RESEARCH PROJECT For this unit of work you will undertake research on a photographer of your choice. You might choose a photographer who you admire, someone who is working in the field of photography you are most interested in, or someone who you are interested to find more about. Alternatively, you can use the list below to help you choose if you do not have a photographer in mind.
This project can be presented however you like (flash cards, poster, PowerPoint, in your Tech Journal, Word doc., digital form, website, oral presentation, board game). Remember this is a creative subject, so the overall presentation is important.
Famous Photographer Research Assignment
Introduction: Famous photographers are individuals who have fabricated the art and craft of photography. They were artists, dreamers, innovators, technicians, scientists, and most important, visionaries. Many of them were pioneers of particular processes. Without their struggles and their intentions, photography certainly wouldn’t be what it is today.
Purpose: To become familiar with some of the famous photographers throughout time, what they did to become famous, and how they contributed to the history of photography. By researching a particular person, you are looking deeper into this art form and it will become more meaningful to you.
Choose a famous photographer: Each student must pick a different photographer — no duplicates will be allowed! Once you have chosen, let me know so that no one else chooses the same person. A list of names is located here A famous photographer is one who is well known by more than a few people and has published work in books. They also have an extensive resume of exhibitions they participated in. Do some research to find a photographer who interests you and one you would like to know more about. The library as well as the Internet is good places to conduct research. Just remember to document your sources! Research: Once your photographer has been approved, use internet and books to compile information about your photographer (questions are below).
Presentation: Present your report to the class in the form of a Weebly Slideshow or PowerPoint Presentation.
Photographer Research Questions
PART ONE: Basic Information Photographer’s full name Date and place of birth. Indicate years of life (if still living) Date and place of death (if applicable) Brief summary of family background Relevant photography/art education Why this artist got into photography
PART TWO: Photographic Practices Typical medium used (silver gelatin print, digital, etc.) Typical subject matter Typical style (How would you describe the look of the photographs? What techniques did they use in their photography to give their photos a distinct look?) What is the purpose of the photographs (What is the artist trying to communicate?) Significant contribution(s) to photography (or the art world); include any techniques they may have invented
PART THREE: Photographic Work Find 5 examples of your photographer’s works, including the artist’s most famous work. Provide the identifying information for each (title, date) What impact do you think this photographer’s work has had on society in general? Why? A quote about his/her work (if possible)
Include information about what you observe in his/her photographs. (Use the following questions to help guide you when analysing a photograph.) OBSERVE
Describe what you see.
What do you notice first?
What people and objects are shown?
How are they arranged?
What is the physical setting?
What, if any, words do you see?
What other details can you see?
REFLECT
Why do you think this image was made?
What’s happening in the image?
When do you think it was made?
Who do you think was the audience for this image?
What tools were used to create this?
What can you learn from examining this image?
If someone made this today, what would be different?
What would be the same?
PART FOUR: Relevance Why you have chosen this photographer to look at/What do you appreciate about this person and/or his/her work?
Bonus - Include a clip from a video that shows the photographer’s process or discusses his/her photos. (No longer than 5 minutes in length)