Using Photography as a Learning Tool

Observe... Capture... Create...

Photography can be beneficial in learning in far more ways than just learning to use a camera. In fact, photography activities can be used to enhance any formal subject area, plus can be a valuable personal development tool as well. Viewing things through the lens of a camera gives students (of any age!) the chance to see things from a different perspective. They learn to look more closely at what is around them, to focus on what's actually there, to see things from various angles and develop creativity.

Students also develop good critical judgement and comparative skills as they look at their work and choose photographs that best fit their need. They learn visual balance and pleasing aesthetics in framing their subjects, as well as developing appreciation for colours, shapes, textures and forms. Also may come an awareness of how to create different "feel" to an image, by using different lighting, filters, colour etc.

They often also learn patience, as they wait for the perfect moment when the sun casts the right light... or in trying to capture a bird in flight or a great goal at the footy... or as they work with animals or people in getting the shot they want.

Taking photos is also fun and hands on, not a dry seemingly "boring" way of approaching the world. It can also be challenging, and require some overcoming of obstacles and perseverance- all of which are usually undertaken gladly as the student photographer strives to get "just the right shot" to portray what they are trying to get across to the viewer.
Photography can be very creatively satisfying, and a great confidence booster- especially useful for students who may not excel in sporting type activities, or are not highly academic- as the photographer can take pride and pleasure in what they have achieved, and the appreciation, from others, in their work.

Below are some suggestions for incorporating photography into various learning areas.

• Photography can be a great way to illustrate procedure for various experiments or projects. Students can not only show how they carried out their own work, but create Step-by-Step guides for other students who wish to recreate the experiment.
  
• Ask students to find and photograph scientific principles and processes at work, such as- leverage, energy conversion, geological features, or the life cycle of a plant.
  
• Nature provides endless possibilities for biological and environmental science illustration.
  
• Photography provides an accurate way of recording change over time.

• Plenty of opportunity here for using various computer technology in the form of photo editing software, printers etc.
  
• The camera itself is a piece of technology and students can learn about the various technical details, parts, accessories etc and how they work.
  
• Have students create photographic displays of various technology related things.

• Use for creating historical records, such as buildings, landmarks or monuments.
  
• Photographic recreation of a historical event.
  
• Using photo editing techniques to give old time look to recent photos of old buildings etc- what shouldn't be in the scene? And what should be that is not?

• Students take photos and then paint, draw, weave, model, sculpt or any other art or craft form to depict the photograph, in whatever style they wish.
  
• Reinforce perspective and visual elements through the "eye of the camera".
  
• Take photos to represent a piece of music (with or without lyrics), and be played during it to enhance the experience.
  
• Take some photos, then write music/song which helps express the images.
  
• Have students take photos to use as dramatic inspiration for dance themes and moves.

• Get students to explore shapes with a camera. Just how many different triangles can they locate?
  
• Have young students help you create a number book or poster by taking their own photos of objects to represent each number.
  
• Assign students mathematical principles to illustrate... and see how creative they can be!

• Have students take photos of objects to label- either in English (or your native language) or a foreign language.
  
• Illustrate stories or poems- either their own or published authors- with photos. How creative can they be in how they portray them?
  
• Get students to take a photo, or photos, then write a story or poem inspired by their photos.
  
• Create a regular class magazine/newsletter and encourage students to write about school or local events, with photos as illustration.

• Ask students to portray a certain culture or segment of their community through photographs.
  
• Get students to report on a significant event or proposal which will affect the community, with photographic illustrations.
  
• Create a "time capsule" with student photos of daily life, school life, and other elements that represent the time you live in.

• Sports photography creates challenges of its own... challenge the students to photographically represent a school game or their favourite sport.
  
• Get students to create a step-by-step "how to" of a sport, or a dance routine, or martial arts move etc in photos.
  
• Have your students track their own results of an improved diet and exercise plan with progressive photos of themselves. (not necessarily shared with whole class, if some students are sensitive about their appearance.)

These have just been a few ideas to get you started on using photography to teach, enhance, inspire and motivate your students in their learning journey. Come up with some of your own! Maybe even challenge your students to devise some photography learning ideas for themselves.

Seen through the eye of the photographer, the world can take on enchantment anew!