Faces, Places, and Inner Spaces
Digital Photo Manipulations - Relationships Unit, Grade Level 10
The lesson strives to help students create awareness of self and self-image through transformation. While exploring contemporary culture as viewed in media, visual arts, music and advertising they can understand how it affects their lives. They will witness transformation through images presented and consider their own future possibilities as adults. The meaning of this project lays in contemplating change as it occurs in everyday life for the betterment of self and people around them. Creating a digital photo manipulation can serve as a tangible catalyst empowering students to realize their own potential.
Goals and Objectives
• Explore your relationship with your authentic self (beliefs, values, morals and experiences)
• Investigate transformations of self and the influences of visual culture in this process
• Develop a personal transformation reflective of your interests and aspirations
Essential Questions
1. How can a transformation affect you on a personal level? Now or in the future?
2. What are some products in visual culture and how do they influence your life?
3. What ideas do you want to explore for a self – transformation?
State Visual Arts Standards
Perform, create, analyze and analyze in context http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Complete_VPAA_Expectations_June_2011_356110_7.pdf
National Visual Arts Standards
Content #1, #3 and #4
http://www.nacdnet.org/education/contests/poster/2009/National_Standards_for_Visual_Art_Link_To_State_Dept_of_Ed.pdf
Technology Required
- Digital cameras for students to sign out if needed
- Class room PCs or Macs with Adobe PhotoShop or GIMP program
- Internet to view web resources (videos can be downloaded by teacher and saved by using FireFox video download helper)
- Computer projector to view Power Point in class
- General art supplies to alter images; colored pencils, oil pastels, acrylic paints, clear acrylic mediums
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Supportive Activity A
Essential Question
What kinds of images and objects in contemporary culture in the media, art, music, film and advertising to you respond to?
Learning Purpose
Students will examine the transformation process and develop personal connections within their relationship to self, their true beliefs and values. Students will begin to understand how visual culture shapes our lives.
Class period 1:
Students instructed previously to bring in objects from home they personally respond to. They will be looking at images of pop culture including, designer labels, Manga, i phone and you tube. They will watch the music video, Empire State of Mind, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8.
There will be a short discussion about relationships to their objects, products and lifestyles portrayed in contemporary culture and their value in the student’s life. We will discuss the video and how transformations are seen in the video. (ie. of person through lyrics, of city through NYC in the 80s to now, of imagery through photo/video techniques.)
Handout on visual culture, ref., WIKIPEDIA will be distributed in class for students to read.
Class period 2:
Students will view the power point Transformation of Self Influenced by Visual Culture.
Group discussion and brainstorming on the importance of self-transformation. They will think about how they view themselves now and how they could change to better themselves and become more like what they want to be.
I will explain that Cindy Sherman’s work is based on relationship to herself and the influences of visual culture and role-playing.
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Supportive Activity B
Essential Questions
How can you strengthen your internal relationship with self through transformation? What kind of job would you like? Are you a celebrity? Sports star? Political leader? Who are the people that inspire you to create this new self-image? What objects will you need in your life if you are this person?
Learning Purpose
Students will assess their personal values and their aspirations of what they might become. It is an attainable transformation or fantasy? View images of cultural icons, Obama, Derek Jeter, Lady Gaga, JFK, MLK, etc. and discuss who they are and why would you like to become like this person or not. Think about personal options. Students will complete worksheet 1 in class.
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Class period 3:
Supportive Activity C
Essential Questions
How can I separate real life from the fake and superficial? How do images that we encounter everyday through visual culture shape our lives? How are people transformed by clothes, make up and hair?
Learning Purpose
Students will explore the topic of transformation deeper and think about the impact on relation to self. Is it really the key to happiness? What message or meaning can a transformation reveal? I will present these web pages for students to view how life and photography can transform people. http://www.cbartphotography.com
http://www.cameranaked.com/FamousBeforeAfterPhotos.htm
Students will draw 4 sketches of ideas about their transformation for worksheet 2 in class. Students will hand in worksheets for formative assessment.
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Supportive Activity D
Essential Question
How can I translate my ideas on a meaningful transformation through art that is unique and someone else can understand?
Learning Purpose
Students will be exposed to ways of creating a personal transformation through photography and altering images. Students will be directed to http://pshero.com/photoshop-tutorials/photo-effects/grunge-photo-edges for more ideas on digital manipulation and I will have the book, Mixed Emulsions, Altered Art Techniques for Photographic Imagery, by Angela Cartwright, 2007, Quarry Books. Beverly, MA, available in class for students to look at as a techniques reference.
Class period 4-5:
Interpretive practices
View 2 contemporary artist’s work pertaining to transformation and relationship to self. Photography Interpretation worksheet completed in class with partners while viewing images. (This can be used for brainstorming about final project.)
Annie Leibawitz http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/annie-leibovitz/introduction/16/
Peter Blake, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYY-3iYVzpk, pop culture and London Art Bus, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS4ScI2ZCsM by Diane DiPrima.
Give examples of few various interpretations that could apply to these pictures. Name some similarities and differences in ideas, style and symbolism. Prompt students to think about what are the artists trying to convey.
Time Schedule and Provision
The second video – London Art Bus, can be skipped to save time. The lesson plan requires 7 to 8 class sessions, one hour each.
High Order Thinking Strategies
1. Students will realize the purpose of the personal transformation.
2. The student will push their imagination beyond the obvious answers to develop an interesting and thoughtful art piece.
3. The student will understand how a photographer works in trying to convey a clear persona.
Art Making Activities
Essential Question
How can you identify with another artist and then create my own representation of a personal transformation?
Activity 1
1. Students will take at least 6 digital photos of themselves or someone take them of you. Mix it up, choose different settings, positions and expressions if you like.
2. Review your photos and pick one you like the most. Print it on letter size paper and make 4 copies of it.
3. Cut and paste yourself into 3 different backgrounds or scenes, (ideas can be from your previous worksheet sketches) and place yourself into your transformation in terms of relationship with self.
4. Choose 2-3 favorite paste-ups and consult with me to decide on your strongest idea. (Formative assessment)
Class period 5-6:
Activity 2
The students will complete a finished photo-based artwork based on their investigation of transformation of self. They will need to apply at least one of the following strategies explained here within their final piece.
Photoshop manipulation, (use at least 4 different Photoshop operations if you choose this solely.)
Altered image techniques as explained in the handouts, use underpaint, overpaint, collage, stamping, sewing, masking, texturizing
Apply your image onto a 3-D or unusual substrate to create a sculptural piece.
Combination of the above.
Have fun! This should be an exploration of self, containing unique and expressive qualities.
Supportive Materials
Share with the class the teacher made example, “Ginger” and explain the techniques involved in making the piece.
Project Requirements
I. Final project size: not smaller then 8 x 10” not larger then 16 x 20”
II. Finished quality: craftsmanship and technique is of grade level or better
III. Art elements addressed: composition, color choice, balance and focal point
Accommodations/Adjustments for special needs:
Students who are unable to create a PhotoShop manipulation will be allowed to create a photo collage or montage with traditional media. It must meet standards to grade level for neatness, composition and critical thinking skills.
Personal Connection
Students are thinking introspectively about themselves now and what they can become. They are creating meaning to an intangible idea through self-expression. Each student will analyze the images and objects seen in everyday life and determine their value. This will provide an avenue for them to feel more connected to their personal life goals and express their ideas concerning their futures.
Class period 7:
Interpreting Artworks
The students will be able to critique and discuss each other’s transformations. Their interpretations will help determine how successful the student was in creating their art. This will also give each student the opportunity to explain their personal work and it’s meaning.
Teacher’s Notes
All students are required to create a “finished” photo manipulation for a passing grade on this project. This project work may be used as part of the larger display for “Arts Week” so it should be assigned in the first half of the semester when students often do their best work. Teacher attention may be needed to review some program functions and practices with some students. The majority of this project will be created during class time.
Resources
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8
www.WIKIPEDIA.org
http://www.cbartphotography.com
http://www.cameranaked.com/FamousBeforeAfterPhotos.htm
http://pshero.com/photoshop-tutorials/photo-effects/grunge-photo-edges
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/annie-leibovitz/introduction/16/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYY-3iYVzpk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS4ScI2ZCsM
Cartwright, A., Mixed Emulsions, Altered Art Techniques for Photographic Imagery,
2007, Quarry Books. Beverly, MA
Teacher example, "Ginger"
Assessment, Power Point Presentation and Worksheets
Assessment, Power Point Presentation and Worksheets
assessment_-_faces_places_and_inner_spaces.doc | |
File Size: | 30 kb |
File Type: | doc |
faces_places_and_inner_spaces.ppt | |
File Size: | 2938 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
worksheet_1.jpg | |
File Size: | 740 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
worksheet_2_.jpg | |
File Size: | 913 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
photography_interpretation_worksheet.doc | |
File Size: | 19 kb |
File Type: | doc |
wiki_info_vis_culture.doc | |
File Size: | 142 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Conclusion
Making meaning through creating art helps students to realize that their work has value and is more then just an exercise in techniques. Students can relate to their own ideas about self through self-expression. This project emphasizes the importance of knowing what is real and fake in the images presented to us in visual culture on a daily basis. The application of photo altering techniques to create highly crafted and thoughtful imagery can serve to develop a greater understanding of personal values and future aspirations.
All images appearing on this website are property of Linda Walker, copyright, 2013.
Making meaning through creating art helps students to realize that their work has value and is more then just an exercise in techniques. Students can relate to their own ideas about self through self-expression. This project emphasizes the importance of knowing what is real and fake in the images presented to us in visual culture on a daily basis. The application of photo altering techniques to create highly crafted and thoughtful imagery can serve to develop a greater understanding of personal values and future aspirations.
All images appearing on this website are property of Linda Walker, copyright, 2013.