Shadows

Submit 6 high quality photos of things that have shadows cast on them. Think of things that will create interesting shadows, like blinds, iron fences, window panes, or trees. Put careful thought into the arrangement of the shapes in your compositions. In order to complete this project successfully you will actually need to take far more than 6 photos--then you will choose the top 6 to edit. Desaturate (make image black and white) and check the contrast. Submit your images as black and white photos.

(Examples found online)

4 "Palla" Projects

Make 4 "Palla"-inspired projects. See the work of the artist "Palla" at www.pallalink.net . Duplicate and mirror images to create interesting symmetry. Change blending modes in the layers menu (There is a tab for blending modes or layer properties at the top of the window that shows your layers.) to allow the layers to mix together.

Reflections

Look for things with really reflective surfaces--like metal objects, glass, or even water. Take photos of the reflections. What will you choose to "frame" in the reflection? Will it become a self-portrait? Will you capture someone or something who doesn't realize you are watching them?-- Or an interesting view of something from an unusual perspective?


Photo by Camil Tulcan


Photo by Dan Heller


Photo by Brian Esslinger

Flames

Use The Gimp to create 4 high quality images using the flames filter. Start with a black background. Go to filter->render->nature->flames. Be sure to render flames on separate layers in a high resolution document so that you can rearrange them. You should try combining a few flame renderings in some or all of your projects. Try referring to the Rule of Thirds for assistance in setting up some of your compositions. Brighten colors by turning up the contrast. Save your projects as layered Photoshop files. The image above makes use of the Rule of Thirds
The image above does not use the Rule of Thirds, but has an even weight (balance) throughout.
Both projects have successful compositions.

Text is Art

Make a project using only a single word of your choosing. Think of the letters as shapes and arrange them within a composition. You can set up any kind of composition you like--It can be abstract, symmetrical, you can even use the letters to make something else. You may use a photograph as a template and force the letters to line up with the image. Just be sure to delete the photo when you are finished. Or check out something like the "Wordle" web application on my favorite sites list to the right. Make a project inspired by a Wordle image but use the Gimp instead. Consider allowing words to overlap. Remember to save all projects as layered gimp or photoshop files.
"Confused" by Jonathan Or

Make their art your art

Photos by: Maura McGovern, Berkshire '10

Take your camera outside and photograph public sculptures in your area. You might have to do a little research first to find out where to go. Public parks are a good place to look-- and the "plaza" areas outside large office buildings in metropolitan areas. There may even be a sculpture park near you. Your photos should not be straightforward images of the sculptures. They should include abstractions, close-ups, and views form unusual perspectives. Take TONS of photos. Edit and crop them in iPhoto, The Gimp, or Photoshop. You'll turn in your 6 best.

Architectural perspective

Submit 6 interesting photos of a building or buildings. The photos must be taken from unusual perspectives--or taken to deliberately enhance an element of art or principle of design like line, shape, texture, or pattern. (In order to complete this project successfully, you will need to take far more than 6 photos--then you will select your 6 favorite and edit them.) Make sure the contrast in the images allows for a full range of values. You may take your photos from both inside the building and outside the building.

Landscape + Portrait

Combine a landscape photo with a portrait photo. First, collect landscape photographs. Then take some portrait photos of anyone you like against simple backgrounds. Combine the 2 by putting the portrait on a layer on top of the landscape. Change the blending mode on the portrait layer to combine the two images.