This graphic shows how the skills needed to produce high standard are progressively developed from step one through to progression step five. Use this when planning activities to ensure that progression in skills and the appropriate level of challenge are central to any task.

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📷 Photography

Photography is the art and practice of capturing and preserving moments, scenes, and objects using a camera. It allows you to create images that tell stories, evoke emotions, and capture the beauty of the world around us. Through photography, you can freeze a moment in time, document events, express your creativity, and share your perspective with others. It is a versatile medium that can be used for various purposes, such as personal expression, journalism, advertising, and more. To take a photograph, you need a camera, which can be a dedicated digital camera or even a smartphone. By framing your subject within the camera's viewfinder or screen, you can compose the image to your liking. Consider elements such as lighting, perspective, and the arrangement of objects within the frame. Once you capture an image, you can review it instantly and decide whether it meets your vision. If not, you can adjust settings, retake the photo, or edit it later using software. Editing allows you to enhance the image's colours, contrast, sharpness, or even apply creative effects. The most important aspect of photography is to enjoy the process and explore your own unique perspective. In school’s purposeful opportunities should be given for pupil’s to grab a camera, go out, and start capturing the world through your lens!

⭐ FUNDAMENTALS!

Focus on composition, lighting, and camera settings as the foundational elements of photography.

⭐ HANDS ON!

Encourage hands-on practice and experimentation to reinforce learning.

⭐ BE YOURSELF!

Create a supportive environment for learners to share and receive feedback on their work.

⭐ DONT READ!

Introduce different genres and styles of photography, explore and refine these to broaden their perspectives.

⭐ PRACTICE!

Emphasise the importance of editing to refine and enhance their images.

Suggestions 🔎

Camera

j2camera

Adobe Express

Pic Collage

Lightoom Photo & Video Editor

Photoshop

Lightoom Classic

Canva

Here are some applications and software that you can use to develop photography skills. These are a small selection - there are MANY more available. It is essential that you select the applications and software that is suitably matched to the learner's stage and that each learner experiences a range of these applications as they apply and develop their digital skills.

PS1 - Identify and Explore

What does good look like?

Learners can open the camera and take steady photograph (when in good light) without obstructing the lens. They are able to photograph objects from far away and close up to show details. After taking a series of photographs, they are able to find and scroll through their photos, choosing which ones they like best.

How about...

Flower snaps: Take pupils outside to photograph close up photos of flowers on the school grounds.

Emoji Selfies: Show the pupils an emoji and ask them what emotion this might show. Ask them to take a selfie that shows this emotion.

⭐ Skills ⭐

Grip

Hold device / camera with both hands and develop the ability to hold the camera steady and take a single image by pressing the shutter.

Find and Open

Open the camera application or turn on a camera and locate the lens(es) on the camera.

Composition

Take photos from close up and far away from the camera.

Reverse Camera

Use the reverse camera to take a selfie.

Files and storage

Locate the photo within the device photo storage folder (e.g camera roll, files, SD card).

Zoom

Use the digital zoom feature within the camera.

PS2 - Creativity

What does good look like?

Learners are able to take photographs that are in focus, framed and with no camera shake. They will be able to take edit the photo using basic editing software such as the in camera editor on a tablet or J2Camera via Hwb. They will make changes to brightness and crop the image. After completing this, they will save the photograph locally on the tablet or on the cloud. Learners understand basic credit and copyright responsibilities when taking or editing photos e.g. Saving work with their name or credit when using another artists work as inspiration.

How about...

Shadow play: Learners to play with light and shadows by taking photos of interesting shapes and patterns created by light sources such as lamps or the sun.

Colour hunt: take photos of objects that match a specific color. They can then create a collage of their photos using Adobe Express.

Photo to painting: After looking at the features of Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting, take a photo on J2Camera(Hwb) and edit by choosing the ‘Oil painting’ and ‘twirl’ filters.

⭐ Skills ⭐

Discuss

Discuss where you come across photographs, why we take photographs and why they can be useful.

Digital rights and Ownership

Find photographs online and discuss who owns these images and what are we allowed to do with them.

Grip and Orientation

Hold the camera / device steady and keep the horizon level when taking a photo. Take photographs in landscape and portrait orientation.

Focus

Focus the camera (e.g. by touching/clicking objects/areas that are shown on screen when using a digital device).

Sequence

Capture a sequence of events and show the beginning, middle and end.

Capture Emotion

Take photos that convey a variety of emotions.

Edit

Use the camera editor to crop, adjust brightness, contrast and add filters.

Locate and Share

Locate their images and share a photograph with a staff or class member.

Evaluate

Evaluate a photograph against the success criteria.

PS3 - Techniques

What does good look like?

Learners are able to identify the purpose of the images they create and choose appropriate techniques to help them achieve this. Learners can use basic editing skills to change the aesthetic of the photograph to convey a mood or purpose. These edits can be applied to the whole imaged and to the subject or background individually. Learners are encouraged to experiment with the rules and techniques they have learnt (i.e rule of thirds). Learners understand the rights, permissions and ethical considerations when taking and editing photographs. Learners understand the risks and legalities of sharing images with others (e.g. photograph metadata, intimate or personal photographs).

How about...

Three image story - Tell a story of a location using only three photos. A close up of the subject (macro), wide (the whole scene) and a medium shot.

Changing light - Photograph a still life object such as a flower in water and change the light source i.e window, full sun, shade, classroom light, a lamp. Which works best?

Time lapse - Using the time lapse function in the camera to show movement over a longer period of time i.e clouds in the sky, people moving classes, ice melting (tripod/stand recommended).

Playing with perspective - Make something appear closer than it is by placing the subject closer to the lens.

⭐ Skills ⭐

Purpose

Identify the purpose of the image, set of images or project (i.e social media marketing, create artwork to express how you feel, document a visit or a location).

Plan

Plan how you will achieve this purpose i.e colourful or monotone, light or dark, true or saturated colours, abstract or realistic, highly edited or surreal photographs.

Explore

Explore photographs from a similar genre.

Focus

Keep the camera stable and choose a focus point that reflects your purpose and compliments the framing.

Rule of Thirds & Lighting

Make use of the rule of thirds in camera when composing/framing an image. Experiment with different light sources i.e sunlight, overcast, window light, classroom lamp.

Experiment

Learners are able to experiment with the rules and techniques they have learnt (i.e rule of thirds and perspectives such as high and low angle).

Editing

Transfer the image to a photo editing application such as Photoshop Express make adjustments to edit light (exposure, contrast), colour (temperature, saturation).

Evaluate

Evaluate the changes to the original image after editing and how it helps the image achieve its intended purpose.

Share a photograph to a wider audience (e.g. airdrop from an iPad, email, upload to digital platform e.g. Google Classroom or school website/blog, teacher to share via social media).

PS4 - Purpose

What does good look like?

Learners will take inspiration from photographers and their work that and can identify aspects of composition and editing techniques that have been used. They are able to produce work that is well exposed and makes use of one or more compositional techniques. The learner is able to process the image with an intended outcome in mind and can reflect on how successfully this has been done. Learners understand the different purposes and contexts for photo editing and manipulation. Learners can act responsibly as a creator and user of creative work e.g. understand the risks, ethical and legal responsibilities when taking, editing and sharing photographs.

How about...

Meme - Take a photo and add text to create a meme that helps you remember key topic/subject facts.

Photo Mood board - Using the Lr app create a Photo Scrapbook to remove backgrounds and create a scrapbook style mood board.

Nature’s Textures - Photograph macro (close up) shots of textures that occur in nature. Present them as a series of photographs.

Developing a brand- Explore the work of working Welsh photographer Finn Beales and create a series of lifestyle images to sell a product.

Take a photograph to market a product on social media.

⭐ Skills ⭐

Welsh Inspiration

Reflect on and take inspiration from the work of Welsh and international photographers, giving reasons for choices.

Metadata

Understand that photographs contain metadata which can include GPS information. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and Identify how to change this setting within your device.

Exposure

Learn how to expose for the highlights (using a phone/tablet camera you can do this by selecting the brightest part of the photograph).

Shutter Speed

Using the camera function in the Lightroom app, make adjustments to a camera’s shutter speed i .e take photo at ⅓ of a second that showcase movement.

Composition

Demonstrate a knowledge of composition including the rule of thirds, leading lines, framing.

Creativity

Explore creative techniques in camera and whilst editing. This may include: Panoramic function, double exposure (Lightroom app), background removal, taking photos through objects, photographing reflections.

Publishing

Begin to apply the final image in a practical situation (Printing for a gallery/display, combined with text to create an advertisement, combined with a written news/sports article).

PS5 - Respond

What does good look like?

DCF - Learners plan and create high quality photography for an intended purposes and can justify reasoning to critical audiences in terms of layout and content. They make detailed and specific changes to my digital work, based upon feedback and self-evaluation.

Digital Technologies - Learners develop digital products using industry standard software that meets identified needs, trends or audiences, evaluating the extent to which they do so.

Photography (Art and Design) - Learners foster artistic development, creativity, and critical thinking skills. They are able to explore and experiment with a wide range of photographic techniques and processes. showcase their artistic abilities through a collection of artwork developed over time. Learners explore different themes, subjects, and mediums while demonstrating their artistic journey and development.

How about...

Product Light Painting: Introduce the concept of light painting to students, where they can use long exposure settings to capture images created by moving light sources. Provide various light painting tools such as flashlights, glow sticks, or LED lights Video.

Pinhole camera: Create a pinhole camera and using light sensitive paper, capture a self portrait.

Motion: Motion can give photos energy and dimension. Take a series of photos selecting a slow shutter speed to show motion blur or fast shutter speed to freeze the action (Video).

Capturing progress within PE using photography.

Capturing design process within Design and Technology.

⭐ Skills ⭐

Art & Design

Demonstrate creativity and originality in your artwork. Explore unique ideas, perspectives, and approaches to create artwork that stands out. Experiment with various techniques, materials, and processes to express your artistic vision.

Evaluating and Analysing

Engage in reflective practice by regularly evaluating and analysing your photography.

Critically Assess

Consider the concepts, themes, and techniques you're exploring and critically assess how effectively you're communicating your ideas.

Data Consideration

Analyse data to identify trends and audiences in order to develop a digital product.

Choice

Use a range of photographic equipment and both in camera and post processing techniques to take photographs that can be developed into digital products.

Responding to Feedback

Reflect and respond to feedback from target audiences and peers.