For

Middle Years Students

Curriculum

Art Creating and Making

Aim

To make images which challenge gender roles, personalities or social stereotypes.

Preparation

To do this activity you will need:

• A digital camera and access to a colour printer.
• A range of costumes or props.
• Access to a computer with photo manipulation software (eg Photoshop or GIMP)

Group Task

As a group, discuss and agree on what gender role, personality or social stereotype you wish to challenge.

Use a digital camera to create photographs which address this aim.

Use props, costumes and makeup where appropriate.

Consider the ‘set-up’ or staging of the photographs to help communicate your message. For example, think about how to use lighting, backdrops or location to explore your idea and add impact.

Print the photographs and discuss as a group why some might be more successful than others. Annotate and explain areas within the images that you think may need further development.

Experiment with photographic software to manipulate your images. Experiment with effects which help to communicate your message.

Use this process until you have developed a range of images that you feel successfully acheive your aim.

Discussion Questions

Discuss and explain what makes them ‘good’ photographs.

How have lighting and composition, contrast, and colour been used to contribute to the mood or style of the images presented?

How do the photographs present gender? In what ways do they either present stereotypes of men and women, or else caricature male and female stereotypes?

What differences can you see between the way you've handled the subject in your photographs, compared with what you see on television?