COURSE OUTLINE
This Visual Arts course is designed to help you build a foundation in visual literacy skills and knowledge as it pertains to photography. The principle goal of this course is to have you grasp the technical, aesthetic and semantic aspects of photography and digital image making as it applies to fine arts and design. Emphasis is on enhancing your visual awareness of the world around you, creating personal imagery and responding critically to your work, the work of your peers and the work of professional photographers and artists.
Big ideas
COURSE CONTENT
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
• Image capturing with a digital camera
• Lighting
• Manipulating images on the computer with different software applications
• Using the library and internet as research tools
• Create a portfolio of images throughout the semester
AESTHETICS:
• Cultivate a critical and aesthetic visual “way of seeing.”
• Analyze, explain and justify the use of the elements and principles of art and design in the production of your photographs.
SEMANTICS:
This course will help you develop an understanding of the personal, social, cultural and historical contexts in which meaning is created and communicated through image production. The skills gained through the production, analysis, in the making of archival photographs are invaluable in the understanding and appreciation of visual communication.
LEARNING STANDARDS
Students are expected to be able to do the following:
Explore and create
• Create photographic works using sensory inspiration, imagination, and inquiry
• Explore photographic possibilities and cross-cultural perspectives
• Take creative risks to express meaning, intent, and emotion through photography
• Intentionally select and combine materials, processes, and image-making technologies to convey ideas
• Create photographic images for a specific audience
• Develop and refine photographic skills and techniques related to a range of styles and genres
• Demonstrate active engagement in creating photographic images and resolving creative challenges
Reason and reflect
• Understand the purpose of a critique and choose when to apply suggestions
• Describe and analyze, using discipline-specific language, how photographers use materials, technologies, processes, and environments in art making
• Analyze design choices in photography
• Develop personal answers to aesthetic questions
Communicate and document
• Document, share, and appreciate photographic images
• Demonstrate awareness of self, others, and place through photography
• Communicate about and respond to social and environmental issues through photography
Connect and expand
• Create photographs that reflect personal, cultural, social, environmental, and historical contexts
• Explore First Peoples perspectives, knowledge, and protocols; other ways of knowing, and local cultural knowledge through photography
• Explore personal, educational, and professional opportunities in photography and related fields
• Explore the reciprocal relationships between photography, culture, and society
• Engage in digital citizenship throughout the photographic process
• Connect with others on a local, regional, and national scale through photography
• Demonstrate safe and responsible use of materials, equipment, and work space
Explore and create
• Create photographic works using sensory inspiration, imagination, and inquiry
• Explore photographic possibilities and cross-cultural perspectives
• Take creative risks to express meaning, intent, and emotion through photography
• Intentionally select and combine materials, processes, and image-making technologies to convey ideas
• Create photographic images for a specific audience
• Develop and refine photographic skills and techniques related to a range of styles and genres
• Demonstrate active engagement in creating photographic images and resolving creative challenges
Reason and reflect
• Understand the purpose of a critique and choose when to apply suggestions
• Describe and analyze, using discipline-specific language, how photographers use materials, technologies, processes, and environments in art making
• Analyze design choices in photography
• Develop personal answers to aesthetic questions
Communicate and document
• Document, share, and appreciate photographic images
• Demonstrate awareness of self, others, and place through photography
• Communicate about and respond to social and environmental issues through photography
Connect and expand
• Create photographs that reflect personal, cultural, social, environmental, and historical contexts
• Explore First Peoples perspectives, knowledge, and protocols; other ways of knowing, and local cultural knowledge through photography
• Explore personal, educational, and professional opportunities in photography and related fields
• Explore the reciprocal relationships between photography, culture, and society
• Engage in digital citizenship throughout the photographic process
• Connect with others on a local, regional, and national scale through photography
• Demonstrate safe and responsible use of materials, equipment, and work space
ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
Students will produce projects and portfolio work in a variety of subject areas. The goal of every assignment is personal and technical growth. Assessment will involve the following methods:
• Teacher evaluation based on project criteria
• Self-assessment based on curricular competency
• Self-assessment based on personal goals and learning
• Peer critique and discussion
• Teacher evaluation based on project criteria
• Self-assessment based on curricular competency
• Self-assessment based on personal goals and learning
• Peer critique and discussion
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Students will be provided cameras, tripods, SD cards and access to lighting equipment for use in class. Any student is welcome to bring their own camera. However, the school cannot take any responsibility for equipment brought from home. Students are expected to treat equipment with care and will be responsible for cameras and other equipment while in class.