This assignment asks you to watch a documentary film and respond to the ideas in it by creating a self-portrait photograph and writing a response essay.
To start, view the film Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People on Kanopy.
Note: a portion of this film contains historical photographs portraying nudity and violence related to the history of slavery in America. My goal in assigning this film is to challenge you to consider and respond to complex ideas of representation and power. Please navigate the film as you feel is appropriate to you while still engaging with it in a way that allows you to respond to the ideas in the assignment below.
This assignment has two parts. You must submit both parts for credit.
Part 1) After viewing the film, you will first create a self-portrait by taking a staged photograph of yourself that you believe represents your identity as YOU define it. You should plan out all aspects of your photograph. Be sure to utilize the Elements and Principles of Design in a purposeful way in your self-portrait! You will be asked to explain the purpose of your design decisions. You must also submit a photo taken at the same time and in the same clothing holding a piece of paper with your name on it to prove that you have created an original image for the assignment. Be sure to attach both images along with your essay.
Part 2) Next you will write a two-page essay that discusses aspects of your self-portrait including:
how you see yourself and what you are trying to say with your portrait
how you utilized the Elements and Principles of Design to create that message
how the image you created directly connects to some aspect of the film.
Your response must be a minimum of 300 words. If you are not sure how to connect your essay with the film, some questions to possibly consider in your essay include:
In the film the directors says, “Freedom is inextricably tied to the power to create one’s self image.” What do you think they meant by that? Do you agree or disagree? How does this relate to your own image?
Why does representation through photography seem to hold so much power?
Has photography played a role in telling or understanding your own story? How so?
How do you think your ideas on race, gender, age, or other social or cultural factors have been shaped by images you have been exposed to?
Do you believe the history of photography has had an effect on how people relate to you or what they assume about you? Explain.
Do you believe people are being represented more truthfully in photography now than one hundred and fifty years ago? Why or why not?
You do not need to answer all of the above proposed questions; you should instead focus on two or three ideas in depth in order to explore them more fully.
It must be clear from your essay that you watched the film in order to receive full credit on this assignment; be sure to make specific references in which you comment thoughtfully on ideas rather than simply listing them.
I understand that this assignment asks for personal introspection. I will not share your photo or your essay with anyone without your permission. NO NUDITY.
Scoring Rubric:
Photograph: 75 points. Your photographic self-portrait will be scored on how effectively it utilizes the Elements and Principles of Design that you discuss in your essay and how effectively it fits the concept of your image as you discuss in your essay.
Proof of Film Viewing: 50 points. It must be clear from your essay through the use of specific references and drawing conclusions that you viewed the film.
Essay: 75 points. Your essay will be scored based on how effectively it explains your concept for your photographic self-portrait, how effectively it explains your use of Elements and Principles of Design in the image, and to what degree it shows critical and analytical thinking in your response to the ideas in the film.
