Researching and presenting a photographer’s work
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can research photographers and present my findings and analysis.
Key learning points
- Analysing key themes and techniques used by a photographer deepens our understanding of their work.
- By studying the work of others, photographers enrich their practice and develop their own photographic voice.
- Inspirational photography can be found in many places offering diverse opportunities for research and discovery.
Keywords
Analysis - the process of examining the elements or structure of something
Annotation - adding notes to explain, analyse, or share your thoughts about a piece of artwork
Research - the process of finding information to learn more about a topic or idea
Common misconception
Looking at other photographers’ work doesn’t help you to create your own ideas.
Studying other photographers doesn’t mean copying . It helps you learn new techniques, discover styles you like and shape your own original ideas with more confidence.
Teacher tip
Unpack elements like style, composition, and lighting during discussion. Ask guided questions and note students’ responses visually (e.g. on the board or a shared slide). This models the skill and builds confidence. Use a sentence starter to support their analysis.
Equipment
Laptops or tablets (for student research) or printed images (for hands-on analysis if tech is limited). Art/photography vocabulary word bank. Sketchbook or access to digital document space.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does "research" in art most often involve?
Q2.In photography, means looking closely at how an image is made and what it might mean.
Q3.Match each element with its description:
How elements are arranged in the frame
The way light is used to create mood or effect
The overall look or mood, e.g. bold, soft, or minimal
What’s sharp or blurred and how it draws attention
Q4.Which of these is an example of annotation in art?
Q5.Which of the following is a material process in photography?
Q6.Key characteristics of an art movement are...
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Researching and presenting a photographer’s work, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Researching and presenting a photographer’s work, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 art and design lessons from the Photography unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.