The Photographic Experience
by
Christine McAllister
and
Christie Thomas
Aim
Students will explore various styles of writing by composing essays and creating projects based on photographic images.
Rationale
Writing is an integral part of most people's lives. Everyone communicates with the written word, whether it be writing a note to a friend, composing an e-mail, or writing a paper for class. However, students of photography tend to become isolated in learning the technical and creative aspects of the photographic process. It is important for the student to understand the critical side of photography as well as the creative side. The various activities will inspire the students to think about the various roles that photographs play in society and promote critical thinking skills. The activities will also explicitly link the creative processes of writing and image making. Language and expression.
Objectives
Upon completion of this module learners will be able to:
save an image from the internet to disk
create a multimedia presentation using Hyperstudio
recognize and apply art terminology
identify the four steps of art criticism
evaluate the artistic merits of a photographic image
compose a formal art criticism essay
compose a creative narrative
apply basic internet research skills (locating biographical and historical information), evaluation of web sites
apply concepts of good design (in the multimedia crayola box) for the multimedia presentation
present projects to an audience
transfer creative skills from artistic projects to written language
Audience and Pre-Requisites
Audience: This particular module is aimed at high schoool photography students grades 9-12, but could be used in English and general Art classes as well. The modules can also be easily adapted for younger students.
Pre-Requisites: Students should be familiar with:
basic computer skills, such as opening programs, openining files, opening menus, etc.
basic writing skills
basic internet usage, such as using a web browser and a search engine
Description of Subject Matter
The module contains three basic activities designed to accent the various roles of photopgraphs.
Instructional Plan
Activites do not need to completed in any specific order.
Materials Required
computer(s) with internet access
Hyperstudio or other multimedia software
floppy disks
color printer
word processing program (such as Ms Word or WordPerfect)
Plans for Evaluation and Assessment
Art Criticism
Does the student address all four compnents?
Is the essay well-organized?
Is there a well-defined and supported argument?
History of Photography
Does the presentation follow the outline?
Does the student demonstrate good design skills?
Storytellers
Does the creative narrative reference the image?
Does the writing incorprate the four elements of creative narrative?
Send comments to Christine McAllister and Christie Thomas.