Part of Lesson Plan: Seeing Composition

Activity Overview / Details

Ask students if they can think of a tool that Ansel Adams used when he was in the field. Students may suggest items such as  color meter, a large-format camera, a tripod, film holders, changing tents, chemicals and film. Give them a hint that what we are talking about today costs a dime and everyone will get one before the class is over!

We are talking about a "framing card", but we are going to use one that is plastic and compact. It's actually a plastic slide mount, which is used to mount slides before using them in a slide projector.

Show the video Framing and Composition.

Pass out the plastic slide mounts. You can purchase them at any photography store or through Amazon.com.  If you do not have access to them, take an index card and cut out a 2' x 3" rectangle for your "viewer".