Exploring Photography: A Creative Adventure for Creative Minds

Photography Course Outline for Ages 13-15

Exploring Photography: A Creative Adventure for Creative Minds

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Duration:
8 Lessons (Each lesson 2 hours)

Course Overview:
This course introduces young photographers to the exciting world of photography, helping them develop technical skills and creativity using either a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Through interactive activities, games, and assignments, students will learn how to capture compelling images, understand camera functions, and tell stories through their photos.

Lesson 1: Introduction to Photography – What’s in a Picture?

  • Objective: Understand what photography is and why it’s important.
  • Topics:
    • What is photography? The power of pictures in our lives.
    • A brief history of photography (fun facts, milestones).
    • Exploring different types of photography (portrait, landscape, action shots, etc.).
    • Introduction to DSLR and mirrorless cameras and their key differences.
  • Activity: Show-and-tell: Students bring their favourite photo and explain why they love it.

Lesson 2: Understanding Your Camera – Let’s Get Technical!

  • Objective: Learn about the basic parts of a DSLR or mirrorless camera and how to use them.
  • Topics:
    • Overview of DSLR vs mirrorless cameras: Key features and differences.
    • Key camera settings: shutter speed, aperture, ISO.
    • Understanding the “exposure triangle” (a simplified version).
    • Hands-on practice with the camera to explore basic controls.
  • Activity: Camera scavenger hunt: Use the camera to find objects that show off each setting (e.g., blurry motion for shutter speed).

Lesson 3: Composition – Framing Your Story

  • Objective: Learn how to compose a photograph and tell a story visually.
  • Topics:
    • Rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry, and framing.
    • The importance of background and foreground in photos.
    • Using perspective to create interesting compositions.
  • Activity: Create a photo story by taking 3-5 images that represent a simple narrative or theme.

Lesson 4: Light and Shadows – Photography’s Secret Ingredient

  • Objective: Understand how light affects photos and how to use it creatively.
  • Topics:
    • Different types of lighting: natural light vs. artificial light.
    • How light changes throughout the day (golden hour, blue hour).
    • Shadows, reflections, and how they can add mood or interest to your photo.
  • Activity: Take a series of photos showing the same subject in different lighting (morning, afternoon, evening).

Lesson 5: Portrait Photography – Capturing People

  • Objective: Learn how to take great portraits and capture personality.
  • Topics:
    • Types of portraits: close-up, full-body, candid, and posed.
    • How to direct people and make them feel comfortable.
    • Focusing on facial expressions and body language.
  • Activity: Pair up and take portraits of each other, experimenting with different poses and lighting.

Lesson 6: Exploring Nature and Landscapes – Photography Beyond the Portrait

  • Objective: Learn how to photograph nature and landscapes.
  • Topics:
    • Capturing the beauty of nature: plants, animals, and outdoor scenes.
    • Framing nature: how to use wide angles, foreground, and horizon lines.
    • Using depth of field to create interest in nature photos.
  • Activity: Outdoor photo walk to capture landscapes, plants, and animals (parents are welcome to attend)

Lesson 7: Creative Photography Techniques – Think Outside the Box

  • Objective: Explore creative and experimental photography techniques.
  • Topics:
    • Long exposure and motion blur (basic examples like car lights at night).
    • Using reflections, mirrors, and unusual angles.
    • Introduction to photo editing: simple tips to enhance your images.
  • Activity: Create an abstract or creative photo using a special technique (e.g., light trails or reflections).

Lesson 8: Final Showcase & Review – Your Photography Journey

  • Objective: Review everything learned and showcase student work.
  • Topics:
    • Recap of key concepts: camera settings, composition, light, portraiture, and creativity.
    • Tips for editing photos and preparing them for sharing.
  • Activity: Final project showcase – each student presents their best 5 photos and explains the techniques they used.

Course Extras:

  • Photo Challenges: Weekly fun photo challenges to encourage students to try new things and experiment.
  • Group Discussions: Brief discussions at the beginning or end of each lesson to share what they learned, struggles they encountered, and cool discoveries they made.
  • Online Gallery: Create a private gallery where students can upload their best photos, provide feedback, and see each other’s work.

Course Goals:

  • Students will become familiar with the technical and creative aspects of photography using DSLR or mirrorless cameras.
  • They will develop confidence in using a camera and experimenting with different techniques.
  • By the end of the course, each student will have a portfolio of work showcasing the start of their unique photographic style.
  • Certificates of participation are given to each student upon completion.

Materials Needed:

  • DSLR or mirrorless camera (with lenses if available).
  • Access to basic photo editing software (can use free apps like Adobe Lightroom).
  • Notebook for taking notes and sketching ideas.