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Climate Visuals – Elements of Composition in Photography

SUBJECTS Visual Arts
GRADE LEVEL Senior (9-12)
PLEDGE 1 - Protection of Water, 2 - Human Right to Water

Resources Needed:

  1. The 7 formal elements of photography 
  2. Devices for students to access images (phones/tablets/laptops)
  3. Optional template for student work

Introduction:

  1. Watch the video as a class to learn about / review the formal elements of composition.

Lesson:

  1. Explain that you will do multiple rounds of this activity. The goal is to find an image that exemplifies one of the elements of composition, and to explain it to a classmate.
  2. Starting with “line”, give students 5 minutes to browse the photographs from Climate Visuals (“The world’s only evidence-based and impact focused climate photography resource”). When the five minutes are up, give students 2 minutes in pairs to share their images and explain how it demonstrates the element of composition. 
  3. Continue in the same way for each element.

Follow Up Activities:

  1. Read the “About” section together. Ask students to share their reactions to this project – is it effective? Useful? Necessary? What are the roles and responsibilities of photographers/artists in regards to documenting and reporting on the effects of climate change?