Overview: In this module, you explored the ideology underlying a photographer’s intent. Various factions emerged, each pursuing its own ideology relating to
the diverse ways photography can be employed with its expressive and symbolic potential and its realism and value as evidence.
A theme is an overarching or universal idea present in an image that, when identified in more than one, may unite that body of imagery. The images you select
for your final project should evidence your chosen theme in various ways. Subject matter often reflects the theme most directly, but photographer intent and
audience reception must also be considered. Some common themes in the history of photography include war, death, beauty, identity, protest, memory, time,
dreams, and heroism. There are many more. You may find this list helpful in making your selection.
Prompt: Write a brief paper on the theme you plan to use for your final project, an exhibit prospectus. Provide support for your choice and present its relevance
to the history of photography.
In your paper, ensure that your theme Supports your proposed thesis for the exhibit prospectus. (Note that the more universal the theme is, the easier it will be for you to hone it into a
concise, persuasive argument.)
Is present in works spanning at least three historical or cultural periods (e.g., nineteenth century, modernist, postmodern, contemporary).
Represents works produced by at least three technologies or photographic processes (e.g., daguerreotype, wet collodion, Polaroid, DSLR).
Is represented by at least three genres or styles that you will include in your project.
Encourages selecting unique images that support your final project. For example, identity is a theme that could meet all of the criteria above. A rationale
might take into account whose identity or what kind of identity it is—national, gender, sexual, racial, and so forth. Beauty is another theme that could
meet the criteria as well. A rationale might take into account whether the photographs capture beauty or have been captured by the photographer to
explore how different cultures define beauty. As the first step toward your final project, this milestone represents an opportunity for you to receive valuable guidance on your work. Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your submission should be 1 page in length and should use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins.
If any direct reference is made to material from the readings, use MLA citation styling.
Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information,
review these instructions. Critical Elements
Thesis Three Historical or
Cultural Periods Three Technologies Three Genres or
Styles Selecting Unique
Images Articulation of
Response Exemplary (100%)
Meets “Proficient” and
demonstrates significant detail
and insight relating to the
proposed thesis
Meets “Proficient” and
demonstrates significant detail
and insight relating to how the
theme is present in works
spanning at least three
historical or cultural periods
Meets “Proficient” and
demonstrates significant detail
and insight relating to how the
theme represents works
produced by at least three
technologies or processes
Meets “Proficient” and
demonstrates significant detail
and insight relating to how the
theme is represented by at
least three genres or styles
Meets “Proficient” and
demonstrates significant detail
and insight relating to how the
theme encourages selecting
unique images that support the
project
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and
organization and is presented
in a professional and easy-toread format Proficient (85%)
Explains how the theme
supports the proposed thesis Needs Improvement (55%)
Explains how the theme
supports the proposed thesis
but with gaps in detail or
accuracy
Comments
Content
Overview: In this module, you explored the ideology underlying a photographer’s intent. Various factions emerged, each pursuing its own ideology relating to
the diverse ways photography can be employed with its expressive and symbolic potential and its realism and value as evidence.
A theme is an overarching or universal idea present in an image that, when identified in more than one, may unite that body of imagery. The images you select
for your final project should evidence your chosen theme in various ways. Subject matter often reflects the theme most directly, but photographer intent and
audience reception must also be considered. Some common themes in the history of photography include war, death, beauty, identity, protest, memory, time,
dreams, and heroism. There are many more. You may find this list helpful in making your selection.
Prompt: Write a brief paper on the theme you plan to use for your final project, an exhibit prospectus. Provide support for your choice and present its relevance
to the history of photography.
In your paper, ensure that your theme Supports your proposed thesis for the exhibit prospectus. (Note that the more universal the theme is, the easier it will be for you to hone it into a
concise, persuasive argument.)
Is present in works spanning at least three historical or cultural periods (e.g., nineteenth century, modernist, postmodern, contemporary).
Represents works produced by at least three technologies or photographic processes (e.g., daguerreotype, wet collodion, Polaroid, DSLR).
Is represented by at least three genres or styles that you will include in your project.
Encourages selecting unique images that support your final project. For example, identity is a theme that could meet all of the criteria above. A rationale
might take into account whose identity or what kind of identity it is—national, gender, sexual, racial, and so forth. Beauty is another theme that could
meet the criteria as well. A rationale might take into account whether the photographs capture beauty or have been captured by the photographer to
explore how different cultures define beauty. As the first step toward your final project, this milestone represents an opportunity for you to receive valuable guidance on your work. Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your submission should be 1 page in length and should use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins.
If any direct reference is made to material from the readings, use MLA citation styling.
Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information,
review these instructions. Critical Elements
Thesis Three Historical or
Cultural Periods Three Technologies Three Genres or
Styles Selecting Unique
Images Articulation of
Response Exemplary (100%)
Meets “Proficient” and
demonstrates significant detail
and insight relating to the
proposed thesis
Meets “Proficient” and
demonstrates significant detail
and insight relating to how the
theme is present in works
spanning at least three
historical or cultural periods
Meets “Proficient” and
demonstrates significant detail
and insight relating to how the
theme represents works
produced by at least three
technologies or processes
Meets “Proficient” and
demonstrates significant detail
and insight relating to how the
theme is represented by at
least three genres or styles
Meets “Proficient” and
demonstrates significant detail
and insight relating to how the
theme encourages selecting
unique images that support the
project
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and
organization and is presented
in a professional and easy-toread format Proficient (85%)
Explains how the theme
supports the proposed thesis Needs Improvement (55%)
Explains how the theme
supports the proposed thesis
but with gaps in detail or
accuracy