Role of Photography in Society

• Photography has played a significant role in our society and continues to, especially today. If you stop to think about it, photography has perhaps even changed the path our North American society, and perhaps the world, has taken in the last one hundred and fifty years. It has the potential to tell truths that likely did not have the chance to be proven except with a photograph, it changes perceptions, it tells a story that a painting or a verbal or written account just can't.

• Your assignment is to examine the role photography has had on society through art, social statement, entertainment, historical record, illustrating ideas and concepts, scientific research, and exploration.

• Your task will be as follows:1. You will go through this activity slide by slide and complete all tasks and jobs as they appear.

Role of Photography in Society

Exploration

1. First, go to Wikipedia and look up the Shackleton Expedition to the South Pole or click here. Read about that story, become familiar with it and its extraordinary events and amazing survival tactics that these men employed. Take your time to read, it’s truly amazing.

2. Now, go to the following site http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/features/endurance/ and view the story through the photographer, Frank Hurley's, eyes. Click on the small pictures to the right to see them in a larger format. Let yourself get caught up in the story told through pictures and words.

Photography has been an integral part of exploration in the past century. It has uncovered that the Titanic was discovered in the Atlantic at 12,500 feet below sea level, that individuals had indeed made it to the North Pole, amazing photos of deep space, and photos of great adventure.

Your Task

Your JobPlease record your thoughts on which site (in the previous slide) offered a more engaging experience? Did the photos on either site contribute to your decision?

What impact do you believe the photos had on the public when the expedition members returned to civilization?

Then describe what you think the impact of the photos Frank Hurley took was on the men as they were on the expedition. Do you think it gave the men a purpose? A goal? Some hope?

Copy some of the pictures that you think help tell the story the best, perhaps four or five and place them on the following slide.

Four or five pictures that you feel help tell a complete story of the Antarctic Expedition Lead by Earnest Shackleton

ArtPhotography has been an integral part of art since its inception. In fact, the first photographers were really artists. The idea of point and shoot photography for the average person was not really popular until the 1950’s.

• Examine some photos on line using a search engine of your choice that you believe represent art rather than simply a point and shoot picture. Keep in mind that these shots can take hours to set up, and even more time to work on in the post-production.

Your Task

Your JobPlease find and place four photos that you believe represent an artful approach to photography. Explain why you chose those particular photos.

Photo #1

Explain why you chose the above picture using at least two Elements and Principles of Design terms from the Visual Composition course you took at the beginning of COM TECH. Look to Moodle for the resources.

Please find and place four photos that you believe represent an artful approach to photography. Explain why you chose those particular photos.

Photo #2

Explain why you chose the above picture using at least two Elements and Principles of Design terms from the Visual Composition course you took at the beginning of COM TECH. Look to Moodle for the resources.

Please find and place four photos that you believe represent an artful approach to photography. Explain why you chose those particular photos.

Photo #3

Explain why you chose the above picture using at least two Elements and Principles of Design terms from the Visual Composition course you took at the beginning of COM TECH. Look to Moodle for the resources.

Please find and place four photos that you believe represent an artful approach to photography. Explain why you chose those particular photos.

Photo #4

Explain why you chose the above picture using at least two Elements and Principles of Design terms from the Visual Composition course you took at the beginning of COM TECH. Look to Moodle for the resources.

Social Statement

Photography is a great form for communicating a social message. Look to the image to the right.

1. What is the message?

2. Please explain what techniques were used in creating this image so it communicates this specific and recognizable message.

Your Task

1. What is the message?

2. Please explain what techniques were used in creating this image so it communicates a specific and recognizable message.

Social Statement

1. What is the message?

2. Please explain what techniques were used in creating this image so it communicates a specific and recognizable message.

Social Statement

Entertainment• Explain how the photos we use within and for our entertainment might be used to manipulate our cultural beliefs.

Historical Record

Historical Record

• Please find four images that TELL A STORY about four of the most significant historical events you can think of. Under each image explain the story that is told. Remember, the explanation you give should use only the images within that particular photograph. For instance, don’t use a picture of some German soldiers and talk about the Canadian involvement in the Second World War. The explanation should be related to the particular event, people, time, etc. in the photo.

Your Job

Photo 1

Explain the story that is told within this photo.

Photo 2

Explain the story that is told within this photo.

Photo 3

Explain the story that is told within this photo.

Photo 4

Explain the story that is told within this photo.

Illustrating Ideas• Photography is a very powerful way to illustrate ideas. It’s those “frozen moments

of time” that can communicate so much to the viewer. Examine the photos below taking note of the wide range of emotions one could experience while viewing them.

Illustrating Ideas• Find some photos that illustrate one particular idea. Narrow your

choice down to one and place that photo to the right and give a very specific description of the idea that is being illustrated.

• Description

Scientific ResearchIn 1932, the existence of neutrons was proven using photographs, as was the existence of viruses in 1942. The planet Pluto was discovered through comparisons of photographic maps taken through telescopes. There are many other examples of discoveries, comparisons, examples, and theories proved with photography.

• Find some example photos that you believe were used for scientific research and place them here. Create a collage of pictures on this slide.

Scientific Research