Lesson video

Hello, everyone.

How are you today? I hope you're feeling really good.

My name is Miss Afzal, and I'll be your art teacher for this lesson.

I'm feeling really excited about this because I love photography, and that's what our lesson is about today.

Our lesson is called Photographing for resources: what makes a good photograph? So I'm wondering maybe you have some experience of taking photographs and we'll have hopefully quite a lot to contribute to this lesson.

Our lesson comes from the unit of work, First sustained project: working from a theme.

So if you're ready with some focus, energy, and enthusiasm, we'll begin our lesson.

The outcome for today's lesson is, I can take photographs to inform and support my creative work.

We have some keywords in our lesson.

Let's go through them.

Subject, focus, and viewpoint.

So what do these words mean? Subject is the main focus of the image.

Focus, to intentionally highlight or emphasise something.

And viewpoint, the position or angle from which the photographer takes the photo.

So these are our keywords, subject, focus and viewpoint.

Let's look out and listen out for them.

They'll be coming up in our lesson today.

Our lesson is called Photographing for resources: what makes a good photograph? And it has two learning cycles, exploring well-composed, purposeful photography, and developing photos into thematic resources.

Let's begin with exploring well-composed, purposeful photography.

What do you think makes a good photograph? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Laura and Alex are discussing what makes a good photograph.

Laura says, "I like to consider angle, lighting, and composition, and have even more control over the results." Alex says, "I just point the camera and click.

I usually end up with something that I'm happy with once I go through the results." I wonder which of these two you are more aligned with.

A good photograph clearly shows its subject, and it's taken from an intentional viewpoint.

Selecting a subject means choosing what you want your photograph to focus on.

Have the sunflowers been photographed successfully by Izzy for her Natural Forms theme? Pause here and share with someone.

What do you think? And are they the main focus of the image? Pause the video and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Here's Jacob.

"Although I can see the sunflowers in the photo, they're not the main focal point.

I think the orange flowers are overpowering the shot and my eyes are drawn upwards to them." And Izzy, "Thanks, Jacob.

I see what you mean.

Maybe I should focus more on the sunflowers only and have less going on around them and in the background.

Good thinking." Check for understanding.

True or false? The background doesn't matter as long as the subject is in the photo.

Pause here and decide, is this true or false? Well done if you selected false.

And now I'd let you say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Depending on how it's used, the background can weaken or strengthen your image.

Compare these two photographs.

What works well in each? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's Izzy.

"I think this photo is much more focused on the subject.

I'd like to experiment with different viewpoints next, including a worm's eye view." Interesting.

A creative or intentional viewpoint can offer a new way of seeing something familiar.

Pause the video and share with someone, which of these photographs of sunflowers are you most interested in and drawn towards? Thanks for sharing your preference.

I think they're all fantastic, but I really love the one in the centre 'cause I feel a sense of movement, like I could imagine myself moving through that space that's been created in between the sunflowers.

Changing the viewpoint from which you take a photo can dramatically affect the image, including eye level, the most natural view, like how we see things looking forward, high angle can make the subject seem smaller, more vulnerable, or less powerful, and a low angle makes the subject seem larger, more important, dramatic, or powerful.

"I wanted to take photos of buildings for the urban part of my Landscapes project.

I decided to explore low angle viewpoints." Oh my.

That image is really quite something.

Hard to quite take in the scale of it.

Check for understanding.

Which of the photos has been taken from a low angle? Is it A, B, or C? Pause here and share with someone.

What do you think? Well done if you selected answer B.

This has been taken from a low angle.

Many artists focus on specific viewpoints in their photography.

Stuart Pantoll, Slinkachu, is a British street artist who makes tiny hand-painted figurines and places them in real urban environments, which he then photographs.

This low intimate viewpoint draws attention to small details we normally overlook.

Lola Flash frequently uses low angles to depict Black and queer and subjects as strong, monumental, and proud, challenging traditional power dynamics in portraiture.

And Laura Swanson, whose Anti-Self-Portraits and installations challenge the viewers gaze and height-based assumptions by altering the scale, viewpoint, and framing of the subject.

Slinkachu uses tiny figures to comment on how people can feel overlooked or lost in big cities.

Can you think of situations in your own community where people might feel invisible or ignored, and how you could show that through your photography? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's Jacob.

"Elderly people who live alone probably feel isolated and detached from society at times.

I could show this through photographing an elderly person looking out of their window while everyone outside is getting on with their lives." Very poignant.

And here's Laura.

"Refugees and immigrants are bound to feel lost when they arrive somewhere new.

I could show this through a pair of worn out shoes and some maps.

Alternatively, I could photograph a tightly packed bag in a doorway." And Jun, "There are many young carers who probably feel isolated.

I could show this by photographing a child's toy next to a list of responsibilities and cleaning equipment." Some really great ideas there.

The rule of thirds is a composition technique used in photography, drawing, and design.

Picture your image divided into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines.

Instead of centering your subject, try placing it where two lines cross, along one of the lines, left, right, top, or bottom third.

Most cameras and smartphones let you turn on a grid in the settings.

This helps you line up your subject while shooting.

If you're photographing a person, try placing their eyes near a top intersection.

If you're shooting a tree, align the trunk with the vertical line and leave sky or land on the other side.

Framing means using elements in the scene to surround or frame your subject, like looking through a window, arch, or doorway.

Unusual or creative framing ideas include looking through tunnels or pathways, creates natural perspective and depth.

Reflective photos Use surfaces like mirrors, water, or glass to capture both the subject and its reflection, creating interesting layers, symmetry, and unique perspectives.

Using unusual framing by photographing through fences, rain-covered glass, leaves or branches, gaps.

Silhouettes or shadows can be used as frames.

This figure silhouette could be positioned over a wide variety of backgrounds and photographed to create interesting compositions.

I love these.

So creative.

How does the way you choose to frame a photograph show what you value about the people or moment you are capturing? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's Sam.

"If I frame a family photo to include everyone close together, it shows I value their connection and unity.

If I was at the family gathering and only took selfies, it could look like self-importance." And Aisha, "By including the background of a community festival, I can show that the place and culture are important to me, not just the people." Balance is about making sure the photo feels evenly weighted and not too heavy on one side.

When a photo is balanced, the viewer's eye moves smoothly around the image from different viewpoints, rather than being pulled awkwardly to one side.

Here's Lucas.

"I've taken this photo for my Inside project as I'm interested in the workings of things.

Do you think it looks balanced?" Pause here and share with someone.

What do you think? Here's Sofia.

"My eyes are focused to the left size of the image as the cog is much larger and closer.

Maybe try photographing it with the large cog in the centre instead." Lighting affects the mood of a photograph.

Hmm.

Beautiful light in this image.

Visibility and detail in a photo is shaped by how the light falls on the subject.

Soft light can create a calm or dreamy atmosphere by gently illuminating the subject, while harsh light draws strong focus and adds a dramatic or intense mood.

Natural light, like sunlight through a window, is soft and warm, helping to focus attention on the subject, making it ideal for portraits or quiet scenes.

Artificial light, like lamps or phone torches, can be moved around to create dramatic shadows or highlight specific details.

Shadows add depth and drama.

They can make a photo feel more three-dimensional and interesting.

You can create stronger shadows by using light from the side or placing your subject near a single light source, like a lamp or window, and by choosing a viewpoint that emphasises the contrast between light and shadow.

They can be used to hide parts of your subject or to create mystery and mood.

Even within the classroom, there are many ways to explore a theme through photography, including messages, letters, signs, written notes, phones, textual surfaces, transformation, melting ice, unfolding pages, decay, buildings, architectural details, windows, doorways indoors, identity, portraits, personal items, reflections, belongings, and anatomy, close-ups of body parts, textures resembling skin or bones, nature, plants, flowers, seed pods, fruits, weather, landscapes, view from the window, surfaces that resemble landscapes, emotion, objects or scenes that feel happy, sad, tense, e.

g.

crumpled paper, soft fabric, and inside, interiors, shadows in corners, hidden spaces, cells, patterns on fabric, close-up textures, bubbles, or water droplets.

So many ways to explore theme through photography, even within the classroom.

And now it's time for your first task.

I'd like you to take photos to represent your theme.

Consider the subject.

What best suits your chosen theme? The angle.

Explore different viewpoints.

Framing.

Think carefully about what you include or leave out of the frame.

And lighting.

Consider the best way to create mood or highlight your subject.

So pause here while you have a go at this task of taking photos to represent your theme.

Good to be back with you.

How did to get on with your task? Here's Izzy.

"I used sheets of dark card to create a backdrop for the skull.

I then photograph the skull from different viewpoints.

The balance is just as I want and the overhead lighting has created a subtle shadow.

The lighting is not too harsh and there's no background to draw attention away." And here Jun.

"I made some bubbles using liquid soap and took photographs from a side viewpoint.

The small section of colour adds interest.

It reminds me of cell structures, perfect for my theme." Really intriguing.

And Jacob.

"I photographed ice cubes and using only three, had more balance and focus on the details.

I chose to make it black and white to show the contrast of the work surface.

My favourite part is the drips on the cubes." Yes, they're really effective.

And Lucas.

"For my theme, Inside, I thought I would explore shadows inside the art room.

I've taken this from a low viewpoint.

I'm not completely happy with it, as the bottom right corner looks too empty.

I'm keeping all photos, even my mistakes, as I can learn from them and it will show my progress." And now we're onto our next learning cycle, developing photos into thematic resources.

Many artists use photographs as a starting point for their creative work.

A photo can help to freeze a moment, especially if it's something that changes quickly, like a facial expression, street scene, or the weather, capture the subject in its most fleeting and dynamic state.

Taking photos as a resource assists with visual research when an artist can't draw a subject live, such as distant places, people, or inside buildings, allowing them to study details, focus, and different viewpoints later.

A photo can spark new directions in an artwork, leading artists to experiment with new concepts.

Capturing real life details such as light, shadow, texture, or movement helps create a vivid and dynamic image.

Can you identify any techniques or styles from your community's artists that you might try in your photography? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's Lucas.

"There's a style of using shadows and silhouettes in local street art.

I want to try framing my photos to include strong shadows." And Andeep.

"Some makers use patterns and textures a lot, so I might focus on close-up shots that highlight textures like fabric or walls." After taking theme-based photos, annotation helps you reflect on the subject and plan how to take your ideas further.

These notes should explain your choices and how the photo connects to your artistic development.

Annotating your photos helps you think deeper about your creative process.

It's not just about what the photo looks like, it's about how it fits into your theme and how it can be developed.

Great example of some annotation.

Check for understanding.

Why is annotating your photographs beneficial in art? Is it A, it shows you know how to use a camera, B, it helps you explain your ideas and plan future work, or C, it makes your work look more colourful? Pause here while you decide.

well done if you chose answer B.

Indeed, it helps you explain your ideas and plan future work.

Many artists incorporate annotation, writing, or text directly into or alongside their photographic work, including Duane Michals adds poetic, reflective, or narrative text directly onto his photographic prints, which are themed on memory, identity, and death.

Samuel Fosso, whose photographic work is often accompanied by titles, texts, or conceptual statements that guide the viewer's interpretation.

An example is "The African Spirits series." Gillian Wearing is known for her "Signs That Say What You Want Them To Say" series, where strangers write personal statements on signs she photographs them holding.

Amaal Said used this photography to document her community and lived experience, deeply blending image-making with narrative and poetry.

Her photographic work often interweaves with poetry, treating missed images and untold stories as prompts for written reflection.

Ed Ruscha combines deadpan photography of landscapes, like gas stations or buildings, with flat, graphic text.

Ruscha transforms words into visual forms, inviting viewers to see language as a shape, texture, and tone, not just meaning.

Text can suggest metaphor, emotion, or context that helps focus the viewer's attention on the subject in ways the image alone might not make obvious.

A single word like melting or change can shift the way a viewer interprets the ice cube from literal to symbolic.

So this image is a visual reminder of how things change.

Close-up shot draws attention to detail and water droplets symbolise change already in motion.

So why combine photos with text? Pause here and share with someone.

What do you think? I wonder if you had ideas like these.

It enhances storytelling.

Text can clarify or complicate what the image shows, offering context, mood, or a different point of view on a subject.

It creates contrast or irony.

Words can challenge what the viewer assumes about the image, offering emotional depth or critique.

And links to annotation and development.

Students can use this technique to explain decisions, show intention, or reflect on their photos as a creative process.

In what ways can adding text to your photography help communicate a powerful message about your community? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's Jun.

"Using a local language or slang in the text could help represent the identity and culture of where I live." And Izzy.

"I might use short, emotional words on top of portraits of people to show pride, struggle, or strength in our community." Great ideas.

Check for understanding.

True or false? Adding text to a photograph can change its meaning or influence how the viewer interprets the image.

Pause here and decide if this is true or false.

Well done if you selected true.

Now, I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Text can provide context, create contrast, or shift the viewer's perception of the photograph's message.

And now it's time for your next task.

Incorporate written elements into your photography.

These may be embedded in a photo or presented alongside it as captions, reflections, or annotations.

How does the photo link to your chosen theme, e.

g.

identity, nature, transformation? Why did you choose this subject, viewpoint, framing or lighting? What feeling or idea does the image express? How could this inspire a new piece of art, drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, or digital work? Pause here while you have a go at this task of incorporating written elements into your photography, and I'll see you when you're finished.

Good to be back with you.

How did you get on with that task? Incorporating written elements into your photography.

Here's Andeep.

"I took photos on my holiday for my Landscapes project and have added annotations as to how I could develop my ideas further.

I like the idea of presenting my pages in black and white to emphasise different viewpoints within the images." How wonderful to be on the coast of Anglesey.

And here's Izzy.

"I edited my photo digitally and included the key elements of my photograph that I had wanted to focus on when taking it.

I could develop my ideas from this photo with drawing, printmaking, and perhaps some 3D work." There's Izzy's text, side lighting to emphasise the skull's texture, crisp focus of entire skull, dark background eliminates distractions.

And Alex, "For my buildings project, I went to some local ruins and took photos from a range of viewpoints.

I was focused on the architectural elements, in particular, the windows." Can see some really helpful annotation around these photos.

In our lesson, Photographing for resources: what makes a good photograph? we've covered the following.

There are many ways to create meaning and impact in photography, including use of angles, viewpoints, lighting, framing, and even text.

Each of these elements can influence how the subject is seen and understood, helping to tell a story, highlight emotion, or guide the viewer's focus.

Adding text or annotation can further enhance the meaning, offering insight, contrast, or context that deepens the viewer's interpretation.

Well done for joining in with this lesson.

It was great to explore what makes a good photograph, and then playing around with viewpoints, angles, lighting, and so on, and then even adding in text, which I think is so interesting.

I really hope you've enjoyed this lesson.

I enjoyed teaching you, and I'm looking forward to seeing you at another art lesson soon.

Until then, stay creative.