Bellomo Photography Unit Resource Page
Latest update to this document: 22 April 2003
Photography Unit Plan
Here, you'll find a unit plan for grades 5-7 that goes into the depths of photography. From the manual
developing of pictures and techniques of shooting to the many fields that this experitise encompasses.
Photo Links
Informative Sites
This page is a very brief tutorial on how to take a good photograph. It suggests three
main areas of focus: subject, composition, and technicalities. This is nice for a student to look at and
get some quick basics on better shooting without being overwhelmed by the complexity of technicalities.
This site was devised by Bob Atkins witht he purpose of giving a beginning photographer a few pointers when
buying equipment. There will inevitably be a couple of students that really get into this unit and will
want to take their newfound love to another level. This site will help them make some smart and worthy choices
as to where to spend their money. It also has some links that give other photography information including
a nature photography primer as well as how to avoid problems buying used gear on the Internet.
This is a great site! It has five main sections:
crash course, lo-tek tips, exposure, sim-cam, and more information. The names say it all. The sim-cam section is one of
the spots that makes this a great site. Here, the viewer is given an image as they would see it and then
is able to see the image as they would if they shot it with the camera. It allows them to change the aperature and shutter
speed and see how the same image would result with these changes. Additionally, this site gives tips for
better shots, explanation of exposure as well as links to more information, magazines, and newsgroups.
This site is nice
in that it offers a full range of information. From buying a camera to exposure to shooting, it achknowledges
them all. This could be a good place for students to explore the basics and learn the titles of topic areas
when it comes to photography.
This site
has links to dozens of topics. It includes topics of tips and equipment to specific information about
shooting particular subject matter. Very useful in exploring topics or when looking for specific information.
This site
is another site that offers a variety of information on all aspects of photography. It provides tips and
explanation of techniques as well as equipment and what it is used for.
Examples
Even though the music is a little too much, the site offers hundreds of picutes of various subject matter.
Viewing exaples is sometimes the best way to learn photography. Seeing something you like and trying to duplicate it.
Kodak offers these wonderful sites that feature different photographers and their work. It offers a flash
version where the artist actually talks the viewer through much of the experience of taking these photos as well as
an HTML version showing just the images for those slow modems. Both are beneficial in providing more examples
of artists work. Perfect for class discussions and critiques as well.
In
this site, Kodak features Rodney Smith, who is a master of black and white photoraphy. Here, students can
see expamples of composition and lighting but most importantly they can see the importance of contrast.
While a sensitive subject, the Holocaust is a topic that many schools cover. This site gives a photographic
account of the Holocaust. Here, students can see the power of telling a story with images. This site does offer
some teacher information as well but is valuable to both teachers and students alike.
With all
African subject matter, this site has links to a variety of artists photos. This is a wonderful site for
students to look at and see how photos can tell a story. Here they can see professional examples of
choice of subject matter as well as composition, lighting, angle, etc..
This site, put out by Micahael Wain, focuses on wildlife photography. This is also based in Africa showing
brilliant pictures of African wildlife. Children love animals most often and for beginning photos will often
gravitate towards animals as subject. This site will give them professional examples of composition while
giving them some pictures of real interest that they can relate to.
School Links
Link to Northern Michigan University
R.Bellomo: rbellomo@nmu.edu