For my first design assignment, I chose to make my own Jackson Pollock painting! I started off by looking Jackson Pollock via Google Images so I could get a better feel for his style. I decided I wanted to use a program like told-school Paint that I used to spend lots of time on back in the day on my huge desktop computer! I completed another Google search for an online version of Paint and I discovered Paint Online. Basically, I just splattered paint around and did my own thing. I experimented with lots of different colors and brush sizes. I had a great time with it, too. I felt like a kid again- no limits! But I also felt like an adult in the sense that no mess came out of it…that’s the best kind of fun!
For this assignment, I went back to the handy dandy camp packing list, per usual! When I used PicMonkey for my first visual assignment, I noticed that there were many photo editing tools which could potentially be used to “improve” one’s appearance. I started off with a photo of myself and uploaded it to the free, web-based photo editing site, PicMonkey.
(Original photo)
I did the typical edits, such as sharpening and cropping. Then, I selected the “Touch Up” editing tool on the site. It is represented by the lipstick tube symbol. I experimented with all of the effects. Under the “skin” touch-ups, there is a blemish fix, airbrush tool, wrinkle remover, shine reduce, blush boost, and spray tan. The “mouth” touch-ups include teeth whitening and lip tint. When I first whitened my teeth, it reminded me of an episode of Friendswhere Ross overly whitens his teeth for a date. It was almost scary looking! Who knew teeth could ever be too white?!
The “eye” touch-up tools include eye brightening, mascara, eye tint, and red eye remover (I did not use because I had previously dered my eyes in the photo). And finally, “the rest” of the touch-up tools included weight loss, highlights, and clone (something I also did not use).
I tried to implement all of the touch up tools at least a little, though I used some more than others. For instance, I used the spray tan and blemish remover. Though my eyes are naturally blue, I believe they were originally red in the photo, so I edited it with red eye removal, making my eyes dark and somewhat colorless. My eyes are not naturally as blue as they are in the edited photo, but I thought it was cool to see what it might look like! Honestly, I think I look really fake in the edited photo, but it was worth a try! Maybe I just didn’t do a good job editing
For the Common Everyday Object Visual Assignment, I started off by taking a bunch of pictures around my house. I had a hard time choosing between a photo of a clock and one of a fork and a spoon. As you will see below, I went with the fork and spoon photo! I chose to use the Aviary website again, after learning how to change the colors in photos using the hue and saturation editor through Step 9 of the “Warholizing” tutorial provided by Aviary, which I used for my “Warhol Something” Visual Assignment. I figured this new skill would be helpful in completing the assignment. I was excited to be able to reuse something I just recently learned!
Basically, all I did was experiment with the hue and saturation of my original photo. It was fairly simple, but I think the following picture looks pretty cool!
For the “Draw It” assignment, I used the free web-based image editing site, Photoshop Express. It was one of the only sites on the packing list that had a drawing transformation feature. The sites on the packing list have all been very helpful and have liked each of them for different reasons. As I continue to post Visual Assignments, you will see that I work with a variety of imagine editing sites!
I chose to use a picture of an elephant that I photographed at the zoo a few months ago.
(Original photo)
First, I cropped the photo so the focus would be more on the cute, little (well– big) elephant! I edited the photo a bit, by sharpening the lines. I changed the color scheme to black and white and tried to brighten the white spots so they would stand out better. Then, I used the “sketch” effect and got the following result:
For this second visual assignment, I “Warholed Something” using the photo editing site called Aviary, mentioned on our camp packing list. Aviary actually provided a tutorial on “Warholizing” an image using their photo editing tools. I chose a picture of my dog, Tux, to “Warhol.” I followed the instructions step-by-step in the tutorial and I think I was fairly successful!
Probably the most important thing I learned in camp this week is that I can outrun zombies. Now, giant spiders are another story. They can reach a land speed of 120 mph, I hear.
Okay, so my imagination is running wild but that’s what Camp MacMuffin, er, MacGuffin is all about.
I’ve written about the Minecraft experience that gave me a new appreciation for this boxy Neverland. For weeks, I wondered around accepting my fate that I would continue to die horrible deaths — eaten by zombies or giant spiders, drowning, blown up — until I could earn my “creative” wings and leave the temporary hell of Survivor mode behind. What Vsansing taught me, besides where to find safe haven and how to protect myself, is that there must be brave individuals who actually choose to live in-game in survivor mode. Residents of this ilk must enjoy this storyworld and the challenges it provides. I can understand the appeal.
The real lesson for the week was on photography and I’ll remember the talk around the campfire about how to take good pictures with any available camera. Norm tweeted something to the effect that a good photographer trumps a good camera. So I’ve gotten over my fancy camera envy and will focus with the one little lens of my Canon Sureshot 160 on being imaginative and limber in pursuit of good shots.
I was impressed also that Cogdog said that practically all of his shots are edited. Somehow, I had this idea that it’s a point of pride to present an unedited shot. Now I’m excited to explore GIMP and I’ve completed my first Visual Assignments:
Visual Assignment 13 Jamfish — Sort of an averaging assignment. I use an image multiple times to create a new one.
Visual Assignment 560: Four-Square, Warhol-Style an assignment in which I edit a Warhol-style product using GIMP and generate another with an online tool, The Warholizer.
Visual Assignment 191: Demotivate Me — If a First . . . I poke a bit of fun at those who are are not highly effective with a demotivational poster.
Visual Assignment 347: Start with a Bang . . . My first and loud animated GIF. I’m working on a subtle, quiet one.
Vonnegut Assignment: The Story Shaper App My take on Vonnegut’s story shaper theory.
You’ll see below some samples of my media craft projects for The Daily Create this week.
I’ll try to do better about being on-time with these weekly letters. Know that no news means I’m having fun! Or was eaten by a giant spider
Love,
********************
The Daily Create 147: Take a photo with stone, water, and clouds.
The clouds roll in . . . after a long, hot, steamy shower
The Daily Create 148:
Create a photograph today where some/all of your subject isn’t in focus.” Stella maris is Latin for “star of the sea.” This one is in the Indian Ocean on my globe. Thought of the compass rose because I often start out thinking that I’m clear on where I’m going but often everything goes foggy before I find my way. Such is life . . .
The Daily Create 149:
You Say Tomato; I Say Kumato
Thanks to Trader Joe’s, I’ve discovered kumatoes — European designer tomatoes that are sweeter than your typical variety and have slightly stronger skin so they ship and store well.
The Daily Create 150:
A Day in My Life, June 5
The Daily Create 149: Take a photo at six past the hour for an entire day.
Photos on the hour, ;06, from 3 pm to 3 am. Starring Ariely, my “predictably irrational” kitten.
The Daily Create 151:
Flight Feather Envy
The Daily Create: Take a photograph of something you are envious of (physical or metaphorical).
My alter ego can float to to the top of the stratosphere with her flight feather. Weightlessness has its benefits — physically and metaphorically.
The Daily Create 152:
A Place Time Won’t Forget
Saluda, North Carolina, alias Andy Griffith’s Mayberry.
Only dead giveaway is the market and grill sign.
The Daily Create 153: Take a photo of the oldest building near you. Add filters to make your photo look even older.
The Daily Create 153:
knot me
Who dressed the cables? The Daily Create: Take a picture featuring rope or knots.
“The mob will be coming out soon. Keep the door closed and you’ll be safe.”
And, with that, my boxy hero returned to the dark forest.
I did feel safe. For the first time in what seemed like hours, I could breathe without feeling the hot, putrid breath of zombies down my neck. I could enjoy the luxury of standing still, really still, and not feel the need to swivel my head constantly to pick up marauding spiders.
I was caught up in this storyworld, hook, line, and sinker.
I think this is the kind of experience that Martha referred to as emergent storytelling in Campfire#2. It really is, in many ways, improvisational storytelling — and more. There is something about “being there” in a virtual embodiment that makes the storytelling an even more immersive experience.
For a brief delusional moment, I thought I had coined a new term and then googled to learn that immersive storytelling is a form of transmedia storytelling, a term I first heard Henry Jenkins discuss. Beyond the Screen, a forum on immersive storytelling, describes this as a new age of storytelling when “audiences are transitioning from simple consumers of entertainment into dynamic participants in their media of choice.”
Bryan Alexander, who as Alan likes to say, “wrote the book on digital storytelling,” chronicles this evolution of storytelling as he describes the “public performance” nature possible through blogging. I find blogging as a storytelling device fascinating, and I’m blown away by the The World Without Oil concept with multiple bloggers collaborating to produce the unfolding story of a reality game. I understand better now the relationship of storytelling and gaming.
As a teacher-educator, I’m always on the lookout for projects that could be replicated in the classroom, and the time-based historical blog projects, such as “The Orwell Diaries” or “World War II Today” would work great. Creative teachers have always designed projects that require students to build a storyworld where they collaborate, assume new identities, and role-play. One of my all-time favorites was the La Verona Ning where English students became characters in the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and “lived” there during their reading and discussing of the play. Immersive worlds like Minecraft offer a new space for accomplishing emergent storytelling that transcends any physical or geographical limitations.
Just wanted to add that I have worked/played in Second Life for over five years now. We have built installations, for example, the “Unwind Room” from Schusterman’s YA novel, Unwind, and we often dress in costumes. But, primarily, we use the space to meet in seminars and book clubs to discuss learning though literature with young adults. We talk about stories but we’re not participating in stories. We can do more.
There is unprecedented potential — in part technology-related. In a sense, this is the greatest time in human history to be a learner. — Bryan Alexander
When Bryan Alexander made this comment in a recent Future of Education webinar I got goose bumps. I know I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this ride.
After reading a bit from Bryan’s book and hearing him present twice in one week, The Future of Education and the Camp MacGuffin=DS 106 campfire, I’d say we could extrapolate “this is the greatest time in human history to be a storyteller.”
“Sharing is Caring,” words my mother instilled in me a long time ago. I found this picture on the Creative Commons website and it looked as if all the origami birds are looking over and reviewing something. That is where I got the idea of ”Flocking Together.. Sharing Ideas.” I also like how each bird is a different color and for my it symbolized different cultures. Or maybe I just read in to it a little too much.
I feel that this picture really shows what the Creative Commons is about. I know it’s a tad bit corny, but a bunch of birds together is a flock, and the creative commons allows you to share work with many people. Sometimes when sharing things you have to be sure that you aren’t doing anything illegal and I believe the Creative Commons allows you to share works without the fear of being punished.
I absolutely love where I am from. Colonial Beach, Va. It is a very small beach, but it gets a lot of attention during the holidays and the summer. When I saw this assignment I got a tad bit excited. Mainly because not many people know where Colonial Beach, Virginia is.
This again was an easy assignment to do. I just uploaded the pictures to “PicsArt” and clicked “Add Text.” Again, I just typed what I wanted in the box and dragged and dropped it where I wanted it. I made the colors orange and yellow because they seem “beachy” and also do make it work a little with the background.
Camp is now over (see the final story. If you are craving an experience like this, head over to ds106 and see how to participate. For more on the Summer of Magic Macguffin, see.....
