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Intro Teaching Materials
I never taught on a high school level but, an introductory college
level class in photography could not be that much different. Therefore, let
me make a few suggestions.
I made most of my own materials for instruction. Since photography
is visual, I made prints and slides which illustrated various basic
concepts.
Prints can be used to demonstrate proper focus, depth-of-field and
the effect of aperature, composition, over and under exposure,
proper and improper contrast filter, the effects of camera filters,
etc. etc.
Prints work OK if the class is small but if not, slides are better.
Sometimes a positive is not needed. e.g. shoot some B & W film of
a scene at the correct exposure. Then go 4 or 5 stops over and under.
After processing, cut the frames apart and mount them in plastic
slide mounts for a set of slide illustrating latitude.
I once made a set of prints showing what NOT to do. i.e. from a good
negative, I made a good print then I made: some prints with too much
or too little contrast, over and under exposed, etc. Then I threw the
negative on the floor and printed it with dust on it. Then I walked
on the negative to scratch it and printed it. I made some prints with
wet hands and some with hypo on my hands etc. We were able to have
quite a good class discussion about what made a good print (technically good
that is).
Simple things work well. Many beginning students do not know how
to focus. I used to do an in class exercise where I set up a camera
on a tripod aimed at a 2D print and defocused it. Each member of the
class had to come up and focus the camera. Most did OK. If they did
not we had a little session with them on how to get the camera in
focus.
I used to bring in a large b&W print. Set it up in front of the class
and ask them if it represented reality? If not, why not? This led to
a discussion about the limitations of a photograph. Of course you
have to lead them into that.
Students like to know that their instructor can do photography not
just talk about it. During a series of classes, I would select a
student as a model, set up lights and a background and photograph
the student. Then load the film into a daylight tank in the darkroom
and process it in front of the class. Finally take them into the
darkroom in small groups and make some prints. Of course I talked the
entire time about what I was doing, things to watch out for and why
I was doing what I was doing.
I could go on but I guess my point is that you can make your own
materials and they will be better than what you can buy.
Last comment: If at all possible, make your students use a manual
camera! Even if its a cheap plastic "Hoya" they will learn more
as a result.
Hope this helps,
Bob Schramm
Check out my web page at:
http://www.SchrammStudio.com
also look at:
http://www.wlsc.wvnet.edu/www/pubrel/photo.html
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