Foothill Technology High School | Cameron Crouch | Digital Photography

Arthur Tress

Thesis: an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument.

Antithesis: exact opposite; "his theory is the antithesis of mine"

What defines who you are? Are these characteristics visual, or internal, or both? Each student will need to determine what it is that defines who they are. This will need to be done in visual terms. At the conclusion of this, each student will need to post a thesis statement declaring “I am…”

In contrast, an antithesis will need to be created. The statement, “I am not…” will help prompt ideas for visual representation of who or what the student isn’t.

Once having completed the creation of a list of "I am" and "I am not..." statements it is time to start creating visual metaphors for the concepts behind thesis/antithesis. Use of color, background, hair, clothes, settings, body language and expression will help create the strength of the images.

For the Thesis/Antithesis project, you the student will be declaring what you are, and what you are not through the creation of 8 highly staged photographs. This will be hard, I am aware of that, push yourself with your ideas and at the completion of the project, you will be proud of your creation.


LINKS for ideas: Aaron Goodman Robert Parke-Harrison Mary Ellen Mark Loretta Lux	Arthur Tress Thesis: an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument. Antithesis: exact opposite; "his theory is the antithesis of mine" What defines who you are? Are these characteristics visual, or internal, or both? Each student will need to determine what it is that defines who they are. This will need to be done in visual terms. At the conclusion of this, each student will need to post a thesis statement declaring “I am…” In contrast, an antithesis will need to be created. The statement, “I am not…” will help prompt ideas for visual representation of who or what the student isn’t. Once having completed the creation of a list of "I am" and "I am not..." statements it is time to start creating visual metaphors for the concepts behind thesis/antithesis. Use of color, background, hair, clothes, settings, body language and expression will help create the strength of the images. For the Thesis/Antithesis project, you the student will be declaring what you are, and what you are not through the creation of 8 highly staged photographs. This will be hard, I am aware of that, push yourself with your ideas and at the completion of the project, you will be proud of your creation.

	What are you? What are you not? Follow these steps to CREATE your images. Be aware of and incorporate the use of the Elements of Design. (Line, Shape, Color, Texture, Space, Value). Think in terms of contrast:

	The final 8 images are due on 10/2. The only alteration of the images in Photoshop is: levels, color adjustment, cropping, or converting to B&W. Shoot both images in the same format; both portrait or landscape format. A lighting demo will be done in class using artificial light, window light, bounced light, and a combination of artificial and natural light. Go forth and create stunning images that provoke, inspire, create questions, create answers, and ultimately, you are proud of, (I know it is a a lot to ask).
	The images below are done by David Lachappelle, who is known for his outrageous pictures and elaborate sets. I think he does a great job of photographing celebrities.
	Loretta Lux. Images are shot and composited against a painting, (usually done by the photographer) then slightly manipulated to create a somewhat visually disturbing image. Sandy Skoglund Diane Arbus Starn Twins Robert Parke-Harrison