Standard RL9-10.

7 - Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different

artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment

Target: I can find the subject of a photograph using one of five photographic elements.

Directions: Follow along with the lesson. Fill in definitions and respond to each question.

Visual Literacy

Definition:

Subject

Definition:

Directions: For each of the following photographs, choose the subject and type or write it below.

1.

Subject:

2.

Subject:

3.

Subject:

4.

Subject:

5.

Subject:

Light Values

Definition:

Light can be used to draw your attention toward the subject in a photograph.

Tip #1: If a photograph is mostly light, then the darkest object may be the subject.

Example: There is a brightly lit sky with a dark photographer as the subject in front.

Tip #2: If a photograph is mostly dark, then the lightest object may be the subject.

Example: There is complete darkness except for the bright candle light in the photo.

Directions: Look at each photo on the screen, choose a subject based on light values.

1.

Subject:

2.

Subject:

3.

Subject:

Focus

Definition:

The use of focus in a photograph can be used to draw attention to the subject.

Tip #3: The object in focus may be the subject of the photograph.

Example: The spider at the center of the web is in focus and perhaps the subject.

Tip #4: Multiple planes of focus are often used to give importance to subjects.

Directions: With your finger or stylus, outline each plane of focus you can find.

Directions: Look at each photo on the screen, choose a subject based on objects in focus.

1.

Subject:

2.

Subject:

3.

Subject:

Framing

Definition:

Framing can be used to help define a subject by pulling attention toward it.

Tip #5: Framing will often pull audience attention inward, toward the center.

Example: The barn is being used to pull attention inward, toward the subject.

Tip #6: Framing can pull your attention in any direction, toward the subject.

Example: The Eiffel Tower is being used to pull attention downward toward subject.

Directions: Look at each photo on the screen, choose a subject based on the framing.

1.

Subject:

2.

Subject:

3.

Subject:

Detail

Definition:

Details can help the audience to more closely define the subject of a photograph.

Tip #7: Details can provide a number of helpful elements like geographic location.

Example: The teenage boy skateboarding above is more specifically a Filipino boy.

Tip #8: Details can provide a number of helpful elements like time period.

Example: Based on the details, we can identify the time period of this subject.

Directions: Look at each photo on the screen, choose a subject based on the details. Be specific.

1.

Subject:

2.

Subject:

3.

Subject:

Perspective

Definition:

Perspective situates the lens in a way that directs the audience to see the subject.

Tip #9: Perspective can give the subject added meaning by the situation of the lens.

Example: The camera is low and pointed up making subject feel big and powerful.

Tip #10: Changing the perspective, can change the way a subject feels.

Example: Both photos have the same subject but the shift in perspective changes it.

Directions: Look at each photo on the screen, choose a subject based on the perspective

1.

Subject:

2.

Subject:

3.

Subject:

These photographic elements are tools not rules.

They can help you find the subject, but they arent rules for finding them.
You may need to analyze a few of them to find the subject. It just depends.

Tip #11: Sometimes you have to decide which photographic element is the helpful.

Example: This uses framing, light value, perspective, and detail to show the subject.

Tip #12: Sometimes the subject isnt an object. Instead the object represents an idea.

Example: This is of a basketball team, but teamwork may be a better subject for it.

Directions: Look at each photo on the screen, choose a thematic idea for the subject. Use your list.

1.

Subject:

2.

Subject:

3.

Subject: