Lesson Plan: Early Photography

I have a reputation in my PLC for loving jigsaws, it is true – I love a good partner sharing. This lesson fits into a tight 40ish minute day with the triad jigsaw at the end, watch the clock to make sure you are giving students enough time.

Read more: The Illusion of Travel Photography

Images included in this lesson:

• 110. Still Life in Studio. Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre. 1837 CE. Daguerreotype.
• 114. Nadar Raising Photography to the Height of Art. Honoré Daumier. 1862 CE. Lithograph.
• 117. The Horse in Motion. Eadweard Muybridge. 1878 CE. Albumen print.

Part 1: Introduction to Photography

Start off the lesson with students brainstorming how the invention of photography will change art. I do not intervene nor give spoilers, just let them talk. Then I show a video on how early daguerreotypes are made (below). My students do their notes on notecards and I have them put this information on their Still Life in Studio notecard under form.

Part 2: Jigsaw

After the video I give each group a set of six color images that are meant to go into pairs. I have the students match up each image with their partner and discuss what do they see as the pros and cons of early photography.

1. Still Life in Studio = Rachel Ruysch still life painting
2. Nadar Raising Photography to the Height of Art = a photograph taken from that hot air ballon ride
3. The Horse in Motion = Degas painting of race horses

I modified some articles to fit onto one page each for the jigsaw (this is also very useful to make sure things are of equal length and can ensure that students get through their content in the time set aside for the jigsaw). When they finish their notes, they share with their group and take notes. I will include the original links in case you want to create your own or you can use my jigsaw PDF.

1. Tate Museum: Moving with the times + Ransom Center Magazine: From the Outside In: “Horse in Motion,” Eadweard Muybridge, ca. 1886
2. the politics of information: A Serious Comedian: Honoré Daumier’s Critique of Photography and Modern Society
3. AKVIS – History of Photography: Daguerre Pictures

JMF