Overview

In my classroom, students take turns using a simple point-and-shoot digital camera each day in order to creatively document their experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Prior to incorporating photography into our daily routines, we discuss the following tips and etiquette.

Tips

Taking a good picture or video means experimenting!
  • Use the camera frequently
  • Take the same picture more than once
More Advice for Taking Pictures
  • Choose an interesting subject
  • Use unusual lighting
  • Use unusual framing
  • Use subframing
  • Fill the frame
  • Create a foreground
  • Use leading lines
  • Use the rule of thirds
  • ​Use the rule of odds
  • Use diagonal balance
  • Use symmetry
  • Break symmetry
  • Use negative space
  • ​Use the rule of space
  • Use backlighting
  • Use silhouettes
  • Use shadows
  • Use reflections
  • Use motion
  • Shoot from low angles
  • ​Shoot from high angles
  • Shoot from eye level
  • Shoot through objects
More Advice for Taking Videos
  • Hold your hand steady
  • Zoom in your subject before you record
  • Record for at least a few seconds

Etiquette

Being a good photographer means acting responsibly!
  • Wear the wrist strap to avoid dropping the camera
  • Ask permission before you photograph someone
  • If someone asks you to delete a picture of him/her, delete it
  • Make sure your photography doesn’t distract from schoolwork
 

I share pictures several times a week on Twitter.
​
​I also published a collection of my favorite student photography on Blurb.

Interesting Subject Exemplars

Unusual Lighting Exemplars

Unusual Framing Exemplars

Subframing Exemplars

Fill Frame Exemplars

Foreground Exemplars

Leading Lines Exemplars

Rule of Thirds Exemplars

Rule of Odds Exemplars

Diagonal Balance Exemplars

Symmetry Exemplars

Break Symmetry Exemplars

Negative Space Exemplars

Rule of Space Exemplars

Backlighting Exemplars

Silhouette Exemplars

Shadow Exemplars

Reflection Exemplars

Motion Exemplars

Low Angle Exemplars

High Angle Exemplars

Eye Level Exemplars

Through Object Exemplars

My Favorite Student Photography

2017-2018

2015-2016

2014-2015

2013-2014

2012-2013