Visual Arts
Visual arts classes introduce students to the key skills, concepts, and studio art disciplines that are basic to the development of their creative
expression and visual literacy. In the elementary years, the focus is on exploration and experimentation. In the middle school years students
learn the essential skills of each art discipline. The high school provides a foundation in classical and modern methods of drawing, painting,
graphic design, and sculpture which gives students the insights and abilities to undertake more advanced works in these areas of concentration
and build their portfolios. From K-12, Visual Arts emphasizes the following intellectual skills:
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



Methods, Materials, and Techniques
Elements and Principles of Design
Observation & Abstraction
Critical Response & Exhibiting
Stylistic Influence and Expression
BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY DESCRIPTION:
Photography is a visual arts elective that offers the secondary student an opportunity to study and develop a life-long skill. The content of this
class includes a historical overview from the origins of photography to contemporary photographers. The mechanics of the camera, negative
and print development are an essential portion of the curriculum. Simple alternative printing methods and techniques are also included in this
broad overview of black and white photography.
BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY Units:
1. Introduction to Photographic Processes and History
2. Basic Camera Function and Photographic Techniques
3. People in Photography
4. Alternative Photographic Processes & Final Series Development
Subject: B & W PHOTO
Grade: 10-12th Grade
Suggested Timeline: 5 WEEKS/25 CLASS PERIODS
Unit Title: Introduction to Photographic Processes and History
Unit Overview/Essential Understanding: Students will understand and utilize basic photographic tools and darkroom chemistry while following
proper darkroom etiquette and safety measures. The history of photography will be covered, discussing advancements made, materials used
and the historical and social impact photography has had on society.
Unit Objectives: The student will…
 Understand the functions of a basic pinhole camera.
 Understand the function of chemicals and the process of developing a negative & photogram.
 Identify the enlarger anatomy.
 Create imagery in the darkroom without the use of a camera.
 Build a pinhole camera and capture a negative image.
 Create a positive image from a negative image.
Focus Standards Addressed in this Unit:
Production, Performance & Exhibition:
9.1.12 A: Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.
9.1.12 B: Recognize, know use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original
works in the arts.
9.1.12 C: Integrate and apply advanced vocabulary to the arts forms.
Important Standards Addressed in this Unit: Critical Response: 9.3.12: A Explain and apply the critical examination processes of works in the
arts and humanities. [Compare/Contrast, Analyze, Interpret, Form and test hypotheses, Evaluate/form judgments]
Misconceptions: To create a great photograph you need expensive equipment.
Concepts/Content:
Competencies/Skills:
Description of Activities:
 Understand the history of photography.
 Pinhole Photography
 History of photography lecture.
 Use basic photographic tools and
 Types of Cameras
 Build a pinhole camera and take a negative image.
materials.
 Basic Darkroom Chemistry &
 Create a positive from negative image.

Understand
function
of
each
chemical
in
Techniques
 Create a photogram.
developing process.
 The Enlarger
 Follow darkroom etiquette and safety.
 Photograms
 Identify enlarger anatomy.
Assessments:
Projects: Summative Create a camera device that reflects light onto photosensitive material to create a negative image and reverse the print
through the development process.
Interdisciplinary Connections: Chemistry, Photojournalism: Wars,
Additional Resources: History of Photography PowerPoint,
Birth of Motion Pictures/Muybridge
Photography: The Definitive Visual History
Subject: B & W PHOTO
Grade:
10-12th
Grade
Man Ray
Suggested Timeline: 5 WEEKS/ 20 CLASS PERIODS
Unit Title: Basic Camera Function and Photographic Techniques
Unit Overview/Essential Understanding: Students will use the basic tools available on their camera to photograph specific imagery with intent.
Comprehension of the darkroom, equipment and chemistry will allow students to develop film and create contact sheets and enlargements.
Unit Objectives: The student will…
 Understand and utilize the functions of a camera.
 Understand and utilize aperture and shutter speed settings to capture properly exposed photographs.
 Shoot film that follows compositional rules such as framing and rule of thirds.
 Understand and perform the steps to develop film.
 Utilize darkroom equipment to create contact sheets and enlargements.
Focus Standards Addressed in this Unit: Production, Performance & Exhibition:
9.1.12 A: Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.
9.1.12 B: Recognize, know use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original
works in the arts.
9.1.12 C: Integrate and apply advanced vocabulary to the arts forms.
Important Standards Addressed in this Unit: Critical Response: 9.3.12: A Explain and apply the critical examination processes of works in the
arts and humanities. [Compare/Contrast, Analyze, Interpret, Form and test hypotheses, Evaluate/form judgments]
Misconceptions: Shooting on the automatic setting is the smartest choice…. The picture will be in focus and exposed properly, but you lose
control of depth of field, blurring or freezing motion and the mood of the composition.
Concepts/Content:
Competencies/Skills:
Description of Activities:
 Use the basic tools available in their
 Anatomy & Settings/Functions of
 Shooting & developing a roll of film.
camera.
Camera
 Create a test strip & contact sheet for their film

Understand/Utilize
film
developing
steps.
 Film Developing
roll.

Enlarge
images.
 Contact Sheets/Test Strips
 Create enlargements of photos.
 Utilize darkroom tools and equipment.
 Negative enlarging
 Notebook Maintenance
 Understand effective framing of photos
 Composition Rules & Framing
following composition rules & framing.
Assessments:
Project: Summative Create 3 enlargements from a developed roll of film that are in focus, show a range of values, and use compositional rules.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
Additional Resources: Ansel Adams
Subject: B & W PHOTO
Grade: 10-12th Grade
Suggested Timeline: 4 WEEKS/ 20 CLASS PERIODS
Unit Title: People in Photography
Unit Overview/Essential Understanding: Students will study the history of portraiture and its impact on the arts, along with an array of famous
portrait photographers. Discussions on composing, cropping, and lighting in portrait imagery will guide students while shooting their film.
Unit Objectives: The student will…
 Use different lighting effects while shooting their film.
 Understand and utilize cropping techniques to frame the human figure.
 Use posing techniques and viewpoints to add to their compositions.
 Understand legal factors in portrait photography.
Focus Standards Addressed in this Unit: Production, Performance & Exhibition:
9.1.12 A: Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.
9.1.12 B: Recognize, know use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original
works in the arts.
9.1.12 C: Integrate and apply advanced vocabulary to the arts forms.
Important Standards Addressed in this Unit: Critical Response: 9.3.12: A Explain and apply the critical examination processes of works in the
arts and humanities. [Compare/Contrast, Analyze, Interpret, Form and test hypotheses, Evaluate/form judgments]
Misconceptions:
Digital photography produces stronger outcomes than film photography.
Concepts/Content:
Competencies/Skills:
Description of Activities:
 Gain knowledge on famous portrait
 Famous Portrait Photographers
 Shooting a roll of film based on portraiture
photographers,
their
impact
and
style.
including:
 History of Portraiture

Understand
how
to
crop
and
frame
the
o close-up, mid-range and full figure shots
 Composition Rules in Portraiture
human figure.
o candid shots
 Lighting
 Gain posing techniques and viewpoints.
o non-facial portraiture
 Grasp how to capture an individual’s
o lighting effects
personality on film.
 Developing film & creating enlargements.
Assessments:
Project: Summative Create 5 enlargements, using the range of easel sizes with clean borders that represent the film requirements. [candid,
different ranges, lighting, etc.]
Interdisciplinary Connections:
Additional Resources: Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon, Steve
McCurry, Jimmy Nelson, Mark Seliger, Dorothea Lange, Diane Arbus,
Yusuf Karsh
Subject: B & W PHOTO
Grade: 10-12th Grade
Suggested Timeline: 5 WEEKS/ 20 CLASS PERIODS
Unit Title: Alternative Photographic Processes & Final Series Development
Unit Overview/Essential Understanding: Students will utilize photography as a creative tool and learn how to think in terms of an individual
artistic statement. Storyline development will guide students to develop a coherent photographic series and alternative presentations will be
explored for displaying photographs.
Unit Objectives: The student will…
 Understand and utilize the enlarger to create alternative outcomes.
 Utilize masking and overlay techniques.
 Develop a storyline and coherent photographic series.
 Create alternative presentations for photographs.
Focus Standards Addressed in this Unit: Production, Performance & Exhibition:
9.1.12 A: Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in the arts and humanities.
9.1.12 B: Recognize, know use and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles to produce, review and revise original
works in the arts.
9.1.12 C: Integrate and apply advanced vocabulary to the arts forms.
Important Standards Addressed in this Unit: Critical Response: 9.3.12: A Explain and apply the critical examination processes of works in the
arts and humanities. [Compare/Contrast, Analyze, Interpret, Form and test hypotheses, Evaluate/form judgments]
Misconceptions:
Digital technology [image editing software] is required to achieve altered/manipulated effects in photography.
Concepts/Content:
Competencies/Skills:
Description of Activities:
 Photographic techniques [in and
 Understand & utilize various
 Shooting/enlarging a roll of film that contains
outside of the darkroom]
alternative processes: solarization,
subject matter/textures to achieve specific
colorization, enlarger manipulation,
alternative processes.
 Themed photography & presentation.
and masking & overlay techniques.
 Creating alternative presentations for themed
 Develop a coherent photographic
photography.
series.
Assessments:
Project: Summative Create two alternative process enlargements utilizing any of the film rolls shot during class. [Size and presentation of
images should be based on the subject matter]
Create a themed series of photographs that tells a story.
Interdisciplinary Connections: Photojournalism: The Magnificent
Additional Resources: Jerry Uelsmann
Eleven [Robert Capa] WWII Tony Vaccaro