2013-14
AP ART SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS
INSTRUCTIONS: Create THREE photographs for each project.
These photos will be used as references for assignments, throughout the year.
The photographs are due the first day of school. You may turn them in through
email – cmctyre@scsk12.org, bring
in your memory card so I can transfer them to my computer, or with a flash
drive.
Remember - a mediocre photo
will make for a mediocre work of art. It is worth your while to take interesting,
well lit, quality images!!!!
1. ONE OBJECT
- TWELVE VIEWS (side note: you just need one of these – not three)
Take twelve photographs of
one object. Each photo should change the angle/perspective
Suggestions: shoot from eye
level, above, below, crop, zoom in, and zoom out
2. NARRATIVE STILL LIFE
Set up a still life that
allows the objects to suggest a story. Avoid any story that is too cliché’.
Think about what you look for in a good book: a main event with subordinate (supporting)
elements, a surprise, and/or the author letting the reader come to some
conclusions on his own. Those same elements will make for a good image.
Things to think about
compositionally:
1.
Spatial relationships (pay attention to the negative space as well as the
positive)
2.
Lighting will make or break your picture – set up the still life next to a
sunny window, turn on a spot light while turning off overhead lights
3. avoid
having any unnecessary images/items in the shot – especially the background
4. you
might want to use fabric or large pieces of paper for your foreground and
background
3. DOG’S POINT OF VIEW:
You may have seen this
painting before if you watch the sitcom Modern
Family. It hangs in the foyer of the characters Jay and Gloria Pritchett.
The painting is by the artist Nathan Rohlander and he did a series of paintings
using this viewpoint. You can see the series here http://www.rohlander.com/Nathan_Rohlander/Fine_Art_Work/Pages/A_Different_Point_of_View.html#grid
Use Rohlander’s series as
inspiration. Set up a scene that uses the same viewpoint, feet and an
environment.
Things to think about:
1. Lighting
will make or break your picture – set up the still life next to a sunny window;
turn on a spot light while turning off overhead lights – is it night or is it
daytime
2.
Consider your color palette – notice how Rohlander repeats the red of the
paints in the toe nail polish
3. Do
you want more than one pair of feet?
4. Do
you want your photo to say something about your day-to-day life, a special
event, or maybe you reference a global culture
4. ARCHITECTURE/LIGHTING
At first glance this
assignment will appear to be about architecture/interiors. In actuality the
lesson is about light and how it plays off of the interior.
Take three different photos
that incorporate linear perspective (the illusion of space), an interior and
dramatic lighting. Look for interesting architectural details, such as angles
of walls, stairwells, doorways. Look for interesting shadows, value contrast at
corners and cast shadows. You may be fortunate enough to travel this summer.
This is great opportunity to take pictures of places you visit – museums, famous
buildings, restaurants or even just your hotel.
Things to consider:
1.
If you
want to take a nighttime photograph you should really take it at dusk, just
before it turns to dark. If you wait till night has fallen the image will be
too dark to use.
2.
Do you
want people in the image – mine suggestion is no – make this about the space –
but feel free to prove me wrong.
3.
Remember
to think about depth/perspective/the illusion of space!
Student Example
5. OPTIONAL – BONUS PROJECT: PHOTOS OF MEMPHIS
This summer, if you visit a
place in town that is ‘Quintessential Memphis’ takes some photos. Examples
might include but are not limited to the zoo, downtown – the river, the bridge,
the Beale Street Landing, The Peabody, Victorian Village, St. Jude, Le Bonheur
Children’s Hospital, Beale Street, iconic restaurants, iconic businesses,
iconic architecture, Redbirds Stadium, FedEx Forum, Overton Park, Shelby Farms,
The Green Line, etc.
