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Lesson 1 of 9
  • Year 10

Introduction to the principles of photography

I can analyse and take photographs using key principles.

Lesson 1 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

Introduction to the principles of photography

I can analyse and take photographs using key principles.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Photography is a powerful way to tell stories without words.
  2. Photography is the practice of using light to create images.
  3. There are six key principles of photographic composition.

Keywords

  • Photography - the art and practice of using light to create images

  • Light - what makes a photo possible, it controls how we see the subject and sets the mood

Common misconception

Phones produce high quality photos, so photography with cameras is redundant

Phone cameras are powerful, but professional cameras give more control, lens options, and depth of field, which matters for creative and technical work.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Introduction to the principles of photography, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You might want to extend the discussion that compares mobile phone photogrpaghy with using cameras.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Camera.

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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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What do we use a camera for?

to cook food
to write stories
Correct answer: to take pictures
to listen to music

Q2.
What is one important thing all photographs need?

paint
Correct answer: light
water
glue

Q3.
Match the definition.

Correct Answer:camera,helps us take pictures

helps us take pictures

Correct Answer:photograph,a picture taken with a camera

a picture taken with a camera

Correct Answer:light,needed so we can see things clearly

needed so we can see things clearly

Q4.
What should you do before taking a photo?

Turn off the camera.
Point the camera at the floor.
Correct answer: Think about what you want to show.

Q5.
Match the parts of the camera to what they do.

Correct Answer:lens,captures the image and stores it digitally

captures the image and stores it digitally

Correct Answer:viewfinder,focuses light onto the sensor

focuses light onto the sensor

Correct Answer:sensor,lets you see what you’re photographing

lets you see what you’re photographing

Q6.
What does the "rule of thirds" help a photographer do?

keep the camera steady
Correct answer: create balanced and interesting compositions
make the photo black and white
focus only on the centre of the frame

Additional material

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