TMI PHOTOGRAPHY I
Project 2: Still Life
Traditionally in Art History, Still Life paintings showed an arrangement of objects with symbolic meaning, dramatic and beautiful lighting (usually window light or other diffused light from one direction), and a dark and shadowed background or wall. Still lifes were intended to display status (for instance, expensive linens and perishable items such as fruits and cheese were seen as luxury items only owned by the wealthy and elite). Still lifes were also intended to inspire contemplation on the transience of life (for instance, skulls and dead animals were often displayed as reminders that we are all meant to die, and flowers bloom but then wilt). Still life images are poetic, simple, and packed with meaning and symbolism.
For this project, you will shoot your own still lifes. These are not just photographs of objects, rather, they are photographs of objects that are arranged by you on a surface and in relation to each other. For instance, do not simply shoot an image of an apple. You must take the apple, arrange it among other objects or fabrics that enhance the symbolic meaning of the apple, and set up a space and surface with good lighting (window light is your friend!).
Your still life images do not have to conform to the traditional still life ideals: you are not required to use fruit, flowers, food, etc. What would a contemporary still life look like? What objects could you include? See below for examples.
Click here for more info on still life in art history!
Click here for helpful info on photographing your still life!
For this project, you will shoot your own still lifes. These are not just photographs of objects, rather, they are photographs of objects that are arranged by you on a surface and in relation to each other. For instance, do not simply shoot an image of an apple. You must take the apple, arrange it among other objects or fabrics that enhance the symbolic meaning of the apple, and set up a space and surface with good lighting (window light is your friend!).
Your still life images do not have to conform to the traditional still life ideals: you are not required to use fruit, flowers, food, etc. What would a contemporary still life look like? What objects could you include? See below for examples.
Click here for more info on still life in art history!
Click here for helpful info on photographing your still life!
DUE DATES
Thursday, 10/14/21: Over the long weekend, shoot 250 images for at least 3 still lifes. Create a contact sheet and label it lastname_firstname_p2_cs_1. Upload to Google Drive under your Project 2 folder for a grade. This is due by midnight.
Monday, 10/18/21: Over the weekend, shoot 100 images for at least 1 still life. Create a contact sheet and label it lastname_firstname_p2_cs_2. Upload to Google Drive under your Project 2 folder for a grade. This is due by midnight.
10/18-10/26: This will be a work week for you to print your images for critique!
Wednesday, 11/3/21: BEGIN FINAL CRITIQUE!
On this day, you must come to class with your 4 final printed images on paper larger than letter size. We will begin critique immediately. If you don't have your work ready for critique on this day, it is considered late. At the end of class, you will turn your prints into your assigned portfolio box.
You will also turn in your final, processed digital files!
DUE:
4 final still life images printed on paper larger than letter size— AND turned in as PSD through Google Drive. Label them as such:
Thursday, 10/14/21: Over the long weekend, shoot 250 images for at least 3 still lifes. Create a contact sheet and label it lastname_firstname_p2_cs_1. Upload to Google Drive under your Project 2 folder for a grade. This is due by midnight.
Monday, 10/18/21: Over the weekend, shoot 100 images for at least 1 still life. Create a contact sheet and label it lastname_firstname_p2_cs_2. Upload to Google Drive under your Project 2 folder for a grade. This is due by midnight.
10/18-10/26: This will be a work week for you to print your images for critique!
Wednesday, 11/3/21: BEGIN FINAL CRITIQUE!
On this day, you must come to class with your 4 final printed images on paper larger than letter size. We will begin critique immediately. If you don't have your work ready for critique on this day, it is considered late. At the end of class, you will turn your prints into your assigned portfolio box.
You will also turn in your final, processed digital files!
DUE:
4 final still life images printed on paper larger than letter size— AND turned in as PSD through Google Drive. Label them as such:
- lastname_firstname_p2_final_1
- lastname_firstname_p2_final_2
- lastname_firstname_p2_final_3
- lastname_firstname_p2_final_4
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