Master Photo List 08-09

Researching a Master Photographer

name________________________

Master Photographer:________________________ Step 1: Research your Photographer, Create a Visual Handout Use the following websites to begin your research on your photographer Then, consider alternative sources of research, like books and magazines from my collection, or in the media center. • http://masters-of-photography.com • http://www.rleggat.com/photohistory/ • http://www.artcyclopedia.com/ • http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/spe/art/photo/photo.html • http://bubl.ac.uk/link/p/photography.html Create a Visual Handout w/copies for each student in class: (50 points) Create a visual handout that you will pass out during your presentation: The handout should include at least three images (with titles & dates), and responses to all the research questions below: Be sure to check your spelling, and use a font size that is clearly legible. You may decide to use the format of the template, or create your own. Include a works cited list on your handout! Major Contributions 1) Why did this person make photographs? What was he/she after as a photographer 2) What major contributions did your photographer make to the world of art and photography? (Identify at least two) Biographical Info 1) When and where was this photographer born? 2) What type of education did this person have as he/she was growing up? 3) What personal or otherwise significant events happened in the early life of this photographer that may have affected their view on life and his/her art? Origins and Influences 1) When was this person first introduced to photography? How did they initially discover it? 2) How did this context affect or inspire your photographer’s work? 3) What or whom was this photographer most influenced by? (Consider the many elements and factors surrounding this person’s life? 4) How do these influences surface or appear in this photographer’s work? (Refer to specific works as examples.) 5) Identify an art movement, group, or publication this photographer was affiliated with? (i.e. Surrealism, Pop-Art, Dadaism, New-Realists, etc.) 6) How did being involved with this art movement, group, or publication influence this photographer’s ideas or approach to making his/her work? 7) What legacy did your photographer introduce, or leave to the world? Bibliography: You must use three different sources for your research! (save yourself the trouble and list your sources below while you research!) 1) 2) 3) To site a web page correctly, you will need to use the following format: Author’s First and Last Name, Title of the Website, Name of the Institution Hosting the Site, URL address, date you found the info. To site a book or periodical correctly, you will need to use the following format: Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name, Title and/or Subtitle, Publisher, Place of Publication, Date of Publication.

Step 2: Find 5 Photographs & Critically Analyze using Feldman’s Method Find 5 works by your photographer from a list of research sources below. Each work must be of high-quality, (clear resolution, at least 2x3” printed). Include the title of the work, and the year it was made. Save these works in your photo folder, but also print them out and neatly glue them in your sketchbook with title/year. Write a four-paragraph critical response in your sketchbook by applying the Feldman’s Method to one of these images. Remember the four steps of the Feldman’s Method: 1) Describe the photograph by identifying the visual facts and all the elements of art you see, (line, shape, value, texture, form, color, and/or space). 2) Analyze the design of the photograph by identifying the principles of composition most relevant to the work, (light&shadow, frame-in-a-frame, edges of frame, point-of-view, etc.) 3) Interpret the photograph by trying to identify the meaning behind it. Identify how the photographer has used composition to clarify/emphasize this meaning. 4) Judge the photo by deciding whether you feel it is “masterful” or not. Remember to compare the master photo with a different work, and use info from your analyze and interpret steps in order to defend your judgment. Write neatly and legibly! If I can’t read your handwriting, type it and glue your response into your sketchbook!

Due:_____________________ (30 points)

Step 3: Powerpoint Presentation Powerpoint Presentation (30 points): Create a powerpoint presentation that will guide your presentation to the class. Your presentation should demonstrate the following:

1) 5-8 images, along with titles and dates the works were made. Feel free to include images of works by other artists and photographer’s who may have inspired your photographer besides just his/her work.

2) Clarity and directness: DON”T USE TOO MUCH TEXT! Use text only when you need it to help you make a point during the presentation. Let your handout provide the rest of the information.

3) HIGH QUALITY IMAGES! Remember to use images that are of high resolution, (at least 350 x 400 pixels if you use Google image research)

Visual Handout & Powerpoint Due Dates:________________________________