STEP 1: The PREP
SELECT 1–2 strong images from your previous photo sessions. Portraits are ideal for this activity, especially close-ups with emotional expression or strong composition, BUT you can experiment with landscapes or still life, too!
PRINT at least one 8x10" glossy or luster photo for the physical fragmentation.
Optional: Print smaller duplicates if you want to test different cuts.
Staples, FedEx (not sure about turnaround time), Mike's Camera in Menlo Park (pricey).
STEP 2: The FRAGMENTATION
Carefully cut your printed photo into small fragments... Try to experiment with:
Squares or rectangles
Triangles
Circles or irregular shapes
On your foam core backing, reconstruct the image using pins to hold pieces in place.
Try shifting or layering pieces to distort or emphasize certain areas.
Leave gaps or overlap.
Experiment with depth by pinning some fragments higher than others.
Think about placement and what is could suggest: loss, change, multiple identities...
PHOTOGRAPH your finished piece from multiple angles. Lighting and shadow will be your friend!
Consider using the studio for full control!
STEP 4: Digital Fragments
Create TWO-THREE additional fragmented photos (digital or mixed media).
Ideas include:
Digital Collage: cut and rearrange parts of the same image IN Ps.
Reflection/Refraction: photograph a subject through glass, mirrors, or water for a natural fragmented effect.
Motion Fragmentation: layer sequential shots to show motion blur or time passing. Play with opacity!
Projection Fragmentation: project parts of an image onto different surfaces or textures and rephotograph it.... Did I buy you guys a mini projector? Yes, yes I did....
You can cut out certain parts of your face such as the mouth, eyes, ears multiple times to create a Hockney like look.
To do this, imagine your subject has a grid over their face.
Take VERY CLOSE UP images in ORDER of the grid.
Keep track of your grid while taking your pictures... is it a 5 x 5 or 4x7- you will need to know this for the post production part!
Ex: Top left part of the head is 3 images until the center of the head... Load your images into a folder called "Grid Face"
Here is another way to address the idea of fragmentation.
Incorporate multiple images of yourself or include others to create a face.
Weaving by photographer
Hole Puncher
Also, consider how you could use the cut out holes!