Art 318 Intermediate Photo SP 2022: Project 3: Fictional Reality

Turn in:

Wednesday 4/27: Final image due. Turn in full-size, layered photoshop file (at least 16 inches longest side, 300 dpi) and Jpeg (1200 px, longest side)

For this project, create a compelling and photographically believable depiction of an event that never happened. Create something that is both possible and impossible, at the same time. Explore the line between fantasy and reality.

Create a character and place them in an environment or situation that might be strange, surreal, or simply, weird. How is the line between fantasy—reality blurred? Consider myths, fairy tales, movies, other stories. Or make something up.

Move beyond the simple "one liner" to something that works on multiple levels thematically or conceptually. What questions are raised? What ideas are engaged? Beyond that, anything goes. There is plenty of room for creative interpretation.

Think big for this one... costumes? styling? props?
Plan ahead of time, especially situational lighting characteristics. The instructor will advise you on a plan. The light direction and quality of every component of your image (subject and background) should match, as should camera angles, etc. For instance if your image depicts a nighttime scene, the background should be shot at night, while the studio white screen image should use a lighting design that suggests a similar lighting situation. Unifying lighting direction, scale, point of view, shooting angle, etc., is very important to contribute toward the believability of you final composite image
Spend time exploring and photographing possible background settings/locations
Integrate the subject with the unlikely background/situation using post-processing techniques covered in class

There are a few technical ground rules for this project.

At least one of the main subjects should be shot with white screen techniques in class
Avoid WHITE clothing for white screen shooting. Darker clothes (even darker hair color) is best
Shoot 3-5 different background images, all different, but shot with scale, perspective, lighting, and point of view that matches your subject convincingly.
At least three working variations (with distinctly different backgrounds and/or subject) should be submitted by the first critique. The strongest of these will be developed (or combined with others) to create the final image
The white screen subject should be masked and appropriately integrated into the new background, using the techniques taught in class to create a seamless photographic illusion.
The finished image should "read" realistically and convincingly as a single, genuine photo
At least 18" x 24" @300 dpi. All component pieces should be at adequate resolution, shot by you–please do not use images from the web!
Submit layered photoshop file and jpeg of appropriate resolution

Building an image

Project Due Dates

~~Monday 2/28: Proposal Due~~

~~1-2 pages~~
Description of your fictional scene/event. Please specify whether the event takes place during the day, night, indoors, outdoors, weather conditions, etc. For example: "I will depict my character standing below a streetlamp on the running path along the Black Warrior River while it is raining. The falling rain will be generated digitally, but the subject will be photographed with wet hair and clothing in the studio to match the weather conditions."
~~Description of your character, including outfit, costume, etc.~~
~~Description of your background~~
~~Overall light direction/light quality desired for final image. For instance, will your character be depicted as lit by a streetlamp or the setting sun?~~
~~Anticipated special skills needed in Photoshop. For example, how to create fog, rain, etc.~~
~~Please look at the fictional reality artist examples at the end of the blog post, and discuss 1-2 approaches, effects or strategies you may want to try our for yourself with this project~~

~~Wednesday 3/30: In-class white screen shooting~~

~~It is crucial that you attend class, prepared to shoot~~
~~Character comes to class "in costume"~~
Please be ready to pride instructor some guidance about light direction/light quality. (See item 5 from proposal). The clearer your plan for lighting, the more targeted and effective our efforts in the studio will be.

Wednesday 4/27: Final image due. Turn in full-size, layered photoshop file (at least 16 inches longest side, 300 dpi) and Jpeg (1200 px, longest side)

Additional dates, TBD

Developing and refining your image:

Approach your image as would a painter or illustrator. Photograph (or digitally create) elements, as required, to support your fiction. Work the whole picture, considering light direction, atmosphere, composition and color. All major components of the image must be shot by you.

Position and scale figure (Use free transform dragging from corners to preserve proportions) in relationship to the background–where you want the figure to be
Keep the figure relatively prominent in the frame.
Refine mask in CONTEXT.