Aesthetic Expression Intro

Unit: Exploring Aesthetic Expression

Lesson 1 of 20: Introduction to Aesthetic Expression in Photography

Duration: 45 minutes
Class size: 15 students
Year level: 11 (Senior Secondary)
Learning Area: The Arts — Visual Arts
Australian Curriculum Version: v9

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Explain the concept of aesthetic expression in art, specifically within photography.
2. Identify and describe key art elements (e.g., line, shape, colour, texture, space, form) and principles (e.g., balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, unity) used to achieve aesthetic qualities in photographs.
3. Recognise how photographers use these elements and principles intentionally to create meaning and emotional responses.
4. Understand the unit's selected theme and begin contextualising their own creative exploration in photographic art.

Australian Curriculum Links

• Visual Arts - Yr 11
  • AC9AVA11E01: Analyse and interpret how artists use aesthetic qualities, including visual conventions and the elements and principles of design, to encode meaning and engage audiences.
  • AC9AVA11C01: Experiment with visual conventions, materials, techniques and technologies (including digital media) to create artworks that communicate ideas and personal responses to the theme.
• General Capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking
  • Personal and social capability
  • Ethical understanding

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Resources and Materials

• Projector or large screen for slide presentation and photographic examples
• A curated selection of diverse photographic artworks (digital or print) illustrating various aesthetic expressions
• Whiteboard and markers
• Student journals or sketchbooks
• Cameras or smartphones (optional for visual note-taking)
• Worksheets for guided analysis (optional)

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Lesson Outline

1. Introduction and Engagement (10 minutes)

• Welcome students and introduce the unit theme "Exploring Aesthetic Expression."
• Begin with an open question: "What makes a photograph 'aesthetic' or 'expressive' to you?" Collect quick responses to activate prior knowledge.
• Briefly define aesthetic expression: How artists convey meaning, mood, or beauty through visual elements and design principles.
• Show 4-5 contrasting photographic images (consider diversity in style, subject, and approach). Prompt students to share initial impressions of what stands out aesthetically.

2. Teaching Input - Art Elements & Principles in Photography (15 minutes)

• Introduce the main elements of art relevant to photography: line, shape, colour, texture, space, form. Use images to illustrate each element’s presence.
• Introduce principles of design: balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, unity/harmony in photographic composition.
• Use an example photo and guide the class through identifying these elements and principles at work.
• Highlight the photographer's choices in lighting, framing, subject placement and editing that influence the aesthetic expression.
• Emphasise vocabulary students will use throughout the unit (aesthetic qualities, composition, visual impact, mood, etc.).

3. Class Activity: Group Analysis (15 minutes)

• Divide the class into 3 groups (5 students each). Each group receives a different photograph (print or digital).
• Task: Use guided questions to explore how the elements and principles create aesthetic expression in their assigned photograph. Sample questions:
  • What elements stand out the most?
  • How has the photographer used line or colour to guide your eye?
  • What mood or feeling is conveyed and how?
• Each group prepares a 2-minute summary to share key findings with the class.

4. Sharing and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Each group presents their insights. Discuss similarities and differences across photographs.
• Introduce the unit theme and how these concepts will underpin their own photographic explorations moving forward.
• Prompt students to reflect in their journals:
  • What interests you most about aesthetic expression in photography?
  • What elements/principles do you want to experiment with later?

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide exemplar photographs varying in complexity.
• Use visual scaffolds such as annotated images or diagrams for students needing support.
• Challenge advanced students to begin thinking about cultural/contextual influences on aesthetic choices.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Informal formative assessment through group presentations and class discussions to gauge understanding of aesthetic concepts.
• Journal reflections will provide ongoing insight into student thinking and engagement with the theme.

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Teacher Notes

• Emphasise respectful critique and appreciation of diverse artistic styles during discussions.
• Encourage students to use specific art terminology to develop visual literacy and critical language skills.
• Set expectations that students will be applying these foundational concepts in practical photographic assignments in upcoming lessons.

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This lesson ensures alignment with the Australian Curriculum v9 by focusing on students analysing and interpreting aesthetic qualities and laying a conceptual foundation for creating artworks that communicate personal and thematic ideas using photography., ,