Homework 10-08-09
Consider Shepard Fairey's controversial and iconic "HOPE" poster of Barack Obama, from the 2008 Presidential campaign. While you should know something about the debates that have erupted around this image, we'll concern ourselves for the moment with its technical underpinnings.
How did the artist achieve his effects? Could you do something similar -- even identical -- to another image, using the Photoshop techniques you have learned so far? Could you extrapolate from Fairey's work to other, similar visual effects?
Here's your chance to find out. Choose either Option A OR Option B.
Option A
Find a head-and-shoulders graphic like the one with which Fairey started. This might be a formal portrait of a celebrity (popularly known as a headshot), but it could be any other graphic that shows a fairly prominent view of a face. Maybe (hint) you want to use a character from a video game...
Use your chosen image as the basis for an imitation of Fairey's poster. Get as close to the original as possible, including the lettering (though you do not need to use the text "HOPE"). You will probably need Filters, and you might want some Layers as well.
Option B
As in the example below right, build a fourfold grid of images, each containing a variation on a modified headshot (not necessarily Fairey's). Experiment with various Filters and Layer effects, as well as any other Photoshop features you find interesting.
You might think of your four images as a sequence, showing progressively more elaborate or extreme modification; or they may just be a group of variations, laid out in some way that provides visual interest.
Submission Instructions (Both Options): Save your final image from Photoshop in JPEG format. Name this image 100809.jpg. Upload this file to the gfx subdirectory of your COSC160 directory on the student server, as in previous assignments. Add a link to the index page of your COSC160 directory pointing to your work.
As always, I will not grade work unless it is presented according to specifications. Check your site and be sure your work is properly linked.
I.P. Considerations: As you should know, Shepard Fairey is engaged in a lawsuit over his use of a news service photo as the basis for his poster. Always remember that commercially produced images are not freely available unless indicated.
For purposes of this assignment, we'll rely on the doctrine of fair use, since we're engaged in an academic exercise. Remember, though, that fair use is a legal defense, not a license.
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