Project Prompt:
Over the course of the semester, we have looked at a variety of photographers, their approaches, and shooting, editing, and printing techniques. It is now time for you to explore your own ideas and put these together with your technical digital skills. For your final project, rather than starting with a technical skill that you need to master, you will be starting with an overarching idea, creating all photographs for this project, then exploring it through exhibiting your final project.
Choose one of the following:
New Series or Story: a minimum of 6 final new images (While you may include some images from your archives or that you shot for previous assignments, 6 of the images must be taken specifically for this project. When evaluating your final project, I will only consider how the old images fit into the series and help create your cohesive concept. (still need a batch of more than 30 NEW images as tests/research)
Photoshop-based project: a minimum of 4 final images with a non-destructive editing method. Photoshop-based projects should apply extensive manipulation, collage, and/or montage than retouching images by alternating color, using a healing brush or clone stamp tool. The project created a step out of reality and overridden reality; moving, adding elements to a scene, or changing the size and dimension. (You need to submit an edited TIFF file as well as a google photo album link) (needs to include some original/new photo material)
None of the above: You have to consult with me about your idea and the quantity of your work before you submit the proposal. We will discuss what is appropriate quality and quantity for the final project.
AND
Write an Artist Statement (a minimum of 100 words) that accompanies the new work
Your artist statement is an introduction to your project. A good artist statement addresses what the series is about, why it is important that you created this specific series, and how your approach to photographing and sequencing the series supports the concept or theme. There are countless images you can bring into the world. Why are you showing the world these images?
Your artist statement should clarify your intentions. It is a given that we want our photos to speak for themselves and that people will bring their own backgrounds and experiences to the interpretation of your images. Once they are out in the world, you lose some control over how people respond to them. That said, your artist statement is an opportunity for you to describe your intentions about the concept behind your photo series. Other people will interpret them how they will but in the artist statement, you must describe how you interpret them.
Final Project Prompt:
Choose between a photoshop collection or new series for your final project. Write an artist statement to go with the work.
Find Everyday Beauty
-Elizabeth
“After learning about cinematic photography in this class I was intrigued by these types of photos and how they are able to tell engaging stories through an aesthetic that I admire. I was drawn to this aesthetic because of the artsy and vintage feel that is depicted in many cinematic photos. I selected this theme for my final project because I wanted to learn more about editing photos, something I was less comfortable with, and I wanted to begin to get experience with telling stories through photography. This project connects to my experience with drawing, as I sought to tell stories with those works, much like I have through this project. I chose to use the technique of photos on a grid to further convey my cinematic theme, so I could have different "stories" from different/shoots and distinguish each story as unique. I also hoped to be able to find everyday beauty through these photos, as I feel this is something cinema and cinematic photography is able to capture and convey. I felt like this was particularly important to me when I took some photos in my neighborhood at home - a place I often feel as though I have lost this sense of because I have lived in the same place for my entire life, while it is easier for me to see the everyday beauty in a place that is new to me like DC.” -Elizabeth (American University 2023, Photography)
"For my original series, I wanted to capture the dreamlike essence of women. The idea of the "manic-pixie dream girl" intrigues me, as it characterizes women in a way that makes them pleasurable to a man. I edited the pictures to appear wildly colorful—something to make her appearance seem dream-like but keep her beauty. Essentially, I am taking away the realistic parts of her aura and personality by creating a colorful alter-ego that men would see when they looked at her. Men create something unattainable for women to achieve and view her as such, making their perceived view of her real to them rather than appreciating her true personality. Men like the idea of her, but not the real her. " - Gia (Fall 2023, Photo 250, American University) 
