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.

Keep Art in LAUSD! Take Action Today

The Los Angeles Unified School District has proposed total elimination of its elementary school arts education program. To take action by contacting the Superintendent and School Board, please click here.  This unprecedented step will reverse a ten-year effort made by the District to restore arts education to its 700,000 students.

LA-Artist.com opposes this drastic measure and urges parents, students, arts advocates to take action by sending a letter to your school board member and sharing the alert with your networks.

Share this alert widely via email, Twitter and Facebook.  Arts for LA will provide campaign updates as they become available.

VIDEO: Transmedia, The Future of Publishing

Initially I found this great video on Sir Ken Robinson’s Twitter.

Sourced from the BBC:

It used to be that fiction novels were read from start to finish on a book made out of paper.

Now, with e-books established, a more revolutionary idea for the humble novel is taking place – a story told on many different platforms.

LJ Rich investigates the possibilities of “transmedia” by getting dressed up for a starring role in a multimedia project.

View Video

Remember to join Mr. O on Twitter and Facebook and please feel free to leave a comment below. 

VIDEO: Pupils design apps to boost ICT skills

View the video here.

Computer and technology lessons in schools are inadequate and fall short of equipping students with relevant skills, according to education regulator, Ofsted.

But at St Matthew Academy in Blackheath, south London, pupils are engaged in ICT learning, by designing their own phone apps.

Debbie Forster from Apps 4 Good, who has worked with the students, said it helped prepare the pupils for the workplace.

Rory Cellan-Jones reports for the BBC.

Save Our Schools: “RIF Now, Pay Later”

In protest to the deplorable layoffs, the Roy Romer Middle School community has banded together to produce this lip dub video. Spread the word… show this video to everyone!!! Saving the teachers should be our number one priority!!!