Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.
The Center for Advance Research on Language Acquisition goes a step further, defining culture as shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understanding that are learned by socialization. Thus, it can be seen as the growth of a group identity fostered by social patterns unique to the group.
The Center for Advance Research on Language Acquisition goes a step further, defining culture as shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understanding that are learned by socialization. Thus, it can be seen as the growth of a group identity fostered by social patterns unique to the group.
Examples of Photographers Capturing Culture
Jeff Curtes: 20 years SnowBoard Photography
Estaban Oriol - Music
Suburban Life of the 60's and on
British Youth
Ordinary People Become Stars
Asian Photographers Speaking Out
Juachitan
Kristen Lewis: A day in the Life
Joshua Kissi
Kitra Chana - American Teens
Andy Kenutis - Vikings Team Photographer
Jeff Curtes: 20 years SnowBoard Photography
Estaban Oriol - Music
Suburban Life of the 60's and on
British Youth
Ordinary People Become Stars
Asian Photographers Speaking Out
Juachitan
Kristen Lewis: A day in the Life
Joshua Kissi
Kitra Chana - American Teens
Andy Kenutis - Vikings Team Photographer
YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Part 1
To get started exploring what culture may mean to you open the documents below and answer all of the questions. When you are done submit it too schoology.
| |||
Part 2
You will be challenged to take 75 photos a week for two weeks. Resulting in 150 pictures. Remember you are essentially trying to freeze time and show the viewer a behind the scenes look into that world. Take various approaches to get the best images: be a fly on the wall, document the environment, are there specific artifacts that represent that culture, try posing your subjects in their natural environment.
The more photos you take the better chances you have to capture the "essence" of the culture
The more photos you take the better chances you have to capture the "essence" of the culture
Tips for Capturing Culture
How Photography Connects Us
THE ASSIGNMENT
As previously stated this assignments goal is to capture a moment in time in your life and a showing the viewers a behind the scene look into your culture(s). You will be submitting 5 images telling a story about you / your chosen culture. When selecting the 5 out of your 150 you need to think about how they read together; having a theme across all 5 (black and white, directional line, contrast texture, depth of field, similar subjects, etc), are they various looks at one culture, do they tell a compelling story?
Rubric
Composition - 30%
- are the images balanced through rule of thirds, symmetry, asymmetry, etc
- are you using techniques to enhance your narrative / story? perspective angles, leading lines, filling the frame, etc.
- is it clear who or what the subject is?
Capturing Culture - 30%
- does this show a behind the scenes look into your life / culture?
- is there a clear story that is developed through the series?
- do all the images relate to the over all story?
- do you use interesting angles and lighting to add to the story?
Editing - 30%
- Creating a series - do these work together / carry a theme throughout.
- Are things level when they should be?
- does the color treatment match the mood / narrative of the story?
(black and white, directional line, contrast texture, depth of field, similar subjects, etc)
- are the photos you are turning in in focus where they should be?
Artist Statement - 10%
this should be a 4 paragraph write up
Paragraph 1: Who
What is the culture you chose? How would you describe it to someone who knows nothing about it?
Paragraph 2: Why
Why did you choose to document this culture? How do you fit in or relate to the culture? Did you learn anything new from photographing this part of culture? What do we see and what dont we see in these photos?
Paragraph 3: How
What intentional choices did you make in your compositions or editing to help tell the story of this culture (Perspectives angles, composition techniques, cropping, color treatments)? Where specifically in your photos do you demostrate that?
Paragraph 4: Reflection
What did you learn? What went well? What did you struggle with? If you were going to do this again what would you do diffrently? If you were to give someone advice who was just starting the project what would you tell them.
Rubric
Composition - 30%
- are the images balanced through rule of thirds, symmetry, asymmetry, etc
- are you using techniques to enhance your narrative / story? perspective angles, leading lines, filling the frame, etc.
- is it clear who or what the subject is?
Capturing Culture - 30%
- does this show a behind the scenes look into your life / culture?
- is there a clear story that is developed through the series?
- do all the images relate to the over all story?
- do you use interesting angles and lighting to add to the story?
Editing - 30%
- Creating a series - do these work together / carry a theme throughout.
- Are things level when they should be?
- does the color treatment match the mood / narrative of the story?
(black and white, directional line, contrast texture, depth of field, similar subjects, etc)
- are the photos you are turning in in focus where they should be?
Artist Statement - 10%
this should be a 4 paragraph write up
Paragraph 1: Who
What is the culture you chose? How would you describe it to someone who knows nothing about it?
Paragraph 2: Why
Why did you choose to document this culture? How do you fit in or relate to the culture? Did you learn anything new from photographing this part of culture? What do we see and what dont we see in these photos?
Paragraph 3: How
What intentional choices did you make in your compositions or editing to help tell the story of this culture (Perspectives angles, composition techniques, cropping, color treatments)? Where specifically in your photos do you demostrate that?
Paragraph 4: Reflection
What did you learn? What went well? What did you struggle with? If you were going to do this again what would you do diffrently? If you were to give someone advice who was just starting the project what would you tell them.
