iPhoto: Battle of the Bands

"GingerVitus" 
by Guilherme, James K, James S,  Sullivan and Theo (Grade 8)

Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, 
flight to the imagination and life to everything.
- Plato

(Click to read about our previous challenges: Simply Me and I've Got a Feeling)

I decided that I would start each class by sharing the video of the best shots from our previous challenge. Last week's challenge was "I've Got a Feeling". The students love to see each other's productions and I find it important to talk to them about photography techniques demonstrated in their peers' work.
 
Once we finish celebrating each other's work, it is time for this week's challenge: Battle of the Bands

I begin by asking students to respond to the following questions on a backchannel. (I personally like using TodaysMeet.)

Think About It: 

1. Explain one way music affects you.
2. Select one style of music and describe how you would express it in a photo (props, hairstyle, make-up, clothes, etc...)
   
   

Below are some of my favorite responses:

After we discuss the responses of the students, I introduce this week's challenge with a twist: 

Creating your Band

• Create a band with a minimum of three (3) members and a maximum of five (5)
• Select a song that will be the inspiration for the creation of your band name, album cover and digital booklet

Challenge with a Twist: Battle of the Bands
Subject: Musical genre- expressing musical taste through digital photography 

• With your group, you must create a(n)
  a. iTunes album cover    
  - You must include the name of your band    
  - Twist #1: Your images must express the musical genre of your band
  b. Digital Booklet must include:    
  - Minimum of three images of your band to go into your digital booklet (it can be individual or group shots)    
  - Lyrics to the song used as your band's inspiration
  
  Note:  
  - All images must be landscape!    
  - Place images in a PPT and Save As... PDF   

• Using Google Docs collaboratively with your group...
  a. Write a reflection explaining the process and choices made in the "Battle of the Band" images you developed.     (Title: Your Names + iPhoto Battle of the Bands; example "Joyce and Bertille iPhoto Battle of the Bands")
  Be sure to include...
       Reflection:
       - Why you took the picture? Your choices and decisions.
       - What you would do to make it better/improve?
       Techniques (Process and Effects):
       - How you took the picture? (Step-by-step)
       Apps: list of apps you used
  
• b. Include the link to your song of inspiration
  

Note: You and your group members must take/direct all the images to be included in your challenge.

Tips, Tricks and Inspiration

•  25 Inspiring Examples of Music Photography
  
• PhotoSnack: Music Photography

The students had a lot of fun creating their bands and depicting their musical genre.

This video was created using Animoto.
Song: "United State of Pop 2012- Shine Brigher" by DJ Earworm