Art

**State Content Standards:**
 * [[image:http://images.travelpod.com/users/johnrandall/2.1243062000.sepia-erectheion.jpg width="385" height="285" align="right" caption="http://images.travelpod.com/users/johnrandall/2.1243062000.sepia-erectheion.jpg"]]Olympic Photography Art Lesson: **


 * Use current, available technology as the primary medium to create an original work of art // (OACS, Visual Arts, Benchmark D, 7.5). //
 * Improv e craftsmanshi p an d refin e idea s i n respons e t o feedbac k an d self- assessment // (OACS, Visual Arts, Benchmark E, 7.6) //
 * Apply computer skills to explore and create a range of visual effects to enhance projects and presentations // (OACS, Visual Arts, Benchmark B, 7.2). //

**Technology:** Students will be using digital cameras to take photographs of their classmates dressed up in common ancient Greek apparel. Then, students will use photo-editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop, to edit the photos to make them look “ancient.”

· Digital Cameras (class set of 25) o Examples: Canon PowerShot, Panasonic Lumix, Sony Cyber-shot, & Nikon Coolpix · Photo-editing Software installed on computers o  Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 ($79.99) [] ·  Photo Printer & Photo Paper o  Examples: HP Photosmart, Epson Stylus, Kodak Easyshare o  Examples: Canon Photo Paper Plus, HP Advanced Photo Paper Glossy, Kodak Photo Paper Matte

**Description:**  This art lesson will be in conjunction with the Language Arts Technology Lesson. In the Language Arts Lesson students will be creating and performing a script on an Ancient Greek City-State. On performance day as part of the art lesson, students will be using digital cameras to take photographs of “Ancient Greeks.” Photographs should not be posed, but candid (un-posed, unplanned, instant, and inconspicuous). Photographs should be taken outside for a more natural, real-world scene. Students should consider the [|basic photography techniques] that were reviewed in class, such as “the rule of thirds,” when taking their pictures.

Next, students will upload their photographs onto the computers and into Adobe Photoshop Elements. Students will select three of their favorite “Ancient Greek” photographs to edit. In addition to editing the lighting, contrast, framing, red-eyes, etcetera, students will be editing the coloring to make the photograph itself seem ancient. Now, obviously cameras did not exist thousands of years ago during the time of the first Olympic games; however, students will be using their creativity to make the photograph image seem old. In order to do this, students will want to change the toning effects of the image to black and white or sepia (brownish tones).

After editing the photographs, students will write a 1-2 sentence caption explaining what the photograph is displaying to them. Next, students will print off their 3 photographs for peer review. Students will give constructive criticism and suggestions to at least 3 of their peers’ photographs. Students then have the opportunity to make more edits to their photographs and then select ONE final photograph to re-print and submit for a grade.

**Resources:** In this lesson, students are using digital cameras and Adobe Photoshop editing software. There is so much research backing the use of digital cameras in the classroom because of its innovative educational benefits. In __Tech Directions__ Journal, it is stated that “Digital photography is a wonderful innovation for our 'instant results' generation of students. This type of photography ought to be incorporated into our lesson plans because of its power to quickly create a visual impression and lasting learning experiences” (Fisher & Lazaros 2009). With the instant gratification students often get from playing video games, the digital camera allows students to instantly see their world in a new light. Students love to use technology and an art classroom is the perfect place for students to be able to explore their creativity and photography skills. __Young Children__ magazine reports that, “Photographs can support and serve as prompts for high-quality discussions and increase children’s confidence in expressing their views. As children take photographs, they interact with their peers and others in new ways” (Blagojevic & Thomes 2008). In this lesson, students also get the opportunity to communicate what their photograph means to them and then take suggestions from peers to edit and make changes to their work of art. The use of digital cameras and photo edit software not only increases students’ technology skills, but it also exposes them to different ways of creating art, increases their communication skills, and offers them opportunities to reflect on feedback. They have many positive and beneficial uses within a classroom

Fisher, T. and Lazaros, E. (May 2009). Digital Camera Project Fosters Communication Skills. __Tech Directions__. v68, n10, 20-22. Retrieved on May 31, 2010, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=11&hid=105&sid=14becf5c-f7b2-4475-be91-4aaf8168f9d0%40sessionmgr14.

Blagojevic, B. and Thomes, K. (September 2008). Young Photographers: Can 4-Year Olds Use a Digital Camera as a Tool for Learning?—An Investigation in Progress. __Young Children__. v63, n5, 66-70, 72. Retrieved on May 31, 2010, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=10&hid=105&sid=14becf5c-f7b2-4475-be91-4aaf8168f9d0%40sessionmgr14.

**Tried & True or New & Innovative:** I think this lesson would be an example of an activity that is “New & Innovative.” Students and adults of all ages continue to be impressed with great photographs; however, digital cameras are often not used for student use within the classroom. The use of digital photography is becoming more and more popular in our society. With its ease of use and almost immediate access to the photos, digital cameras can have many beneficial uses within a classroom. As digital cameras become more popular, they are also becoming more affordable. Many students may already have access to a digital camera at home and/or schools can purchase them through technology funds or grants. Digital cameras would be a great motivational tool to see art in a different life and photo editing software gives them opportunities to explore and create visual affects through the use of technology. Learning how to take quality photographs and edit them using photo-editing software would be a life-skill students can use and appreciate outside the classroom.