Basic Visual Language #3: Composition

Henri Cartier-Bresson - Derriere la Gare Saint-Lazare

 

Henri Cartier-Bresson - Ezra Pound

This is the third of a three part exercise that introduce students to the fundamental elements of visual language: camera angel, lighting and composition. 

Materials / Preparation

1. Cameras / Camera phones
2. Computers / Internet connection
3. Students should pair off into groups of three to five.

Photo Exercise  (20 minutes)

In your groups choose a location and photograph one of your peers using two different compositions.

1. Close up (the camera should be no more than an arms length way).
2. Wide shot  (take a picture of your subject from far away)

Edit / Submit (20 min)

1. Select two of your best photos (one photo to represent each composition).
2. Email Mr. O your images with your period and student names in the subject line.

Presentation / Reflection

Students present photos and discuss how these techniques influence the various meanings we can take from a visual message.

Basic Visual Language #2: Light

Martin Luther King by Graeme Phelps

Salvador Dali by Roger Higgins 1965

The Beatles by Mike Mitchell 1964

This is the second of a three part exercise that introduce students to the fundamental elements of visual language: camera angel, lighting and composition. 

Materials / Preparation

1. Cameras
2. Computers
3. Students should pair off into groups of three.

Photo Exercise  (20 minutes)

In your groups choose a location and photograph your peers using three different lighting techniques.

1. Back lighting (the light source must come from behind the subject)
2. Front lighting  (the light source must to be directed at the subject)
3. Side lighting (the light source must hit the subject from one side)

Edit / Submit (20 min)

1. Select three of your best photos (one photo to represent each lighting technique).
2. Email Mr. O your images with your period and student names in the subject line.

Presentation / Reflection

Students present photos and discuss how these techniques influence the various meanings we can take from a visual message.

Basic Visual Language #1: Camera Angle

Che Guevara - Alberto Korda

Tianenmen Square - Jeff Widener

Migrant Mother - Dorothea Lange

This is the first of a three part exercise that introduce students to the fundamental elements of visual language: camera angel, lighting and composition. 

Materials / Preparation

1. Cameras
2. Computers
3. Students should pair off into groups of three.

Photo Exercise  (20 minutes)

In your groups choose a location and photograph your peers in the same scene from three different angles.

1. Low angle (like a worm looking up from the ground)
2. Hight angle (like a bird looking down from the sky)
3. Eye level (the camera lens should be level with the subjects eyes)

Edit / Submit (20 min)

1. Select three of your best photos (one photo to represent each shooting angel).
2. Email Mr. O your images with your period and student names in the subject line.

Presentation / Reflection

Students present photos and discuss how these techniques influence the various meanings we can take from a visual message.