Objects in photography
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can review the range of ways photographers have been inspired by objects in photography.
Key learning points
- Objects often carry symbolic weight, allowing artists to convey complex themes and narratives.
- Photographers can choose objects that hold personal significance, creating works that resonate emotionally.
- By arranging objects thoughtfully, photographers can guide viewers through a visual story.
Keywords
Still life - an arrangement showing everyday objects that don’t move
Composition - the arrangement of elements in an image, photograph, or artwork
Signify - to show, mean, or represent something
Common misconception
Objects in photography are only depicted realistically.
Objects can be used in a range of ways in photography. Objects in photography can be used as a subject that might also contain symbolic meanings.
Teacher tip
Greater contextual information on the photographers' work can be found in the additional materials. You may wish to alter the imagery to better fit your project themes.
Equipment
Access to the internet or a library of art books. Sketchbook or paper for recording ideas, pencils, pens.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these could be considered an object in a photograph?
Q2.Match the word to the correct meaning.
an arrangement of objects that don’t move
arranging elements in a photograph
to show or represent an idea
Q3.Photographers often use objects to tell a story or suggest meaning.
Q4.Before using objects in photography, what is the most important thing to think about in terms of the photographic outcome?
Q5.A still life can only include natural objects like fruit and flowers.
Q6.Match the type of object to an example.
a rose
a smartphone
symbolic object
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Objects in photography, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Objects in photography, 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 Themes within photography unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.