Lesson Two - Visual Reflection

Introduction

Lesson Two - Visual Reflection
Duration - 1 block (1 x 80 min + homework)

"A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know." - Diane Arbus, U.S. photographer

Unit One is heavy on notes. Do not panic - the remainder of the course is not like this!! This unit is designed as a review and presentation of the bulk of the theory (notes) that you will need for this course. Please print off the notes and rubric and store them in a separate binder for easy reference as you move through ELA 30-2.

In this lesson, you will examine the visual codes used on television and in movies through an exploration of various camera techniques, as well as the use of lighting and colour. You will begin with a discussion about camera-subject distance, and review various film techniques that are used to create visual meaning.

The text of a visual is its content. The context is the environment in which it was created and received. The subtext is its underlying meaning, which may be deliberately hidden. It is this subtext that you must learn to interpret.

Resources

NOTES
How to Write a Visual Reflection
Visual Elements

TEMPLATE
Visual Reflection Outline

EXAMPLES
samples of students' visual reflections

RUBRIC
Visual Reflection 

VISUAL
"Surfer"

Website
Techniques for Analyzing a Visual Text

VIDEO

Lesson

Read and study the notes on Writing a Visual Reflection.
Read and study the notes on Visual Elements.
Study the Visual Reflection Rubric, so you are aware of the two categories in which your writing will be assessed.

Explore the visual literacy website and view the posted video.

Assignment

(20 marks)

Open a new Word document. Label it E302U1L2surname 
In this document, complete the visual reflection assignment outlined below.
Submit this assignment using the Assignment Folder for U1L2 visual reflection.

Study the photo, "Surfer".
Reflect upon the ideas and impressions suggested by the photo and then write a visual reflection between 300 and 700 words..
What ideas and impressions does the visual text suggest to you? 
Consider the context, and develop your response by referring to the visual text.

You may want to use the Visual Reflection Outline to help you organize your response.

In your writing you should

• select a prose form that is appropriate to the ideas you wish to express and that will enable you to effectively communicate to the reader (short essay, rant, journal entry, conversation, newspaper article, editorial, interior monologue, short story, personal observation, etc.)
• discuss ideas and impressions that are meaningful to you
• respond from a personal, critical and/or creative perspective
• consider how you can create a strong unifying effect

(Your assignment will be marked using the visual reflection rubric. )

Conclusion

You have reviewed various concepts and terms relating to visuals, as well as being introduced to how to write a visual reflection. Store this information in your "NOTES" binder for quick referral as you progress through this course. Create a separate section for rubrics, and add the visual response rubric there.