Perspective

Explore photographs that utilize perspective in innovative ways and then create three photographs reimagining ways you can frame an image. You can digitally enhance your chosen images with the standard editing software on most phones or free editing platforms.

Assignment:

• Examine and analyze examples of photography that experiment with perspective.
• Compose and photograph three photographs that implement perspective composition techniques discussed in class.
  • A photograph where the camera is facing directly up or down
  • A photograph where the subject matter fills the entire frame
  • A photograph that uses a vanishing point
• Share a before and after screenshot comparison of one of the photographs with your classmates and describe the artistic choices made to enhance your photograph.

Essential Question: What draws your attention in a photograph?

Before we begin taking our photographs and experimenting with new techniques, we will be talking about perspective in photography. First, we will review our Unshuttered Perspective Sheet; then we will take a look at and discuss a few artworks that use perspective in a few different ways.

Discuss: What is perspective in a photograph?

• Take turns answering the question in class.
• Following the discussion, look at the definition along with an example.

As a large group, review the Unshuttered Perspective Reference Sheet vocabulary list and keep the worksheet handy, either printed or saved on your computer or mobile device.

Examine Artwork: Look at one of the three photographs shown here. Pause for about 30 seconds to simply observe the image, then share what you notice about the photograph.

• 30-45 seconds examining the artwork
• 2-4 minutes discussing the artwork
• Transition to the next artwork
• Repeat as time allows

Artist Bios: (Image 1) Violet Stoeker started working with film photography at the beginning of high school. In order to work with film, Violet used her school darkroom, developing machines and editing programs. Violet stated, “After a while, my camera was like my phone or my keys–– I couldn't leave the house without it.” Some constant features of Stoeker’s photographs include black and white imagery, high contrast, and capturing details that encourage eye movement. While part of the Unshuttered program, Stoeker’s photography aimed to capture images of feminism and women's rights.

(Image 2) Jeremy Davis began taking photos from a young age and was quickly dubbed the family photographer. Since the development of his early interest he has continued to practice and studied photography more seriously as a junior in high school. In his words, “I began taking photos as a Geometry assignment, noticed patterns, and fell in love”.

About the Artwork: Jeremy Davis explains, “It ties into social justice and is timeless in its representation of how Black people are resilient. Through it all, we are still here. We’ve endured centuries - long suffering that other people were unable to withstand including slavery, social injustice, police brutality, poor educational opportunities, systemic racism, oppression, and housing discrimination, and murder in the broad daylight to name a few. Yet, here we are in all our magnificent glory. We are God’s people, no other way to explain our survival or presence.”

Questions for Discussion:

• What do you notice first about this image?
• How is the photo framed?
• What is going on in the foreground and background of the image?

Examine Getty Collection Artworks: Look at one of the two Getty collection photographs shown here. Pause for about 30 seconds to observe the image. Share what you notice about the photograph.

• 30-45 seconds examining the artwork
• 2-4 minutes discussing the artwork
• Read the artist description and artwork information
• Repeat for next photograph

Questions for Discussion:

• What do you notice about this image?
• What artistic choices did the photographer make?
• What compositional elements do you notice?

About the Artist: (Image 1) William Eggleston is an American photographer. Much of his work documents “ordinary” subjects in the Southern United States, highlighting the complexity and beauty in mundane objects.

About the Artwork: William Eggleston explains the radical perspective he used in this photograph of a child's tricycle, which seems to dwarf the homes and car in the background. "Sometimes I like the idea of making a picture that does not look like a human picture. Humans make pictures which tend to be about five feet above the ground looking out horizontally. I like very fast flying insects moving all over and I wonder what their view is from moment to moment. I have made a few pictures which show that physical viewpoint…..The tricycle is similar. It is an insect's view or it could be a child's view."

About the Artist: (Image 2) David Hockney is an English painter, draftsman, printmaker, stage designer, and photographer. Hockney is noted as an important contributor to the Pop Art movement of the 1960s, and is considered as one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century.

About the Artwork: This artwork depicts a view of a California highway, Route 138, in the Antelope Valley. It is a collage compiled from over 700 separate photographs. Hockney describes his work as a drawing as opposed to a photographic piece. He has stated that this is because this work is a layered composition representing many different viewpoints as opposed to a single, flat photograph.

Practice: Try taking a few photographs outside of class.

Apply your knowledge of perspective and create three photographs that explore different perspective compositions, including:

• A photograph where the camera is facing directly up or down
• A photograph where the subject matter fills the entire frame
• A photograph that uses a vanishing point

Watch: Look at a few videos that experiment with perspective in different ways. Bird's Eye View, Eye Level Perspective, High Level Perspective, Low Level Perspective and Canted Perspective.

Brainstorm: Artists often sketch or write down their ideas in a sketchbook or journal. This helps you keep track of your ideas and become helpful in the future when developing new ideas.

Create: Grab your cameras, take photographs with intention, and have fun.

Edit: Once you have taken your photographs, select which images you would like to digitally enhance. You may do so on your phone’s editing software or other photography editing software.

• You may edit your photographs at home and upload them to a shared Google Drive or other platform once they are digitally enhanced.
• You may also want to revisit these photographs and edit them as you learn more about photography techniques over time.
• Some apps you can use are: VSCO, Adobe Photoshop Express Editor, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom mobile, Canva, Pixlr, or Instasize.

Take about 5 minutes to think about, write down, or discuss what techniques worked well, what did not work as well, and what to work on for the next class. Reflection can take place as a group or individually. Continue taking photographs and experimenting with various perspective angles. You should come prepared to discuss one of your photographs.