Part of Lesson Plan: Basic Element of Texture

Activity Overview / Details

Students will go out on to the campus or in the field to capture TEXTURE on film or digitally. Students need to look for objects that have light falling on them from the left or right side. Move around the subject looking for the shadows that bring out its texture. They may even need to move the  subject so it becomes side lit. Side lighting brings out TEXTURE because it casts shadows! There are lots of different types of texture; smooth, bumpy, pokey, fuzzy, rough, prickly, soft, and so on. Move in as close as your camera will allow you to get a good focus and make the shot. To photograph TEXTURE from a distance is not visually effective.

1.  Students need to shoot one roll of 100 ASA/24 exposures of black & white film.

2.   Students need to keep in mind the position of your light source when trying to capture the TEXTURE of the subject. The subject should be side lit.

3.   Students should ask if the viewer will be able to describe how each subject feels by what is seen in the photograph.

Finish project must include:

·      1 – Shooting Data Sheet. Show *bracketing settings as well as the other information asked for on the SDS.

·      1 – Contact Sheet + Test Strip.

·      2 – 5X7 Prints + Test Strips.

·      1 – 8x10 Print + Test Strip of the very best photograph from this shoot.

·      Each print should show a different type of TEXTURE. Examples are: rough, smooth, fuzzy, furry, pokey, bumpy, etc.

·      Write the type of TEXTURE on the back of each photograph you print.

In digital photography classes,  students can open photographs in photoshop CS2-5 and choose File>File Info and add meta data to the photo as well as keeping a shooting data sheet.  Then they can open the Photoshop Bridge program, browse, find and select the photos taken for the contact sheet by holding down the command(mac)/control(PC) key and clicking on each photo they want to place on a contact strip.  Then select Tools>Photoshop>Contact Sheet and photoshop will place selected photos into a contact sheet to be saved in a student file. 

*Student REMINDER: Bracketing is taking a series of three exposures of the same image. The first shot is with settings from your camera’s meter reading. The second is 1/f-stop to the right of your first setting. The third shot is 1/f-stop to the left of your first setting. Do not change your shutter speed for the series. BRACKET FOR SUCCESS!! On a digital camera, use the Program, Aperture or Manual modes to change the exposure and bracket. (see camera manuals for more details as every camera has different control specifics)