Composition

Leading Lines

Minnesota 9-12 Media Arts Standards
Used in this Lesson

  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of the arts area.
  • 1A. Analyze how the elements in media arts such as image, sound, space, time, motion and sequence, are combined to communicate meaning in the creation of, presentation of, or response to media arts.

  • 1b. Evaluate how the principles of media arts such as repetition, unity and contrast are used in the creation of, presentation of, or response to media artworks.

  • 1c. Analyze how the characteristics of a variety of styles and genres such as documentary, narrative or abstract, contribute to the creation of, presentation of, or response to media artworks.

  • 1d. Apply understanding of the health and safety issues related to creating in media arts.

  • 2. Demonstrate knowledge and use of the technical skills of the art form, integrating technology when applicable.
  • 2a. Integrate tools, materials, and techniques to create original products for artistic purposes.

  • 2b. Integrate linear and non-linear software including video- and sound-editing software to create original products for expressive intent.

  • 4. Create or make in a variety of contexts in the arts area using the artistic foundations.
  • 4a. Create a single, complex work or multiple works in media arts.

  • 5. Perform or present in a variety of contexts in the arts area using the artistic foundations.
  • 6. Respond to or critique a variety of creations or performances using the artistic foundations.
  • 6a. Analyze, interpret and evaluate a variety of media artworks by applying self-selected criteria within the traditions of the art form.

  • 6b. Justify choices of self-selected criteria based on knowledge of how criteria affects criticism.

    • Additional Tie-ins

  • Perspective
  • Center of Interest
    • This lesson is used on the first day of Photography class after a quick Introduction to the class.

    The teacher talks about composition and how it affects the photograph. Special note is made of the "leading lines" contained within each photo's composition. Leading lines are imaginary lines formed by parts of the photograph. They lead the viewer's eye to a specific part of the photo.

    Some photos are shown where there is obvious (and not so obvious) use of leading lines.

    The teacher may draw on the smartboard to illustrate the leading lines of the photograph.

    Students are given a handout containing photos. They are to draw in the "leading lines" with markers on each photo.