Project Description:

Photo Surrealism: How to illustrate healthy eating, using visual language and humor

The goal of this surrealistic project is to create a photograph that inpsires others to consider the importance of healthy eating. Students will take original photographs of fruits, vegetables, and grains: and then assemble them into a single picture using Photoshop Elements 4.0 and Corel Painter Essentials 3. They will need to consider the element of humor like the posters of Greg Brown and the photography of Dr. Steve Shpall or the paintings of Rene Magritte. Software for the project, including Wacom sketchpads have been funded by a $2,800 teacher grant awarded to Mrs. Goldman from PiE (Palo Alto Partners in Education).

What are my favorite healthy foods?
How can I use these foods to illustrate healthy eating?
How can I change my friends ideas about eating junk food versus eating healthy alternatives?
How can I use humor to intrigue or inspire or provoke my friends to have a healthy diet?
How will I stage these foods for a photograph?
What photographs do I need to take other than foods?
When will I use Photoshop and when will I use Painter?

What will be my color palette and what color scheme will I use?
How will I use repetition, rhythm, balance, emphasis, and contrast?


As students begin to paint, manipulate,and create with Photoshop and Painter they will be required to continually evaluate their image and judge whether or not they are paying attention to the Principles of Art: repetition, rhythm, balance, and emphasis. Students will use the Elements of Art: line, space, and color, to make decisions on what to draw and to demonstrate knowledge of perspective, and acceptable composition in their Photographs

Visual and Performing Arts Standards:
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
2.1 Interpret reality and fantasy in original two-dimensional artwork.
2.3 Create an original artwork based upon a selected mood or emotional state.
TECHNICAL SKILL
3.2 Demonstrate an understanding of the illusion of space on a two dimensional surface through such methods as placement, overlapping, relative size, atmospheric perspective, and linear perspective.
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
4.0 Understanding the historical contributions and cultural dimensions of the visual arts.
AESTHETIC VALUING
5.1 Explain the intent of a personal work of art and draw possible parallels between that artwork and artwork of a recognized artist.
CONNECTIONS RELATIONSHIPS, AND APPLICATIONS
6.1 Explore and identify the connections between the art of a selected historical era and note how each reflects the time and culture.
HABITS OF MIND
7.2 Take risks and experiment with their work in order to make discoveries. (Photoshop and Painter)
7.3 Take proper care of tools, equipment and materials at all times while working in the classroom studio. (Laptops)