Engage and Persist

The Studio Habit of Mind that will be explored in this unit is Engage and Persist.

To engage with the art that we create as artists, we must pursue subject matter that is interesting and important to us. Often these subjects are of a personal nature, but are something that we wish to share with the world through our art and the meanings we create using visual symbolism and metaphor. Through the practice of making art we develop a focus in terms of the themes we create work around, the processes we use, and the tools and materials we choose to work with.

Creating art can often times be frustrating, and difficult. We can lose our focus. To persist we must find ways to move beyond the frustration and difficulties we may be having to keep working on our art.

Just as in all of the Studio Habits of Mind, the ability for an artist to engage and persist in their artwork takes repeated practice.

Artistic Concept

A concept is an abstract idea. Artists use different concepts to take those ideas from abstraction to reality. The concept being explored through the lens of the Studio Habits - Express and Observe is Symbolism and Metaphor.

Symbolism and Metaphor refers to an artist's use of visuals that stand for or mean something other than their literal definition. Artists have a goal or an idea that they want to communicate - this is called their intent. To communicate their intent they use widely accepted visual symbols in an artwork including objects, figures, and even colors. An artwork that is comprised of symbols and metaphors creates a theme - or big idea - that an artist is passionate about and wants to share with their viewers.

Let's Practice

Can I Touch It? Endia Beal

Am I What You're Looking For? Endia Beal

What ideas, messages, or personal meanings are being expressed through symbols and metaphors in these photographs? What in the images tells you this?

Element of Art & Design

The elements and principles of art and design are the foundation on which all art is created. They can be thought of like a sentence. There has to be words in order to make a sentence; no words, no sentence. The elements of art are like the words. Without the elements - line, shape, color, value, texture, space, and form - there is no art. That doesn't mean that all elements of art must be used in an individual artwork, just like not every word has to be used in a sentence, but at least one must be present.

Engage and Persisit will focus on the following element of art & design:

Value

Discover some interesting aspects of the element of art & design: value

Why is value important to know in photography?

Principle of Art & Design

If we think of the elements and principles of art & design like a sentence, with the words being a metaphor for the elements, then the principles of art & design are the ways in which the words are arranged. The way in which you arrange the words of a sentence dictates the feel and meaning of it. More descriptive words, and the sentence gives more detail; less words, and the sentence reads sharp or abrupt. The principles of art and design are the way in which an artwork is arranged. Does it appear uneasy, or relaxed? Without the principles of design - pattern and repetition, contrast, movement, emphasis, balance, rhythm, and unity - an artwork would not have a unique look and personality to it. The principles of art and design are more subjective as well. This means that they can be viewed and interpreted by one person differently than they are viewed and interpreted by another.

Engage and Persist will focus on the following principle of art & design:

Movement

Discover some interesting aspects of the principle of art & design: movement. Explore examples of how different artists create movement in their artwork. Analyze the artistic conventions those artists use to create the illusion of movement in their work.

Why is movement important to know in photography?

Reading

Learn more about the importance of lighting in photography.

Take notes on each type of lighting from the video and where the subject and light source are positioned. With a partner, take a photograph of each type of lighting to the best of your ability. Take turns being the photographer and the model with your partner.

Show What You Know

Out of Class Analysis and In Class Photos

Composition Analysis

Using the composition guidelines and techniques discussed in previous lessons and videos, analyze the work of one of the following artist's pieces.

Be specific in your responses making sure to point out where in the photograph you see the artist using that particular technique or guideline.

Option #1

Option #2

Emotion Portraits

Create a portrait of your subject that uses dramatic lighting to create a specific emotion given to you by the instructor.

Project Specifics

B Movie Self-Portrait

"B MOVIE" SELF-PORTRAITS

Composition

Explore how using the technique of framing and sub-framing can enhance photography work by creating stronger, more visually interesting compositions.

Artistic Conventions

Untitled Film Still #10, Cindy Sherman

Implied and Directional Line

This convention refers to the artist's use of creating a non-physical line that connects one object or person to another object of person. This can be achieved by where the subject is looking or where they are pointing for example.

How does implied and directional line apply to the art of photography?

Untitled Film Still #359, Cindy Sherman

Exaggeration

This convention refers to the artist's use of taking at least one area on a form and altering it to represent something different than it really is. Exaggerated elements of art & design - such as line, shape, etc. - tend to become an area of emphasis. Exaggeration can be achieved in numerous ways.

How does exaggeration apply to the art of photography?

Untitled Film Still #30, Cindy Sherman

Visual Read

This convention refers to the artist's ability to create a piece that the viewer can decipher meaning from through the use of the elements and principles of art and design, symbols, and composition.

How does visual read apply to the art of photography?

Artist Connection

Cindy Sherman

Untitled Film Still #466, Cindy Sherman

Career Exploration

Gallery Artist

Pepper, Edward Weston

Fine-Art Photographer

Fine-art photography is photography created in line with the vision of the photographer as an artist, using photography as a medium for creative expression. The goal of fine-art photography is to express an idea, a message, or an emotion. This career stands in contrast to a studio/portrait photographer who focuses capturing portraits of their subjects who generally commission them. It is also different from a photojournalist who concentrates on providing an accurate documentary visual, through photographs, and written account of events. And it is different than a commercial photographer who creates work to advertise or sell certain products or services. Photographers can be any combination of these different areas of focus.

Show What You Know

Lighting Analysis

With a partner, pick a photograph from the above grouping by professional photographers. Analyze the lighting seen in terms of the type, position, distance, and any use of reflectors using the lighting analysis guided worksheet.

Objectives

National Art Standards

Show What You Know

Self Timer Function and Unselfies

Using a camera with the self timer function on, take multiple portraits of your self known as an unselfie. The first unselfie must be a portrait that obscures your face in some way, but also tells the viewer something about you. The second unselfie must be a portrait that shows what you are most proud of about yourself. The third unselfie must be a portrait of what you'd want your future self to know about who you are right now.

Final Project

Outside of Class Work

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