Overview:
In this lesson, students will explore the art of levitation photography, a creative technique where subjects appear to defy gravity and float in mid-air. By utilizing photography skills such as composition, lighting, and post-editing, students will develop surreal, imaginative images that challenge the viewer's perception of reality. This lesson incorporates both photography techniques and digital editing to achieve the levitation effect.

Objectives:

• Understand and apply the concept of forced perspective to create the illusion of levitation.

• Use proper camera settings (such as shutter speed and aperture) to capture sharp images suitable for editing.

• Learn basic to intermediate photo-editing techniques in software such as Adobe Photoshop to enhance the levitation effect.

• Experiment with creative compositions and lighting to create visually compelling images.

Big Ideas:

• Illusion and Creativity: Photography can be a tool for creating magical, surreal experiences that distort reality.

• Technical Mastery: Combining camera techniques with photo-editing skills can transform an ordinary scene into something extraordinary.

• Visual Storytelling: Levitation photography allows artists to tell imaginative stories and evoke curiosity in viewers.

Materials and Resources:

• Digital cameras (or smartphones with manual control options)

• Tripod (recommended for stable shots)

• Adobe Photoshop or other editing software

• Props (chairs, stools, etc.) to support subjects during photoshoots

• How to Do Levitation Photography: A Tutorial | PetaPixel

• Levitation Photography With 65 Examples and Tutorials - Hongkiat

• Levitation Challenge: 5 Tutorials for Defying Gravity « Giveaway Tuesdays! :: WonderHowTo

• Secrets Of The Best Levitation Shots Shared | Fstoppers

• Before and After 'Levitation' Photos, Plus Tips and Tricks | PetaPixel

Vocabulary:

1. Forced Perspective

2. Shutter Speed

3. Aperture

4. Masking

5. Layer Blending

6. Surrealism

7. Composition

8. Post-Processing

Equipment

• Tripod

• Digital Camera

• Step Stool or Similar (this is our magical levitation device)

• Props for image

• Photoshop

Due: 1 Levitation image.

• *** IMAGE MUST INCLUDE

• 1 or more levitating person(s)

• 3 levitating objects (props)

Due Dec 13

Submission

Standards

• VAHSPH.CR.1 - Visualize and generate ideas for creating works of art.

• VAHSPH.CR.2 Choose from a range of materials and methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan and create works of art

• VAHSPH.CR.3 Engage in an array of processes, media, techniques, and technology through experimentation, practice, and persistence.

• VAHSPH.CR.4 Incorporate formal and informal components to create works of art.

• VAHSPH.CR.5 Reflect on, revise, and refine works of art considering relevant traditional and contemporary practices as well as personal artistic ideation.

• VAHSPH.PR.1 Plan, prepare, and present works of art for exhibition in school, virtual environment, and/or portfolio presentation.

• VAHSPH.RE.1 Reflect on the context of personal works of art in relation to community, culture, and the world.

• VAHSPH.RE.2 Critique personal works of art and the artwork of others, individually and collaboratively, using a variety of approaches.

• VAHSPH.RE.3 Engage in the process of art criticism to make meaning of works of art and increase visual literacy.