VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON Te Whare Wananga o te Upoko o te Ika a Maui

School of Design Te Kura Hoahoa

DSDN144: Digital Photographics

TRIMESTER 1/ 2010

Project2 - Transform To photograph an object is to have the opportunity to transform its original appearance and physical structure in order to create an alternative representation of it. To transform and translate an object, we shape, enhance, manipulate, and isolate the space which surrounds and encompasses the item in which we want to imbue new meaning. The lens can be used to confuse one’s sense of scale, shape or material. Using this and various lighting, colour and compositional strategies, we have the capability to create and design entirely new meanings for the objects which we photograph; the article becomes ‘something else’. One has the ability to create new ‘identities’ for and emotional responses from these still and lifeless objects. In this assignment you will choose three objects (no larger than something which can fit in your bag and sit on a table) and through the act of photographing them, transform them, so that their images no longer relate to their original function. You will produce two photographs for each object. For the first photograph, the objective is to transform not abstract, you want to make the familiar unfamiliar. The aim is for the viewer to experience a two stage reading of the object. The first reading will suggest something other than the object’s original function but this will give way to a realisation of what the object actually is. The second photograph will portray a different theme / concept / response than the first. It may either also transform the object (where a two staged reading is experienced) or it may abstract it. You will investigate how to transform your objects using photographic lighting techniques, props and specific shooting techniques within exterior / interior environments and locations of your own choice. You will also explore Photoshop’s digital darkroom capabilities to enhance and refine your images. As with the first assignment, do not further manipulate your photographs once these fundamental adjustments have been made. Your final project will consist of a total of 6 digitally generated prints for assessment and to be presented for class review. N.B. You need to choose objects of substance i.e. that are not abstract to start off with e.g. do not choose sugar, flour, a piece of cloth, towel, clay, etc.

KEYWORDS: scale, translation, interpretation, transformation, communication, reflection, representation, differentiation, attachment, mnemonics, memory, desire, artefact, revelation, abstraction, focus, reframing, rearranging, lighting READINGS: Clarke, Graham. How Do We Read a Photograph. Barthes, Roland. Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography Project 2 intro: Wed 24th March First images uploaded to Flickr: by Wed 31st March Interim assessment of work in progress: Wed 21st April Test 1 – Camera as a Tool: Wed 21st April – 10% of course grade Final hand-in and review: Wed 28th April. N.B. it is mandatory that all students present during the review. Grade: This assignment is worth 25% of your final course grade. The interim presentation of work in progress is worth 20% of that 25%. Minimum Submission Requirements:

• First 6 – 10 images uploaded to Flickr • 6-10 images uploaded to Flickr for interim grade • 6 digitally (2 for each object) generated professional prints produced and mounted to

exhibition standard • digital version to be uploaded to Flickr and the R:drive • short statement reviewing your project’s development and final outcome with references

to theoretical ideas from class readings • answers to the required reading documented in your workbook • workbook documenting your research and the development of ideas

EXHIBITION STANDARD

• exhibition standard work + photographic prints • Mounted • Not Big Image across road, not something off home/uni printer! • Quality prints – ImageLab, Wellington Photographic Suppliers, Photo Warehouse • Avoid happy snappy labs – poor quality – colour casts, etc.

Assessment criteria:

• ability to imaginatively explore photographic vision • quality and coherence in your concepts • effective technical control • evidence of research and successful understanding of visual precedents • evidence of documentation of and reflection upon project's progress • high level of craft and attention to detail

SCHEDULE OF PRO 1 SESSIONS AND HAND-IN DATES

week 13 M 22

March TU 23

W 24 Lecture1 Pro2, review LT2, VS3.22 10:30-11:20 + tutorial

Pro1 review (25%)

TH 25 F 26 week 14 M 29

March TU 30

W 31 Lecture2 Pro2, tutorial LT2, VS3.22 10:30-11:20 + tutorial

first Flickr upload, Photo Studio workshop

April TH 1

F 2 Good Friday – holiday week 15 M 5 Easter Monday – holiday

April TU 6 Easter Tues– VUW holiday

W 7 TH 8 F 9 Mid trimester break week 16 M 12

April TU 13

W 14 TH 15 F 16 week 17 M 19 Trimester 1 continues

April TU 20

W 21 Lecture3 Pro2, tutorial LT2, VS3.22 10:30-11:20 + tutorial

Test1 (10%), Pro2 Interim submission

TH 22 F 23

week 18 M 26

April TU 27

W 28 Lecture1 Pro3, review LT2, VS3.22 10:30-11:20 + tutorial

Pro2 review (25%)

TH 29 F 30

REFERENCES (on 3 day loan): Alam, Shahidul. Blink: 100 Photographers.. Call No: TR654 B648

Bonnell, Sian. From an Elsewhere Unknown. Call No: TR655 B716 S

Clements, John. A comprehensive guide to digital close-up photography. Call No: TR267 C626 C

Seelig, Thomas and Urs Stahel (eds). Ecstasy of things : from functional objects to fetish in twentieth century photography. Call No: TR690.4 E19

Sugimoto, Hiroshi : Conceptual Forms. Call No: TR647 S947 A4 H6

Weiermair, Peter. The Measure of All Things: Photography and the Object. Call No: TR656.5 M484

DSDN144 PHOTOGRAPHY AND DIGITAL IMAGING P R O J E C T 0 2 – T R A N S F O R M – [ 2 5 % O F F I N A L C O U R S E G R A D E ]

STUDENT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To photograph an object is to have the opportunity to transform its original appearance and physical structure in order to create an alternative representation of it and to imbue new meaning. The lens can be used to confuse one’s sense of scale, shape or material. Using this and various lighting, colour and compositional strategies, we have the capability to create and design entirely new meanings for the objects which we photograph; the article becomes ‘something else’. One has the ability to create new ‘identities’ for and emotional responses from these still and lifeless objects.

In this assignment you will choose three objects (no larger than something which can sit upon a table) and through the act of photographing them, transform them so that their images no longer relate to their original function. You will investigate how to achieve this using photographic lighting techniques, props and specific shooting techniques within exterior / interior environments and locations of your own choice. You will also explore Photoshop’s digital darkroom capabilities to enhance and refine your images. Your final project will consist of a total of 6 digitally generated prints for assessment and to be presented within the tutorial critique and review. Two professional prints are required for each object, each portraying a different theme / concept / response.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA_

NOTE- FIVE is better than FOUR – these numbers are indicative only.

Ability to imaginatively explore photographic vision 1 2 3 4 5

Quality and coherence in your concepts 1 2 3 4 5 Effective technical control 1 2 3 4 5

Evidence of research and successful understanding of visual precedents 1 2 3 4 5

Evidence of documentation of and reflection upon project’s progress 1 2 3 4 5 REMEMBER THE FINAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• First 6 – 10 images uploaded to Flickr • 6-10 images uploaded to Flickr for interim grade • 6 digitally (2 for each object) generated professional prints produced and mounted to exhibition standard • digital version to be uploaded to Flickr and the R:drive • short statement reviewing your project’s development and final outcome with references to theoretical ideas from class readings • answers to the required reading documented in your workbook • workbook documenting your research and the development of ideas

PLACE THIS MARKING SHEET IN YOUR WORKBOOK

DSDN144 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHICS P R O 0 2 – T R A N S F O R M – [ 2 5 % O F F I N A L C O U R S E G R A D E ]

STUDENT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS Y N

First 6 – 10 images uploaded to Flickr 6 - 10images uploaded to Flickr for interim grade 6 digitally (2 for each object) generated professional prints produced and mounted to exhibition standard Digital copies to be uploaded to Flickr and the R:drive Short statement reviewing your project’s development and final outcome with references to theoretical ideas from class readings Answers to the required reading documented in your workbook Workbook documenting your research and the development of your ideas

To photograph an object is to have the opportunity to transform its original appearance and physical structure in order to create an alternative representation of it and to imbue new meaning. The lens can be used to confuse one’s sense of scale, shape or material. Using this and various lighting, colour and compositional strategies, we have the capability to create and design entirely new meanings for the objects which we photograph; the article becomes ‘something else’. One has the ability to create new ‘identities’ for and emotional responses from these still and lifeless objects.

In this assignment you will choose three objects (no larger than something which can sit upon a table) and through the act of photographing them, transform them so that their images no longer relate to their original function. You will investigate how to achieve this using photographic lighting techniques, props and specific shooting techniques within exterior / interior environments and locations of your own choice. You will also explore Photoshop’s digital darkroom capabilities to enhance and refine your images. Your final project will consist of a total of 6 digitally generated prints for assessment and to be presented within the tutorial critique and review. Two professional prints are required for each object, each portraying a different theme / concept / response.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA_

NOTE- FIVE is better than FOUR – these numbers are indicative only. Ability to imaginatively explore photographic vision 1 2 3 4 5

Quality and coherence in your concepts 1 2 3 4 5 Effective technical control 1 2 3 4 5 Evidence of research and successful understanding of visual precedents 1 2 3 4 5 Evidence of documentation of and reflection upon project’s progress 1 2 3 4 5 High level of craft and attention to detail 1 2 3 4 5

Comments Interim Presentation ?

?? A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C D E 85+ 80 - 84 75 -79 70 - 74 65 - 69 60 – 64 55 - 59 50 - 54 40 - 49 0 -39