Level 2: ART 211

CANDID OR STAGED?
Central Focus How settings, backgrounds, and people all play an important role in a photograph
Grade Level 8
Class Size Unknown
Time Five 40 Minute Classes
Class Demographics Unknown

National Standards Addressed

● MA:Cr1.1.8 Generate ideas, goals, and solutions for original media artworks through application of focused creative
processes, such as divergent thinking and experimenting.
● MA:Cr3.1.8. 3b. Refine and modify media artworks, improving technical quality and intentionally accentuating selected
expressive and stylistic elements, to reflect an understanding of purpose, audience, and place

Forms 2D 3D 4D
Frames Cultural Subjective Structural Postmodern
Conceptual
Artwork Artist Audience World
Framework

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Students will use at least 3 different tools using the PicsArt apps to create an edited background for their candid
photo
2. Students will be able to explore how color, background, and setting all influence a photograph in various ways

TEACHER MATERIALS
● Computer ● PicsArt ● iPad
● printer ● Rubric ● Artwork examples
● PowerPoint ● Pencils ● Cameras for class
● Paper ● pens ● Glue
● Magazines for collages ● sketchbooks ● Erasers
● scissors ● markers ● Colored pencils

STUDENT MATERIALS
● iPad ● Sketchbook ● Pencil
● PicsArt ● Camera, either from iPad or phone ● Paper
● Scissors ● Magazines ● Glue
● markers ● Colored pencils

ARTISTS IN CONTEXT
Key Artists Anna McNaught
Gregory Crewdson
Jeff Wall
Dan Busta
Hiroshi Sugimoto
Phillip-Lorca diCordia
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Zacharias Abubeker

EE = Early Elementary grades K-3 • LE = Late Elementary grades 4-6 • MS = Middle School grades 6-9
EHS = Early High School grades 10-11 • LHS = Late High School grade 12
Level 2: ART 211

Key Artworks

Anna McNaught, Untitled, 2019

Gregory Crewdson, The Haircut, 2014

Henri Cartier-Bresson, A man jumps from a wooden ladder, 1932

Key Critical Questions
1. How do these works make you feel?
2. Do the colors make the photo feel a certain way?
3. How is the setting of a photo important?
4. Do you think the background is more important in these photos? Or are the people more
important? Could they be equally as important?

VOCABULARY AND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

Vocabulary Candid photograph- a photo taken without someone knowing or without them posing
Staged photograph- a photo in which a pose is made. It is organized, and planned before it’s
taken
Background- what is behind a person/object. It is the farthest thing a viewer can see in an
artwork.
Setting- the location of where a photo is taken. Also includes the surroundings.

EE = Early Elementary grades K-3 • LE = Late Elementary grades 4-6 • MS = Middle School grades 6-9
EHS = Early High School grades 10-11 • LHS = Late High School grade 12
Level 2: ART 211

Language Functions Analyze

Language Demands
Language Tasks and
Activities
Language Supports
Syntax Discourse
1. Write vocab on sketchbook and make sketches of things that could go along with a word. For
example, a quick sketch of a background or a setting.
2. Discuss with class on whether they have heard of these words and how they can be used
differently in other classes
1. Class discussions
2. Artist examples

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES AND LEARNING TASKS

Day 1
Set Induction Instruction Methods
● The teacher will ask students if they have ever taken a photo of someone while ● direct instruction
they are not aware, or if someone has ever taken a picture of the student without ● class discussion
the student knowing. Then the teacher will ask where they were when this
happened.
● The teacher will instruct that for this lesson, they will be taking a photograph of
someone without them posing or knowing, and editing the background of it to
make it look different.
Instruction Instruction Methods
● The teacher will refer back to the question first asked and tell students to ● direct instruction
discuss with a partner if they have ever taken a photo of someone without them ● partner discussion
knowing and how the photo turned out, what the background looked like, and ● class discussion
how taking it made them feel. They may also discuss whether another person
has ever taken a photo of them without them knowing and how seeing that
photo made them feel and where that photo took place.
● After this discussion, the teacher will ask students to share their discussions with
the whole class
● The class will discuss for several minutes about their experiences and
afterwards the teacher will speak about their own experiences if they have any.
● The teacher will then start to explain the rules of photographing people. The
teacher should thoroughly explain that they must not photograph anyone under
the age of 18 and that it would be best to photograph a family member or friend
to avoid any controversies.
● Students will then gather into small groups and talk about what they think is
appropriate in terms of photographing people and what rules they should follow.
● Afterwards, the teacher will tell each group to share what they discussed with
the entire class.
● The teacher will then ask the class what problems they think could arise if they
take a photo without a person’s consent.
● The teacher will also instruct them that they must ask whoever they choose to
photograph if they may take a photo of them when they are not aware or
looking.

Lesson Closure
● The teacher will ask students to raise their hands and share with the class who Instruction Methods
they plan on photographing for the assignment. ● class discussion
● Students will also be asked to raise their hands and answer questions about the
rules of who they should photograph.
● Lastly, students will ask any questions they might have about appropriateness or
who they can photograph.

Day 2
Instruction Methods
Set Induction
● direct instruction
● The teacher will refresh on the discussion that was previously had about the
assignment and rules of photographing others.
EE = Early Elementary grades K-3 • LE = Late Elementary grades 4-6 • MS = Middle School grades 6-9
EHS = Early High School grades 10-11 • LHS = Late High School grade 12
Level 2: ART 211

Instruction Instruction Methods

● The teacher will then show a PowerPoint and introduce the vocabulary terms ● class discussion
● After establishing the vocabulary, the teacher will introduce artists and their ● group discussion
artwork ● direct instruction
● Students will talk about the artwork they see and will be asked to answer these
questions and discuss them as a group: How does the background affect the
way a photograph looks or feels? Do colors play a role in the mood of a photo?
Do facial expressions in a photograph matter? How can you tell if a person
belongs in a certain place when looking at a photo? What are some clear
differences between candid and staged photos? Are there any similarities
between the two? Can a photograph look like a candid but actually be staged?
What about the other way around? This will take about 15 minutes
● After this, the teacher will introduce PicsArt to the students and teach them
which tools to use in order to edit their background.
Lesson Closure Instruction Methods
● The teacher will ask students to raise their hands and define the vocabulary ● direct instruction
words that were learned. ● class discussion
● The teacher will also assign students to have their photographs taken as
homework and to have them ready by the next class.
● Students will then be able to ask any questions they might have about
vocabulary or the assignment

Day 3

Set Induction
Instruction Methods
● The teacher will continue to demonstrate all the tools that can be used in PicsArt
● direct instruction
in order for students to edit their background
Instruction
Instruction Methods
● Students will start to edit their photographs and ask any questions they might
● class discussion
have as they start working
● individual work time
● Students who do not have a photograph ready will take a photo of the teacher if
they are comfortable with it.
● Students who have technology issues or accommodations will be given a
different assignment.
● The teacher will print out their photo and instruct them to make a collage with
their photo using different cut outs from magazines as their background.
● All students will have the rest of class to complete their new backgrounds and
ask questions
● Any students who finish early will be instructed by the teacher to start a new
project. They may either use the same candid photograph and add a different
background, or take their edited background and a new candid photo on to it.

Lesson Closure
● Teacher will ask students how they feel about the project and to share any
difficulties they might have experienced as well as any tips they found to be Instruction Methods
helpful with the class ● class discussion
● The teacher will then ask how far along they are along the project and see how
much more work time they need

Day 4
● Students will continue to work on their assignment while teacher answers any
questions they might have Instruction Methods
● Once students finish their work, they will save them and share them with the ● individual work time
class. ● direct instruction
● The teacher will ask them how they took their photograph, how they chose to ● class discussion
change their background, what tools they used, and lastly, how their photo
would’ve looked different if they had used a staged photo instead of a candid
one.
EE = Early Elementary grades K-3 • LE = Late Elementary grades 4-6 • MS = Middle School grades 6-9
EHS = Early High School grades 10-11 • LHS = Late High School grade 12
Level 2: ART 211

Lesson Closure
● After all students have shared their projects, the teacher will ask the class what
they liked and didn’t like about the overall project
● Students can also share something they would change about the project and
make any desired suggestions.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR SPECIFIC DIVERSE LEARNERS

Adaptations and Accommodations
● Students who have trouble using the tools in PicsArt may work next to students who have a strong understanding of them
or with the teacher
● Students who have technology issues may print their photograph and create a collage using magazines or drawing to form
their desired background.
● Students who have trouble concentrating may take small breaks when needed. They may also sit next to peers who know
what to do and would be able/willing to answer any questions they might have.
Enrichment and Extensions
● Advanced students will use their finished work to create 2 different new ones. They will use the same candid photograph
and add a different background, but also take their first edited background and edit a new candid photo onto it.
Activity for Early Finishers
● Early finishers will take a new candid photo and edit a new background onto it

OBJECTIVE-DRIVEN ASSESSMENTS
1. Rubric assessing student’s originality, use of PicsArt tools, craftsmanship, their use of background, color, and setting, and
effort. (Objectives 1 and 3)

INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS
● English/Literature
● Film

REFERENCES
Becker Alexandrea, (2018 April 26). How to Use PicsArt like Digital Artist, Anna McNaught. Retrieved from
https://picsart.com/blog/post/use-picsart-like-digital-artist-anna-mcnaught

Gagosian Gallery, (2021). Gregory Crewdson: Cathedral of Pines. Retrieved from

https://gagosian.com/exhibitions/2016/gregory-crewdson-cathedral-of-the-pines/

Magnum Photos, (2021). Henri Cartier-Bresson, Retrieved from

https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/henri-cartier-bresson/

McNaught Emma, (2020). Anna McNaught. Retrieved from https://annamcnaught.com/

* Developed and written by Hilene Quiroz, Art Education, Illinois State University, 2021 *

EE = Early Elementary grades K-3 • LE = Late Elementary grades 4-6 • MS = Middle School grades 6-9
EHS = Early High School grades 10-11 • LHS = Late High School grade 12