Teacher's Guide for FOOTSTEPS James VanDerZee guide 2

November 2005

Teacher Guide prepared by: Leslie Anderson Morales

Discussion:

During James VanDerZee's long career, people's taste in photography changed; technology was changing. More people were taking their own pictures; many preferred informal snapshots. Technology and individual tastes continue to change.

1. If you've used a digital camera, has that experience changed anything about the way you take pictures?
2. Has it changed how you share pictures with friends and family?

Discussion:

A huge controversy erupted when a national newsmagazine manipulated an image of murder suspect O. J. Simpson in 1994. (His photograph appeared on the magazine's cover). The changes made him look like a more threatening and more criminal individual.

1. List the reasons why altering a news photograph is unacceptable to so many people.
2. List the reasons why re-touching a portrait in the way VanDerZee did bothered some people.
3. Why didn't it bother others?
4. What were his reasons for re-touching his images?
5. What do you think?
6. Is it okay to re-touch a photograph of any kind in any way?

Activity:

Select 3-5 VanDerZee photographs from this issue (or photographs from a family album). Create captions that express what you see in the image.

Activity 2:

Some people (like VanDerZee) discover an interest during their youth that they decide to pursue as adults.

Talk to someone in your family (or in your community) about how they decided to do the kind of work that they do now.

Ask them if their work is related to an interest that they had early in life or if it related to something they became interested in later in life.

Discussion:

James VaDerZee was awarded several honorary doctoral degrees. This degree is awarded to a person who has made outstanding accomplishments in his or her field. (In ordinary circumstances, a person goes to graduate school after college, takes courses for several years, and writes a lengthy paper called a dissertation in order to earn a doctorate). Doctoral degrees are awarded at a university's commencement ceremony. A person might be awarded more than one honorary doctorate in a lifetime. Recipients include Rosa Parks, Bill Cosby, and Oprah Winfrey.

1. Who would you nominate for an honorary doctoral degree?
2. Explain why you think that person is deserving?

Activity:

• Each year since 2001, the Studio Museum of Harlem has had 15 high school students participate in a community-oriented program that allows them to use their artistic talents to interpret the neighborhood's visual history.

Select a street scene from your community and write an essay or poem or letter about the people or event depicted in the image.

Discussion:

Several people in this issue commented on James VanDerZee's personal style - the hat, the cane, his gentlemanly demeanor.

1. How would you describe your personal style?
2. What do you do to express it?
3. What can people tell about your personality by observing you?
4. Harlem is an old community that dates back to 1664. What do you know about the oldest community in your city?
5. When was it founded?
6. Why did people live there?
7. Prepare a timeline in 10, 20, or 50-year increments. Mark changes in population.

Activity:

Note significant events.
You will need to seek information at your public library. Look for books on local history. Visit the historical society. Look at a selection of old newspapers on microfilm on in online databases.

VanDerZee street

Activity:

Write an essay or poem or letter about the people or event depicted in the image.

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Updated: 8/21/08 06:17 pm
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