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Focus Academy: High School Photography 1 - Foundations of Photography

New class
Ages 14-18
Live Group Course
This foundational 18 week semester photography class for high school students introduces essential photography concepts while encouraging artistic exploration! Students will work with DSLRs or mirrorless cameras to develop their skills.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(480 reviews)
Star Educator

Live video meetings
1x per week, 18 weeks
2-6 learners per class
55 min

What's included

18 live meetings
16 hrs 30 mins in-class hours
Homework
1-2 hours per week. At the high school level, learners will be expected to get out and take more photos in between classes to share at the beginning of every class.
Letter Grade
included

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner - Advanced Level
In High School Photography 1, students will explore the fundamentals of photography, including composition, lighting, and camera settings. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on projects, they will learn how to use DSLRs or mirrorless cameras effectively. Students will also study influential photographers and their techniques, gaining inspiration for their work.

Classes will feature interactive discussions, short lectures, hands-on assignments, and peer critiques. Students will participate in group activities that encourage collaboration and creativity, and they will receive personalized feedback on their photographs to help them grow as photographers.

This course is part of the Focus Academy series offering a complete and comprehensive photography curriculum for all grade levels, Kindergarten through 12th grade. All of these courses meet grade-level academic standards for photography and integrate other art, English, math, science, and social studies skills. Learners can begin at any grade level or take the courses in sequence. 

Focus for High School Photography 1: Mastering manual camera settings, composition techniques, introduction to lighting, and studying photography pioneers.

Learning Goals

Master essential camera settings and techniques for exposure, aperture, and shutter speed.
Develop a strong understanding of composition principles and their application in photography.

Syllabus

18 Lessons
over 18 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Introduction to Photography
 History of photography and how it evolved. 
Introduction to manual camera settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO). 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Aperture and Depth of Field
 How aperture affects exposure and focus. Practice creating shallow and deep depth of field. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Shutter Speed and Motion
 Freezing and blurring motion with shutter speed settings. Practice capturing moving subjects. 
55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
ISO and Noise
 Understanding ISO sensitivity and its impact on image quality, especially in low light. 
55 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Learning Needs
With a Master's in Special Education, Erika designs our courses to support diverse learners. Our hands-on, interactive lessons foster engagement, and we are open to accommodating any specific needs to ensure to ensure success.
Supply List
Camera - DSLR, Mirrorless, or point & shoot with manual settings for ISO, aperture, and shutter speed

1st class - cell phone or tablet is best to have for exploring the history of photography

Access to Adobe Lightroom - Subscription is not necessary, the 7 day trial will suffice for this course
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Offered by

4.9
480reviews
Star Educator
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Erika Hatfield
Master's Degree in Education from Western Governors University
Erika Hatfield
Bachelor's Degree in Education from University of Phoenix
Erika Hatfield
Erika is a Certified Professional Photographer with the Professional Photographers of America, and she holds two degrees in education. Her experience combines practical photography skills with a strong educational foundation, allowing us to create engaging, interactive lessons that encourage learners to express their creativity through photography. Our goal is to inspire students to explore their artistic vision while mastering essential photography techniques.

Reviews

Erika Hatfield & Next Level Photo Education suggests this class next...
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