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Architecture 497d - Architectural Photography
| Final Project | Fall Semester 2004 |
| Due December 9, 2004 | Professor Gary L. Catchen |
Purpose
During this semester, you have developed a variety of technical skills and some appreciation for the aesthetic aspects of architectural photographs. The purpose of the Final Project is for you to integrate these skills and knowledge by producing a collection of photographs accompanied by text, in which you examine a theme of your choosing.
To execute the Final Project, you may work either individually or in teams of two or three individuals (but no more than three individuals). Working as a team enables you to share equipment as well as skills. For projects carried out by teams, I expect each member of a team to make roughly equal contributions to the final product.
I strongly encourage you to contact me to discuss possible themes, before the proposal is due.
Content
The Final Project consists of three components:
1. Written proposal
You will write a brief description of the project that you want to execute. The length of the proposal should be approximately one page, but it could be longer if you need to provide background information. In this proposal, you should define the theme, and state its importance. Then you should describe in general terms the photographs that you require in order to support the theme. Finally you should mention any technical considerations that could contribute to the success of the project.
For example, suppose that your theme is the evolution of the architectural style of dormitories located on the University Park campus. You can support the importance of this theme by reviewing the evolution specifically and then by stating its importance.
Charles Z. Klauder and associates designed the older dormitories such as Irvin Hall and Grange Building (originally a women's dormitory), which were built in the 1920s according to the Georgian Precedent. Dormitories such as Thompson Hall were built during the early 1950s using the same style, which other architects copied from Klauder's style. During the mid-1950s and the early 1960s, South Halls and East Halls were constructed using "Communist-style" architecture, which differs radically in form from Georgian Precedent. Recently several new dormitories have been constructed that embody many of the style elements found in Klauder's designs, such as chimneys, which, unlike Klauder's chimneys, do not function.
This cyclical evolution in style is important, because it differs fundamentally from the more common evolution of architectural style that starts with classical architecture, progresses through the modern style in which "form follows function," and arrives at a post-modern style such as Deconstructivism.
For this example, the photographs should include pictures of dormitories that represent each of the aforementioned styles. The architectural elements that you discuss should be clearly evident in these photographs. To strengthen the exposition of your theme, you should consider using lighting and contrast or color to enhance the aesthetic quality of the images, so that they go beyond being strictly documentary photographs.
The technical considerations could include avoiding obscuring trees, finding good vantage points, selecting appropriate lenses, and choosing the weather and time-of-day to achieve any aesthetic effects that you consider to be important. Likewise you should choose either color or black-and-white as the recording medium. And you should justify the choice.
You will send the proposal to me via email prior to class on Tuesday, November 23. During this class period, we will discuss your proposal, so that you can make any necessary revisions prior to executing it. That is, I must approve your proposal, before you may complete the project.
2. Set of photographs and a written description
The report should include enough photographs to support your theme. Typically you need six-to-twelve nominally 8- x 10-inch or 8- x 12-inch photographs. The report should include a narrative that is three or more pages in length and that includes the technical details associated with producing the photographs. You should write a caption for each photograph. In the narrative, you will examine the theme using the photographs to support your arguments.
You will submit the report to me during the period when you make the oral presentation.
3. Oral presentation
You will present the results of your project orally. The presentation will have a duration of 15 minutes, 10 - 12 minutes for the presentation and the remainder for questions. The content should reflect the content of the written report. You should use the available technology, namely the projector coupled to the computer, and you can use Powerpoint or the Internet as the source for projecting images.
I will hold the oral presentations on Tuesday, December 7, and Thursday, December 9, during the class period in 207 Thomas Building. If we cannot complete all of the presentations during these periods, I will schedule an additional meeting time during finals week. I require attendance during these periods.