Digital Photography

This 90-minute introductory workshop on digital photography introduces students to basic camera settings, composition tips, and photo editing software.

Through hands-on practice, students learn how to take photographs using different settings and compose them using various techniques. The workshop emphasizes the importance of natural light and provides constructive feedback and critique to encourage students to continue practicing their digital photography skills.

Objectives:

  • Introduce students to the basics of digital photography and camera settings
  • Teach students how to compose photographs and use natural light to their advantage
  • Provide hands-on experience with a digital camera and editing software

Materials:

  • Digital cameras (one per student)
  • Laptop with photo editing software (such as Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop)
  • Handouts on camera settings and composition tips
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • RESDA Knowledge Sharing Toolkit Guide (PDF)

  1. Introduction (10 minutes)

  • Start by introducing the topic of digital photography and its importance in our daily lives.
  • Ask students if they have any experience with digital photography, or if they have ever taken a photograph before.

  1. Camera Settings (20 minutes)

  • Discuss camera settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
  • Hand out a list of camera settings and have students read through them.
  • Provide examples of how different camera settings affect a photograph.

  1. Composition Tips (30 minutes)

  • Discuss basic composition tips such as rule of thirds, framing, and leading lines.
  • Hand out a list of composition tips and have students read through them.
  • Provide examples of well-composed photographs.

  1. Hands-on Practice (30 minutes)

  • Divide students into pairs or small groups.
  • Give each group a digital camera and have them take photographs, practicing the camera settings and composition tips learned.
  • Circulate around the area, providing feedback and assistance as needed.

This lesson will continue in Week 4

Acknowledgements

We gratefully thank and acknowledge this project was made possible with financial support from the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse in 2022 and the Manitoba Arts Council Indigenous 360 Program in 2023.

This incubator gallery program was made possible with support from the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse program.