10 Grade 2010: Joana Coelho - Self Portrait, Artist Statment, and Trial and Error

Friday, November 19, 2010

Joana Coelho - Self Portrait, Artist Statment, and Trial and Error - 10C

Artist Statement: With my self portrait, I wanted to show all the sides of my personality while focusing on the resemblance between myself and a butterfly. The image on the left side depicts me stretching upwards to the tree's branches so I can get the apple. This shows my determination, my curiosity, and also my ambitious nature to always do my best to achieve my goals even if my limitations or the people around me say I can't do it. The apple can also be a symbol of knowledge and how I value it and strive to acquire it. The top center image of me smelling a rose is a simplistic picture in every form: it basically means that in the middle of all this striving, this curiosity, this thirst for adventure, it is important to take a step back sometimes, and just enjoy what I have and be proud of myself for coming this far. And this calmness, I believe, can only be achieved when one is open minded, which leads us to the next image. The image on the right shows me holding an open umbrella up to the sky while smiling: this shows how I am a strong believer in that the mind is like an umbrella or a parachute and can only properly function when it is open. And on a different note, this image reminds me a lot of Mary Poppins and how she flies in with an umbrella in the movie. To me that depicts both magic and wonder as well as adventure, all things I strive to have in my life for the sheer fun of it. (Why else would anyone do anything? -Night at the Museum 2) Finally, all of these images are centered around my hands holding a butterfly, a vulnerable, fragile, ever-changing creature that I would say is the closest animal to who I am. The reason I have all the images around the butterfly, is to show how like a butterfly I had a beginning and have been changing ever since then, and these changes were only possible through my open mindedness, my determination, and my ability to be happy just the way I am, only accepting change when needed or when best.

Trial and Error: It was very difficult for me to get the right contrast on these images, because the original day I shot them, there was decent lighting, but not a bright sun. It was a cloudy, overcast day and once the pictures were edited into something far more presentable, I was able to over come that speed bump, but as good as my photoshop editing has become, I am still a bit shaky on adjusting the contrast and levels of black and white images. Overall, I am proud with the image I produced, because it is, in fact, almost all of my original idea, so there was little trial and error in the aspect of content and composition, there was more trial and error in the technical regions of editing the picture once it was taken.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Joana Coelho - Self Portrait, Artist Statment, and Trial and Error - 10C

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What you will be assessed on	Distinguished	Proficient	Satisfactory	Unsatisfactory
Your self portrait Design/Composition Create a final black and white image that demonstrates an understanding of the aesthetics of Photography including editing.	Several of the elements in the photo used in the reflect an exceptional degree of student creativity in their creation. Uses of compositional rules are evident and appropriate to the theme. Objects are placed for best effect. Overall, it just feels right. .	One or two of the graphics or objects used reflect student creativity in their creation and/or display. Graphics are trimmed to an appropriate size and interesting shape and are arranged with some items in front and others behind. The canvas, however does not appear balanced. Uses of compositional rules are good and the composition is relatively balanced, but negative space could be utilized better to create a more cohesive feel.	One or two graphics or objects were made or customized by the student, but the ideas were typical rather than creative (.e.g, apply the emboss filter to a drawing in Photoshop). Graphics have been trimmed to an appropriate size and shape, but the arrangement of items is not very attractive. It appears there was not a lot of planning of the item placementThe portrait seems to have a little too much background or seems a little too busy. Balance has not been achieved.	The student did not make or customize any of the items in photo The portrait seems unfinished (too much empty space) or there is not enough balance between foreground and background causing it to seem much too busy and unfocused.
content The selected visuals and material enhance understanding of the topic, theme, or message.	The student gives a reasonable explanation of how every item in the photo is related to the assigned theme. For most items, the relationship is clear without explanation	. The student gives a reasonable explanation of how most items in the photo are related to the assigned theme. For many of the items, the relationship is clear without explanation	The student gives a fairly reasonable explanation of how most items in the photo are related to the assigned theme.	The student's explanations are weak and illustrate difficulty understanding how to relate items to the assigned theme
content Student artworks include images of themselves, symbols representing aspects of their identities (physical characteristics, cultural background, interests, beliefs, etc.	The student gives a reasonable explanation of how every item in the photo related to the self theme. For most items, the relationship is clear without explanation.	The student gives a reasonable explanation of how most items in the photo are related to the self theme. For many of the items, the relationship is clear without explanation.	The student gives a fairly reasonable explanation of how most items in the photo are related to the self theme.	The student's explanations are weak and illustrate difficulty understanding how to relate items to the self theme.
Overall Impression	The photo communicates the author’s understanding of the relationship of self and the enlightenment and there personal phio thought	The photo communicates some aspects of the author’s understanding of the relationship	The photopresents words and images that relate to the self and but it fails to communicate the author’s perspective or relies on general observations.	The photo does not adequately communicate the author’s understanding of the relationship between of self and personal phi thought .
Technical /digital media Demonstrates application Of creative exploration Makes use darkroom to experiment with conceptual ideas Create well-printed photographs in the darkroom	. Students utilized the digital camera and Adobe Photoshop in appropriate ways. The student went above and beyond in thier use of the digital tools.	Students utilized the digital camera and Adobe Photoshop in satisfactory and appropriate ways.	Students utilized the digital camera but only used Adobe Photoshop minimally	Students did not utilize either of the digital tools to the best of their ability.
Artist’s Journal/ brainstorming	The journal includes thoughtful reflections on the student’s decisions. It discusses successes and challenges evenly and shows deep insight into the student’s process Student can describe the intent and plan of his/her completed digital self-portrait. Develops a general plan of what will be done before beginning. Manages time well.	The journal includes some reflections on the student’s decisions, but would benefit from deeper and/or more frequent discussion of the successes and challenges the student faced. Student has carefully planned his/her digital self-portrait and can describe how he/she will get the work done and a vision for the completed project. Plans and gathers ideas on theme for portrait before beginning.	The journal lists all of the decisions or activities that the student has completed, but there is no reflection included. Student has planned his/her portrait and can describe how he/she will get the work done and a vision for the completed project. Does not manage time well and works somewhat haphazardly.	The journal is incomplete. Entries are missing or too short to provide a picture of the work that the student has completed. Leaps into action without any evidence of planning or focus
Time and Effort	Class time was used wisely. Much time and effort went into the planning and creation of the portrait. It is clear the students worked at home as well as at school.	Class time was used wisely, but it did not appear there was much work done outside of class..	. Class time was not always used wisely, but additional work was done at home or other times during the day	Class time was not used wisely and no additional effort was put in at other times or places.