Since the staple of photography of the standard 35mm SLR (single lens reflex) has been superseded by digital photography, student need not have an intimate understanding of aperture settings, depth of field or shutter speeds to take good photographs, but high visual awareness is still necessary. This makes an elementary lesson plan for photography is still crucial.
The teacher may begin by showing students examples of good photographs and those containing unintentional elements. Understanding the difference between the two will help students gain control over what is on display in the viewfinder prior to pressing the release button.
Beginners in Photography Class
The following simple strategies will save students the trouble of having to retake shots that fall short of expectation or of having to edit poor images on photography editing software.
- Ensure the lens is free from unwanted objects, such as fingers or hair obscuring the view.
- Avoid taking shots into the light. This could cause a fogging out of the subject photographed. It is better to shoot back to the light.
- Avoid using flash photography except as a fill-in, as this could make the subject matter appear flat. Detail would also be lost within the deep shadows.
- Similarly, avoid using artificial light, as this could create an unwanted colour cast, which may make the subject matter appear jaundiced. It is better to use natural daylight or a daylight bulb..
- Squeeze the release button gently to avoid camera shake if a tripod is not handy.
High Resolution Images
If high detail is required such as photos of paintings for a portfolio or for presenting artwork for assessment, ensure the light is good. A bright overcast day or sunlight means that a high resolution can be used. High resolution is any setting that is 100 ISO or below. The use of “portrait mode” on some camera’s settings will often suffice. Avoid zooming in too closely as this may simply have the effect of cropping the image viewed through the lens. If the light is poor, a tripod is essential.
Background Elements on Photographs
Watch out for background objects that may remain unnoticed until the photograph is taken. A lamppost emerging from behind an object or a bleached out sky could spoil an otherwise good image. The teacher may heighten students’ visual awareness of background elements by providing viewfinders for students to peek through during class. Images that contain different backgrounds can be also used as a discussion point on why a particular background works better than another, and suggest solutions for a poor background.
Elements of Photography Training
If inspired by a scene, students may take several photographs from different vantage points rather than just one. This will increase the likelihood of producing the ideal photograph to use as a design or painting. Often the most interesting photos are those taken from un conceived angles or lighting. An object from directly above might reveal unfamiliar contours or textures.
In the same way, students may be made aware of the two modes of photography, “landscape” and “portrait.” The former will have the effect of emphasising the width of the composition, such as a stretch of sea of land; the latter will have the effect of emphasising the height of the composition, such as a tall mountain or trees. The difference between the two can be seen in the images of the still life apples at the foot of this article.
The Basics for Best Photography
Students on any visual studies course will benefit from a basic understanding of photography. This will save the inconvenience of having to retake snapshots. Issues such as a clear lens, good lighting and awareness of backgrounds will ensure optimum results when taking photographs.
Rachel Shirley - I have written and illustrated several art instruction books entitled Oil Paintings from your Garden and Oil Paintings from the Landscape ...
