Altered Images

An Altered Image is one that has been changed; perhaps stretched, moved, reversed or distorted somehow, often with surprising results.

You will need:

Images to cut up, such as magazines or old unwanted photos
Paper
Scissors
Glue

Method

Altered Images

Repeating shapes

1. Find images from magazines, newspapers or old unwanted photos.

2. Decide whether to cut the image into straight strips, wavy line strips or specific shapes such as leaves or feathers.

3. Cut the strips, carefully arranging them on a piece of paper in the correct order.

4. Ensure that the cut pieces are arranged with small gaps between each section, creating an extended picture. Glue in place.

Alternatively, try cutting out same size squares and arranging them in different ways to create a more abstract image.

1. Find an image with a figure, animal or person that's easy to recognise from its outline.

2. Carefully cut out the figure and move it slightly to one side, leaving a negative shape in the background, or a sort of shadow. Photograph each different arrangement as you go along.

3. Try turning the silhouette shape over to produce a mirror image shape, or turn the original background over for interesting results.

Filling in the other half

1. Find an image of a face, preferably looking straight on.

2. Cut the face in half down the centre, glue one half to a sheet of paper and draw in the missing half, referring back to the original. You may notice that most peoples faces are not as symmetrical as you would think.

Try finding two faces of a similar size and joining half of one with half of the other. This collage technique is known as photomontage. You could go on to add different features from other images, such as eyes or a mouth.