Assignment 1: Color as Emotion, Due Feb. 8

Let's begin the semester by thinking about COLOR creatively. Metaphorically, what do colors mean?

Using colored light bulb(s), a tripod, and a digital camera, create a photograph that conveys a specific emotion. Your resulting image can be a scene, a portrait or a still life- your choice. But use only ONE COLOR to light the photograph and make sure the color you choose plays an important part in the emotion you want to evoke. At least one image is due as a RAW file by next week.

List Of Emotions:


Where to Buy colored light bulbs:
Home Depot: 23rd bet 5th/6th
Lighting and Beyond on 14th St

Just Bulbs on 60th St
or try your local hardware store, CVS or dollar store.

Click here for an article on meanings behind specific colors.


Thoughts about Color and Emotion:
Red:
Positive: Sense of power, strength, action, passion, sexuality
Negative: Anger, forcefulness, impulsiveness, impatience, intimidation, conquest, violence and revenge

Yellow:
Positive: Caution, brightness, intelligence, joy, organization, Spring time
Negative: Criticism, laziness, or cynicism

Blue:
Positive: Tranquility, love, acceptance, patience, understanding, cooperation, comfort, loyalty and security
Negative: Fear, coldness, passivity and depression

Orange:
Positive: Steadfastness, courage, confidence, friendliness, and cheerfulness, warmth, excitement and energy
Negative: Ignorance, inferiority, sluggishness and superiority

Purple:
Positive: Royalty, sophistication, religion
Negative: Bruised or foreboding

Green:
Positive: Money, health, food, nature, hope, growth, freshness, soothing, sharing, and responsiveness
Negative: Envy, greed, constriction, guilt, jealousy and disorder

Black:
Positive: Dramatic, classy, committed, serious
Negative: Evil, death, ignorance, coldness

White:
Positive: Pure, fresh, easy, cleanliness or goodness
Negative: Blind, winter, cold, distant

Examples: What role does the color cast in these images play in the meaning of the photo?

Nan Goldin


Robert Mappelthorpe (Piss Christ)


Lynne Cohen


Erwin Olaf


Do subject matter and color play an equal role in the emotion a photograph evokes?

Grading Policy

Class attendance and participation: 15%
Completion of weekly assignments on time: 40%
Midterm Project: 10%
Presentation (20 minutes on one artist): 10%
Final Project: 25%

*Your assignment or project grade will fall one letter each week it is late. If you do not hand in a final project, the highest grade you can get in the class is a C. More than 3 unexcused absences results in your overall grade being lowered one letter.

Welcome to Spring Semester!

This class is going to be fun! We will explore everything you need to know to make successful color photographs. The emphasis will be digital, but we will also look at different types of 35mm color film.

Throughout this course, we will be looking at COLOR and how it applies to Photography.

We will talk about:
What specific colors mean
How to use color creatively to portray a certain mood
How to get accurate color indoors and outdoors
How to get accurate color when photographing mixed lighting situations
How to make prints that show the same color as your computer monitor


We will also look at a variety of different photographers who shoot in color. You will have to do a presentation on one artist who shoots in color.

Other Projects Topics Include:
Color as Emotion
Changing Color of Light at Different times of Day
Using Gels on Continuous Lights and Flash
Daylight Film vs. Tungsten Film
Making Successful Prints
Chrome vs. Negative Film & Cross Processing
Using Photoshop to change/correct colors

Most assignments will be shot digitally, but a couple will be in film. You can check 35mm SLRs (both film and digital) out of the equipment room if you don’t own them.


Materials You'll Need:
A Hard Drive- THIS IS ESSENTIAL! Backing up your work is important. A flash drive is not good enough.
Lacie 1TB
Portable 250G

Gels (Pack of large 10" gels)

Free Rosco Gels (small gels will fit on end of your flash)

Info on what Gels are, click here.

Grading Policy:
Class attendance and participation: 15%
Completion of weekly assignments on time: 40%
Midterm Project: 10%
Presentation (20 minutes on one artist): 10%
Final Project: 25%

*Your assignment or project grade will fall one letter each week it is late. If you do not hand in a final project, the highest grade you can get in the class is a C. More than 3 unexcused absences results in your overall grade being lowered one letter.

Useful Links:
Print Lab at FIT 8.5x11" prints are $5

Westide Color Lab ask for a student discount for film developing/processing (24th between 6/7th)

Required Text:
Photography by Barbara London

** I recommend buying this book at the Barnes & Noble at FIT between the A&B Buildings. It's about the same price as Amazon: $95 for used.