PHOTOGRAPHY Origin of Photography Two Greek words photos or phos meaning "light" and graphe meaning "lines" or "drawing". Photography Is described as the art in creating or drawing durable images by recording light using either photographic film or image sensor (Spencer, 1973). It was first coined by Sir John Herschel in a lecture before the Royal Society of London on March 14, 1839. It has become a powerful means of communication and a mode of visual expression that touches human life in many ways (Eder, 1945). Rule of Thirds Composition The Rule of Thirds is a great compositional technique for making photos more dynamic and exciting. It is also a compositional rule for painting and photography. The Rule of Thirds asserts that an image is most pleasing when its subjects poised along imaginary lines which divide vertically and horizontally the image into thirds. It is applied by aligning a subject with the guidelines and their intersection points, placing the horizon on the top or bottom line (Krages, 2005). Lighting and Exposure In photography, exposure is the amount of light which reaches your camera sensor or film. It is a crucial part of how bright or dark your pictures appear. Lighting is a key factor in creating a successful image. Lighting determines not only brightness and darkness, but also tone, mood, and atmosphere. Therefore, it is necessary to control and manipulate light correctly in order to get the best texture, vibrancy of colour and luminosity on your subjects. Framing Refers to the process of composing a picture. It involves choosing what you'll include and not include in the frame. The goal is to create a pleasing composition that directs the viewer's attention to the subject matter. Focus Focus in photography is the process of making adjustments to the lens to find the maximum resolution, sharpness, and contrast for your chosen subject. You can do so either using manual focus or the autofocus system of your camera Leading Lines Leading lines are used in all types of photography to guide the viewer and organize the frame. Shallow Depth of Field and Deep Depth of Field Shallow depth of field refers to a small area in focus. Often, the subject is in focus while the background is blurred. Deep depth of field captures a larger area in focus, often keeping everything in the image sharp and clear. APPROPRIATION Appropriation is the intentional borrowing, copying, and alteration of existing images and objects. Five Acts of Cultural Appropriation 1. Object Appropriation: where a tangible object is transformed by an artist into something that holds new meaning. 2. Content Appropriation occurs when an artist reuses an idea first expressed in the work of an artist from another culture. 3. Style Appropriation: when an artist produces works with stylistic elements which are common with the works of another culture. 4. Motif Appropriation is related to stylistic appropriation. Sometimes artists are influenced by the art of a culture other than their own without creating works in the same style. E.g., Picasso, was influenced by African carving, but his works are not in an African style. 5. Subject Appropriation occurs when someone from one culture represents members or aspects of another culture. CHAPTER VIII: Performing Arts Performing Arts "range from vocal and instrumental music, dance and theatre to pantomime, sung verse and beyond. They include numerous cultural expressions that reflect human creativity and that are also found, to some extent, in many other intangible cultural heritage domains" (UNESCO). 8.1 Dance Dance involves a successive group of bodily motions and steps rhythmically performed and timed to music. It is said to be the oldest of the arts. Dancing is both an art and a form of recreation. 8.1.1 Kinds of Dances A. Ethnologic Dance is a dance native to a specific race or ethnic group. It includes folk dancing because folk dances are derived from ethnic dances a) Folk Dance is a form of social dancing that has become part of the customs and traditions of people b) Alcamfor is a dance that suggests the exotic aroma of scented handkerchiefs with which the ladies tease the gentleman. The dignified movement is reminiscent of the FRENCH MINUET c) Bilaan is a dance that depicts the lively, simple movements of birds in flight as they preen themselves, beautifully portrayed tribal maidens. Costumes worn are typical of the ethnic tribe Bilaan from Cotabato d) Jota Caviteña is a dance that shows strong Spanish influence. Costume is elaborately embroidered "Maria Clara" and "Barong Tagalog". e) Itik-itik f) Singkil g) Banga h) Tinikling B. Social or Ballroom Dances are popular and generally performed by pairs. They include such forms as waltz, fox trot, swing, and the old favorites such as the cha-cha, boogie, tango, as well as the latest rock dances. C. Theatrical or Spectacular Dance is a type of dance is so called because it is performed for the entertainment of spectators. Includes ballet, modern dance, musical comedy dance, tap dancing. a) Ballet is the formalized type of dance which has its origin in the royal courts of the Middle Ages. The term ballet refers to a series of solo and concerted dances in which poses and steps are combined with light flowing figures, accompanied by music and scenic accessories expressive of a dramatic story, theme, or atmosphere. b) Modern Dance is a dance form characterized as natural and free. It does not stick to conventions, and has varied styles of movements, usually based on current trend. It has also been called expressional dance. c) Musical Comedy refers to those dances performed by soloists, groups, and choruses in theaters, night clubs, motion pictures, and television. It combines various forms of ballet, modern, tap, acrobatic, and soft-shoe dancing. 8.1.3 Elements of the Dance 1. Theme is the content or the main ingredient of the dance. 2. Design refers to the planned organization or pattern of movement in time and space 3. Movement is the action of dancers as they use their bodies to create organized patterns (Apel, 1969). Body movement can be divided into steps, gestures of arms and hands, and facial expression. 4. Technique. This is a skill in executing movement. A technically proficient dancer has complete control over the muscles of his/her body. 5. Music is something melodic and harmonious usually used as an accompaniment 6. Costume and properties. These are the visual elements that contribute to dance. 7. Choreography. Dances are being choreographed in such a way that they are rigidly being practiced and taught in schools. 8. Scenery. The setting or background establishing the place of action of any dance is important to make the dance more realistic and beautiful. 8.2 Music Music is an art concerned with combining vocal or instrumental sounds for beauty of form or emotional expression, usually according to cultural standards of rhythm, melody, and in most western music, harmony. 8.2.1 Classical and Modern Music Classical Music "music written in a Western musical tradition, usually using an established form (for example a symphony). Classical music is generally considered to be serious and to have a lasting value." - Oxford Classical music and modern music are two very different genres that have evolved over time, each with their own unique characteristics. Classical music is often associated with elegance, sophistication, and intellectual pursuits, whilst modern music is often characterized by energy, simplicity, and emotion. 8.2.2 Elements of Music a. Melody is that element of music which makes the most direct appeal. It is generally what we remember and whistle or hum. It consists of series of pitches and durations. b. Rhythm is a pattern of sound, silence, and emphasis in a song. c. Texture in music refers to the melodic and harmonic relationship of musical factors. d. Dynamics is when intensity is applied to a piece of music, rather than to a single tone. e. Harmony is the simultaneous sounding of two or more tones. It is apparent when a singer accompanies his melody with chords on the guitar or when the pianist plays the melody with his right hand while the left strikes the chords. f. Timbre is a tone quality. Every musical medium has its own distinctive quality of tone g. Tonality is a musical property which creates a sense of gravitation toward a key or tonal center. h. Tempo is an Italian word which literally means time. In music, it refers to speed. Music may move at a fast, moderate or slow speed, and in varying degrees. 8.2.3 Genres of Music a. Early music b. Renaissance You sent c. Baroque d. Classical e. Romantic f. 20th century music 8.3 Theatre 8.3.1 Elements of Theatre (According to the book "Theater, The Lively Art") a. Audience. The essence of theater is the interaction between the performer and the audience. Theater needs to be experienced live and there is a "call and response" atmosphere that cannot be witnessed in a movie theater. b. Theatre Space is a space in which performers or audiences come together. It is essential to have a stage, or some equivalent area, where actors can perform. It is also essential to have a place for audience members to sit or stand. c. Performers are the people onstage presenting characters in dramatic action. When the actor is on stage, they must be believable as the character they are portraying. d. Director oversees everything. He makes certain that the performers understand the text and deliver the script excitingly and appropriately. The director also makes sure the blocking, costume designs, set designs and other aspects of the show. e. Text or also called script. A final element that is essential to theater is the text that is performed, and it must be present for theater to occur. f. Design Aspects are visuals and non-visuals. E.g., for visual aspects, these are the costumes, lighting, and some form of scenic background. Non-visual aspect is the sound. 8.3.2 Contact-body Improvisation Contact improvisations are spontaneous physical dialogues that range from stillness to highly energetic exchanges. Alertness is developed in order to work in an energetic state of physical disorientation, trusting in one's basic survival instincts. 8.3.3 Sound Improvisation Improvisation in music is the act of creating and playing new music without preparing it in advance. It is coming up with ways to enhance your music performance on the spot. 8.3.4 Theatre Improvisation It is the form of theatre, often comedy, in which most or all of what is performed is unplanned. The plot, characters, and dialogue of a game, scene or story are made up in the moment CHAPTER IX: CINEMA as a Form of Art Cinema is generally a branch of art that uses dialogue, editing, scene's layout, light, sound, and décor by the film made. Cinema or Motion Picture is a young medium, compared to most other art forms such as painting, literature, dance and theatre, which have existed for thousands of years, but film came into existence only a little more than a century ago. 9.1 Ways to Appreciate Movies as an Art 1. Review the lessons on the previous chapters and make yourself well-acquainted with the basic concepts of photography, music, and the elements and principles of design. You sent from different countries. 2. Expose yourself to different kinds of movies. They say that one must watch a thousand movies of different genres and styles in order to better appreciate films. Watch critically acclaimed films, documentaries, experimental movies 3. Watch the film more than once. Repeated viewing will help you detach yourself and critique the film objectively. 4. Watch films from the same director to help you gain a wide appreciation of their style as an artist. 5. Be focused. In looking at movies, decide which aspect of the film you are interested in analyzing. You can choose whether you would like to analyze how the director used and/or manipulates technical elements such as composition, lighting, editing, and sound to tell its story or focus on its message or what the movie has to say about various social issues, culture or politics.
