Assignment #2: Composing with the Camera

Value: 5%
Duration: One Week
Due: January 22



For this assignment you are asked to use the camera view-finder as a compositional tool. Rather than beginning from scratch with a blank page, you will capture and edit imagery from the world around you. Taking into consideration the classical means of spatial division presented in the class session, select architectural details, abstracted 3D forms and/or corners of rooms as your subject matter. Please avoid recognizable objects, and focus on geometrical (preferably linear) forms. You should have approximately 10 digital images saved and available to work with during the lab session.



From these initial photos, select four of your favourite compositions to work with. Using the Adobe Illustrator template (provided online on our course blog), place and scale your images to fit within the 4 frames. Modify the title information with your name and personal information. Create a new layer and lock the previous two. Using the pen tool, trace the forms in your photographs, eliminating details and embellishing others, until you have a strong composition. You may want to crop, scale, or shift your reference photo to achieve a particular layout. Modify the fill colours for each form, using only greyscale values.



Once you are pleased with your design, delete or hide the layer with the photographic source. Save the file as a .pdf, and have the document printed in black and white on 8.5”x11” cardstock or photo paper (this can be done at the Copy Centre on level 6).

Deliverables:
- 8.5”x11” black and white print on cardstock or photo paper (labeled
appropriately)
- save for web as a jpg, and upload image to your blog journal
- please be prepared to present your work during the following class session

Evaluation will be based upon the following criteria:

- Has the student followed the assignment directions?
- Is there an interesting selection of subject matter?
- Do the compositions reflect an understanding of the principles explored in the class sessions?
- Do the separate compositions relate to one another on the page in a pleasing manner?

Click here to download the Adobe Illustrator Template.

Click here to download a PDF of detailed instructions.