Workshop 4: Family Photos: The Art Of Photography

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Families, Jr. High School

In This Section

Introduction
From Families

Photography, fortunately, to me has not only been a profession but also a contact between people—to understand human nature and record, if possible, the best in each individual. Nickolas Muray This session explores the art of photography. It addresses the elements of effective photographs and the…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Families

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 5 Activity 1: Photography as Interaction 10 Activity 2: Photography as Art 20 Activity 3: Framing the Photograph 10 Activity 4: Family Event Preview 5 Activity 5: Consent and Photography 5 Faith in Action: Absent Loved Ones — Long Term Closing 5…
Spiritual Preparation
From Families

Photographs show a slice of time, but it is not a limitless slice. They serve to remind us of moments while at the same time affecting our memory of that moment. We may notice smiles or frowns in a snapshot that we were unaware of in the moment….
Welcoming and Entering
From Families

Materials for Activity A digital or instant processing camera and film Description of Activity Invite participants to experiment with photography. Encourage them to photograph each other in different groups and configurations. This is practice for composing and photographing family photos at the…
Opening
From Families

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and matches Description of Activity Invite participants to gather in a circle and lead the chalice lighting with these words or others. Creative flame, Welcome and inspire us. Let us see the beauty around us, Capture it, And know it more…
Activity 1: Photography As Interaction
From Families

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Poster board Markers Masking tape Description of Activity Invite participants to create two collaborative posters with the topics “How NOT to make people at ease when photographing them” and “How to BEST make people at ease when photographing them….
Activity 2: Photography As Art
From Families

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Driver’s license photo Portrait photograph An assortment of photographs of people UUA Photography Supplements to Families; Balance, Framing, Light, Point of View (optional) Computer, with or without Internet access (optional) Preparation for Activi…
Activity 3: Framing The Photograph
From Families

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Cardboard to make viewfinders (alternatively, use cameras) Preparation for Activity Cut the cardboard into pairs of 7 x 3 1/2-inch Ls to use as viewfinders. The perpendicular arms of each L should be approximately 2 inches wide. Cut a pair for each…
Activity 4: Family Event Preview
From Families

Activity time: 5 minutes Description of Activity Take a few moments to talk with participants about the Family Event, photographing families, and other logistics. Go over the flow of activities, starting with arrival time for participants to set up. If you have made a schedule of families who are…
Activity 5: Consent And Photography
From Families

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Consent Form Preparation for Activity Photocopy Handout 1, Consent Form, for all participants…
Closing
From Families

Activity time: 5 minutes Description of Activity Gather together in a circle. Pragmatics: Confirm and/or arrange youth co-leaders for the next session (optional). For Activity 3, Write-Backs, in Session 5, ask participants to bring a photograph of their family….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Families

Remind participants, via phone calls or e-mails, to bring a photograph of their family for the next session. Confirm all details of the Family Event that follows this session. Include food, paper goods, and photography arrangements. Copy Handout 1, Consent Form, for the Family Event. Confirm…
Faith In Action: Absent Loved Ones - Long Term
From Families

Preparation for Activity For such a complex activity, you will want to solicit help from others in your congregation and/or community. Finding another congregation that is involved in programs pertaining to the penal system would work best. This could be a good place to do interfaith work, so…
Alternate Activity 1: Photography As Art With Guest Speaker
From Families

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Driver’s license photo Portrait photograph An assortment of photographs UUA Photography Supplements to Families; Balance, Framing, Light, Point of View (optional) Computer (optional) Preparation for Activity Gather an assortment of photographs of…
Alternate Activity 2: Photography As Interaction Role-plays
From Families

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity The posters from Activity 1, Photography as Interaction Description of Activity Invite youth to create role-plays based on the posters they created in Activity 1. Aim for a balance between role-plays that present things to do and those that present…
Taking It Home: Family Photos: The Art Of Photography
From Families

Photography, fortunately, to me has not only been a profession but also a contact between people—to understand human nature and record, if possible, the best in each individual. — Nickolas Muray DURING TODAY’S SESSION . . ….
Balance
From Families

Balance is created by an arrangement of elements (including space) that is visually satisfying. Symmetrical and asymmetrical designs can work. Sometimes a lack of balance is easier to notice. Some photographers use “a rule of thirds” to create balance in a photograph. Visualize the frame as…
Balance Part 2
From Families

The viewer’s eye moves easily from the track shoes in the foreground into the photo, creating a sense of balance. Meaningful props in a photo help tell a story. The emphasis on the track shoes suggests this youth is a runner. What makes this photograph feel balanced? In this photograph, the left…
Balance Part 3
From Families

The balance of people or elements in a photo can create different feelings. The angle and placement of the members of this family make the youth look more dominant than her parents. How does this arrangement achieve or not achieve balance?…
Framing
From Families

These materials are designed to support Workshop 4 of Families. All photographs are the property of the Unitarian Universalist Association and may only be used in conjunction with the Families Program. Photography Supplement Framing Photography is the property of the Unitarian Universalist…
Framing Part 2
From Families

The greenery and shadows in the background frame the family and increase the sense of forward motion in this photograph. Here framing works. It is visually appealing and communicates a feeling of fun. In this photograph the participants look constrained by the setting, not framed.
Framing Part 3
From Families

The diagonal and vertical white lines in this photograph frame the family. Is the framing effective?
Light
From Families

Lighting influences the quality and feel of photographs. Lighting affects how the viewer’s eye moves toward or away from different elements of the photograph. How does lighting work in this picture? Consider where the light is coming from. Is there enough light? Is there too much light? Outdoor…
Light Part 2
From Families

Sidelights can create artistic effects that may or may not be desirable. Lighting influences the quality and feel of photographs. How would you compare the quality of these two photos?
Light Part 3
From Families

Backlight makes these subjects appear to “glow.” Stronger backlight could cause loss of detail in their faces and require a flash to bring out facial features. Shadows create different values and interesting effects. Contrasting values of light and shadows result in a moody quality in this…
Point of View
From Families

Moving around the subject while looking through the viewfinder of the camera, the photographer determines the most appealing and effective perspective. Here the photographer is shooting from the side, creating an interesting perspective….
Point of View Part 2
From Families

Background elements elaborate this “looking up” perspective. The point of view chosen by the photographer influences the aesthetics and mood of the photograph. Both point of view and framing are at work in this photograph. Moving around the subject, the photographer is able to capture different…
Point of View Part 3
From Families

How does this photograph feel different and/or the same as the previous one? Sometimes a “straight-on” point of view can create an effective photograph. Shooting a photograph from the wrong angle can create the impression that the subject has an object sticking out of his/her head.
Point of View Part 4
From Families

The same and different from the previous photograph… The photographer shot this from slightly above. The point of view influences the quality and feel of the photograph.
Consent Form
From Families

Youth enrolled in our congregation’s lifespan faith development program are participating in a program called Families. The program looks at families through the lens of our UU Principles and aims to broaden and deepen respect, appreciation, and care for different kinds of families….