During my tenure at Washington International School when I arrived  inherited the semester-long electives Narrative Film (Fall) and Documentary Film (Spring). In 2014, these individual electives evolved into a single elective- Photography and Film- offered each semester. This allowed students to take this course and chose within one course which type of film genre to engage with for the film unit of the course. This also allowed students to repeat this course- cultivating a cohort of students deeply engaged with photography and the development of the Advanced Photography elective. This also cultivated a cohort of students that led to the adoption of IB Film coursework. After five years this course evolved again into Photography, Film and Design with the intentional attention to foundational visual arts skills, color theory and design thinking.  

Below is a description of the evolution in reverse chronological order, 2021-2013. 

Throughout this 8 year evolution I was an active Harvard Project Zero Research Practioner in cohorts for Making Thinking Visible, Agency By Design and JusticeXDesign.

I am extremely proud of this body of work.

This 11/12th elective was offered for the second time during the Fall, 2019.  This  cohort was comprised of students who have taken the 9th/10th elective Photography and Film in their 9th and 10th grade years.  There are so many amazing projects I cannot show here!!

27 Visual Projects Completed

Photography, Film and Design is a class built to introduce students to the fundamentals of contemporary digital media arts tools and processes.  Students will learn the fundamentals of digital photography and video production with both mobile devices and DSLR cameras and how to package their digital art creations through the practical application of digital design. Students will engage in producing professional photography and video with a focus on effective storytelling for audience engagement.  Students will explore visual storytelling through the creation of fine art photography, documentary films, logos, advertisements, album covers, and movie posters. Emphasis will be placed on technical skill, experiential learning, the process of defining ideas, seeking inspiration, and creating alternative iterations. Students who repeat this course will engage more deeply in their primary interest through advanced projects.

2016-2018 PAF v.3

In this course we explore the composition and creation of still and moving images through photography, narrative, documentary and experimental film. 

We will explore several photography genres including but not limited to portraiture, documentary and photojournalism. Through our study of digital photography students will explore the composition of still images and their relationship to film/video and the composition of the moving image. 

Our film/video explorations will include film analysis/critique, history and production. Digital film/video productions in this class will explore narrative, documentary and experimental film/video production and editing. 

Students will create three to five projects during the semester on topics that are both assigned and self-directed. 

16 Short Films Produced, Fall 2017; 15 Short Films Produced, Spring 2018

28 Short Documentaries Produced, Fall 2016; 19 Short Films Produced, Spring 2017

2015-2016 PAF v.2

This was the second  year of the new Photography and Film elective now offered each semester. The inclusion of photography in this course broadened the scope of visual arts engagement. Our study of photography focused on photography as an art to be printed; photojournalism; mobile photography; photography as documentation; storytelling through photo essays; portraiture, and studio lighting.  

This new curricular addition led us into the world of digital photography sharing and portfolio building using Flickr.

The course was tailored each semester through a survey that allowed students to explore areas of personal interest in photography and/or film. After a firm foundation in technical skills and aesthetic approaches of both digital photography and digital video, the students selected projects that engaged their individual interests in almost any aspect of digital photography and/or film. 

During the 2015-2016 school I shifted from using Blogger as the primary classroom organizational tool to using Google Classroom. As a google Apps for Education school the use of Google Classroom offered some integration options that seemed useful for students and a large percentage of teachers were moving to this new platform.

This was the first year of the new Photography and Film (PAF) elective now offered each semester, replacing the Narrative Film and Documentary Film electives.  The inclusion of photography in this course broadened the scope of visual arts engagement. Our study of photography focused on photography as an art to be printed; photojournalism; mobile photography; photography as documentation; storytelling through photo essays; portraiture, and studio lighting.  

The course was tailored each semester through a survey that allowed students to explore areas of personal interest in photography and/or film. After a firm foundation in technical skills and aesthetic approaches of both digital photography and digital video, the students selected projects that engaged their individual interests in almost any aspect of digital photography and/or film. 

All 9th and 10th grade electives can be repeated.  Students taking this course for the second time followed a more advanced curriculum.

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Course Description

In this course we explore the composition and creation of still and moving images through photography, narrative, documentary and experimental film. We will explore several photography genres including but not limited to portraiture, documentary and photojournalism. Through our study of digital photography students will explore the composition of still images and their relationship to film/video and the composition of the moving image. 

Our film/video explorations will include film analysis/critique, history and production. Digital film/video productions in this class will explore narrative, documentary and experimental film/video production and editing. Students will create three to five projects during the semester on topics that are both assigned and self-directed. 

30 Short Films Produced, Fall 2014; 36 Short Films Produced, Spring 2015

2014 Spring, Documentary Film:

This course introduces students to the art and craft of narrative digital filmmaking from three angles: historical, aesthetic, and practical. Students will study the craft of narrative storytelling through visual imagery and will learn and practice basic production techniques in crafting a narrative through writing, storyboarding, composition, editing, sound, and lighting. Students will be introduced to film theory through frequent film analysis.We will use filmmaking technologies such as Adobe Premiere Pro, GarageBand, and After Effects to produce their own short narrative films.

36 Short Films Produced

2013 Fall, Narrative Film

This course introduces students to the art and craft of narrative digital filmmaking from three angles: historical, aesthetic, and practical. Students will study the craft of narrative storytelling through visual imagery and will learn and practice basic production techniques in crafting a narrative through writing, storyboarding, composition, editing, sound, and lighting. Students will be introduced to film theory through frequent film analysis.We will use filmmaking technologies such as Adobe Premiere Pro, GarageBand, and After Effects to produce their own short narrative films.

24 Short Films Produced

During the second part of each semester long class students are immersed in ongoing projects.  The creative process requires time, to learn, to practice, practice, practice and to reflect. During this project season due dates are flexible and arranged with the instructor for each student. This time provides many opportunities for one-class lessons and/or projects that we call the FUNOFF! Below is a growing collection of links related to these funoff activities-

The Pinhole Project

The Creation of Erin: Sample student portfolio project, AP Photography, shared by a colleague of Mx. Redding

Jurupa Hills High School: Photography in another high school