Introduction to Photography

Using a Pinhole Camera

The History of Photography

Compare viewpoints of (a) cave painters who painted the images of animals on the walls of caves with (b) viewpoints of Western society in which photographs (images) are used for advertising, decoration, art . . .

Uses of Photography Through the Ages

Are black and white “art” photographs more desirable than personal snapshots of friends and family? Why or why not? What makes a photograph an artwork?

How do the three theories of art relate to photographs? Choose one subject matter and describe how you could use it to create a photograph using each theory of art.

Why might people have an innate need to add beauty and meaning to their world?

How a Camera Works

What are some of the purposes of photography? (At least 30) Is photography more uniquely suited to those purposes than drawing or painting? Why or why not?

Designing the Outside of Your Camera

Can photography be considered a fine art? Explain and justify.

What are some of your fears, needs, concerns, dreams, values, and aspirations?

4/22/03

Making a Positive Print from a Negative
(Contact Prints)

Come up with at least 4 criteria that you believe would be good for evaluating the progress of a student of photography. Really put some thought into this.

Choose one of the photographs in the book and do a formal art criticism paper on it.

Think about what you know about history (of the world, a country, a state, a city, your ancestors, whatever). What events stand out in your mind? List at least 10 that you can think of without looking them up.

Choose a photograph which is an example of the theory “formalism”. Write a formal art criticism paper on it including all four steps of (1) description, (2) analysis, (3) interpretation and (4) judgment.

Find a photograph by an artist/photographer which evokes a very strong emotion in the viewer. Try to come up with one which has had a profound effect on your own emotions. Describe the photograph and explain what emotion it evokes and why.

Look back at the 10 historical events which you listed earlier and add as much detail to them as you can come up with. Look up each and add more details.

If you were to do a self-portrait of the person who was most influenced by the 10 historical events mentioned earlier. What kinds of props would you include in the photo? What setting would the person be in? Justify your answers.

What materials and images do you feel represent our society? Why? What materials are available?

What is photography? What is the role of photography in society?

Describe what qualities are necessary for a photograph to “tell a story”.

Cut out at least 3 photographs from magazines which you believe have been altered by computer technology, describe what you think each was altered in each and why.

What ethical issues might arise when photographs can be manipulated by computer technology? What ethical considerations apply to copyright issues? Digital art? Digital photography? The Internet?

Compare and contrast your own work to that of significant artists from different historical periods, art styles and world cultures.