Research paper on a historical or contemporary photographer and the significance of their work to photography as an art form. This is a simple three page essay written doubly spaced in a size 12 font. Also, include 5 images of the photographer’s work. A list of photographers is provided or you may select a photographer of your own personal interest. It’s so important to research someone whose work speaks to you. If you’re intrigued by the individual and the images they make, it won’t feel like work. You may not choose an artist that has already been thoroughly presented in class. Contact me if you have any questions regarding your choice. Be sure to include an bibliography documenting your sources
INFORMATION TO INCLUDE: Note – You are to write a narrative essay paper – please do not simply answer a bulleted point list of a-k as you will not receive credit. You must write a paragraph by paragraph research paper.
a. Photographer’s date and place of birth.
b. Education and photographic training.
c. How did the photographer make a living?
d. Type of photographic equipment utilized? Camera model? Film? Digital?
e. Subject matter in the photographs – include 5 images
f. Creative and contemporary influences in the work
g. Working method to make photographic images
h. Select one photograph by the photographer and discuss why you think the image is a good photograph. Why did you select that particular image?
i. Quotes by the photographer about their photographs.
j. Quotes by others about the photographer’s work.
k. Where is the photographer’s photographic work displayed and/or published?
**INCLUDE BIBLIOGRAPHY SITING YOUR SOURCES – FORMAT IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU
Websites for finding artists/photographers:
http://lenscratch.com/photographers/ (Links to an external site.) – Contemporary Photographers
https://www.photoeye.com/gallery/index.cfm (Links to an external site.) – Choose “Explore by Category/Genre” – Mix of both historical and contemporary photographers
https://masters-of-photography.com/ (Links to an external site.) – More historical/older work/photographers
*PLEASE REFER TO THE “LEARNING TO LOOK: A FORMAT FOR LOOKING AT AND TALKING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHS” HANDOUT – This will serve as a guide to aid in your writing vocabulary. Be sure to cite your references and fully familiarize yourself with our plagiarism policy.
HANDOUT FOR ANALYTICAL REFERENCE:
LEARNING TO LOOK: A FORMAT FOR LOOKING AT AND TALKING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHS (Adapted from the Center for Creative Photography)
How do we discuss photographs? The beginning is quite simple. Ask yourself, “What am I looking at?” Describe the photograph briefly in a sentence or two, including size, black-and-white or color, and subject. Looking carefully at the photograph, discuss the four categories described here. As objectively as you can, address the properties in the each category that seem important for the photograph.
VISUAL ELEMENTS WITHIN THE PHOTOGRAPH – WHAT YOU SEE
LIGHT AND SHADOW: Does the light seem to be natural or artificial? Harsh or soft? What direction is the lighting coming from? Describe the shadows. Are they subtle or do they create strong contrasts?
VALUE: Is there a range of tones from light to dark? Squint your eyes. Where is the darkest value? The lightest?
FOCUS: What parts of the image are clearly in focus? Are some parts out of focus? Note: The range between the nearest and farthest things that appear in focus define the photograph’s depth of field (shallow depth of field vs. deep depth of field).SPACE: Do overlapping objects create a sense of space? Is the space shallow, deep or both?
SHAPE: Do you see geometric or organic shapes? Are there positive shapes, such as objects, or negative shapes that represent voids?
LINE: Are there thick, thin, curvy, jagged or straight lines?
COLOR: What colors are in the palette? Complimentary? Contrasting? Primary?
TEXTURE: Do you see visual textures within the photograph? Is there an actual texture on the surface of the photograph?
DESIGN OF THE PHOTOGRAPH – HOW THINGS ARE ARRANGED
ANGLE: From what vantage point was the photograph taken (where the photographer is located in relation to the subject matter)?
FRAMING: Describe the edges of the view. What is included? What does the framing draw your attention to in the photograph? Can you imagine what might have been visible beyond the edges of the image?
DOMINANCE: Close your eyes. When you open them and look at the photograph, what is the first thing you notice? Why is your attention drawn there? Are there other centers of interest? How are they created? How do the focal points help move your eye throughout the photograph?
CONTRAST: Are there strong visual contrasts – lights and darks, textures, solids and voids, etc?
REPETITION: Repetition of visual elements can create unity – a sense of order or wholeness that holds the work together visually. What elements are repeated? Do they contribute to a sense of unity?
VARIETY: Variety often creates interest. Can you see a variety of visual elements such as values, shapes, textures, etc?
BALANCE: Is the visual weight on one side of the photograph the same as the other? How about top to bottom and diagonally?
HOW THE PHOTOGRAPH WAS MADE – METHOD / EQUIPMENT USED
You can discuss anything you know about the photographic techniques, camera, or film that is pertinent in the work.
WHAT THE PHOTOGRAPH COMMUNICATES – FEELINGS / MOOD
Based on what you have see, what do you think the work is about? What does it mean or communicate? How do you know? What words would you use to describe it?
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