Grade 7 Photography Lesson Plan: “Exploring Advanced Photography Concepts”

Objective:
Students will deepen their photography skills by learning advanced techniques such as dynamic composition, mood creation through lighting, and conceptual photography. They will also explore basic editing tools to enhance their final images.

Lesson Overview

Title: Photography as a Tool for Creative Expression
Grade Level: 7
Duration: 60 minutes
Materials Needed:

  • Cameras, smartphones, or tablets (one per student or group)
  • Example photos (conceptual, action shots, portraits, and abstracts)
  • Access to photo editing apps or software (Snapseed, Lightroom, Canva)
  • Props for photography and diverse environments (classroom, outdoor, textured spaces)

Lesson Breakdown

1. Photography as Art and Communication (10 minutes)

Goal: Help students view photography as a medium for artistic and conceptual storytelling.

  • Discussion:
    • What makes a photo stand out? (e.g., emotion, story, technique).
    • Show examples of conceptual photography and discuss how photographers use symbols, light, and angles to create meaning.
    • Encourage students to brainstorm themes they can express (e.g., growth, change, energy).

2. Advanced Photography Techniques (20 minutes)

Goal: Teach students advanced composition and technical methods.

  • Dynamic Composition Techniques:
    • Negative Space: “Leave space around your subject to draw focus.”
    • Framing: Use objects in the environment to naturally frame the subject.
    • Layering: Introduce depth by placing subjects in the foreground, midground, and background.
  • Lighting and Mood:
    • Experiment with dramatic lighting (side lighting, backlighting, low light).
    • Discuss how shadows and reflections can add complexity to a photo.
  • Movement in Photography:
    • Capture action using burst mode or adjust settings for motion blur and freeze-frame effects.
  • Activity:
    • Students practice taking photos with dynamic composition, experimenting with angles, light, and motion.

3. Thematic Photo Project (20 minutes)

Goal: Apply techniques in a focused photography challenge.

  • Project Themes:
    • “Emotion Through Light and Shadow”
    • “Everyday Objects, Extraordinary Angles”
    • “Capturing Movement in Action”
    • “Symbolism and Storytelling”
  • Students work independently or in small groups to capture a series of 3–5 photos based on their chosen theme.

4. Editing and Presentation (10 minutes)

Goal: Introduce basic editing tools to refine their images and allow students to showcase their work.

  • Editing Lesson:
    • Demonstrate cropping, contrast/brightness adjustments, and color enhancements.
    • Discuss how editing complements creative vision without overusing filters.
  • Photo Showcase:
    • Students share their favorite photo or photo series with the class, explaining:
      • The theme they explored.
      • Techniques and edits used.
      • How they conveyed a mood or story.

Follow-Up Activity

Conceptual Photo Portfolio:

  • Over the next week, students create a mini-portfolio with 5–7 photos based on a concept of their choice (e.g., “Change Over Time,” “Contrast in Nature,” or “Faces and Emotions”).
  • Write an artist’s statement explaining the theme, techniques, and emotions they wanted to express.
  • Present the portfolio in the next class for peer critique.

This grade 7 photography lesson emphasizes creative thinking, advanced techniques, and editing skills, encouraging students to use photography as a tool for artistic expression and visual storytelling.