Need help w/ art assignment

[rexbobcat]

I would Google examples of each type of photo that your professor wants. That can help spark some inspiration.

Abstracts are "easy" in that they can be found anywhere. Look at patterns of light and color. When you look at an object. Think of the form and not about the object itself

I don't really know what your professor specifically wants with the other two kinds.

I'm in a drawing class and I hate with the rage of 1000 Hitlers, so I understand where you're coming from. A lot of the people on this forum have a hard time showing empathy from their pedestals and for that I apologize.

 

[858Smith]

As an artist I'm offended by this request to do your work and yes, that is exactly what this is.

got through this whole semester w/ an A so far

So what? Is the goal to get A's or to learn? Learn to think. Have some integrity, some morality. Now, get off the internet and start taking responsibility for yourself.

To be honest with you, not to learn. You mean to tell me you never took a course in college that you didn't want to get something out of, for an easy A? Come on now.

Such 'art assignments' are a nonsense. All you can learn in an art course is technique (worth it) and arty farty blah blah (not worth it). You know if you're artistic or not and it's not something you can be taught. If, as you say, you're the 'LEAST artistic person alive' then you might well want to reconsider your course.

When I decided to take this course, I was told by classmates it was easy and a joke. Now that I'm in it, I would rather just get through it.

Here's yet another thread where board users start going after a student. At least it's not a high school kid this time. The OP asked for an idea, not for anyone to do his homework - board users can offer an idea or don't have to post a comment at all.

Maybe for your class you could think about what you see around you that shows pattern, shape, etc. - you could look at something close up(or from far away so that you see it in a different way. Have you looked at sites like MOMA? that might help jump start an idea for your assignment.

Thanks for realizing I was asking for ideas! I'm sure if I go to other boards in this forum, the ones criticizing me for asking for ideas are out there asking for ideas themselves.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will do that!

Here's a thread where the OP is advised to be honest, stand on their own 2 feet and do the assignment to the best of their ability and not to take the easy way out. Nope, sorry, as someone who has taught art, I'll stand by my comments. The instructor deserves your best shot at it.

No, I was NOT advised to do so, I was jumped on. There's a difference. If someone had said, "Hey, maybe you should give it a shot yourself, just look around for ideas," etc., but nope, no one did.

Yes, my instructor DOES deserve my best shot at it, but like I said, who is taking the picture? Me or you guys?

I would Google examples of each type of photo that your professor wants. That can help spark some inspiration.

Abstracts are "easy" in that they can be found anywhere. Look at patterns of light and color. When you look at an object. Think of the form and not about the object itself

I don't really know what your professor specifically wants with the other two kinds.

I'm in a drawing class and I hate with the rage of 1000 Hitlers, so I understand where you're coming from. A lot of the people on this forum have a hard time showing empathy from their pedestals and for that I apologize.

Thanks for the Google suggestion. I don't know why I didn't think of that. That's why I'm SO confused b/c I don't know what he wants with the other two kinds, either! Abstract is kind of easy, but I'm stuck with the other two.

I noticed that about some people on this forum. Don't know why they didn't just not reply. Like I said, they must be bored or trying to up their post count.

Thanks again!

 

[Light Guru]

To be honest with you, not to learn. You mean to tell me you never took a course in college that you didn't want to get something out of, for an easy A? Come on now.

LOL. So that "easy" A is not so easy now is it.

When I wanted an easy A in college I took bowling and golf.

You should be spending your time doing the assignment and not arguing with people as to why they should be doing half of your assignment for you.

 

[858Smith]

When I wanted an easy A in college I took bowling and golf.

Well, that explains a lot...

 

[texkam]

Collaboration has permeated education like never before thanks to social networking. That's not always a bad thing, but today's students are much more helpless in many ways. > >

Thanks for the Google suggestion. I don't know why I didn't think of that. That's why I'm SO confused b/c I don't know what he wants with the other two kinds, either!

Crowdsourcing creative ideas is very popular in the workplace these days too.

 

[tibrunner]

Wow I feel like such a nerd- when I wanted an "easy" A I took Physics >.<

For your non-objective image take a picture of something that literally has absolutely no meaning what so ever- just a combination of randomness.

For the other find something organic in nature.

Should be fairly simple once you get going.

 

[rlemert]

Here's a thread where the OP is advised to be honest, stand on their own 2 feet and do the assignment to the best of their ability and not to take the easy way out. Nope, sorry, as someone who has taught art, I'll stand by my comments. The instructor deserves your best shot at it.

There is a difference between guiding a student into the actions that will help them achieve the 'learning' they need and "doing the work for them." Furthermore, just telling them to "do the work yourself" isn't going to be very helpful when the student doesn't even know where to start.

In this instance, suggesting the OP google the terms is a helpful suggestion that in no way takes the burden of doing the work off of the student. It suggested a way for the student to get past any mental blocks (or lack of knowledge) that were holding him back, but he still has to follow through and evaluate that suggestion.

 

[The_Traveler]

If the OP had said, "I'm a college student and I've gotten this assignment and I just don't even know how to go about looking for inspiration. Any suggestions?"

Then people would have been willing to help someone in their quest for ideas.

But the OP wanted the answers not help to research the questions.
Part of art is doing the thinking.
Doing the actual execution is not so difficult.

 

[Light Guru]

When I wanted an easy A in college I took bowling and golf.

Well, that explains a lot...

Do elaborate further.

 

[texkam]

Sorry, educator rant:

the student doesn't even know where to start.

It suggested a way for the student to get past any mental blocks (or lack of knowledge)

If you are going to argue this, then I will argue that an "A" is not an accurate assessment of the student's proficiency in this class. By the students own admissions it is clearly implied the student is not deserving of an "A". Read it for yourself.

i'm the LEAST artistic person alive .... i just can't think of what to shoot! .... To be honest with you, not to learn. You mean to tell me you never took a course in college that you didn't want to get something out of, for an easy A? Come on now. .... When I decided to take this course, I was told by classmates it was easy and a joke. Now that I'm in it, I would rather just get through it. .... I don't know why I didn't think of that. That's why I'm SO confused b/c I don't know what he wants with the other two kinds, either!

Of course this is one of the problems with todays educational system, anger or shame in not being able to earn an "A" all the time. Grades should be commensurate with one's demonstrated proficiency in the subject. Is it fair that the OP receive an "A" if other student/s in that class have proven to be more artistic, creative, resourceful and serious about the class? Or are we ALL winners? If the OP feels the need to reach out to the community to help them with their assignment, fine, but have enough integrity to share the route you took with your teacher. Of course you may not end earn an "A", but you just might earn something much better, some respect. Good luck on your quest for that easy "A".

 

[Compaq]

My opinions on the matter

The OP asked for ideas, inspiration, and pretentious people shot him/her down. Yes, I said pretentious. I'll even call you hypocrites. Deny it, and you're liars as well. Everyone is in need of inspiration. There is no exception, tell me someone who has not sought inspiration when about to do something they don't fully understand? It's called inspiration whether you're openly asking for it or silently looking through magazines in a shadowy corner.

It is said, art is about thinking. Yes, indeed. However, I see no relevance of this to the first post. The OP did not ask anyone to come up with the theme for the final shots. Ideas were asked for. A mere idea or two, brain food, something to get the mind working. That cannot be too much to ask for.

The mere thought of experienced photographers not being willing to help students learn, and shoot them down instead, is sad and pathetic, in my opinion. Whether it's grounded in professional "pride", a gross misinterpretation of the OP, or ad-hoc defence of their position, I do not know. It's something I'd be ashamed to be associated with, though.

 

[texkam]

That cannot be too much to ask for

In this situation I'd have to disagree. I seek inspiration all the time, but I'm not using others ideas to inaccurately demonstrate my creative proficiency to an instructor for a letter grade. Big moral difference IMHO. Of course YMMV.

 

[pixmedic]

I think we have pretty much heard all the moral and scholastic implications concerning the OP's question.
Now we have come down to either a willingness to try and answer the OP's question as it was asked, or leaving the thread alone before it gets derailed any further.
this certainly doesn't need to degrade to a moral debate that will definitely not end well.

 

[bentcountershaft]

Well the OP did eventually get some instruction on finding the elusive inspiration, so crisis averted.

 

[Compaq]

That cannot be too much to ask for

In this situation I'd have to disagree. I seek inspiration all the time, but I'm not using others ideas to inaccurately demonstrate my creative proficiency to an instructor for a letter grade. Big moral difference IMHO. Of course YMMV.

What the OP would do with the idea, no one knows. Once the mind starts working, you may be able to come up with brilliant ideas - even if you thought you were not able. The OP was never given a chance in this thread, and everyone deserves a chance.