Photography Unit

After searching for a homeschool photography unit online, I ended up combining a number of free resources to create my own photography unit. Here is a basic outline of things to read and assignments over 12 weeks. However, this is a general outline and can be changed and modified based on your timeline and level of learner.

Plus, there are a ton of photography books you can find at the library or purchase to enhance these free resources. So, don't forget to supplement other reading materials.

Week 1

1. History of Photography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_photography

2. A Few Famous Photographers
Lewis Hine - http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/lange/index.html
Dorothea Lange - http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/lange/index.html
Ansel Adams - http://anseladams.com/
Yousuf Karsh - https://karsh.org/

Assignment: Search for other photographers, find two you like. Describe who they are, their photographic style, and why you like them.

Week 2

3. Photography Terminology
Learn to speak the lingo.
https://digital-photography-school.com/deciphering-photo-jargon-learn-to-speak-photographer/

Assignment: Will be a matching test for terms. Create matching test.

4. How the Camera Works

Learn more about how the camera & digital camera works.
https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/camera.htm
https://ourpastimes.com/how-do-cameras-work-12146995.html
https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cameras-photography/digital/digital-camera.htm

Assignment: Make a pinhole camera. 
https://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/pringles_pinhole.html

Week 3

5. Basics of Photography
(Note - read other tutorials on this site - tons of great information)
http://tutorials.lifeinedit.com/tutorial-4-the-basics-of-photography/

6. Lens
Learn the difference.
http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/choosing-your-lens-whats-the-difference/
Shutter Speed & Image
https://www.diyphotography.net/shutter-speed/

Week 4

7. Camera Modes
What they mean? Which to use?
http://emptyeasel.com/2009/10/09/camera-modes-101-understanding-the-different-modes-on-your-digital-camera/

Assignment: Take picture using each of these modes. Should have a multiple pictures of each mode.

1. Face (a face, like a dog or person)
2. Flower (close up small object, like a flower, leaf, rock, bug)
3. Mountain (landscape, like a larger landscape, homes, scenic)
4. Running (action shot, like something moving)
5. Moon (night shot, like moon/stars at night)

Week 5

8. Watch series on Photography (from basics to composition to focus)

Assignment: watch these five lessons

1. Part I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGF0tgOXjEw)
2. Part II (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFSWblaVYFs)
3. Part III (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C716pAG6G2E)
4. Part IV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJB3iit96YQ)
5. Part V (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9nap_oiHQM)

Weeks 6 & 7

9. Design
Learn more about different composition designs.
https://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/6-elements-of-design-for-striking-photographs--photo-2574

Assignment: Take pictures focusing on each design element. You should have multiple picture from each design style.

1. Line (focus on something linear)
2. Shape (silhouettes)
3. Form (focus on one 3d shape in image)
4. Texture (close up of something with texture)
5. Pattern (focus on a pattern shape)
6. Color (Focus on items with similar and complementary colors - both styles)

Weeks 8 & 9

10. More advanced effects
https://1stwebdesigner.com/eight-photography-effects/

11. Composition Rules
More information of different composition rules
http://www.colorpilot.com/comp_rules.html
http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules

Assignment: Take pictures focusing on each composition element. You should have multiple pictures from each composition style.

1. Rule of Thirds (have 1 item in 2/3s of image)
2. Balancing Elements (have void in between 2 items)
3. Leading Lines (have a line that makes the eye move)
4. Symmetry (focus on something symmetrical)
5. Viewpoint (taken from a different angle/viewpoint)
6. Background (1 item with plain background/black)
7. Depth (have multiple layers, usually scenic)
8. Framing (have something with both sides framing inside image)
9. Crop (focus on something small/lost in surroundings)
10. Experimentation (do something you want)

Weeks 10 & 11

12. Edit Your Images
Learn about Photoshop if you have it, or download and learn about Paint.net

Photoshop Tutorials:
http://mashable.com/2010/08/12/12-beginner-tutorials-for-getting-started-with-photoshop/#whH26iF9cmqJ
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/tutorials.html

Paint.net Tutorials:
Download paint.net - it's free
Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my7T6bKA2Uc

Assignment: Review your images and edit your favorites (should have a minimum of 12 complete/edited images).

Week 12

13. Final Project

Assignment: Create a slideshow of your final edited photos (minimum 12). Add music to accompany the photos. Print images, have a “showing.” Also, take 12 images and make a calendar gifts for next year.