Research Project 1: Famous Photographers
Assignment: Research a famous photographer, create a photo in the style of the artist,
and present a powerpoint presentation to the class describing your findings. Include
information about the photographerʼs life, career, and art. Also compare and contrast your
work with the work of the artist researched.
During your Research look for the answers to the following questions:
Backgrounda. What is their general background? Where and when were they born/died? Where have they
lived?
b. What kind of education (if any) did they have? Was photography the only way they made a
living? What other talents or interests did they have?
c. Were there any important or life-changing events in their lives? How did it affect them as a
person and as an artist?
Art Careerd. How did the artist get started in photography? Who influenced their art? What are they
known for? What timeframe or years did they create art? Did they create more than just
photographs?
e. What kind of photography did they create? What kind of camera did they use? What media?
How did they print the photos? What style? What was the subject matter?
f. How did the photographerʼs work change over the course of their lives? What made this
person famous or successful? Did they have any art shows, publications, or other types of
recognition? What are they highlights of their career?
Artworkg. What are their most famous/well known photographs? Why are they important or what has
made them successful? What makes their work unique or different?
h. Pick one photograph that is their most popular and critique- What is the photo about? What
kind of elements and principles and compositional techniques did they use? What makes it
pleasing to look at? What is the story behind the photo? What is it's meaning? How do you
personally feel about the success of the photo?
After your research:
a. With a camera of your choice, create a small series of photos in the style of the artist. You may
use the art roomʼs materials if needed.
b. Choose your best photo in the series to include in your PP presentation.
c. Describe the method, technique you used to create the photo.
d. Critique your photo focusing on how your photo is similar and different from the artist you
researched.
Requirements:
1. Create a PowerPoint presentation including your finding on the photographerʼs background, art
career, and specifics about their artwork.
2. Include images to support your information. Show examples of their work and the work you are
critiquing.
3. Use at least 3 different sources. This can include book, magazine, internet, or interview. List your
sources in your powerpoint. DO NOT COPY YOUR SOURCES EXACTLY!!! Please do not plagiarize-put
everything in your own words. Have as your last slide a list of your sources.
!
**Plagiarism or a failure to list your sources will result in a “0” grade and you will not be
allowed to redo the assignment.**
4. Present the photo that you create in the style of the artist. Compare and Contrast your work with the
work of the artist researched. If possible include your photo in the powerpoint presentation and your
critique of the work. Explain reasons for your choices in the creation of the photo and itʼs connection to
the artist researched.
5. Upload your presentation to school website when available or bring in presentation on a flash drive or
CD to be transferred to the teachers computer.
GRADING RUBRIC for Presentation
0-19
20-25
26-29
30-33
Length of
Presentation:
5-8min
Did not fulfill
time
requirement,
very short
Did not meet
required time
and/or wasted
time during
presentation, did
not flow
Met time
requirement, very
little pauses or
gaps, effective
presentation of
information
Exceeded time
requirement, No pauses
or gaps, very fluid
presentation of
information
Thoroughness
of Information
Did not present
all of the
required
information,
very vague
information
presented
Minimum detail
given, did not
answer all the
required
questions
Detailed
information,
answered all
questions,
included critique of
artist work
Information went above
and beyond, very
elaborate answers to
the questions, extremely
thorough and relevant,
very detailed critique of
the arts work
Critique of
Photograph
No personal
photo presented
Personal photo
presented, but
not compared
and contrasted or
minimum critique
given
Personal photo
presented and
correctly
compared and
contrasted with
artist, some details
described
Went above and beyond
with the critique of the
personal photo with the
artist researched,
accurate and relevant
descriptions and
excellent detail
Creativity
Very basic
presentation of
information,
ineffective at
keeping viewers
attention
Tried to go
beyond just
reading
information to
viewers, but could
have taken
presentation
farther
Good presentation
of information,
good attempt at
keeping the
viewers attention,
some alternative
approaches are
tried
Went above and beyond,
very unique presentation of
information, kept interest of
viewers, presented
information in nontraditional manner, had
handout or other
interactive activity
Grade and Comments:
Famous/Successful Photographers:
1.Lynn Johnson- Sports and National Geographic Photographer
2.Maggie Taylor- Photoshop Artist/Photographer
3.Ansel Adams- Nature Photographer
4.Julia Margaret Cameron- Early Photographer
5.Harold Edgerton- Scientist and Photographer
6.Jerry Lodriguss- Sports/Astronomical Photographer
7.Gordan Parks- 1920ʼs Life Photographer
8.Jodi Cobb- National Geographic Photographer/ Global stories
9.Berenice Abbott- American/ B&W 1930ʼs New York
10. Dan Forer- Architectural/ Interior Design Photographer
11.Timothy OʼSullivan- American Civil War & Western United States Photographer
12. Howard Bond- Fine Art Photographer
13. Elliott Erwitt- Advertising/Documentary Photographer, Ironic images
14.Tim Flach- Conceptual Animal Photographer
15. Olivia Parker- Still Life Photographer
16. Dorothea Lange- Photojournalist during Depression Era
17. Alfred Stieglitz- American/promoted photography as art
18. Imogen Cunningham- Plant Life and Industrial Photographer
19. James Van der Zee- African-American Photographer during Harlem
Renaissance
20. Walker Evans- American Photographer during Great Depression
21. Lewis W. Hine- Sociologist and Photographer for Social Reform
22. Paul Strand- Film Maker and Urban Photographer
23. Alfred Eisensaedt- German-American Candid Photojournalist
24. William Henry Fox Talbot- British Inventor and Pioneer of Photography
25. George Eastman- Inventor of Kodak Camera and rolled Film
26. Anne Geddes- Modern Newborn Photographer
27. Nickolas Muray- Hungarian-American Portrait Photographer
28. Fredrick H. Evans- Early Architectural Photographer-Cathedrals
29. Jerry Uelsmann- Photographer and Master Printer-Darkroom tricks/Collage
30. William Eggleston- Color Photographer