Majors Project #8 Shadow Tracing (Part 1)

Shadows are everywhere.  In visual arts, they are often an important part of creating an interesting composition, and establishing a mood, as in Film Noir movies such as The Spiral Staircase.

From The Spiral Staircase, Directed by Robert Siodmak, 1945

Some artists make shadows the central focus of their work, and in doing so, draw our attention to that which we normally take for granted.

For this project, you will need the following:

-sidewalk chalk

-a camera (a camera phone is fine)

For this project, you will complete the following:

-you will make 3 chalk drawings.

-you will photograph those drawings, taking 3 pictures of each drawing for a total of 9 photographs (all in sharp focus).

-you will submit the photographs to me via email.

Due no later than April 24th at 5:00PM.  Late turn in will not be accepted and will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment.

Instructions

Different shadows appear at different times of day.  Some are created by the sun and slowly change shape as the day progresses, some are created by street lamps and only appear after dark.  

Your assignment is to explore your neighborhood, in search of shadows and to "capture" THREE of them by outlining them in sidewalk chalk.  You will then photograph your drawings and submit the photographs via email (okaing@newtrier.k12.il.us).

In order to prepare for this assignment, go for AT LEAST one walk on a SUNNY DAY, between 8:00-10:00 AM or 3:00-6:00 PM.  These are the times when the sun is relatively low in the sky and shadows are elongated.  ALSO go for at least one walk after dark, when the street lamps are on.  On both/all of your walks, search for  shadows that have interesting positive and negative shapes, make note of their locations and the time of day when you saw the shadow.  Be aware of the weather forecast.  A cloudy day will not yield many shadows.  

When you have decided which locations and times of day are best, go to those locations and use a piece of sidewalk chalk to thickly outline the shadows.  You may want to return at a different time of day in order to "capture" the shadow as it evolves and changes.

Photograph your work.  Shoot your drawings from a variety of angles.  The photographs should be well composed (think about the rule of thirds).  Check to make sure you have at least three, sharply focused, well composed photographs of each of your chalk drawings.  You should have at least 9 photographs (3 of each drawing).  

This project should reflect at least 9 hours of work, including the time it takes you to go on your research walks, to make the drawings, to photograph the drawings and to email the photographs.

Email the photographs to me no later than April 24th at 5:00PM.  Late turn in will not be accepted and will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment.

CAUTION:  Do not select shadows that will require you to draw in the street where there is automobile traffic.  Take an adult with you when you go out in the evening to research or to draw your shadows.  Be aware of your surroundings and be safe.  ONLY use SIDEWALK CHALK.  Do not use any drawing material that is not easily washed away.