stays on task all period every day of project.
  • Always makes productive use of class time.
  • Always takes the print through the final stage of development, the water wash, and sets prints to dry before leaving the darkroom.
  • Well-organized.
  • Asks questions when help is needed.
  • Re-organizes station. Cleans up thoroughly.

Tips to Get Started:
  • If your image is too dark, decrease the exposure time
  • If your image is too light, increase the exposure time
  • If your image is streaked with gray or turns completely black, check your pinhole camera for light leaks
  • If your image is streaked with black, turn your camera pinhole away from the sun
  • If your image is blurry, make sure your subject and camera do not move during exposure
  • If your image is fuzzy, your pinhole is too large. Make a new pinhole lens or use another camera.

Start timing your exposures using this chart:
  • Bright Sun with Distinct Shadows
    10 Seconds
  • Cloudy and Bright, No Shadows
    15 Seconds
  • Heavy Overcast, Open Shade
    25 Seconds
  • Indoors- Bright
    30 Minutes to 1 Hour
  • Indoors- Average
    1 to 2 Hours

Vocabulary:
  • Pinhole
  • Enlarger
  • Developer
  • Fixer
  • Stop bath
  • Negative
  • Dry mount
  • Camera Obscura (dark chamber)

Resources:
http://www.pinhole.cz/en/pinholecameras/whatis.html


Glitching

12/12/2019

 
Picture
A glitch is a momentary fault in a system. The last few years all of the photo I classes have played with the idea of glitching photographs that they made and we came up with some really awesome results. Glitching is fun and easy. To glitch, all you have to do is the following:
  • Duplicate your photo (because you WILL mess it up!)
  • Change the file extension to .txt
  • Open up the .txt file in text edit
  • Change it up! Add text, copy, paste, go wild!
  • Change the file extension back to .jpg (please remember this is NOT a proper way to save a file)
  • Open the file and see your masterpiece

Assignment:
You are creating 10 different glitched images. You can use photos you have already taken (but not ones you've passed in) or you can shoot new imagery for the project. You will be passing in your best 3 glitches and printing and mounting your favorite one.

Steps:
  • Choose a few images to start glitching—they must be original jpg files, not ones that have been edited in Photoshop (those won't glitch)
  • Images must be in color, black and white photos don't work
  • Changing from jpg to a txt file is NOT the proper way to save a file, but it is a necessary part of this process, Do NOT save your regular files this way or you will cause corruption. 

If you glitch too much you may not be able to see the photo so take your time and check back on what you have done every once in a while by changing the extension back to jpg. If you like the glitch the way it is but want to play more, duplicate that photo and try making more changes again. You will have the option of doing Photoshop editing once you've finalized your glitch. 

Portraiture

11/4/2019

 
PictureRichard Avedon
What is a portrait? What makes an image of someone a portrait instead just a snapshot? Intention. For portraiture you need to make an interesting photograph of someone with intent. A portrait grabs our attention. People are fascinated by other people and since the advent of photography, images of people have saturated our lives. You cannot get through a day without seeing a portrait of someone, whether it be in advertisements, on walls, or on a Facebook profile. Almost all professional photographers have worked with people taking portraits. 

Artists to consider: Man Ray, Richard Avedon, Alfred Eisenstadt, Annie Liebowitz, Helmut Newton

Assignment: 
Your assignment is to photograph multiple portraits using 50 frames. You must photograph: yourself (self-portrait), and then photograph someone else in three different settings: 1. with artificial lighting (using either side lighting, back lighting, full lighting, bounce lighting, or a combination) 2. a full crop of the face (breaking the frame) 3. using natural light in an interesting setting. Be careful not to take a snapshot (Tell your friend to stand over there and smile brightly, saying “cheese”).

​Photography as a fine-art does not allow for snapshots or cheesiness. 
In this project you must focus on the figure. Try to express the personality and expression of your subject through photographs. Put your viewer in familiar situations, so they don’t think about the fact that they are being photographed. You must not forget about the background however, your subject should be complemented by his/her surroundings. 


You must turn in the following: 4 images uploaded to google classroom (the three of someone else and one self-portrait) 

*A high quality print includes: Full range of values, pleasing composition utilizing the elements and principles, utilization of contrast (s-curve), manipulation of lighting. In addition, the print should be evenly mounted on black paper with all edges glued down.


Steps:
  • Think about who you want to photograph. Try to get them in their natural element rather than setting a scene.
  • Try multiple photographs of people both looking at the camera and not looking at the camera. Candid shots work very well. Hang out and talk to your friends while shooting.
  • Meter for your subject and avoid unnecessary elements in the frame.
  • Don't forget your tripod when you shoot in the studio
  • Use a low f-stop for all portrait images
  • GET CLOSER!!!

PASS IN:
  • top 10 edited images (self portraits/artificial light portraits of someone else/crop portraits/outdoor portraits with NO CARS in the frame)
  • top 3 images (the best one of each of the above categories)

Objective: Learn how to direct models/subjects to capture portraits. Use lighting to enhance and add emotion to imagery. 

Resource: Pinterest Board for portraits

Photogram

10/7/2019

 
Picture
Photograms (also called rayograms) were made famous by photographer Man Ray but they were actually invented in 1843 by Anna Atkins, who illustrated the book, British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions which was the first book illustrated with photographs. All photographs in the book were solely photograms of botanical specimens (an example can be seen here to the left). A photogram is actually a photograph created without the use of a camera. Objects are placed in a pleasing manner on the surface of photographic paper and exposed using an enlarger. The final product is a very design-oriented image of blacks and whites. 

Assignment:
For this assignment you must study photograms and create two interesting compositions with objects (both transparent and opaque--natural and man-made) and cut paper.

2 Photograms must be passed in. They must contain different objects and look like two different compositions.

Steps:
  1. Study photograms from master artists.
  2. Compile objects to experiment with photograms.
  3. Play with your objects in order to find a pleasing composition.
  4. Place your paper under the enlarger.
  5. Place your objects on the paper.
  6. Run the enlarger for about 4-8 seconds depending on your objects.
  7. Develop using the normal chemistry.

Tips:
  • Before you begin in the darkroom, be sure to play with the placement of objects on your paper. What makes the best photogram?
  • Remember, no cheesiness. We are striving for fine art.
  • Think graphic patterns and clean design.
  • Plants work really well. Try them.
  • Transparent objects also work well (cellophane, clear plastic, glass paper weights,tulle fabric,etc.)

FINAL :: Fashion & Advertising Photography

5/29/2019

 
Picture
Flipping through the glossy pages of magazines, how many images do you see of fashion and products being sold? What do you think of when you hear the word “fashion”? Chances are, images of catwalks, models, and couture clothing fill your head, but fashion is so much more. Fashion photography has been around since the advent of the camera. Fashion, like photography, is an ever-changing and evolving art form. There are many different types of fashion in America alone, leaving this assignment very broad. 

Artists to consider: Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, David LaChapelle, Mario Testino, Ellen Von Unwerth


Brands to consider: Forever 21, GQ, Free People, Louis Vuitton,  J. Crew 

Assignment
Your assignment is to submit 3 fashion photos and 3 product photos that could be printed in a magazine. You will mount one 8x10 on board (your best one). You will be mounting on black board or matting the images in a professional manner. This is your FINAL so show me everything that you’ve learned throughout the year. This project is a culmination of your EXCELLENT photography skills. Be sure to place all 6 photographs in the Google Classroom folder before the day of the final. You may print your image in the classroom but it is your responsibility to have it printed and mounted by the exam day. If you cannot print at school then you may print them at CVS or another photo lab. 

Tips:
  • Look around you. What kind of fashion surrounds you? Then think about what kind of fashion you want to photograph (vintage fashion, couture fashion, teen fashion, men’s fashion). You may use anything that has to do with fashion (heels, purses, accessories).
  • When photographing a product, think about something that really interests you and find a way to make that product pop. Set up a studio if need be in order to get those crisp shots. Are you photographing an organic face lotion? Perhaps place rose petals with your shot. Want to sell makeup like a magazine? Make your own tabletop and photograph from above with clean even light. Make it APPEALING. 
  • Think about your subject and how you are going to frame it. You are going to be selling this fashion design or this product so you want it to look fantastic. Think about your model-will there be one? Think of what background you choose. Are you going to use a studio setting or outdoor setting? The rest of the photograph should complement your product.
  • Edit your photo. No digital photographer shows unedited photographs. Use Photoshop to make your photo pop. Online tutorials are great resources to find out how to edit photographs if there is something specific that you want to do that we did not learn in class. I suggest you do some research for Photoshop tutorials—especially if you want to make perfect skin, or lens flare, or any other specific element to add to you image. 
  • Our cameras have an aspect ratio of 8x12. You need to crop 2 inches off the 12" side to make a photograph be 8x10. 8x12 mats are difficult to find, most are sold as 8x10 so keep this in mind while printing.

Resources: Pinterest fashion pin board

Sense of Movement

5/16/2019

 
Picture
In this project you are going to focus on the sense of movement. This can be done with actual movement in your photographs (ie sport photography, dance, cars, night photography, and long exposure) or the idea of movement. Think about those moments just before something is going to happen, like diving off a diving board, sliding down a slide, or getting on a bicycle. Your images should suggest movement even if there is no "actual" movement in the photograph. Also think about being more metaphorical and photographing things whose sole purpose is to move; like cars, bikes, roller skates, skateboards, etc. How could you create a sense of movement by photographing these types of objects?

Artists to consider: Ernst Haas, Edward Muybridge, Otto Steinert, Henri Cartier-Bresson

Assignment
You must photograph (50 exposures) of images with a sense of movement. Definitely think about both the actual idea of movement and the suggestion of movement. Be creative and think outside of the box. These images should be printed and constructed well. Think about your frame and composition while you are photographing as well as your final intent.

On google classroom you will be passing in the following: 
  • 1 panned shot
  • 1 long exposure
  • 1 shot of any way you want 
  • contact sheet of 10 best images

Steps
  • Look around you. Our lives are in a constant state of motion. Take that idea and run with it...literally. Think about moving yourself while you are photographing. Maybe everything around you is still you are the sense of movement. 
  • Think about the original ideas of movement -- the invention of the wheel. Imagine for a second what life would be without movement. Try to capture the objects around you that are always moving.
  • Make a pic collage of inspirational photos. Use Photoshop, Pic Collage, or Pic Stitch to create this. Upload to Drive in the inspiration board folder
  • Go outside. Nature is the most constant representation of movement. The trees move, water moves, gravity pulls things and makes them move, even we are actually moving while the earth spins. Think about these things while you are photographing.
  • Take long exposures. The best way to explore the idea of movement is to give your film a long time to capture that movement. What about a 30 minute night exposure? what might this look like? What if someone-- or something -- is moving in your image?

Objective
: Use the camera to capture motion, both in the middle of movement to offer the idea of passing time and to freeze motion in time.

Resources: Movement Pinterest Board

Assemblage Panorama

5/6/2019

 
Picture
A panorama usually refers to a long photograph. To assemble something means to put it together from various pieces. So for this project you are going to be assembling a panorama image. However, a panorama—in our project—can take on many different shapes besides the usual long image. Think about vertical images or images that follow a particular shape. This can be any subject (i.e. a long hallway, a fire hose, a portrait of a person, a flag pole, etc.). Think of how to create a panorama of your subject because often the subject of your photograph is going to determine the shape of your panorama. Your panorama must have 12 or more frames in it and they cannot overlap so that one image is completely hiding (or mostly hiding) the image beneath it.



Artists to consider: Matthew Chase-Daniel, Rachelle Dermer, David Hockney, Pablo Picasso

Assignment:
You must photograph 50 exposures of panoramas. Since each panorama requires AT LEAST 12 frames, I suggest that you shoot 2 different objects or scenes with 20/25 frames apiece. This will ensure that you are able to get enough good images for your panorama. You are responsible for lining up the frames and overlapping them so that when printed, you can assemble them to make an image that makes sense to your viewer. Your subject itself does not need to be panoramic; you need to make it a panorama.   

You will be passing in two edited digital "panoramas" on google drive and choosing your best one to print—you will be printing your favorite panorama images as small 2x3 photos and cutting them out and pasting them together using a rubber cement mounting technique. 

Steps:
  • Look around you. How can you make your surrounding a panoramic image? What creates an interesting shape when photographed with numerous frames?  
  • Once you choose something, think about how to make it more interesting. If you photograph a flag pole, is it more interesting if it is long and skinny or if all of the background information is included? Or with a fire hose, what if you follow the shape of the hose and make it swirl into the center? How does this make it more interesting than just photographing every frame so that the hose is straight within it? 

Objective
: Use the camera in a non-traditional manner to assemble a photograph made up of several different images/parts, Harkening back to ideas of cubism and collage.  


Resources: Assemblage Panorama Pinterest board
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