This project asks you to explore different methods for bringing materials into the computer. To this end, you will be exploring direct scanning and also digital capture. There are two parts to the project:
PART ONE - DIRECT SCANNING
Bring at least 3 different pieces of printed matter that reflect YOU, which may be anything from family photographs to journal entries. These objects should reflect your identity and the range of influences that make you who you are.
Also bring a range of objects, so you can see how the scanner behaves with different sorts of 3D objects. You will also bring at least 3 different objects small enough to fit on the scanner, which you will scan as well. Try to bring a variety of surfaces and textures (metal, cloth, plastic, etc.) Make them things that hold personal significance for you and consider themes and relationships among the items.
The scanner is your "camera" and the scanning bed is the "viewfinder". You will be arranging any combination of the 3D and 2D objects on the scanner to create an image. Your images must use the full bed of the scanner. Consider issues of positive and negative space as you're arranging objects, as well as ideas of composition. How do you create emphasis?
The scanning background is white by default. You may wish to consider playing with paper or fabric to create a different backdrop. You may also wish to play with covering the scanner bed with seran wrap or acetate and painting or drawing on it. You could also put wet objects on the seran wrap, such as cut fruit. If you choose to explore this direction, be extremely careful to avoid damaging the scanner. Always clean up after yourself.
Your images should be no larger than the scanning bed, 8.5" x 11.5 ", at 300 DPI. (which means that you will be scanning at 100% @ 300 DPI) You may crop if you wish.
You will submit at least two final explorations of this idea at the critique.
PART TWO - DIGITAL CAPTURE
Using your digital camera or the schools, explore the possibilities of digital capture to make images reflective of your identity. This could mean self-portraiture, but might also take a route of exploration through things that make up your identity. Perhaps it is a record of your interests, environments, and the culmination of influences that define you as an individual. Shoot as many images as it takes to capture your vision of yourself.
Shoot your digital camera images as JPG's for this project. Be sure to match your white balance to the scene. We will discuss the possibilities of RAW files at a future date.
You will submit at least two well-composed digitally captured images, with correct white balance for projection at the critique.
Critique will be on Monday, February 4th
At critique, you will have two works for part one and two works for part two, for a total of four works. Print your images on 8.5" x 11" paper. They do not need to be matted for this first critique.
Click for some Student Samples
For the Direct Scanning component of the project:
You will definitely want to look at the photographer Ruth Adams and her "Organic Studies" in relation to this project.
The digital artist Maggie Taylor produces her layered images from direct scans of the objects.
Also, the photographer Julia McLemore.
You might additionally consider the German artist Franz John in relation to this idea of the scanner as a camera. Here's a link to the "Sky Nude" project.
Questions? Shoot me an e-mail.