Photography as Witness

Then & Now: Dorothea Lange

Photography As Witness

Photographs of news stories and major events can often shape collective memory and how history is written and understood.

Assignment Overview

1. First, watch Dorothea Lange’s Migrant Mother (next slide).�
2. Answer the questions on google classroom about the movie.�
3. Photograph 3 different shots using the point of view of Photography as Witness. (see slides for specifics).
4. Assessment Document�(see slides for specifics).

If you have issues with sound, open video in Youtube by clicking Youtube in bottom right hand corner.

Answer the questions on Google Classroom.

Google Classroom > Classwork > Photography As Witness > Migrant Mother Questions

Then: The Great Depression - Dorothea Lange

Then: The Great Depression - Dorothea Lange

Then: The Great Depression - Dorothea Lange

Then: The Great Depression - Dorothea Lange

Then: The Great Depression - Dorothea Lange

Dorothea Lange - Documentation

Lange would document what occurs in her photograph at length. Here is what she wrote for this image:

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“Unemployment benefits aid begins. Line of men inside a division office of the State Employment Service office at San Francisco, California, waiting to register for benefits on one of the first days the office was open. They will receive from six to fifteen dollars per week for up to sixteen weeks. Coincidental with the announcement that the federal unemployment census

showed close to ten million persons out of work, twenty-two states begin paying unemployment compensation.”

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When shooting your own shots, document some things connected with the shot:

• Location
• Time of day
• Who is being photographed
• Anything else you’d like to add!

Migrant Mother

Migrant Mother, one of Dorothea Lange’s most well known photographs, was not taken in a single shot. There were multiple others taken to achieve what is considered her best.

When you shoot, take multiple shots of the same set up: try both vertical & horizontal, different angles, or distances.

Now: March 2020

Now: March 2020

Photos by Wendy McElfish

Now: March 2020

Photos by Wendy McElfish & Danielle Sharp

3. Photography as Witness

Photo 1: Porch Photograph/Family Photo

Take a photograph of your family on your porch. Don’t get dressed up for it. Just come out wearing whatever you have on. PJ’s, workout clothes, messy hair…….it doesn’t matter.

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The photos should show how life really is during this time.

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If you don’t have a front porch/area, take it inside in your largest common area.

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Must be edited in Black and White.

Take at least 12 different photos of this set up.

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3. Photography as Witness

Photo 2: Inside Your Home

Take a photo of your life inside your house and how it is different from normal routine and lifestyle.

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See examples at right.

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Must be edited in Black and White.

Take at least 12 different photos of this set up.

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March 31, 2020. Online Live Stream. Governor Pritzker announces Stay At Home Order extension through April 30. Discusses ongoing strategies and plans to fight COVID-19 and support Illinois residents as best as they can while trying to flatten the curve.

3. Photography as Witness

Photo 3: Differences

Take a walk or in your car, take a photo of something that shows how things are different right now.

Be sure to practice social distancing!

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See examples at right.

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Must be edited in Black and White.

Take at least 12 different photos of this set up.

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4. Assessment Doc

Add the following:

Contact Sheet of All Images

Take a screenshot of your camera roll to show all images you’ve taken. Put these screenshots where you normally would place your contact sheet. Take multiple screenshots if necessary. (Right)

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Best photograph of each set up

1) Porch Photo 2) Inside Photo � 3) Differences Photo

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Answer All Reflection Questions & Self Assess by highlighting the rubric.

Student Work

Student Work

References

Library of Congress. (n.d.). Dorothea Lange. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?q=dorothea+lange&sp=1&st=gallery

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McElfish, W. (2020, March 29). The Great Depression, Dorothea Lange and Spring 2020. Retrieved from http://cvhsphotography.com/dorthea-lange-and-today/?fbclid=IwAR2pAZk2iPmuERD9JUvp5LVyiBztEkkEqgYPZcSeO3olw-Mvwikw2m3xdLI

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MoMA. (n.d.). MoMA Learning. Retrieved from

https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/dorothea-lange-migrant-mother-nipomo-california-1936/

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Adapted by Danielle Sharp, from Wendy McElfish’s Lesson found at http://cvhsphotography.com/dorthea-lange-and-today/?fbclid=IwAR2pAZk2iPmuERD9JUvp5LVyiBztEkkEqgYPZcSeO3olw-Mvwikw2m3xdLI