Digital Camera for Web Design :: Curriculum

Web Page Design Model

Units:

Digital Camera for Web Design

Part of Unit: Intro to Art Theory and Fundamentals

Lesson Plan Overview / Details

Digital cameras are part of the aresenal of tools web designers need to use to produce oriignal images on web sites. Although many types of cameras are available, there are common elements in their use that are important for developing a sound foundation in the design of a web site.

This lesson will focus on web page planning, basic design, and layout of uploading images to web pages created by the student. The instructor will start with a demonstration of a digital camera. Students practice using the camera and then save their images to the computer.

Students produce an individual body of work; electronic files and folders with original materials.

Students will produce a file folder of digital photograph images saved as a set of electronic image files, and an annotated document with all images. These images will be used for current and future web design projects.

Lesson Time

Using a Digital Camera: 45 - 60 Minutes

Standards

California Career and Technical Education Standards

Objectives and Goals

Students will use a digital camera to capture and save images.
Students will construct a document that demonstrates the ability to differentiate among file types.
Students will minimize file size by using optimization strategies.
Students will modify file type, resolution, and image size of photograph

Activities in this Lesson

Using a Digital Camera - Hooks / Set
Before beginning this lesson ask students to bring in their own digital camera if permission is granted from their parents. Remind students that they are responsible for their digital camera if it is damaged or lost - not the school. A suggestion is to send home a letter or send an email to the parents of your students. However, it is helpful if your school has a limited amount of digital cameras.

Students will practice taking digital pictures to create graphical content to include in future web site projects.

NOTE: You may want to review the web site:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds prior to beginning this lesson

When students enter the classroom begin a discussion and ask, "Has anyone brought in their own personal digital camera? If anyone says"yes" state, "I am going to use my digital camera and take a picture of your digital camera. This is to ensure the safety and liability of your camera."  Take pictures of all students personal digital cameras.

Upon completion of picture taking of students cameras, conduct a class discussion and ask the class, "Raise your hand if you have used a digital camera." Usually the majority of the class raises their hands.

Next, ask the class, "Raise your hand if you feel you know everything about taking pictures, modifying pictures and saving pictures from a digital camera." Again, don't be surprised if the majority of the class raises their hands.

Finally ask the class to share, "When do you use your digital camera...on vacation, family events, sporting events? What do you do with the pictures you take? Do you print them from a personal computer or use a service or store to print them for you? Do you edit your digital photos with a software program? If yes-what software program do you use? Anyone use Adobe Photoshop for example?"

Review with the class the rules regarding ALL digital cameras: (these are just suggestions)

School cameras are checked out at the beginning of the class period and checked in five minutes before the end of the class-NO EXCEPTIONS

Cameras are never left unattended

Pictures taken are school appropriate only

The school is not responsible if a student's personal digital camera is lost or stolen

The student is financially responsible for the schools digital camera if it is lost or damaged

Demonstrate how to use a digital camera using your school site digital cameras.

Give students the handout: General Tips for Digital Cameras and discuss each tip with the class. As you discuss each tip, demonstrate the tip to the class.

SEE BELOW HANDOUT – General Tips for Digital Cameras

Fully charge the camera (varies with model, but usually about six hours)

When the battery dies, all photographs in the camera are erased unless the camera comes with a storage card such as a compact flash card.

Blurry pictures are more common when using digital cameras because you can take a picture while looking at the LCD. This can cause you to hold the camera unsteadily. If the camera has an optical viewfinder, use it instead of the LCD, or hold the camera tightly with both hands and keep your elbows tucked to your body.

Close-up pictures tend to be more successful. Digital photographs do not enlarge as well as traditional film unless the resolution of the camera is set at a higher setting. You could review the setting options on the camera.
- Tips for Digital Camera Use.docx [ Download ] Tips for Digita Camera Use
Picture Details-Planning - Lecture
Explain to the class the importance of planning before beginning to take their pictures. Remind them, "Ask yourself what are you looking for? What web site are you building and what do you want to place in the web site. Don't loose track or focus of what is important."

Discuss with the class "What resolution will you use and why? Are you shooting indoors or outdoors and don't forget to adjust your camera to meet the criteria."

Ask students, "Turn your handout General Tips for Digital Cameras over and write on the back the location of where you will be saving your digital pictures."

Review saving files. Show or state to the class, "This is where we save our files. When naming the file be sure to use a file name that has purpose. The reason being is if you don't use it with this web site, you may use it later. The name will assist you when you need to retrieve the picture. This saves a lot of time from reviewing all your images"

Next, ask students, "Continue to write on your handout the purpose of the pictures, audience you are going to be addressing, and resolution setting you plan on using including indoors or outdoors or both."
Rules and Examples of The Rule of Thirds - Demo / Modeling
Define and explain the theory of the “Rule of Thirds.” The rule states, "The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds-both horizontally and vertically so that you have nine parts." Next, draw a square with lines on the board showing how a picture is divided into nine sections.

This is a great web site that you can view to give you an in-depth understanding of this concept.

If time permits you can view this site with your class or you can ask your students to research the rule of thirds on the web.

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds

If you are able to research this web site, as students are viewing the site, discuss examples displayed on the web site.

If you're not able to view the web site together, ask the class,"What different ways does the photographer shoot people and landscaping. What is the photographer hoping to accomplish." Continue by asking the students, "How will you accomplish a natural way to view an image by following along the lines or intersections using the rule of thirds."
Review Notations - Check Understanding
The class will be starting their lesson of taking four pictures. Before they begin, gather their attention and review with the class where the place of origin for the picture is taking place and why.

Explain where they will be saving their photographs - file locations to school server. Review quickly by walking around the classroom and seeing that students added notations on the back side of their handout Tips for Digital Camera Use.
Use of Digital Cameras - Guided Practice
Explain to students the assignment for today is to practice using digital cameras inside the classroom.

Describe to each student, "Each of you will take a minimum of 4 pictures. Each photograph will be of the same subject however you will use a different resolution setting for each picture. No one is to leave the classroom-all picture taking will take place inside the classroom."

Remind the class, "Remember to use the rule of thirds when creating your images. Once you have finished taking your four photographs, you will sit back at your seat and record the resolution you used for each picture. Write this on the back of your handout Tips for Digital Camera Use."

If you have computer's available you may want to download the students photographs. Ask the students to save their work in two ways; as separate image files and in a text document with images and notes about each image.
Use of Digital Cameras - Continued - Independent Practice
If your classroom has limited resources, you might complete this activity in conjunction with the lesson plan activity Introduction to Scanning.

Half the class can use digital cameras while the other half works with the scanners.

Exchange groups during the next class period so all students have a chance to learn both types of equipment.

If this is not necessary, continue to monitor student’s use of the digital camera assisting when necessary.
Review With Students - Closure
Review with students the following items:

How to use a digital camera and change resolutions

Discuss the concept of the Rule of Thirds theory

Discuss the relevance of audience and purpose for pictures.

Remind them of the value when choosing a file name for recalling the picture at a later time for a different web site-how much time this will save them

Reiterate the importance of saving files in the correct location on school server