52 Weeks of Digital Art Created Using Found Objects.

The goal of the project is to create 52 digital images using found objects.  Found being defined as:

• Objects currently on hand
• Items purchased during project that would normally be disposed of, like packaging material.
• Items lost, discarded or abandoned by their previous owner

The last category allows for the purchase of items at garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores or at auction.  All involve an owner abandoning an item, either by giving it up voluntarily or through death (Estate Auctions.)

(The image used as the project image was created using a Haeger planter obtained at an Estate Auction and a mason jar filled with water.  The water was lit from above using an led flashlight and the result was used for the light streaming from the "cauldron.")

Another sample image:

One image will be started at the beginning of every week during the project's period.  Images will range from those featuring a single item that has been manipulated to complex scenes created by manipulating multiple items.

The single item images can be completed in 1-2 days.  Complex images can take a couple of weeks depending on the amount of time available to devote to working on the image.

First image to be started November 2. 

This provides enough time to obtain items to be used in creating the image (as well as any other material needed) but allows the project to be completed at a date that is reasonable when it comes to creating a calendar using the image.  A calendar using images from the project is one of the rewards.

Images will be used in the creation of an ebook.  The ebook will also contain information on where the items used were obtained, what inspired me to use the item and information on how the images were created.

Budget

Camera: $150.

The threads have stripped on my current camera's tripod mount.  Some of the photography methods I utilize require the camera to remain motionless in between shots.  This is not possible with my current camera.  I don't need an expensive camera for this project, just one with a solid tripod mount.

I would like to buy an interchangeable lens camera, but can get by with a decent bridge camera.

Computer/Digital Storage: $500

My current computer is a Windows Vista vintage laptop.  It has neither the processing power nor the storage capability necessary for the project.  More funding means a computer with a more powerful processor which will increase the speed at which images can be completed.

Travel Expenses: $5,000

The project requires travel to various thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales, auctions, etc. while the project is ongoing.  This involves a certain amount of driving.  I am budgeting $40/week for gas.  The other $3,000 is for car repairs.

My current vehicle is a bit of a clunker and may require expensive repairs in the future.  (A couple of years ago it needed suspension and electrical work within a six month period of time.)

Items for Images: $2,500

The goal is to obtain items for as little as possible, preferably for free.  Some items will be purchased during project.  Budget is $50/week.

Miscellaneous: $1,750

The remaining is budgeted for things like shelves to store items, equipment used to mount items while they are being photographed, lighting.  This also covers shipping costs for rewards requiring shipping.

Updates

The plan is to provide updates on a weekly basis at a minimum.  (Daily updates are possible as it gives me a reliable subject matter for my blog.)

Updates can be posted to my blog, my facebook page, or my DeviantArt page.

Check the DeviantArt page or my Fine Art America Gallery for examples of my artwork and photography.

Project images posted as updates will be lower resolution than those included as rewards and will include watermark.  Blog posts will include information on where items were obtained, how they are used in images and tutorials.

Rewards

$1 Level

Backers at this level will get my undying gratitude.  They will also be listed as donor in ebook produced as part of project.  (All backers will be listed in ebook.)

$5 Level

Donor will get an project image of their choice for personal use.  Image will be less than full resolution, but will be large enough to print at 8x10" size at 300dpi.  (Minimum of 2400 pixels by 3000 pixels.)  No watermark.

Image can be used as computer background, printed for display or placed item used for person use by donor.  No distributing of image or items with image.

$10 Level

Donor will receive full resolution copy of project image of their choice for personal use.  Resolution will vary depending on complexity of image.  More complex images need more space.  Minimum size: 4500 x 6000 pixels.

Personal use only.  No distribution of image or item where the item has been used.

$20 Level

In addition to full resolution image for personal use, donor will receive copy of ebook created as part of project.

$50 Level

Donor will receive full resolution image for personal use and copy of ebook.  Donor will also receive calendar featuring 13 of the images created as part of the project.  One image will be used for each month with the 13th used for the cover.

(Currently, the plan is for me to choose the best image created during a particular month and use that image for the calendar and then choose one of the remaining for cover.  I may be able to offer the choice of images, but that is guaranteed at this point.)

$100 Level

Donor will receive copy of ebook and a Royalty-free commercial use license for one of the image produced as part of the project.

Images can be used on items that are sold or on websites.  No re-licensing of image.  Examples of permissible uses: CD covers, book covers, websites, calendars, t-shirts, mouse pads, etc.

$3,500 Level

Donor will receive Royalty-free commercial use license for all 52 images produced as part of the project.  As above, no re-licensing of images.  Donor will also receive copy of ebook.

$10,000 Level

Donor will receive Royalty-free license to use and redistribute all materials produced as part of the project.  This includes the right to re-license the images and the right to redistribute copies of the ebook. 

This also includes the right to reproduce any articles or tutorials published on blog as part of the project.

$1,500 Level

Donor will receive copy of ebook and calendar.

Donor will also receive exclusive rights to a single non-project image produced during the project's period.  This covers photographic images and original artwork.

Images will be uploaded to password protected gallery and donor's at this level will be provided the password to view the images.  Donor's will have 30 days following upload to claim rights to uploaded images.  (Check the previous mentioned DeviantArt and Fine Art America Galleries for examples of my photography and artwork.)  Images will not be displayed or uploaded on any other site during 30 day period.

Images can be uploaded to a different site for sale or display after 30-day period.  They are still subject to being claimed by donor.  Claim becomes efective when removed from site.

Interested?

 Just a few items I have on hand that I already have plans on utilizing.  If you want to see the images created using a cheap led flashlight, a metal pencil sharpener, a crochet hook and other junk, you'll just have to fund the project.