The main difference seems to be that, whereas photography still claims some sort of objectivity, digital imaging is an overtly fictional process. As a practice that is known to be capable of nothing but fabrication, digitization abandons even the rhetoric of truth that has been such an important part of photography’s cultural success.
Geoffrey Batchen
If we want to call up more hopeful or positive uses of manipulated images, we must choose images in which manipulation is itself apparent, not just as a form of artistic reflexivity but to make a larger point about the truth value of photographs and illusionistic elements in the surface of (and even definition of) reality.
Martha Rosler
Because photographs are products connected the ‘real’, people can be quite gullible and take them as truth. With the rise of digital technologies, many images have some form of manipulation which affects the way in which a photograph can be read, interpreted, and the meaning it conveys. Access to digital photographic manipulations on our phone and smart devices has complicated this further. Pixels have become the new pigment, and photographers can almost become painters. Digital media has given a new discourse to photography, a scrutiny and speculation on truth and manipulation in an image. You will employ this tension of manipulation versus the mechanical nature of photography on a topic you are interested in.
You are to create an image that enacts trickery. You must have an idea or meaningful purpose of why you used manipulation in your scene. You can use the camera on your phone, a professional camera, or a disposable camera. Be sure to plan your images well, and photograph them with post-production in mind. After bringing your images into the computer, execute your manipulation using Photoshop in one single document with many layers.
The manipulation can be, (and works best when it is) subtle and unassuming yet poignant. But, you may also create more exaggerated manipulations if your idea calls for it. Be careful of how you use symbols, codes, subject matter, particular references and what your manipulation can inform or impose. The trickery can be made by juxtaposing multiple images together to create one single image, changing lighting situations, proportions, multiplying elements, etc. Or you may erase or alter specific elements of an image by pushing pixels. There are many ways to manipulate in Photoshop and I encourage you to explore. Most important, be creative, thoughtful and informed of what the image will convey because of your ‘trick’. Every choice is important; therefore, you must carefully make decisions and experiment with what those decisions mean to the concept of the piece. It is not the amount of ‘trickery’ that is important, but why your trick informs meaning of the content -that will make a successful piece.
REQUIREMENTS
This project must be completed in one document with layers in Photoshop. You must use original photographs, this means you must take your own photos for the piece. If you wish to use found images, please consult with your TA or Christine to get permission. This project must be in colour, colour and density balanced and adjusted. Size dimensions is a minimum of 8 inches on each side, proportions variable to your project, and must be of fine art printing quality (300 dpi) although you are not required to print it. You are required to hand in a working .psd file and .jpg file on a labelled flash drive. The photoshop file must be UNFLATTENED, therefore layers intact to show and prove your work.
You must name your .psd file by your last then first name, and you must label the exterior of your flash drive, failure to label your work with your name will result in a grade of zero.
Along with your flash drive, you must submit a maximum one page hard-copy print-out during lab to your TA with the following information:
- Your Name
- Title of the Work
- Dimensions & Resolution (inches & DPI)
- Maximum 100 word description of intention for the work, and its relationship to ‘trickery’ (this is for our ability to grade it if questions arise, we will not grade this description itself)
- Maximum 150 word summary of received online peer feedback, how you considered the feedback and how you incorporated the feedback into revisions of the work. If you did not use the feedback in your revisions, please detail why not.
*A reflection on the assignment will be given on due dates, due one week after their critiques, and part of their Trickery mark.
DUE DATES
Upload Trickery draft to ComPAIR by February 5, 11:59pm, online critiques open at 6pm after lecture and due on comPAIR by February 10, 11:59pm
Final Version of Trickery Project due February 13, 24 & 25 at the start of class time.
| Criteria |
Ratings |
|
Technical
10% |
|
10.0 pts
Distinguished Work
Proof of initiative and superior grasp of program use |
9.0 pts
Superior Grasp
Proof of further development and use of program |
8.2 pts
Evidence of Extensive Knowledge Base
Program use beyond expectancy and appropriately |
7.7 pts
Evidence of Critical Capacity and Analytic Ability
Program use achieved to a high standard |
7.3 pts
Reasonable Understanding of Relevant Issues
Proof program was understood and used efficiently |
6.8 pts
Competent Performance, Solve Simple Problems
Proof program was understood and used properly, able to solve simple problems |
6.3 pts
Not Seriously Faulty but Lacking Style and Vigor
Technical elements showed redundancy or randomness, minimum proof |
5.5 pts
Adequate
Acceptable but minimal technical proof shown in minimum requirements |
4.9 pts
Almost Adequate
Technical execution faulty enough to not reach credit value |
0.0 pts
No Marks |
|
|
Formal
Arrangement, Craftsmanship, Delivery, Execution, Presentation Quality
25% |
|
25.0 pts
Distinguished Work
Formal decisions inform subject, is creatively problem solved, and perfectly crafted |
22.0 pts
Original Thinking, Superior Grasp
Problem-solved formal strategies in a creative way |
20.0 pts
Evidence of Extensive Knowledge Base
Formal strategies strong, and meticulous attention to all details |
18.0 pts
Evidence of Critical Capacity and Analytic Ability
Formal decisions enhance project and good craftsmanship |
17.0 pts
Reasonable Understanding of Relevant Issues
Formal arrangement appropriate to subject, decent craftsmanship |
16.0 pts
Competent Performance, Solve Simple Problems
Formal arrangement distracting to formula and/or careless craft |
15.0 pts
Not Seriously Faulty but Lacking Style and Vigor
Formal arrangement barely met and/or faulty craftsmanship |
14.0 pts
Adequate
Minimum formal arrangement, not thought through well |
12.0 pts
Almost Adequate
Lacking proof of any formal work-through, composition, or attention to detail and craftsmanship |
0.0 pts
No Marks |
|
|
Conceptual
Framework, Risk-Taking, Originality, Creativity, Investment in Contemporary Issues, Social or Political Relevance, etc
25% |
|
25.0 pts
Distinguished Work
Distinguished level of conceptual approach to assignment purpose and properties |
22.0 pts
Original Thinking, Superior Grasp
Tackles conceptually challenging material, proving a nuanced understanding of subject |
20.0 pts
Evidence of Extensive Knowledge Base
Risky or difficult subject matter creatively worked through |
18.0 pts
Evidence of Critical Capacity and Analytic Ability
Problem-solved conceptually challenging subject matter |
17.0 pts
Reasonable Undertanding of Relevant Issues
Good handle of conceptual approach of subject & project |
16.0 pts
Competent Performance, Solve Simple Problems
Competent understanding of conceptual thought |
15.0 pts
Not Seriously Faulty but Lacking Style and Vigor
Project goals met, though no further conceptual challenges posed |
14.0 pts
Adequate
Manipulation or Appropriation in place with minimum thought or by way of forced project strategy |
12.0 pts
Almost Adequate
Lacking conceptual framework |
0.0 pts
No Marks |
|
|
Project Goals
Overall Success and Meeting of Project Goals
25% |
|
25.0 pts
Distinguished Work
Met project goals while also critically challenging assignment properties proven by a distinguished understanding of consequences of representational practices |
22.0 pts
Original Thinking, Superior Grasp
Goals met with highly creative and critical approach in all decisions towards a work of art |
20.0 pts
Evidence of Extensive Knowledge Base
Goals met with high understanding and investment of subject matter to support critical conviction of specific vision |
18.0 pts
Evidence of Critical Capacity and Analytic Ability
Creatively approached project goals informed by critical look at subject matter |
17.0 pts
Reasonable Understanding of Relevant Issues
Competent approach to realizing project goals within most aspects |
16.0 pts
Competent Performance, Solve Simple Problems
Proof of average understanding of project goals on expected level, low-level distractions evident |
15.0 pts
Not Seriously Faulty but Lacking Style and Vigor
Project goals met with unoriginal or common approach |
14.0 pts
Adequate
Proof of average understanding of project goals but with questionable distractions |
12.0 pts
Almost Adequate
Project goals not met |
0.0 pts
No Marks |
|
|
Reflection & Revisions
15% |
|
15.0 pts
Distinguished Work
Conveys strong and critical reflection with significant personal growth and awareness of deeper meaning and well developed insights that were synthesized into final improvements |
14.0 pts
Superior Grasp
Critique was considered and critical reflection towards creatively problem-solving subtly nuanced or challenging strategies to address and improve |
13.0 pts
Evidence of Critical Capacity and Analytic Ability
High level of consideration of peer review feedback with thorough attention to implications described and acted on |
12.0 pts
Evidence of Extensive Knowledge Base
Critique was considered and response by way of improvement on execution exceeded expectations |
11.0 pts
Reasonable Understanding of Relevant Issues
Reflective response included all components and met all requirements at an above average understanding |
10.0 pts
Competent Performance, Solve Simple Problems
Reflection on peer feedback demonstrates some degree of critical thinking but follow through choices (or lack thereof) were inconsistent or not well executed |
9.0 pts
Not Seriously Faulty but Lacking Style and Vigor
Demonstrates limited critical thinking in applying feedback and/or lacking follow-through or adequate response as to why not |
8.0 pts
Adequate
Response lacks many essential components of critical reflection, addressed superficially or minimally |
7.0 pts
Almost Adequate
Attempted but inadequate proof of understanding for credit |
0.0 pts
No Marks |
|
Artwork Rubric: