Assignment #9: Abstract Idea

The last assignment asked for the students to

use everything they had learned up to this point

to visually communicate an abstract idea.

We talked about how there are certain emotions

that are evoked by certain elements of design

and camera techniques. Low Key images

communicate more somber moods while

high key translate to heavenly/softer feelings.

Thick/heavy lines communicate boldness

even sternness, where thin lines that curve,

communicate delicacy. I also taught them how

to do light painting and a few ways to create

a multiple exposure. 1)double expose the film in

camera 2) Flash a subject multiple times during

a long exposure in a dimly lit area

3) print multiple images on one piece of

paper in the darkroom. That is usually a very

fun lecture, the students really get into practicing

and generating all the funky effects. These effects

also can communicate certain feelings as they are

capturing things that aren't physically there, like

feelings.

Again I typed up a bit a bunch of abstract ideas like

love, hate, jealousy, shyness, power, freedom, good

dream, bad dream, happiness, greed.... and they had

to pull out their abstract idea out of a hat to help them

challenge them and get them to brainstorm and

pre-visualize so they can construct a meaningful

photograph.

Here is what they came up with...

Katherine B. {shyness }

Myron L. {Faith}

Allen W. {Fear }