Cover it Up/ Remove : Main Subject

Objective: In this assignment, you will explore the concept of photography as not just a way to capture and preserve memories, but also as a medium to experiment with meaning, absence, and interpretation. Through a series of creative techniques, you will alter your printed photographs by physically tearing, cutting, painting, and sewing. The goal is to explore how removing or distorting the main subject of a photograph changes its impact and message.

So much of photo is about remembering something forever and capturing the moment. 

What happens when you don't want that? What happens when you intentionally remove, or cover up the main subject. is it still recognizable? Does the image still have power/impact? Does it still say the same thing? Does it still say what you want it to say? Does it defeat the purpose of photography? What is the point of an image if it doesn't reveal or remember something? 

Assignment Instructions:

STEP 1: Choose Your Image

• Select one of your previously taken photographs (or capture a new one) that you feel strongly about. It should be an image with a clear subject.

• Think about what your image represents and what its message is. Is it about a person, an event, a moment in time, or an object? This will help guide your decision-making when you begin altering it.

STEP 2: Experiment with Physical Manipulation

• Once you have your print (this can be printed on regular photo paper or art paper), you will engage with it physically. Choose one or more of the following techniques:

Reflect on the Process: After you've experimented with your printed photograph, take some time to reflect on your work.

 Think about the following questions:

1. What did you intend to express by removing or altering parts of the image? Did the absence of certain details or the addition of new elements change the message of the photo?

2. Does the photo still carry meaning even without the main subject? How do the alterations change the viewer’s interpretation of the image?

3. Does it still capture something significant, or has it become something else entirely? Does it now convey loss, abstraction, or a new meaning?

4. What emotions or reactions do the tears, cuts, paint, or stitches evoke? How do these physical changes compare to the original intent of the photograph?