2nd Year Negative Space History

Statement of Inquiry

Throughout different art movements and in certain cultures artists have altered the composition by exaggerating and/or simplifying the negative space in an artwork to create an interesting aesthetic.

Key Concept: Aesthetics

Related Concepts: Composition

Global Context: Personal and Cultural Expression

- our appreciation of aesthetics

Video on Negative Space, Simplification and Photography : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKc-0QEbZbo

Pre-reflection question:

1. What is negative space?

2. What is composition?

3. In your opinion, before looking deeper into the subject, how can you utilize negative space to create an interesting composition?

4. What does Aesthetics refer to?

Research:

Take a moment and read this article.

http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/understanding-and-using-negative-space-in-photography

Take some notes about suggestions that the author gives you for your future as a negative space photographer in your sketchbook.,

Pre- Activity Project

1. What is juxtaposition?

2. Find a photograph by famous photographers online and alter the negative space or positive space in some way to create a juxtaposition between the subject and the negative space.

Pre-Reflect

1. What does altering the positive or negative space do to the composition of the pieces you created?

2. How can you use this technique to bring style or meaning into your artwork?

Create:

1. Take two images with the class cameras and then alter the negative space or positive space in some way. Please make sure these are well composed shots and use the camera on manual setting. Make sure there they are not over or under exposed, focused, good colouring and of something interesting.

2. Take three good images where you focus on the play between negative space and positive space when you are taking the images and make them black and white in Photoshop. Play around with the Contrast and brightness to make them look aesthetically pleasing. Remember when you need three good images it is likely that you will take 20 and be able to choose 3 as your best. You are always welcome to post more.

Reflection:

1. Do you think your images are aesthetically pleasing? Why or why not?

2. Which of your images was most successful? Why?

3. How did making your images black and white change the image?

4. Did focusing on positive and negative space change the way you looked for subjects while you were going out photographing? What did you look for?