Photography Information

In our Photography class...

We learn what it means to not just take a photo, but to MAKE a photo. We must train our eye to really see a photo for all that it is showing us. It’s easy to snap in a moment, but to really set the composition, we need to see. We will learn how to identify and describe what we see and like/dislike in photos while learning to identify and express why we feel certain ways about certain types of photos.

We will learn about topics such as…

Rule of Thirds
Using camera manual settings
Long-exposure photography
Elements of Photography & Rules of Composition
Lighting
Telling a story through a single photo

Did you know…?

Learning photography and film studies together go hand in hand! Filmmakers use still photography skills, and vice versa,

all the time. It’s all about seeing the world from your unique perspective and finding our personal way of sharing that

story and vision with others.

Film studies classes can set students up for future success by improving visual literacy,

critical thinking skills, and even boosting memory.

Through photography, we can develop our creativity, self-expression and mindfulness.

Students will have access to soft box lights as well as adjustable LED lights to help add additional depth to their photographs as they learn more about composition and visual storytelling.

Students will, occasionally, have the option of borrowing classroom equipment for use at home, but we must learn proper care and handling in the classroom prior to this being available. Students will not have access to smart phones in class, but they are free to use them on their own at home if they choose to work on projects outside of class.

Course Description:

Students see photographs every day on television, on the Internet, and in magazines and newspapers. What makes a great photograph? How did the artist capture a story? What makes a great picture? What are careers in photography? In this course, students learn and apply fundamental skills to use a camera and take photographs of animals, people, still-life, and landscapes. Students gain an understanding of how photography can be a means of documentation, storytelling, and high art. Students examine photographic careers and explore self-reflection to progress their creative growth as they develop a photographic portfolio. This course helps students select subjects, take a photograph, and have a mindset focused on visual storytelling through their imagery. Students may take Photography as many times as they would like during their time in middle school to help practice and develop their skills.