Learning materials
Teacher’s instructions
- Authors
FI
SV
EN

Learning materials
Teacher’s instructions
- Authors
FI
SV
EN

1969. Kulutusosuuskuntien keskusliitto, The Finnish Museum of Photography, D1974:33/5693.

Experimental self-portrait

Home
Learning materials
Theme: Context and platform
Experimental self-portrait

Photography exercise

Time: 30–40 min

Tools: Camera or smartphone

Goal: Practice taking a self-portrait and consider how prevailing norms can be questioned through photography

Transversive competences: L2, L4, L7

Prevailing norms and stereotypes affect society’s views on what is seen as normal or strange, beautiful or ugly, trendy or old-fashioned. Photography can build or maintain these views but it can also question them. Take an experimental self-portrait that questions prevailing norms.

Planning

Choose a characteristic that questions norms, such as shyness or green hair. Plan and shoot a self-portrait that says something about the chosen feature. The characteristic can be visible in the picture or it can come across in how the image has been created. A self-portrait can also be symbolic – you don’t have to be visible in the photograph.

Photographing and editing

Take a walk in your neighbourhood, alone or in a small group. Find a suitable background and environment for your idea.
Consider how you could capture your chosen feature. Take several alternative images.
Return to the classroom and select one of the images you have taken.
You can emphasize your idea through image editing if you like. Think about framing, contrast and colour when editing the image.

Sharing

Share your self-portrait with the group. Discuss the process.
Which feature did you choose?
How did you highlight the chosen feature in your self-portrait?
What kind of choices did you make during the shooting and editing process?
How did it feel like to create a self-portrait?

← The role of the self-portrait

Alternative algorithm →

Learning materials
Teacher’s instructions
- Authors
FI
SV
EN

Scroll to Top