An Introduction to Photographic Surrealism :: Curriculum

Digital Photography Model

Units:

An Introduction to Photographic Surrealism

Part of Unit: History and Social Impact of Photography

Lesson Plan Overview / Details

Surrealist works feature the element of surprise, unexpected juxtapositions with a dreamlike quality. Students will explore surrealistic artists and the genre to develop and create their own understanding of surrealism by shooting picture directed photos and then summarizing their learning in a video featuring their opinions and photo work.

This lesson requires prior knowledge of a video editing program and computer photo editing basics. It uses Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier or similar video editing program, Audacity, a free sound recording program, a digital camera, a microphone, a digital video camera and a tripod. Students need to import digital photos into the computer via USB cable and import video into the computer via firewire cable. And then be able to export the results.

Lesson Time

Introduction: 20 Minutes
Lecture: 30 Minutes
Class Practice: 30 Minutes
Independent Practice: 60 Minutes

Standards

California Career and Technical Education Standards

AME.A.A2.2 Know the component steps and skills required to design, edit, and produce a prod...

California Academic Content Standards (Reinforced)

ELA.9-10.R.CAGT.2.6 Demonstrate use of sophisticated learning tools by following technical direction...2
ELA.9-10.W.2.3d Write expository compositions, including analytical essays and research reports ...
VA.9-12 (advanced).CE.CETOA.2.6 Present a universal concept in a multimedia artwork that demonstrates knowledge ...

Objectives and Goals

The student will use the vocabulary of art to describe the concept of surrealism in a master work of art as well as their own.
The student will develop a photography plan, to shoot, edit and to present a series four of surrealistic photos using their own ideas.
The student will record their understanding of surrealism in a movie format, including vocabulary, their planning ideas, their original photos and a reflection.

Vocabulary words

Juxtaposition: Synonymous with contrast, two objects or texts that oppose one another.
Non Sequitur: Seems absurd to the point of being humorous or confusing,The use of non sequitur in humor can be deliberate or unintentional. The non sequitur can be understood as the converse of cliché.
Surrealism: Surrealism style uses visual imagery from the subconscious mind to create art without the intention of logical comprehensibility. Surrealist works feature the element of surprise, unexpected juxtapositions and non sequitur. It is a cultural movement and artistic style that was founded in 1924 by Andre Breton. The movement was begun primarily in Europe, centered in Paris, and attracted many of the members of the Dada community. Influenced by the psychoanalytical work of Freud and Jung, there are similarities between the Surrealist movement and the Symbolist movement of the late 19th century. Some of the greatest artists of the 20th century became involved in the Surrealist movement, and the group included Giorgio de Chirico, Man Ray, Rene Magritte, and many others. The Surrealist movement eventually spread across the globe, and has influenced artistic endeavors from painting and sculpture to pop music and film directing. The greatest known Surrealist artist is the world famous Salvador Dali.

Activities in this Lesson

Intro to Surrealism - Lecture
Here is a quicktime presentation that explores the meaning of surrealism with eight surrealistic works of art, focusing on surrealistic photography. There is a chart for students to record thoughts about juxtaposition, surprising elements and nonsequiturs. The artists included are Salivadore Dali, Rene Magritte, Man Ray, Lee Miller and Arthur Tress.
- Intro to Surrealism - Quicktime [ Watch Video ] [ Download Original Video ] Quicktime presentation for teacher to show with chart
- Chart what you see in the following images.doc [ Download ] Chart that goes with the Quicktime
Step One, What is surrealism - Definition - Lecture
The teacher will define the concept of surrealism by presenting vocabulary and showing Definition of surrealism quicktime presentation.

The students will explore and gather a minimum of 10 master artists photo work of surrealism on the internet - starting at the website www.artcyclopedia.com and using the search field. Salvadore Dali, Renee Magritte, Arthur Tress (recommended artists, but there are more)

The student will SAVE in a .jpeg format - the ten or more master artists visual artwork

The students will prepare their understanding of the definition of surrealism by writing it in their own words in a five paragraph essay with high school level grammar and sentence structure and then recording the 5 paragraph essay on understanding in a sound recording program such as Audacity. This will be your voice recorded over master artists visual artwork .jpeg.
- Definition of surrealism - by students [ Watch Video ] [ Download Original Video ] Quicktime movie showing learning by students
- Five paragraph essay template [ Download ] Template for students to use when writing
Step Two - Plan a photo shoot together - Guided Practice
Print handouts.

Put students in groups of three. One student will be the recorder and fill out the worksheet, one is the reporter who will share with the class, the other is the chairperson and is responsible for keeping the group on task.

Teacher: Given what you know about surrealistic photography, how would you picture direct a photo to show this learning? We will use inside the classroom as the location. You have 20 minutes to complete this task.

Group - Each group presents their best idea. Discuss results presented. Identify the strongest one and have each student sketch/write out how they would picture direct this.

Students will read ideas out loud or show sketch, with teacher or student helper recording what is said on the whiteboard or chalkboard.?

Set up a surrealistic photo as per ideas. Let student's shoot it, edit and save one practice file as .jpeg
- Worksheet for group practice [ Download ] Worksheet
Shooting surrealism - Independent Practice
It is time for photo students to create their own work using a digital camera.

Students can use class surrealism photo practice to develop their own idea for a series of 10 or more photos. They will use their picture directing, lighting and Photoshop knowledge to create original work.

Students will save their BEST surrealistic photo in a .jpg format as well as 9 other photos showing other ideas and tries at shooting this project.

After shooting, students write a reflective paragraph about how the shoot went and record it with the video camera set up on a tripod.
Video record of understanding of photographic surrealism. - Projects
Student will make a video record of their learning using Adobe Premier CS3.

The students will make a folder called Surrealism Intro in their computer. Students will open Adobe Premier CS3 and save a new project in this file called My surrealism learning.
They will import the materials they have gathered for video

Content outline for Video Record
1. Photo file - Take a photo of yourself to start, Save in a .jpeg format
2. Audio file - Record the definition of surrealism in a .mp3 format, using Audacity
3. Photo file - Import 4 or more samples of a known photographic surrealistic artist previously saved in a .jpeg format

4. Photo file - Import the 1 class practice file as .jpeg
5. Photo file - Import the 9 series of original student created photographic surrealistic images saved in a .jpeg format
6. Photofile - Import 1 Very best shot .jpeg
7. Tape a Video file about how and what you shot, Import in an .avi
8. Tape a Video file Reflecting on what you have learned Import in an .avi

Put content together in a video editing program and export as .wav for the web and .avi or .mov for a higher resolution format.
- Student surrealism one [ Watch Video ] [ Download Original Video ]