Visual Arts, Photographic and digital media
Program overview
Students learn a brief history of photographic practice. They learn how a camera works and some photography theory. They also learn tips and tricks to improve photos taken on everyday devices. They explore and photograph their school grounds and find nature and beauty, often in unlikely places!
Session details
90-105 minutes. Up to 3 sessions (one class each) per day.
Key syllabus outcomes
Stage 4 - Visual Arts
- Students use a range of strategies to explore different artmaking conventions and procedures to make artworks (4.1)
- Students explore the function of and relationships between the artist - artwork - world – audience (4.2)
- Students make artworks that involve some understanding of the frames (4.3)
Stage 5 - Photographic and digital media
- Students develop range and autonomy in selecting and applying photographic and digital conventions and procedures to make photographic and digital works (5.1)
- Students make photographic and digital works informed by their understanding of the function of and relationships between artist–artwork–world–audience (5.2)
- Students make photographic and digital works informed by an understanding of how the frames affect meaning (5.3)
Learning experiences
Students learn about the history of photography and how cameras work. They are inspired by a PowerPoint presentation showing outstanding photos taken by students on school grounds. They learn photography theory as well as tips to take quality photos on iPads.
In pairs, students spend time outside around their school grounds taking photos applying their new knowledge. They challenge themselves to try different techniques and approaches. While we provide iPads for the program, personal digital SLRs and tablets/devices may also be used.
Back in the classroom, students must narrow down their images to 5 favourites. From those five, they choose one photo to share with the class. They explain why they chose the photo and classmates offer feedback.