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Lesson 5 of 7
  • Year 11

Advancing photo manipulation: enhancing images

I can enhance and manipulate digital images using layers, adjustments, and editing tools to improve their quality and meaning.

Lesson 5 of 7
New
New
  • Year 11

Advancing photo manipulation: enhancing images

I can enhance and manipulate digital images using layers, adjustments, and editing tools to improve their quality and meaning.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Photo manipulation can be used to adjust and enhance the original image.
  2. Contrast, brightness, and saturation can be used to enhance photographs effectively.
  3. Selection and clone tools can be used for targeted layer editing and specific elements in a photo.

Keywords

  • Manipulation - altering or adjusting an image to achieve a desired effect

  • Layer - a digital workspace element allowing parts of an image to be edited separately

  • Adjustment - a tool-based change to an image’s brightness, contrast, colour, or tone

Common misconception

Photo manipulation is just applying filters.

Filters are quick presets, but artful digital manipulation involves purposeful use of tools (layers, selections, cloning, adjustments) to control outcome and meaning.


To help you plan your year 11 art and design lesson on: Advancing photo manipulation: enhancing images, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Demonstrate tool use live while narrating your thinking; emphasise non-destructive editing with layers. Remind pupils to zoom in/out frequently to check detail and overall impact. Encourage experimentation, but link edits back to intention and meaning.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Computers or tablets with image editing software. Digital cameras or access to image galleries.

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 is the main purpose of using layers in photo editing?

To increase file size
Correct answer: To allow non-destructive editing
To automatically sharpen images
To save images faster

Q2.
Which of these is an example of an adjustment tool?

Clone Stamp
Lasso Tool
Correct answer: Brightness/Contrast
Crop Tool

Q3.
The number of pixels in an image is referred to as ...

Correct answer: resolution.
pixelation.
quantity.
recalibration

Q4.
What happens if an image is over-saturated?

Colours look dull and faded
The image becomes blurry
The image turns black and white
Correct answer: Colours look unnaturally bright

Q5.
Which digital tool allows you to view images at different scales, such as details or the overall composition?

Correct Answer: zoom, magnifying glass, magnification, zooming

Q6.
Which of these is a common beginner mistake when enhancing images?

Saving frequently
Correct answer: Over-editing with too many effects
Using layers
Adjusting contrast

Additional material

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