8th Grade

Welcome to the 8th Grade Photo Page!

This is where you can get the 411 on all projects and assignment details for YOUR class. If you have any questions email me at aflatow@schools.nyc.gov.

Click HERE for our HOMEWORK CALENDAR!

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Check your grades online!

Contribute to our classroom projects online!

Hashtag #ms51photo to share your awesome images!

COMPLETE The 8th Grade Exit survey:
click here!

Exit Projects!

Though it breaks my heart, our 8th graders will have to leave MS 51 as they pursue bigger things in high school. As a culmination of their time in Photography, each student will create their own final project to explore until the end of the year. This is probably the most difficult thing they have ever been asked to do!

Focusing on something they never had a chance to photograph, or exploring a photographic topic further, each student will select their topic, number of prints, and final presentation. With guidance and support, students explore the work of famous artists that relates to their project in order to decide how they can create the strongest series of images possible.

Some of our students will go on to become photographers as adults, some will be hobbyists, and some will never take a photography class again. Either way, this project is intended to give each student an opportunity to take ownership over their artwork as they leave my classroom and enter high school.

Some Creative Resources:

http://www.miguelvallinas.com/

Strangers as Intimate Portraits

What I Be Project

Just the Two of Us: Larpers at home

Stephen Wilkes: Day to Night

Slow Motion Animated Gifs

WARNING: Don't do this at home! Crazy Russian skywalkers take photos at the top of the world.

Autobiographical Self-Portraits

Although a "selfie" is technically a self portrait, it often says very little about who you are as a person.

Digging deeper into personal identity, students created portraits that say something about who they truly are (or are not). Check back later to see how students view themselves.

Photojournalism Project

The 8th grade is exploring photojournalism. After completing a number of brain storming worksheets, watching films (Like "The President's Photographer"), and talking with their peers, they will start to shoot their own photo essays. The topic is up to each student, but it must be engaging.

The term photo essay refers to a news topic that unfolds like a story. This can show a theme over time or a pressing issue, and ultimately is used to get an emotional reaction from the viewer.

8th grade film/digital images are due in class (30+ digital images or 1 full roll of film):

Monday November 14th

The project should include the following:

Photographs of the scene - Where does the story take place?
Portraits - Images that tell the viewer something about the person being photographed.
Detail shots - some close ups that help tell the story
Consider including some action shots - shots of something actually happening
Cover shot - 1 shot from any category that will act as the opening/cover shot (yes it can also double as a scene, portrait, or detail)

Text: Captions, an article from a reputable news source, your own 5+ paragraph article (for extra credit)
Total: 5-7 photos and text of your choice (at least 30 shots on your contact sheet)

Creative Resource:

Nat. Geo. Photographers on Shooting

National Geographic Photographer shoots Deadly Leopard Seal

Know your rights! When shooting it is important that you stay safe and know what you can and cannot legally shoot. Click here to find out what you are legally allowed to photograph in the United States.

CLICK HERE for Printable Photographers Rights Form - Print PDF and keep in your wallet or in your camera bag.

Students were asked to explore the NY Times Photo blog for inspiration after viewing a PowerPoint presentation about Photojournalism. See below:

Photography Careers

All 8th grade career QUESTs are Monday October 16th.

A great way to practice and review is playing Jeopardy at home - you can be a contestant by yourself or with a friend. Click on the Jeopardy photo to play!

You may use the Career Slideshow as a study guide as well!

Photo Career Slide Show

Prep for your QUEST (Quiz/Test) by playing Jeopardy at home!

If you are in 8T1, your QUEST is on Friday September 29th.
If you are in 8T2, your QUEST is on Monday September 27th.

A great way to practice and review is playing jeopardy at home - you can be a contestant by yourself or with a friend. Click on the Jeopardy photo to play!