Last unit of the year:
The Inquiry Project
For this last unit of the year, you have the freedom to choose what you want to learn more about and go deeper in your learning of photography.
This is an amazing opportunity for you to explore a topic in the realm of photography that you've always been interested in, or to revisit a unit we covered earlier in the semester and take it further.
This is an amazing opportunity for you to explore a topic in the realm of photography that you've always been interested in, or to revisit a unit we covered earlier in the semester and take it further.
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Requirements for the Inquiry Project:
-you must have a driving question for your project: What are you aiming to explore by engaging and committing to this project?
-inspiration images (add this on the Miro board or make your own Pinterest board dedicated to your inquiry project)
-you will each document your Inquiry Project on a page on your online portfolio, presented at the end of the course and on Exhibition Night. Your page will also include links to your entire portfolio of Google albums.
-you will do an analysis of 2 photographs from 1 photographer (1 image from each photographer) that inspire your work who are working with the same theme/ideas /concepts /imagery.
-you must shoot at least 2 sets with 50 photos per set (this is flexible if you are doing light trails photography or long exposure photography or photoshop based projects)
-carefully edit your best shots and aim to have 10-30 FINAL EDITED images that represent your best work from this investigation(again, flexible depending on the labor involved in your project) Based on the nature of your project, this final photo number is flexible.
-Write up a succinct 3 paragraph reflection / photographer's statement at the culmination of your project.
Reflection Prompts:
Write in complete sentences and in paragraph format.
PARAGRAPH 1: INTRODUCTION TO YOUR PROJECT AKA PROJECT PROPOSAL:
-You can use take a screenshot of your project proposal on the MIRO BOARD and add it as an image in support of your writing, especially if you had example inspiration images.
PARAGRAPH 2: SUMMARY OF PROCESS:
PARAGRAPH 3-REFLECTION
Write in complete sentences and in paragraph format.
PARAGRAPH 1: INTRODUCTION TO YOUR PROJECT AKA PROJECT PROPOSAL:
- Why you were interested to explore this area of photography?
- Who/what was the inspiration for you to try this out?
- What did you want to investigate and explore throughout this series?
-You can use take a screenshot of your project proposal on the MIRO BOARD and add it as an image in support of your writing, especially if you had example inspiration images.
PARAGRAPH 2: SUMMARY OF PROCESS:
- What did you have to experiment with, try out, set up, plan for in order to make these shoots happen?
- What problems or challenges came up and how did you deal with them?
- What surprises took place while shooting these photos?
PARAGRAPH 3-REFLECTION
- Was your inquiry a success? Did you address your driving question in your series of final edited photos?
- How do your final photos demonstrate a deeper understanding of the Elements and Principles, Compositional Guidelines and technical aspects of maneuvering your DSLR camera and all the settings (aperture, ISO, shutter speed)?
- What was the most challenging part about this project? What could have been improved?
- What are you proud of in terms of this finished project? What new ideas/wonderings do you have now that you finished this piece? How could you develop these findings in further photography study?
Shared Miro Board-Project Proposals
Photo Analysis- 2 Photographers
Example Google Site to document the entirity of this project
Approaches to your inquiry project
THE PHOTO ESSAY
What is a Photo Essay? A photo essay is a series of photographs that, when assembled in a particular order, tell a unique and compelling story. While some photographers choose only to use pictures in their presentations, others will incorporate captions, comments, or even full paragraphs of text to provide more exposition for the scene they are unfolding.
A photo essay is a well-established part of photojournalism and have been used for decades to present a variety of information to the reader. Some of the most famous photo essayists include Ansel Adams, W. Eugene Smith, Gordon Parks and James Nachtwey. Of course, there are thousands of photo essay examples out there from which you can draw inspiration.
Why Consider Creating a Photo Essay?As the old saying goes, “a picture is worth 1000 words.” This adage is, for many photographers, reason enough to hold a photo essay in particularly high regard.
For others, a photo essay allow them to take pictures that are already interesting and construct intricate, emotionally-charged tales out of them. For all photographers, it is yet another skill they can master to become better at their craft.
As you might expect, the photo essay have had a long history of being associated with photojournalism. From the Great Depression to Civil Rights Marches and beyond, many compelling stories have been told through a combination of images and text, or photos alone. A photo essay often evokes an intense reaction, whether artistic in nature or designed to prove a socio-political point.
Famous Photo Essays
PHOTO ESSAY EXAMPLES:
Resources on photo essays:
Petapixel
Cuny
Common Types of Photo Essays
While a photo essay do not have to conform to any specific format or design, there are two “umbrella terms” under which almost all genres of photo essays tend to fall. A photo essay is thematic and narrative. In the following section, we’ll give some details about the differences between the two types, and then cover some common genres used by many artists.
⬥ Thematic A thematic photo essay speak on a specific subject. For instance, numerous photo essays were put together in the 1930s to capture the ruin of The Great Depression. Though some of these presentations followed specific people or families, they mostly told the “story” of the entire event. There is much more freedom with a thematic photo essay, and you can utilize numerous locations and subjects. Text is less common with these types of presentations.
⬥ Narrative A narrative photo essay is much more specific than thematic essays, and they tend to tell a much more direct story. For instance, rather than show a number of scenes from a Great Depression Era town, the photographer might show the daily life of a person living in Dust Bowl America. There are few rules about how broad or narrow the scope needs to be, so photographers have endless creative freedom. These types of works frequently utilize text.
Types of photos in a Photo Essay
Photo Essay Genres
Walk a City – This photo essay is when you schedule a time to walk around a city, neighborhood, or natural site with the sole goal of taking photos. Usually thematic in nature, this type of photo essay allows you to capture a specific place, it’s energy, and its moods and then pass them along to others.
The Relationship Photo Essay – The interaction between families and loved ones if often a fascinating topic for a photo essay. This photo essay genre, in particular, gives photographers an excellent opportunity to capture complex emotions like love and abstract concepts like friendship. When paired with introspective text, the results can be quite stunning.
The Timelapse Transformation Photo Essay – The goal of a transformation photo essay is to capture the way a subject changes over time. Some people take years or even decades putting together a transformation photo essay, with subjects ranging from people to buildings to trees to particular areas of a city.
Going Behind The Scenes Photo Essay – Many people are fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes of big events. Providing the photographer can get access; to an education photo essay can tell a very unique and compelling story to their viewers with this photo essay.
Photo Essay of a Special Event – There are always events and occasions going on that would make an interesting subject for a photo essay. Ideas for this photo essay include concerts, parties, graduations, marches, and protests. Images from some of the latter were integral to the popularity of great photo essays.
The Daily Life Photo Essay – This type of photo essay often focus on a single subject and attempt to show “a day in the life” of that person or object through the photographs. This type of photo essay can be quite powerful depending on the subject matter and invoke many feelings in the people who view them.
Cover a Protest or March
Some of the best photo essay examples come from marches, protests, and other events associated with movements or socio-political statements. Such events allow you to take pictures of angry, happy, or otherwise empowered individuals in high-energy settings. The photo essay narrative can also be further enhanced by arriving early or staying long after the protest has ended to catch contrasting images.
Photograph a Local Event
Whether you know it or not, countless unique and interesting events are happening in and around your town this year. Such events provide photographers new opportunities to put together a compelling photo essay. From ethnic festivals to historical events to food and beverage celebrations, there are many different ways to capture and celebrate local life.
Visit an Abandoned Site or Building
Old homes and historical sites are rich with detail and can sometimes appear dilapidated, overgrown by weeds, or broken down by time. These qualities make them a dynamic and exciting subject. Many great photo essay works of abandoned homes use a mix of far-away shots, close-ups, weird angles, and unique lighting. Such techniques help set a mood that the audience can feel through the photographic essay. * Always practice safety first and do not go to places you think you will be unsafe and unprepared.
Photograph Unique Lifestyles
People all over the world are embracing society’s changes in different ways. People live in vans or in “tiny houses,” living in the woods miles away from everyone else, and others are growing food on self-sustaining farms. Some of the best photo essay works have been born out of these new, inspiring movements.
Show Body Positive Themes
So much of modern photography is about showing the best looking, prettiest, or sexiest people at all times. Choosing a photo essay theme like body positivity, however, allows you to film a wide range of interesting-looking people from all walks of life.
Such a photo essay theme doesn’t just apply to women, as beauty can be found everywhere. As a photo essay photographer, it’s your job to find it!
Bring Social Issues to Life
Some of the most impactful social photo essay examples are those where the photographer focuses on social issues. From discrimination to domestic violence to the injustices of the prison system, there are many ways that a creative photographer can highlight what’s wrong with the world. This type of photo essay can be incredibly powerful when paired with compelling subjects and some basic text.
Photograph Style and Fashion
If you live in or know of a particularly stylish locale or area, you can put together an excellent thematic photo essay by capturing impromptu shots of well-dressed people as they pass by. As with culture, style is easily identifiable and is as unifying as it is divisive. Great photo essay examples include people who’ve covered fashion sub-genres from all over the world, like urban hip hop or kawaii fashion in Japan.
What is a Photo Essay? A photo essay is a series of photographs that, when assembled in a particular order, tell a unique and compelling story. While some photographers choose only to use pictures in their presentations, others will incorporate captions, comments, or even full paragraphs of text to provide more exposition for the scene they are unfolding.
A photo essay is a well-established part of photojournalism and have been used for decades to present a variety of information to the reader. Some of the most famous photo essayists include Ansel Adams, W. Eugene Smith, Gordon Parks and James Nachtwey. Of course, there are thousands of photo essay examples out there from which you can draw inspiration.
Why Consider Creating a Photo Essay?As the old saying goes, “a picture is worth 1000 words.” This adage is, for many photographers, reason enough to hold a photo essay in particularly high regard.
For others, a photo essay allow them to take pictures that are already interesting and construct intricate, emotionally-charged tales out of them. For all photographers, it is yet another skill they can master to become better at their craft.
As you might expect, the photo essay have had a long history of being associated with photojournalism. From the Great Depression to Civil Rights Marches and beyond, many compelling stories have been told through a combination of images and text, or photos alone. A photo essay often evokes an intense reaction, whether artistic in nature or designed to prove a socio-political point.
Famous Photo Essays
PHOTO ESSAY EXAMPLES:
- Trouble Shared (Brenda Ann Kennelly/ New York Times/Lens)
- A Country Doctor (W. Eugene Smith/Magnum for Life)
- A Young Father’s Balancing Act (Benjamin Norman/The New York Times)
- New York City Coffeehouse (Dima Gavrysh/Lens)
- Where Beauty Softens Your Grief (Gianni Cipriano/ICP)
- Gun Nation (Zed Nelson)
- What the World Eats (Time)
- Last Supper (2004; Celia A. Shapiro/Mother Jones)
- The Bitter Sweet Pill – GMB Akash
- Happy Horsemeat (Alex Soth)
- Febuary Assignment: Photographing Pictures in Reflection
- Magic in the Nearly Forgotten Mailbox
- Andrew Moore Detroit
- Superheroes – Dulce Pinzon
- A Photo Fright Most Viral
- Jump Book – Phillippe Halsman
Resources on photo essays:
Petapixel
Cuny
Common Types of Photo Essays
While a photo essay do not have to conform to any specific format or design, there are two “umbrella terms” under which almost all genres of photo essays tend to fall. A photo essay is thematic and narrative. In the following section, we’ll give some details about the differences between the two types, and then cover some common genres used by many artists.
⬥ Thematic A thematic photo essay speak on a specific subject. For instance, numerous photo essays were put together in the 1930s to capture the ruin of The Great Depression. Though some of these presentations followed specific people or families, they mostly told the “story” of the entire event. There is much more freedom with a thematic photo essay, and you can utilize numerous locations and subjects. Text is less common with these types of presentations.
⬥ Narrative A narrative photo essay is much more specific than thematic essays, and they tend to tell a much more direct story. For instance, rather than show a number of scenes from a Great Depression Era town, the photographer might show the daily life of a person living in Dust Bowl America. There are few rules about how broad or narrow the scope needs to be, so photographers have endless creative freedom. These types of works frequently utilize text.
Types of photos in a Photo Essay
- Signature photo: A photo that summarizes the entire issue and illustrates essential elements of the story. This might be a photo of woman — maybe your main character — weaving at a loom in the bungalow. Ideally, you’d be able to frame the shot to provide some context, maybe other women, the village in the background, etc.
- Establishing or overall shot: a wide-angle (sometimes even aerial) shot to establish the scene. If you’re shooting for National Geographic it’s entirely possible they would rent a helicopter and you’d take an aerial shot of the village. Or, if on a tighter budget, maybe the village from a nearby dune. The idea of the establishing shot is this: When you do a photo story your are taking our viewers on a journey. You need to give them a sense of where they are going, an image that allows them to understand the rest of the story in a geographic context.
- Close-up: A detail shot to highlight a specific element of the story. Close-up, sometimes called detail shots, don’t carry a lot of narrative. Meaning, they often don’t do a lot to inform the viewer on a literal level but they do a great deal to dramatize a story. Perhaps the weavers hands or a sample of a rug or the bowls in which the dies are mixed. For reasons we’ll come back to when we talk about multimedia in week 12, it’s ALWAYS a good idea to shoot lots of close-ups.
- Portrait: this can be either a tight head shot or a more environment portrait in a context relevant to the story. As mentioned above, photo essays are build around characters. You need to have good portrait that introduces the viewers to the character. I always shoot a variety of portraits, some candids and some posed.
- Interaction: focuses on the subject in a group during an activity. Images of your character interacting with others — kids, others in the village, sellers — all helps give a human dimension to your character. It’s likely that our weaver(s) also raise families, which means cooking cleaning, etc. Think about reactions too.
- How-to sequence: This is photo or group of photos that offer a how-to about some specific element of the story or process. With our example maybe we would telescope in for a few images on how the dyes are made or the making of a specific element of the textile
- The Clincher: A photo that can be used to close the story, one that says “the end.” Essentially, our example is a process piece. What’s the end of the process? Maybe an image of a camel caravan loaded with textiles and heading off into the sunset on the way to market.
Photo Essay Genres
Walk a City – This photo essay is when you schedule a time to walk around a city, neighborhood, or natural site with the sole goal of taking photos. Usually thematic in nature, this type of photo essay allows you to capture a specific place, it’s energy, and its moods and then pass them along to others.
The Relationship Photo Essay – The interaction between families and loved ones if often a fascinating topic for a photo essay. This photo essay genre, in particular, gives photographers an excellent opportunity to capture complex emotions like love and abstract concepts like friendship. When paired with introspective text, the results can be quite stunning.
The Timelapse Transformation Photo Essay – The goal of a transformation photo essay is to capture the way a subject changes over time. Some people take years or even decades putting together a transformation photo essay, with subjects ranging from people to buildings to trees to particular areas of a city.
Going Behind The Scenes Photo Essay – Many people are fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes of big events. Providing the photographer can get access; to an education photo essay can tell a very unique and compelling story to their viewers with this photo essay.
Photo Essay of a Special Event – There are always events and occasions going on that would make an interesting subject for a photo essay. Ideas for this photo essay include concerts, parties, graduations, marches, and protests. Images from some of the latter were integral to the popularity of great photo essays.
The Daily Life Photo Essay – This type of photo essay often focus on a single subject and attempt to show “a day in the life” of that person or object through the photographs. This type of photo essay can be quite powerful depending on the subject matter and invoke many feelings in the people who view them.
Cover a Protest or March
Some of the best photo essay examples come from marches, protests, and other events associated with movements or socio-political statements. Such events allow you to take pictures of angry, happy, or otherwise empowered individuals in high-energy settings. The photo essay narrative can also be further enhanced by arriving early or staying long after the protest has ended to catch contrasting images.
Photograph a Local Event
Whether you know it or not, countless unique and interesting events are happening in and around your town this year. Such events provide photographers new opportunities to put together a compelling photo essay. From ethnic festivals to historical events to food and beverage celebrations, there are many different ways to capture and celebrate local life.
Visit an Abandoned Site or Building
Old homes and historical sites are rich with detail and can sometimes appear dilapidated, overgrown by weeds, or broken down by time. These qualities make them a dynamic and exciting subject. Many great photo essay works of abandoned homes use a mix of far-away shots, close-ups, weird angles, and unique lighting. Such techniques help set a mood that the audience can feel through the photographic essay. * Always practice safety first and do not go to places you think you will be unsafe and unprepared.
Photograph Unique Lifestyles
People all over the world are embracing society’s changes in different ways. People live in vans or in “tiny houses,” living in the woods miles away from everyone else, and others are growing food on self-sustaining farms. Some of the best photo essay works have been born out of these new, inspiring movements.
Show Body Positive Themes
So much of modern photography is about showing the best looking, prettiest, or sexiest people at all times. Choosing a photo essay theme like body positivity, however, allows you to film a wide range of interesting-looking people from all walks of life.
Such a photo essay theme doesn’t just apply to women, as beauty can be found everywhere. As a photo essay photographer, it’s your job to find it!
Bring Social Issues to Life
Some of the most impactful social photo essay examples are those where the photographer focuses on social issues. From discrimination to domestic violence to the injustices of the prison system, there are many ways that a creative photographer can highlight what’s wrong with the world. This type of photo essay can be incredibly powerful when paired with compelling subjects and some basic text.
Photograph Style and Fashion
If you live in or know of a particularly stylish locale or area, you can put together an excellent thematic photo essay by capturing impromptu shots of well-dressed people as they pass by. As with culture, style is easily identifiable and is as unifying as it is divisive. Great photo essay examples include people who’ve covered fashion sub-genres from all over the world, like urban hip hop or kawaii fashion in Japan.
Other Themes/APproaches to Your Inquiry Project
Discarded Items
Discarded items sometimes create hazardous pollution, as David Attenborough showed in Blue Planet, and they can sometimes be the source of creative ideas. Eian Kantor has recorded discarded items in a series of photographs called ‘Found Sculptures’. In the project ‘Some cities and Mountains,’ Anthony Gerace produced photographs that record discarded items and aspects of neglect in the environment. Morgan Z Schultz created a short film with animation entitled ‘Discarded’ about the items people leave behind. Respond in your own way, making reference to appropriate work by others.
Movement
Many photographers have attempted to capture movement in their work. Ernst Haas talks about a desire to “and arrive at an image in which the spectator could feel the beauty of a fourth dimension” Further examples can be seen in the work of Alexey Titarenko, Trent Parke and Sam Taylor-Wood. Research appropriate contextual material and create your own response to the theme of Movement.
Passing of Time
Many photographers and filmmakers have recorded the passing of time in various ways. Some have explored this subject through single images or combinations of images; others have produced a sequence of images. You might like to consider the work of Alexey Titarenko, Andy Goldsworthy and Edward Muybridge when making your response.
Messages (Text & image)
Barbara Kruger, Martha Rosler, Shirin Neshat and Lorna Simpson combine words and phrases with their photographs to convey messages. Study appropriate sources and produce your own work that conveys a message from combining text with images.
Signs
The size, shape, location and graphic qualities of signs have inspired a range of photographers. Stephen Gill has photographed the reverse side of billboard advertisements as a comment on modern life. In U.S. 97, South of Klamath Falls, Oregon, July 21, 1973 by Stephen Shore, the scene depicted on the billboard contrasts with the real landscape in which it is placed. Rob Hann photographed road signs to highlight colour and form as much as the words and letters display. Photographs by Marion Post Walcott feature printed and handwritten signs, seen on banners, posters or shopfronts. Investigate appropriate sources and produce your own response to signs.
Journeys
A Journey can refer to an actual physical journey – traveling from one place to another; wandering around a particular urban or landscape location in order to explore it; or enforced migration such as the journeys made by slaves or refugees. However, journeys don’t always have to involve physical travel. The term ‘journey’ is often used to describe the journeys we make in life: such as personal experiences that involve an element of self-discovery or more generally the journey through life – growing up or getting old. In her work 'Running Legs', Lisette Model focuses on people’s everyday journeys in New York. Sophie Calle followed a stranger from Paris to Venice, without him knowing. Other artist you might consider are Daido Moryiama and his work in Tokyo and Richard Long. Investigate appropriate sources and produce your own response to journeys.
Structures
Many photographers and filmmakers have been inspired to record manufactured structures in various ways. Different approaches can be seen in the work of Paul Strand, who carefully considered composition, in the work of Lewis Baltz who observed deserted structures, in the constructed images of the urban landscape by Andreas Gursky, and in the recording of architectural facades by Markus Brunetti. Respond in your own way, making reference to appropriate work by others.
Shadows
Shadows can be used by photographers and film makers to bring many visual elements into their works. The effect of a shadow in a photograph can change depending on the intensity of the light or the object in which the light falls on. Artists such as Elllsworth Kelly can use shadows to create emphasis on geometric shapes. Laszlo Moholy-Nagy uses his photograms to create abstract compositions of shadows created by everyday objects, whilst Ernst Haas worked with the shadows cast by gondoliers in Venice. Investigate appropriate sources and produce your own response to shadows.
Abstraction Photography
-Imogen Cunningham
-Edward Weston
-Aaron Siskind
-Ansel Adams
-list of 8 abstract photographers
Portraits- a further investigation into Portraiture -look at our resources on the Portraits Unit Page.
Discarded items sometimes create hazardous pollution, as David Attenborough showed in Blue Planet, and they can sometimes be the source of creative ideas. Eian Kantor has recorded discarded items in a series of photographs called ‘Found Sculptures’. In the project ‘Some cities and Mountains,’ Anthony Gerace produced photographs that record discarded items and aspects of neglect in the environment. Morgan Z Schultz created a short film with animation entitled ‘Discarded’ about the items people leave behind. Respond in your own way, making reference to appropriate work by others.
Movement
Many photographers have attempted to capture movement in their work. Ernst Haas talks about a desire to “and arrive at an image in which the spectator could feel the beauty of a fourth dimension” Further examples can be seen in the work of Alexey Titarenko, Trent Parke and Sam Taylor-Wood. Research appropriate contextual material and create your own response to the theme of Movement.
Passing of Time
Many photographers and filmmakers have recorded the passing of time in various ways. Some have explored this subject through single images or combinations of images; others have produced a sequence of images. You might like to consider the work of Alexey Titarenko, Andy Goldsworthy and Edward Muybridge when making your response.
Messages (Text & image)
Barbara Kruger, Martha Rosler, Shirin Neshat and Lorna Simpson combine words and phrases with their photographs to convey messages. Study appropriate sources and produce your own work that conveys a message from combining text with images.
Signs
The size, shape, location and graphic qualities of signs have inspired a range of photographers. Stephen Gill has photographed the reverse side of billboard advertisements as a comment on modern life. In U.S. 97, South of Klamath Falls, Oregon, July 21, 1973 by Stephen Shore, the scene depicted on the billboard contrasts with the real landscape in which it is placed. Rob Hann photographed road signs to highlight colour and form as much as the words and letters display. Photographs by Marion Post Walcott feature printed and handwritten signs, seen on banners, posters or shopfronts. Investigate appropriate sources and produce your own response to signs.
Journeys
A Journey can refer to an actual physical journey – traveling from one place to another; wandering around a particular urban or landscape location in order to explore it; or enforced migration such as the journeys made by slaves or refugees. However, journeys don’t always have to involve physical travel. The term ‘journey’ is often used to describe the journeys we make in life: such as personal experiences that involve an element of self-discovery or more generally the journey through life – growing up or getting old. In her work 'Running Legs', Lisette Model focuses on people’s everyday journeys in New York. Sophie Calle followed a stranger from Paris to Venice, without him knowing. Other artist you might consider are Daido Moryiama and his work in Tokyo and Richard Long. Investigate appropriate sources and produce your own response to journeys.
Structures
Many photographers and filmmakers have been inspired to record manufactured structures in various ways. Different approaches can be seen in the work of Paul Strand, who carefully considered composition, in the work of Lewis Baltz who observed deserted structures, in the constructed images of the urban landscape by Andreas Gursky, and in the recording of architectural facades by Markus Brunetti. Respond in your own way, making reference to appropriate work by others.
Shadows
Shadows can be used by photographers and film makers to bring many visual elements into their works. The effect of a shadow in a photograph can change depending on the intensity of the light or the object in which the light falls on. Artists such as Elllsworth Kelly can use shadows to create emphasis on geometric shapes. Laszlo Moholy-Nagy uses his photograms to create abstract compositions of shadows created by everyday objects, whilst Ernst Haas worked with the shadows cast by gondoliers in Venice. Investigate appropriate sources and produce your own response to shadows.
Abstraction Photography
-Imogen Cunningham
-Edward Weston
-Aaron Siskind
-Ansel Adams
-list of 8 abstract photographers
Portraits- a further investigation into Portraiture -look at our resources on the Portraits Unit Page.