PERSONAL EXPRESSION THROUGH EMBELLISHED PHOTOGRAPHY

PERSONAL EXPRESSION THROUGH EMBELLISHED PHOTOGRAPHY

Suitable for Grades 4-12

Curriculum connections

//Expression of self through creative processes

//image development strategies

//create meaning through symbolism

Bookings available January 29 through March 30, 2018

On a tour of Re Present: Photography from South Asia, students will explore historical and contemporary South Asian art and photography. Throughout the tour, students will judge the reliability of photographs as sources of information and engage in a discussion about the supposed “honesty” of photography.

MATERIALS

 Fujifilm camera and film                 

Acrylic paint

Tiny brushes                                  

Sketching paper                               

Pencils

SET UP

 ***Take pics of the students outside of the studios         against the white movable wall

***be sure to lay out a pencil and paper at each spot at the table

Students will sit around the outside of the “U”

You can assist students from inside the “U”

In the gallery (at the end of the tour), have students sit down in front of embellished photographs and have a conversation about the project.

Discuss:

Embellished photography has been a very popular practice since the introduction of photography in the 1840s and continues to be an important craft and tradition of the Indian people to this day!

Q: Why might they do this?

A: They use this method to enhance photographs of themselves, loved ones and gods they worship. They do this because they want even more of the personality of the person to come through the photograph, creating what we might call “whole self” portraits.

Today we are going to take pictures of ourselves and enhance the photos with colours, textures, patterns, objects and basically whatever else best represents us!

Transition:

We will now head back to the studio. On our way back, we will line up by the white wall and I will take your photo, then you can grab your photo and sit down in the studio.

***while you are in the atrium taking photos, be sure to enlist the help of the teacher and parents to encourage the students to brainstorm of what elements they would like to add to their photo as they wait for their photo to develop!***

Process  

1.     Once everyone is in their spot with their developed photo and brainstorms, explain that they will now do some more sketching. This time they will do their best to copy the photo and make a plan of how they would like to embellish their photo. Have them think about patterns, objects and colours they would like to include.

2.     When everyone (or most of them) is done sketching, explain to the students that they will now come up to the front and get in line for their paint (and paintbrushes). *this process should go somewhat quickly as students should have already thought of what colours they will need.*

TIP: Give students a small amount of paint for each colour as the surface area is small and you can always get more paint!

3.     Ask the group if they would like a demo of how to paint on the photograph. Explain that you will only need a tiny bit of paint, it’s best to go slowly so you have more control, and the paint will look the best if it’s not watered down at all.

4.     Offer tape to the students so they can tape down their photos and prevent slipping.

5.     Paint away! Offer help to those who need it.

6.     Leave some time at the end of the workshop to share the final photos with everybody.

7.     Clean up!

*** don’t forget to take pictures!! Either of the students working and/or of the final product. To do this you will need to ask the teacher if there are any photo restrictions***