Goal: Create an interesting composition using the piece from deconstructed object.
Choose an object that you can deconstruct or take apart that is NOT electronic (nothing that contains circuit boards or power cords). Make sure that there are at least 10 parts that make up your object. Keep in mind that you may not be able to put it back together again, so find something that's old or broken that you don't mind getting rid of. Can't find anything at your house? Ask around. Look at garage sales. Thrift shops are a great place to find cheap objects that you can disassemble. Safety is your #1 priority! Be careful and don't take apart anything that will harm you, other people, or pets.
Instructions:
Check out the artist Todd McLellan and his "Things Come Apart" series. Todd McLellan has mastered deconstruction in his series "Things Come Apart" to show his viewers the intricate inner workings of everyday objects.
"Each photograph is itself a work of art and offers a reinterpretation of our familiar world. They connect people with the child-like joy of taking something apart to see how it works and will appeal to anyone with a curiosity about the material world."
Photography:
Option A: Photograph the pieces of your deconstructed object in a similar manner as Todd McLellan. You will need to create two series of photos. One series will need to focus on balance and unity, having each object laid out in a neat formation. The second series will need to experiment with the idea of movement and emphasis created in the “exploding” or “scattered” pieces. Each series should have a minimum of 3-5 photos. You are encouraged to shot more to ensure that you have three exceptional final photos. For more inspiration watch Todd McLellan at work here.
Option B: You will not be deconstructing anything for this option. Select three different themes or subjects you will focus on. (example, bicycles, and tricycles.) As you take your photos remember what makes a great composition: rule of thirds, simplicity, leading lines, and framing. Half of your photos for each theme should have a shallow depth of field, half should have a deep depth of field. Your framing should change for each image. Take 10 photos minimum for each theme. 30 total.
LEARN MORE about Todd McLellan's work.
“When you deconstruct something, you can’t quite put it back the way it was before. Looking at the same things and seeing them differently is, in my mind, the heart of creativity.” ~Ayse Birsel