Photograph as Resource and Art: Integrating Social Studies ...



Photographs as Resource and Art: Integrating Social Studies, Art, and Language Arts

A component of “An Eye on Our Town,”

An Arts-in-Education Project funded by the Kansas Arts Commission

Artworks, including photographs, can be considered as a an artifact of material culture and reflect the time and culture of the people who made them. Just like a diary entry or a letter, photographs can be considered original documents or primary resources that can be used for research by historians. Look at any social studies textbook and you will find illustrations that include photographs and artwork of the period. This is important for teachers to note: as one of the standards in the National Council for Social Studies Standards reads, “Explain and give examples of how language, literature, the arts, architecture, other artifacts, traditions, beliefs, values, and behaviors contribute to the development and transmission of culture.”

State Standards Ties

Social Studies/History: Local and regional history, using a variety of sources

Language Arts: Creative writing and poetry

Viewing

Visual Arts

One must be critical when viewing art as a document, even a photograph. Artists and photographers may pose or set up their pictures. Artists have the ability to leave out and add details. Even a photographer can cut details out of a photograph by cropping a photo and today’s digital photography allows for all types of manipulation.

The photographs of Bill Jeffcoat record life in the Abilene, Kansas, area from the 1940s on. They are primary visual resources, reflecting what Abilene and the surrounding area looked like, the types of work that were common, and what life was like. Each of his photographs could be considered using the Interpreting a Historical Photograph worksheet.

Jeffcoat was also an artist, even though he had received little formal artistic training. He was particularly interested in aspects of composition and the textures, shapes, and lines he saw in the world around him and tried to capture them on film. As you visit the virtual exhibition Thru my lens, you will notice that Jeffcoat often mentions aspects of art when he writes about the photographs.

Several of Bill Jeffcoat’s photographs have been chosen for further exploration below. As you choose a thumbnail, you will link to a large version of the photograph, Bill Jeffcoat’s explanation, and questions that help you explore the photograph as historical resource and art object. Highlighted words will link you to definitions or resources that you may find helpful.

In this section the thumbnails blow up to large photos with questions following each.

#5

1. List the objects that you see in this photo.

2. What do you think is going on in this photo?

3. When do you think his photo was taken?

Shoveling Wheat, 1940

Taken near Woodbine, KS “A farmer was storing his wheat in the grain bin the old fashioned way, by hand. His team of horses was part of the operation which was very time consuming. Through the lens, I felt the view showed the value of the working man, his old wagon and days gone by. The horses, too, were part of it before everything got mechanized” B.J.

#9

1. List the objects that you see in this photo.

2. What do you think is going on in this photo?

3. When do you think his photo was taken?

Summer Wheat Harvest, 1968

“This prime farm ground , belonging to John R. Whitehair, is near the Smoky Hill River east of Abilene, KS. Photographers love to take a picture when the sky is full of white, billowy clouds. Later the negative was enlarged to a 4x8 foot mural which is now stored in the Heritage Center in Abilene.” B.J.

Compare and contrast the two photographs

Similarities Differences

What would you consider to be the major change(s) to happen in the 25+ years between the two photos? What might have caused those changes?

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#23

What aspects of perspective does Bill Jeffcoat focus on in this photograph?

What do you think the mood is in this photograph?

What is going on at the very back of the photograph? Does the mystery add to the mood?

What title would you give this photograph?

The Railroad Entering Abilene

“The railroad entering Abilene going west on a hot summer’s day. The sky, the flour mill, the phone poles, and the tracks seemed to me to be a pleasant view for a photo.” B.J.

This photograph is in black and white – try to imagine it in color. Does this change the mood? What other things could you do to change the mood of this photograph?

Try writing a poem using the hints in the Poetry Project.

#4

Who do you think these people are – why? You may want to look at the Portrait Biography Sheet to help you think about this question.

Now read the label:

A Farm Couple in Sunday Best, 1950s

“Many came to the Studio in December to have their portrait taken and gave these to their friends and family for Christmas gifts.” B. J.

What do you think this couple normally looks like?

Are posed portraits “real” or not?

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#15 & #16

Can you tell what kinds of stores these are? What helps you?

The Last Day for the Hardware Store

“The total clutter was amazing. Not neat aisles, displays, just stuff everywhere. One wonders how the clerks found anything! The huge cash register on the right is just a memory of days gone by when business was much better.” B.J.

Before the Sale

“A jewelry store and its owner. This store is where he had worked all of his life. The next day he would start his liquidation sale and in a few weeks all would be gone. The store had been in operation for two generations.” B. J.

Before you read the labels, was there anything that indicated why these stores were closing down? Why do you think they closed?

What can these photos tell you about the time period in which they were taken?

Where do you think people buy the types of things that were in these stores now?

Try writing a short story about one of these photographs using Enter a New World.

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#13 Haystacker in Colorado 1954

“This state offers so many photography possibilities. Here is one view taken against a darkening sky that I felt had a certain artistic quality.” B. J.

#22 Tank Car Inspector 1953

“This huge black railroad car, the man, and his pipe made a grand design against the clear sky.” B. J.

What makes these photographs interesting to look at?

How do your eyes travel through the photograph?

Compare the positive and negative space in the two photographs.

If you were hanging these photographs in a gallery, how would you hang them? (e.g. side by side – which on the left, one on top of the other, etc.) Why?

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