The Tasks

Elements of Art

1. Learn the basic elements of art  that give a photograph good composition.             
2. Go to assigned websites to view photographs taken by professional photographers.
3. Find examples to demonstrate understanding of the basic elements of art.            
4. Prepare and present a PowerPoint presentation of the examples you select that best illustrate the basic art elements. 
5. Collect data on how often photographers use these elements in their work.
6. Take your own digital photographs.                                
7. Prepare a portfolio of digital photographs that demonstrate the Elements of Art.

Principles of Design

8. Learn the basic principles of design that make a photograph visually appealing.
9. Go to assigned websites to view photographs taken by professional photographers.
10. Find examples to demonstrate understanding of the basic principles of design.
11. Prepare and present a PowerPoint presentation of the examples you select that best illustrate the basic design principles.
12. Take your own digital photographs.
13. Prepare a portfolio of digital photographs that demonstrate the Principles of Design.
 

Resources

http://www.anseladams.com
Biographical information about the artist Ansel Adams, and galleries of his work. There are also galleries of contemporary photographers here.

http://www.dougintosh.com/posters/3/adams.html
http://www.zpub.com/sf/history/adams.html
http://www.apogeephoto.com/jan2001/ansel_adams.shtml
  Biographies and information about Ansel Adams.

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/adams/index.html
The best of Ansel Adams.

http://profotos.com/education/referencedesk/masters/masters/minorwhite/minorwhite.shtml
The work of Minor White

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/poy/index.htm
Photography by Nancy Andrews, Carol Guzy, Micheal Williamson, Dudley Brooks. 1997 Pictures of the Year Awards.
Take the time to explore each artist.
Follow each link to each of the galleries under each artist.
There are 14 galleries altogether.
There are some great stories here.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/
2009 photo galleries from current events, news, events and photojournalism. Explore the links on the left menu, as well as the feature galleries.

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays
Check out the Pictures of the Week and any other topics that you find interesting.
You could get lost in this site for hours :)

http://www.phototripusa.com/
Welcome to the home of the PhotoTripUSA Showcase™, an independent resource for landscape and fine-art photographers with an interest for the American
West.

Other resources to explore:

http://www.ocaiw.com/adams.htm
A comprehensive collection of photographs by Ansel Adams.

http://www.masters-of-photography.com/summaries.html
Check out great photographers, esp. Dorothea Lange - who documented American poor during the Great Depression. These pages take a while to load but are worth it if you are patient.

http://www.visualdiving.com/
Bertrand Chauvel Photography. Great underwater stuff.

http://www.proframe.org/
Collection of travel, sport, nature and miscellaneous photography.
 

Elements of Art

There are many elements that combine to make a successful photograph. You are going to learn about basic elements of art that give a photograph good composition. 

Form

•      Closed Form - The entire object is in view.

•       Open Form – The photographer zooms in so that the part of the object is off the page.

Space

•      Scale - objects get smaller as the move back into space. Closer objects overlap objects in the background.              

•       Linear Perspective - lines (hence the name "linear") recede to a perspective point on the horizon line. 

•       Atmospheric Perspective - objects in the background have cool colors and are hazy. Objects in the foreground have warm colors, more contrast and sharper details.

Value

•       Lighting – show highlights to emphasize your focal point. Areas that are highlighted appear to come out at the viewer, areas that are in shadow appear to recede.

Texture

•      Texture - texture defines the surface of an object. Textures can differ in the way they reflect light (shiny or dull) and in the 3 dimensionality of the surface (smooth or raised). Try side lighting to emphasize texture.

Look at the Elements of Art PowerPoint to see definitions and examples of each element.
It is a large file, so be patient as it loads.

The best way to learn about these elements is to investigate the work of recognized artists  who use them everyday in their work. You will visit  websites to become familiar with the work of Ansel Adams. While you are there fill out the Ansel Adams Questionnaire

You will also visit websites of current professional photographers.
These are great sites with great photos and great stories.
Plan to spend some quality time viewing them. 
Use the Scavenger Hunt for Elements of Art Worksheet  as you go through the research sites. This will help you to organize and find examples to demonstrate your understanding. You will be choosing photographs that you feel best meet the basic concepts and prepare a PowerPoint Show to display them. 

Research the frequency of how photographers use these elements in their work. Collect the data, make a chart using Excel and write a report using Word. Click here Using Microsoft Excel to get to the project.
Use this worksheet to keep track of your data.

Last, but certainly not least, you will prepare a portfolio of your own photographs using a digital camera to take photographs that demonstrate the Elements of Art. You will present this portfolio as a PowerPoint presentation to the class along with an oral summary of your work.

See the Elements of Art Photographic Portfolio Rubric for specifics on  how you will be graded.
 

Principles of Design

There are many principles that combine to make a successful work of art. You are going to learn about basic principles of design that give a photograph good composition. 

Emphasis

•      Use of Space - the photographer zooms in on the subject and makes all parts of the page interesting.

•       Focal Point  – the photographer clearly draws the viewer's eye to the most important part of the photograph.

Balance

•      Radial Symmetry - the photograph is balanced around a central point.              

•       Axial Symmetry - the photograph is balanced from side to side along an axis. 

•       Triangle composition - arrangement of three objects makes the viewer's eye move around  the page.

•       Foreground, Midground, Background - the page is divided into 3 parts.

•       Left, Center, Right - the page is divided into 3 parts.

Pattern

•       Pattern - Repeated elements make a photograph interesting.

Contrast

•      Contrast - the photographer uses highlights and shadows to create a dramatic effect.

Unity

•       Composition - The arrangement of elements in a photograph to create a visually appealing and well balanced work of art. There is a harmonious integration of elements. Each element carries importance and all elements fit together well.

•       Aesthetics - the photograph is visually appealing, interesting, entertaining or evokes the viewer's emotion.

Look at the Principles of Design PowerPoint to see definitions and examples of each element.
It is a large file, so be patient as it loads.

Use the Scavenger Hunt for Principles of Design Worksheet  as you review the sites. This will help you to organize and find examples to demonstrate your understanding. You will be choosing photographs that you feel best meet the basic concepts and prepare a PowerPoint Show to display them. 

You will prepare a portfolio of your own photographs using a digital  camera to take photographs that demonstrate the Principles of Design. You will present this portfolio as a PowerPoint presentation to the class along with an oral summary of your work.

Here is the rubric for your portfolio.
 

Conclusion

Now you are an educated photographer. You know the elements of a good photograph. You have seen some great photographs by great photographers. You have learned how to take a good photograph. Use your knowledge to appreciate and create great works of art !