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New
New
Year 4

Take a high quality photo using a lightbox

I can take high quality photographs using a self-made lightbox studio.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 4

Take a high quality photo using a lightbox

I can take high quality photographs using a self-made lightbox studio.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Photography studios create ideal conditions to take high quality photos.
  2. High quality photos can be taken by paying attention to particular things.
  3. Multiple photos can be taken in order to have a selection from which to choose high quality images.

Keywords

  • Key light - the main light that illuminates the subject

  • Backdrop - material or surface that is positioned behind a subject

  • Lightbox - small photography studio

Common misconception

All photographers use a professional studio.

It is possible to make an efficient and low cost, portable photography studio.

Teacher to source best options for camera e.g. digital tablet. Teacher to print selected images for pupils.
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Teacher tip
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Artist created the Shelf-Life series capturing marine plastic debris in artistic compositions.
Mandy Baker
May Barker
Correct answer: Mandy Barker
May Baker
Q2.
What is one way artists like Mandy Barker raise awareness about plastic pollution?
by creating sculptures from metals and plastics
by organising beach parties
by painting murals showing jungle life
Correct answer: by photographing plastic waste in artistic compositions
Q3.
The volunteers from Break Free From Plastic identified plastic waste from major brands during their beach survey in September 2019.
local
Correct answer: many
global
five
Q4.
Drawing over the lines of an existing image to create an accurate copy is known as ...
Correct answer: tracing
copying
printing
Q5.
Arrange the following types of plastic waste in order of their approximate decomposition times, from shortest to longest.
1 - takeaway coffee cups
2 - plastic straws
3 - plastic bottles
Q6.
Arrange the following events in the order they occurred during Mandy Barker's artistic process for Shelf-Life.
1 - collecting and sorting litter from the beach
2 - taking photographs of plastic waste on the beach
3 - arranging plastic waste to resemble marine creatures
4 - editing photographs using a computer program

6 Questions

Q1.
The main source of light used in photography to illuminate the subject is known as the ...
tripod.
camera.
Correct answer: key light.
viewfinder.
keylime.
Q2.
Which tool helps illuminate and capture detailed images of small objects?
filter
Correct answer: lightbox
backdrop
tripod
Q3.
Why is it important to use a photography lightbox when creating a studio photograph of a recycled object?
to capture images outdoors for natural lighting
to enhance the background using a green screen
Correct answer: to make sure there is consistent and controlled lighting
to edit photos using digital manipulation software
Q4.
Match the keywords below to the definitions.
Correct Answer:tripod,holds the camera steady to prevent blurry photos
tick

holds the camera steady to prevent blurry photos

Correct Answer:viewfinder,allows the photographer to see and frame the shot
tick

allows the photographer to see and frame the shot

Correct Answer:backdrop,provides a background for the photo to enhance the subject
tick

provides a background for the photo to enhance the subject

Q5.
In the photo collage, the printed images of the recycled objects should be arranged to look like they are floating in the sea.
Correct answer: True
False
Q6.
Put the following steps in the correct order to take a photograph using a lightbox.
1 - Wash and prepare the recycled object.
2 - Place the recycled object in the lightbox.
3 - Position the key light to illuminate the object.
4 - Set the camera to ensure the object fits in the viewfinder and is in focus.
5 - Take several photos and check for lighting, focus, and composition.