Syllabus - Teaching Using Digital Cameras

Assignments: Students will check off each of the first three assignments and hand in the final assignment. Use the attached form (Camera Sign Off) to record completion.

Demonstrate camera skills by capturing images using a digital camera and transferring images from the camera to the computer. Remember to show awareness of focus, composition, and setting.
Lead a discussion using one of the digital photography or image editing in Suggested reading from the syllabus.
Demonstrate software editing skills using applications Google Photos to crop, enhance, scale, and optimize images transferred from your camera.
Use layers to create a composite image.
Participate in a group planning session for using images from a digital camera. Create a top 10 list of things to do to take and teach better pictures.

Final Project: Submit a sample of a class project using digital cameras. Include a reflective paper that:

1. - Explains or includes the lesson or project plan and how it uses software tools.
  - Evaluate the lesson or project and describe why it is an effective learning activity, or how it improves communication.
  - Include state core standard(s) the lesson plan is connected to, as well as describing the critical thinking skills students use to complete the project. OR explain how this project meets NCLB requirements for enhanced communication with parents and the community.

First Session:

Introductions

Pre-Quiz Link on basic camera knowledge (true or false - just for fun)

Review Syllabus

Sample Web Resources

- LifeHacker: Basic Photography - Complete Guide.

Camera and equipment - demonstration and discussion

- Development
- Camera - past and present
- Lenses
- Media
- Batteries
- Tripod - Monopod
- Cables
- Buying a camera - What should/will I pay more for?
- Using your phone as a camera

Science or Art? - discussion with references

- Preparation
- Image size (megapixels)
- Composition and Tips
  1. Rule of thirds,
  2. Framing,
  3. Contrast
- Light
  1. Sunsets and other steller events
  2. Nikon taking pictures in the...

Basic Camera Functions - discussion with references

- Shooting Modes
  1. Exposure Guide
  2. Photography Life
- Aperature - Sutter Speed - Sensor (ISO)
  1. Shutter Speed - short freeze action - long show motion
  2. Aperture - change depth of field - let in the light
  3. Media Sensitivity (ASA - ISO) - light vs noise
  4. LifeHacker: How Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO Affect Your Photos
- Camera SImulators to understand the effect of Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO - Group Work
  1. Camera Simulator CameraSim
  2. DOF Simulator

Focus - How to Take Sharp Images

- Focus - shutter lag - focus and exposure lock
- Auto Focus Modes
- Taking Sharp Photos
- When to use a flash

How to take good pictures + YouTube Taking Good Pictures

Practice - Try scene modes, aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual mode to test examples from today's presentation. Create or add content for the final project.

Lunch

What can I learn from the metadata on my images?

Discussion - Projects and Use of Digital Cameras

What do I do with my Photos?

- Uploading to Google Photos - Sample Album
- Crop
- Size
- Edit
- Sharing

Second Session:

Sign Off Sheet

Discussion - Expanding the use of Digital Cameras with students to encourage higher-level thinking skills and problem-solving.

Working with images Online - SumoPaint, Pixlr, and Ribbit (Chrome Store and Online)

- Selection Tools, Menu
- Layers - adjust, insert and combine images
- Tools: Clone, Repair, Fill . . .
- Enhancing details and fixing problems: scratches, dust noise, etc.
  - Text and shapes
- Note - Resolution Discussion

Practice

Using Images

Lunch

Web Video - Adobe Spark

- Add images and play with the tools
- Storyboards

Share stories

Review Camera Project

Online Materials – Links: