More Than Kids

Teaching Photography

I have a newer photography blog at Bryan Farley Photography dot com for most of my photography blog posts. I started this blog in January of 2009 to share thoughts about photography education. I continue to use it for notes and other posts. When I started this blog ten years ago, I thought that I might create a book. The book is still waiting. Recently, I was asked to submit a sample photography lesson plan. This site is a good place for such things now.

If I had to teach one lesson repeatedly, I would teach photo composition, so that students could apply the concept to their own work.

I have my own three photo composition rules that I practice. One of my rules is to avoid putting your subject in the middle, yet that is exactly what I am doing here. I would not start a course by teaching composition, and I would not end a course by teaching composition. I would teach it in the middle.

Students need to practice seeing light and shadow, before they practice composition. Students must learn how to practice seeing and observing. Before I teach composition, I prefer to teach light, elements of art, and principles of design. After students understood some of these basics, I would help students understand how to arrange three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface. 

 

Light (assignment) - If students can learn how to see light better, I can teach photography better. Students can learn to see light and shadow even if students don't have access to equipment. Learning how to see light better also trains students how to observe quietly.

Elements of Art (assignment) - Students photograph Elements of Art as explained by the Getty Museum education page. It's important that students understand the difference between shape and form. Often, these two words are used interchangeably, but they mean something different in art. The above photograph could be line or space. Students must be able to explain the photo and the element.

Principles of Design (assignment) - These assignments are similar to the elements of art assignments. Depending on the students, the assignments can be more complex. It is essential that students understand "Movement," as I described in the article "Motion, Movement and Emotion" for the DJNF Adviser Update. If students understand how the eye moves through an image, students will be able to compose an image.

The above photo was taken by one of my former Albany High Students. It was published in the article, and cropped more by one of the editors on the left side. I included the original photo above so that you can see the that the student submitted an excellent example of movement.

In the Motion, Movement and Emotion article, I mention Adobe's Julieanne Kost. Coincidentally, I am going to see her present tonight in San Francisco. She is one of my favorite art educators... just incredible.

Composition (assignment) - For this assignment, students research various lists online. Students will find "top 5 rules" to "25 rules" of composition. While there is some variation in the elements of art, the variation for the composition rules is staggering. I don't know how a new student could understand which list to follow. It's never simple; it's never easy, but it doesn't need to be so complicated.

I have my own three "rules" of composition. I follow other rules, but I have three favorites. I try not to impose my compositional rules on students. I want students to find their own way of seeing. I also want students to know that compositional rules are more subjective than elements of art... more like recipes.

After students practice with each rule, students learn how to take pictures that incorporate all three rules. Once students have been able to do this consistently, students will have learned the rules of composition. Students will have also started to understand composition better. Students share their rules with each other and learn more rules. 

Note: a thought about rubrics. When I first started using rubrics, I was confused. When I first started using them with students, I realized that students did not really use them to assess their work accurately. I think it's important, perhaps especially in art, to have students participate in creating rubrics. I prefer using a 1-4 scale so that students don't pick the middle automatically. The highest end needs to clarify high expectations. 4's are rare. When I am confused about my own rubrics, I return to this site.

To read more about my philosophy on my first rule of composition, please read this post called, Getting Closer to the JEA Digital Photography Workshop.

 

Masters of Photography (assignment) - Study and emulate historical greats.

Portfolio Assignment (assignment) - Students will have already learned the difference between "favorite" and "best," and they will create online portfolio. Students will also study how other photographers have created portfolios. In March 2011, I interviewed several photographers about how they created portfolios. Here is the link to that project. I have also included a link to portfolio presentations at JEA National Conventions.

More about Portfolio Presentations

Photo Story - Students will create a photo story and study the history of the photo essay, especially the role of Life Magazine. Since some students will remain at the school for several years, some students might want to begin a long term project.

Mother's of Angel Photo story and article, page 31; photo story on blog. This link will take you to other posts as well.

Melrose Leadership Photos Story and Project

 

I have taught the composition lesson at the beginning of the year, but I find that students understand composition better if they already know many of the terms used by artists. During the earlier lessons, students will have also learned classroom routines and basic camera functions. Since I ask students to choose their own rules of composition, I want students to have more time to develop their own point of view; having this lesson later in the term provides that opportunity.

 

Updated 4/28/2019

The Epilepsy Photographer

Sometimes I forget that I have epilepsy, but every September I remember my first seizure. I was in high school doing well academically and socially. I probably would have attended college immediately after graduation. Instead I took off a year before attending UCSB.

Sometimes I also forget that I have been photographing epilepsy events for more than ten years. If anyone is an epilepsy photographer, I guess I am that person.

I was more of an epilepsy writer for several years too, but the evidence has almost disappeared. The articles, videos and images are now on a hidden Epilepsy Foundation site, although I found a link with a partial story on the Living Well with Epilepsy site.

 

Sometimes I also forget that I am a decent photographer. My son Mason says that I am not as good as the "decisive moment guy, but Mason likes my pictures. (The decisive moment guy, Henri Cartier-Bresson, is often considered history's best photographer, so I don't mind the comparison.) On my personal website, I have a photo gallery collection at www TheEpilepsyPhotographer dot com

On my photography blog, I have some posts with pictures. Those can be found here. On my older blog, I also collected epilepsy related posts on my More Than Kids blog. Those can be viewed here.

 

 

 

Trump Part 3 - McLuhan and McLoughan

When Google celebrated Marshall McLuhan ten days ago, I considered writing about McLuhan's influence on Donald Trump. Today, Donald Trump gave his first Medal of Honor to Private James McCloughan. McCloughan and McLuhan spell their names differently, but pronounce their names the same. I believe that there is a method to Trump's message and it can be found in Marshall McLuhan and Andy Warhol (who was influenced by McLuhan.) 

When I search Private McLuhan, I find a short 1967 Marshall McLuhan video about "the new electric world." Perhaps I am creating meaning where it doesn't exist, but I do not believe that it was a mistake that Trump's first Medal of Honor recipient is Private McCloughan.

Last month I wrote about Trump and Warhol. (Trump loved Warhol's business sense.) McLuhan also influenced Andy Warhol. Warhol supposedly referred to McLuhan as his "Honorary Muse." For example, see here and here. (In the second example, you can also see a photo montage both men.) Warhol was often misquoted or contradicted previous quotes. Many Warhol quotes are probably said by someone else. Warhol did not necessarily care if he did his own work... it was as if he flaunted having a ghost writer. Sound familiar?

As for McLuhan, there is a long explanation and a series of shorter ones. McLuhan's famous quote "The medium is the message" will be lost on our media who continues to obsess on Trump's intentions or state of mind. Most people focus on the content instead of the delivery system or the way the message is delivered. (I don't know Trump's state of mind either. I am not claiming that he is evil or pure, but I think that he is brilliant.)

A few of McLuhan's famous quotes might help. He called them McLuhanisms.

• Politics offers yesterday’s answers to today’s questions.
• Why is it so easy to acquire the solutions of past problems and so difficult to solve current ones?
• Today each of us lives several hundred years in a decade.
• The price of eternal vigilance is indifference.
• At the speed of light, policies and political parties yield place to charismatic images.
• “I may be wrong, but I’m never in doubt.”

 

... and many more

 

 

Related articles

Who was Marshall McLuhan and how did he predict the internet?

Google Doodle celebrates the 'man who saw the internet coming'

The Night The Press Loses Debate To Trump

I did not think I would become a Trump fan, but it has happened. This does not mean that I will vote for him, but I appreciate him the way I would if John Stewart and Sacha Baron Cohen created a satire on the United States Presidential campaign. Trump's campaign is a mirror that keeps reflecting.

Tonight the Republicans are having their last debate before the Iowa Caucus. Donald Trump will win even though he is not going to attend. Trump will also defeat the media. Trump will organize a competing event and other news outlets will cover his event while Fox covers the debate. Almost every news agency will criticize Trump for treating the media and women unfairly... and then the media will reward Trump. Why does the media turn on each other?

Trump has often behaved rudely and been given a pass... but this is not unusual for politicians and candidates. Governor Christie is known for mistreating journalists who do not run favorable stories. (Nearly every President limits journalists too.) What do the other journalists do when some of the press is shunned by the powerful politicians? Just watch tonight when Trump is covered at his other event.

I have been able to predict the last two Presidential campaigns, but I am stumped with this one. I predicted Obama/McCain one year before the Iowa Caucus. As soon as Geffen switched from Hillary to Obama, I thought Obama would win. I also thought that McCain was the rational choice for his party. Even when McCain's poll numbers were in the single digits, I still thought McCain would win. (I didn't predict Palin, but it made sense.) In 2012, I figured that Romney would win the Republican nomination and lose to Obama.

Despite being stumped, I still have ideas about this campaign, and I thought I would write them down again.

1. It is best to understand Trump by pretending that Sacha Baron Cohen and John Stewart are organizing his campaign. This does not mean that Trump is faking or silly. I think too many people underestimate Trump's intelligence.
2. Cruz must win Iowa to stay relevant. HOWEVER, if Cruz wins Iowa, he becomes irrelevant. Quick, name the last two Republican winners of the Iowa Caucus. Besides, Trump is correct. Nobody likes Cruz.
3. Bush has no energy. At first I thought Trump was joking, but have you heard Bush refute Trump? I start to feel sorry for Jeb. He sounds like he is whimpering. (it is so bad, I felt guilty typing that.)
4. If it weren't for Cruz, I would say Nobody likes Christie. Instead, Nobody likes Christie and his mop. He took his storm success and turned it into a mess.
5. Rubio? He attacks Trump, Cruz and Bush. I don't know what he supports. I think he loses because he attacks everything.
6. Kasich should win. He is a successful Governor of Ohio. He really should win. He is positive and smart. He is by far the best candidate from both parties. He really should win. If I bet on these things, he is the guy I would want to choose, and know that I am going to lose. He will probably make a charge in New Hampshire and surprise people, but not enough.
7. Paul. He is smart, which seems to count against him this year.

 

As for the other side, Clinton's problems from 2008 still exist. Now she has new (email) issues. Fewer people remember her as the dynamic speaker from the early 90's. I saw her speak in 1994 and told myself that if she ever ran for President I would support her. I probably would have been willing to work for her. Then Lewinsky happened and nothing has been the same. 

Before Lewinsky, some of us argued that people in positions of power should not abuse their authority. A US President is the ultimate position of authority. An intern is a vulnerable position. Was their relationship consensual? Probably, but it's murky. Was it "private?" Well, that is murky too, because some of us were taught that

The Personal is Political.

I don't think Hillary and the rest of the country know how to resolve that part of our history. Hillary tried to do the right thing, but she was stuck. Lewinsky probably did something wrong, but she was also wronged. Politicians who were known for cheating and infidelity were accusing Clinton of perjury?  People on the Left are still unhappy with the investigation. People on the Right are still unhappy with the Clintons. The issue was also never resolved by people who experience abuse by people in positions of authority.

Hillary seems to be searching for herself. She seems scarred, as I imagine she would be. Gore lost, because he couldn't escape Clinton's shadow. The Lewinsky scandal still affects our past, because it affects part of our country on so many levels. We want it to go away just as The Republicans want The Irag War to go away, but it won't. It's too big and too many people were complicit.

Does this mean that Bernie has a chance? No. He won't be President, unless he becomes VP and someone dies, but that is doubtful.

It still feels that someone else will step up. Nobody feels ready. Maybe Blumberg jumps in; maybe there is another surprise, but I can't see it. That's what would make it a surprise.

This is still the year of Trump, and he keeps surprising me. Keep your eye open for Sacha Baron Cohen. It will make the campaign more interesting and more educational.

 

Deuces Wilde

I am continuing my Notes on a Blog with some notes on a few blog posts over at www.bryanfarleyphotography.com

On the last blog post of 2015 with Christine and her daughter, despite claiming that I would not use another Oscar Wilde quote, I included two.

The previous year, I started my post with a quote from Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. Later in the post, I wrote a phrase to describe parental love. I called it "the importance of being Christmas." I still like it.

When I photographed Christine in 2014, I noticed her The Importance of Being Earnest book cover/box. I thought it might be a clue. More than a year ago, I searched for clues EVERYWHERE. I have since learned that I have prosopagnosia (or face blindness). I don't recognize people by their faces. However, in 2014, I just thought that people were intentionally changing identities and appearances like characters in a Wilde story. Now I wonder if Wilde was face blind.

The 2015 Christine and Ava blog post title is an intentional play on the Paul Simon song Mother and Child Reunion. I remembered the song being happier, so throughout the post, I misquote "Kodachrome" a different Paul Simon song. Trains reappeared again this year. (read the previous year's post.) The number two also connected the last four posts. Sometimes the number appeared literally. Sometimes a mother and child made a family. Two wild turkeys crossed the road. We didn't know why. (We didn't take their photo either.)

I photographed another mother and daughter the previous month... but mostly the daughter. Sometimes I include photos like this to document location. I also want to document that the mother was with us, even though we are good friends. I don't know if this is necessary or important, but I do it out of habit I guess. Photographing Haylie was really fun. I have known her mother since we were both in high school (we actually met as kids). I also enjoyed photographing Haylie, because she is photogenic. Many people correctly say that they are not photogenic. I am not. It's strange to come alive when someone points a tool at you, but some people do. Haylie does. It makes photography even more fun.

When I photographed The Women Who Code event, I kept seeing Two's. There was a Giving Tuesday promotion. WHC is a technology organization, so I thought about 2.0 and connecting through technology. I also thought about zeros and ones, but there was this big number 2 on the wall. I think it was produced with a 3D printer.

 

The final post was for the Epilepsy Gala. I tried to write as little as possible and still say a great deal. The author of the American with Disabilities Act is from Dos Palos, California, a small Central Valley town. When translated from Spanish, Dos Palos means "two sticks." I wanted to emphasize that often people who dance to their own drummer, or who come from unlikely places, transform the world. We often look to the big city for change, even though the outcast often comes to the big city and changes it. Those of us with epilepsy would do well to remember that we can change the world because we are out casts, instead of thinking we can do it despite of our status.

Those of us who are artists might want to remember something similar. I forget who said it, but it was probably some often quoted author referenced in another blog post, "No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist."

Or she

and one last image from my archive (my daughter)