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GDS 251 APPLIED PHOTOGRAPHY
Sourcefiles
Instructors: Bonnie Burgund and Paul Young

Objective

To collect reference materials for future use. To survey current trends in editorial and advertising photography. Observation and analysis are the best ways to learn. By looking at what is being done by photographers, you can emulate or improve upon their methods, or at least understand why they did what they did.

Description

Collect photographic images from all available resources and file them in the following categories:

• Portrait
• Product ("tabletop" or "still life")
• Lifestyle
• Conceptual
• Special effects
• Other

Procedure

Visit Parkland library's reserve and periodicals section every week. Scan and print designs that you are drawn to. Or subscribe to (or purchase) at least one magazine per week. Tear out images that you are drawn to. Keep your eyes open for potential reference materials wherever you go. Collect printed pieces, postcards, packaging, or anything containing photographic images that you are attracted to. Analyze the image and determine where the light source is. What is the concept behind the image? What kind of visual clues are there that tell a story?

Present your research in class every week. Be prepared to talk about what specifically attracted you to the pieces in your collection (download the vocabulary wheel PDF file).

File your selections for future reference.

Bonus: Share your links to really commercial photography web sites! Submit suggestions for links to the Internet Resources page. The person who submits the best link each week will win a prize.

Schedule

Research for each week due the beginning of class every Tuesday. Present your files at midterm to be graded. Present your files at your final individual review to be graded.

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Last updated: 5/19/02 • Webmaster: Paul Young