Learn more about photography and videography and have fun doing it with a 4-H Photography or Videography Project! Learn camera skills and terminology such as aperture, depth of field, and composition. And take some fun pictures too!
Objectives
Youth will:
- Recognize photography as a useful hobby and potential profession
- Observe and appreciate surroundings through the eye of the camera
- Develop and apply technical and artistic skills in film-based and digital photography
- Learn about photography as an art, science, and communication tool
- Record events, ideas, and situations for study on reference
4-H Photography Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Level 1, Photography Basics, is a beginning level book for the study of photography. Activities cover four main areas: Equipment, Lighting, Composition, and Skill Building. Topics include flash, black & white photography, and taking selfies! Having access to a camera (phone or DSLR) is essential, as well as deciding how and where to store the photos taken during the project. This book will give youth the tools to succeed at and enjoy their photography journey.
Level 2: Next Level Photography
Level 2, Next Level Photography, is an intermediate level book for a serious study of photography. Activities build on the four main areas from Level 1 (Equipment, Lighting, Composition, and Skill Building) and include topics such as the Rule of Thirds, Selecting a Lens, and Panorama. Having access to a camera (phone or DSLR) is essential, as well as deciding how and where to store the photos taken during the project.
Level 3: Mastering Photography
Level 3, Mastering Photography, is an advanced level book for a serious study of photography. Activities build on the four main areas from Levels 1 and 2 (Equipment, Lighting, Composition, and Skill Building) and include topics such as Smartphone Exposure Tips, Low Light Challenges, and Studio Portraits. Having access to a camera (phone or DSLR) is essential, as well as deciding how and where to store the photos taken during the project.
The 4-H Filmmaking DVD compiles 11 virtual workshop videos designed to teach users about video production & filmmaking! Geared toward youth interested in making Science, Engineering, & Technology (SET) films. This DVD is made for viewing on a computer.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Records inventory, activities, expenses, income, and film use.
These are to be displayed with photo at shows and exhibits.
For adult helpers and club leaders
Score Card for 4-H Photography
To be used to judge photographic entries in 4-H contests.
Scorecard for 4-H Digital Photography
Categories include: quality of image, composition, color correction, retouching, correctly cropped (if necessary), mounting, correct category-information cards.
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
4-H Photography Project Activity Page – University of Tennessee 4-H (PDF)
Being able to communicate with others is an important skill. This 4-H project can
help you learn about one of the many ways to communicate: photography.
Recycle a potato chip can into a simple camera!
Your Rule of Thirds Window on the World – Iowa 4-H (PDF)
Create a “rule of thirds” window to help practice better photo composition without your camera.
FilmFest 4-H is a national film festival for youth that are filmmakers, visual artists, aspiring actors, and those that are just interested in meeting other creative people. FilmFest helps youth become producers, not just consumers, of digital media.
FilmFest 4-H takes place in a 4-H environment. Imagination, fun and curiosity are essential! Cameras, smart phones and mobile devices are strictly encouraged. Courtesy and creativity are always in style.
Illusions – University of Minnesota Extension
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn about perception and the illusion of “apparent motion” by making a thaumatrope—a simple toy with two pictures connected to a stick, which creates the illusion of one image when you spin it.
Make a Zoetrope – Children’s Museum of Houston
Create your own hand-held animation using an optical illusion!
How to Make a Phenakistoscope – George Eastman Museum (PDF)
What is a phenakistoscope?
Invented in 1831, the phenakistoscope (from the Greek words meaning “to cheat,” as it tricks the eyes) is a circular, slotted disc with a sequence of images between the slots on one side. The viewer would attach the disc to a handle, hold it up to a mirror at eye level, spin the disc, and look through the slots to see the reflected images appear to move. The slots function like a shutter in a motion picture projector. Without the interruption from a “shutter,” the images
would look blurred.
How to Make a Phenakistoscope – Insider (YouTube video)
Drew Tetz makes this animated turntable art. He’s also a professional yo-yoer.
Make a Praxinoscope – Austin Parks & Recreation & Dougherty Arts Center (YouTube video)
Artist Andrea Patin shows you how to make an early animation device called a praxinoscope.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Northwest Council of Camera Clubs
A non-profit association of camera clubs in western Washington State. The Council provides a network to share photographic expertise, promote regional competitions and communicate education opportunities.
Camera Clubs in Washington – Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Movie Magic – Montana State University Extension
This is a digital storytelling project using video cameras. Youth will learn how to use video cameras, a tripod, video tips and how to capture and transfer video footage. Youth will plan and carry out a video project in the form of a family vacation movie, a PSA or a documentary. It is advisable to understand the basics of photography before beginning in this project.
Photography Basics: Photography in 4-H – Southwest Missouri 4-H (YouTube video)
Basic Photography, a 4-H Spark Activity – North Carolina 4-H (YouTube video)
Join us for this video to learn about basic photography equipment, lighting, and staging still photos. Have on hand 2-3 favorite items from around your house, phone with camera or camera (if possible). Presented by Sarah Moyer, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, Caldwell County Center.
Photography – Oklahoma 4-H Virtual Clovers
Texas 4-H Photography Project: Explore Photography (PDF)
Contains information on the basics of photography, composition, and displaying of photographs. Also includes a glossary of photography terms.
Quick and Clean Mounting and Matting – Oregon State University Extension (PDF)
Color Printing Techniques: 4-H Photography Skill Guide – Oregon State University Extension
Experimenting With Your Enlarger: 4-H Photography Member Manual – Oregon State University Extension
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Crash Course Film Production with Lily Gladstone
In 15 episodes, Lily Gladstone will teach you about film production! This course is based on an introductory college level curriculum and introduces practical skills you might learn in film school. By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Describe the production process of a film, from writing a screenplay to marketing the final product
- Recognize different departments and jobs on a film set and how they work together
- Notice camera and lighting techniques while watching films and understand what took place behind-the-scenes
- Name specific equipment and understand its purpose on a film set
GIMP – GNU Image Manipulation Program
A free and open source image editor available for macOS, Windows, and Linus operating systems. A good alternative to Photoshop. Includes a fairly extensive community library of tutorials and help pages.
Photo Pea – Online Photo Editor
Similar to GIMP, this is an online browser-based photo editor alternative to Photoshop. Help pages are available to those new to the software.
- Kits, Projects, and Activitites from National 4-H