Pop Art Photography at Huntington High School
February 26, 2025
Huntington High School photography students participated in a lesson on pop art taught by art teacher Pamela Piffard, who explained all about the art movement that emerged in the United States and Great Britain during the mid to late 1950s. An assignment followed and the results are spectacular.
“The movement challenged the traditions of fine art by including imagery of popular and mass culture, such as advertising, comic books and mundane cultural objects,” Ms. Piffard said. “Following the popularity of the abstract expressionists, pop art reintroduced identifiable imagery and was a major shift for the direction of modern art.”
The Huntington students learned that pop artists celebrated commonplace objects and people of everyday life, in this way seeking to elevate popular culture to the level of fine art.
“Pop art has become one of the most recognizable styles of modern art,” Ms. Piffard said. “Pop art started with the New York artists Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and James Rosenquist, all of whom drew on popular imagery and were actually part of an international phenomenon.”
What are some of the common visual characteristics of pop art? Bold colors, simple images and everyday items.
“How can we use the concepts of pop art in our photography?” Ms. Piffard asked her students. “What type of lighting do you think would be best to use for creating this pop art look?” The class responded “bright, flat, consistent lighting with little to no shadows.”
“What comes to mind for you when you think of pop culture in 2025?” Ms. Piffard asked. A discussion ensued as the teacher showed students samples of professional pop art photography.
The students were then given an assignment:
“For this activity you will produce 20 photos that portray the characteristics of pop art,” Ms. Piffard said. “You will create two set-ups. You will each have the entire class period to shoot. You will have a team to assist you. All of the images will be shot in the studio at school. You can create a set up with objects or with a model, or both. You will brainstorm, pre-plan and create a proposal. You will meet with your AP Photo coach! You will work in teams of two or three and have one day to work per photographer. The other people on your team will be your assistants and help you as needed. You will each bring in the props for your own shoot. Speak to me if there is something you need help getting and I will see what I can do. I do have some supplies you can borrow.”
An extensive series of pop art photos created by alums of the Huntington course were then shown to the class to help them generate ideas.
The class wrapped up with a “do now” assignment:
Students were asked to create a Google Slide: “Begin by brainstorming with your group and your assigned AP 2D photo coach,” Ms. Piffard said. Make a bullet point list of possible ideas. Next, in a Google Slide or Google Doc answer the following questions: Who or what will you photograph? When is your assigned photoshoot day? What will be your goal? What props will you use or special items will you need? Add to the slide or doc at least four image examples of photos you can use as inspiration for your photoshoot.”
