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4-H Youth Development Home »  4-H Projects

PhotographyYouth taking photos


Description

Photography is a statewide 4-H project. It has several levels. Each level features publications that will guide you through the project. For a copy contact your County 4-H Office or order online at: Extension Publications.

Photography 1
In this new beginning project aimed at grades 3-5, explore the camera and the basics of lighting and good photo composition. All activities can be done with a point-and-shoot camera. Learn how to use your camera properly; use different types of light from natural to flash; take trick and black-and-white photos; shoot well-composed photos that tell a story; and more.
PC1, Focus on Photography

Photography 2
In this new intermediate project aimed at grades 6-8, learn more about camera adjustments, lighting and photo composition. All activities require a camera with adjustable features. Learn about film speed, shutter speed, aperture, and depth of field. Take silhouettes, candids, action shots, panning shots, close-ups, panoramas, montages, and special effect photos.
PC2, Controlling the Image

Photography 3
In this new advanced project aimed at grades 9-12, continue to learn more about photo equipment and photo-taking techniques. All activities require a camera with adjustable features. Learn about wide-angle and telephoto lenses, filters, infrared film, light meters, and studio lighting. Experiment with more special effect photos, as well as underwater and astrophotography. Take still life photos and portraits.
PC3, Mastering Photography

Videography
“Motion” pictures are what you see on movie and TV screens. Whether your camera uses videotape or movie film, the same techniques apply. In this project, learn storytelling, editing, planning, lighting, camera handling, making titles, recording sound, showing and reviewing your production, and more.
IS401, Action! Making Videos & Movies

Additional Photography Resources

IS360, Experimenting with Your Enlarger
Some fun "tricks" to try when creating black-and-white prints in your darkroom. (6 pages - 78 KB)

IS370, Creating Your Own Darkroom
Answers to questions about creating a darkroom in your home, including suggested layouts for closet darkrooms and permanent darkrooms with running water. (10 pages - 170KB)

Wisconsin Youth Photography Display
This annual display is a portable photo sampler from Wisconsin’s 9,000 4-H photography project members and other youth groups. It features about 150 photos taken by youth throughout Wisconsin. To see displays from the past four years, contact Coop Extension's lending library, Cooperative Extension Media Collection. To see the photos judged best on the most recent display, go to the Photo Display Top 10 page.


Events

Want to learn more about photography? Try the links below.

Photography Project Training
Many counties hold local training for members and leaders in their favorite project areas, including photography. Watch your county 4-H Family newsletter or contact your county Extension office for details.

Wisconsin Farm Technology Days
Visit the 4-H Photo Doctor Booth at the next Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, scheduled each summer or fall. Remember to bring your photos in for a "check up"! The Photo Doctor can give you tips on how to improve your photos. If you're an experienced 4-H photography leader, you may want to work at the booth as a Photo Doctor. Contact Wayne Brabender at wayne.brabender@ces.uwex.edu for details.Girl with camera at 4-H and Youth Conference.

Wisconsin 4-H and Youth Conference
If you're in grades 8-10, check out the next Wisconsin 4-H and Youth Conference, scheduled each June at the UW-Madison campus. The conference offers educational seminars in most areas of 4-H, including photography. Contact your county Extension office for details. If you're in grades 9-12, apply for the conference Press Team. This team of 10-12 youth and advisors captures the conference with digital photos and presents a show-stopping PowerPoint to 700 delegates and volunteers.

4-H ArtBeat!

Created for 4-H members in grades 3-5 and their parents and leaders, 4-H Artbeat! is the new introductory program for Wisconsin 4-H Arts and Communication!  Scheduled in March each year, at our State 4-H Camp, Upham Woods, the weekend will feature a look at a variety of arts projects including music, drama, visual arts, arts and crafts, juggling and more!  Also on the program will be a special "suprise" performance by one of Wisconsin 4-H's most acclaimed performers!

Wisconsin 4-H Arts Camp
If you are in grades 6-8, sign up for the Photography Track at the next 4-H Arts Camp. Youth in grades 9-10 who are experienced in the photography project can serve as instructors and counselors at this camp, scheduled each October at the Upham Woods Environmental Education Center, Wisconsin Dells.

Wisconsin 4-H Arts Leadership Lab
If you are a new or emerging youth or adult photography leader, sign up for the Photography Track at the next 4-H Arts Leadership Lab, scheduled each December.


Activity Plans

Learning by doing . . . that’s been the 4-H way for 100 years! Dive into this fun photography activity. If you have ideas for more activity plans, contact Wayne Brabender at wayne.brabender@ces.uwex.edu.

PDF file You Be the Photo Judge!
Judging is an excellent way to introduce or reinforce basic photo composition rules. In this fun group activity, you will judge groups of photos based on five basic rules of composition.

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County Fair Judging photography at county fair

The county fair . . . what a great time it is! Every summer, families flock to county fairs to see the latest 4-H project exhibits. Exhibiting is a fun and educational way for youth to showcase their project work to judges and to the public. Judging materials are supported by Bill Shaw in memory of his wife, Shirley.

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Related Links

There’s so much more to learn in the 4-H Photography Project. Just follow these links!

About.com: Photography
Good source of information on photography composition and equipment; a site to participate in photo discussions and chats; and a place to find links to other photo sources.

American Museum of Photography
Explore photo exhibits and read about the history of photography.

BetterPhoto.com
“As your online guide to photography, BetterPhoto helps you master photography by giving you great tips, product reviews, informative articles and much more. Our mission is to provide honest answers to budding photographers everywhere.” Excellent site for beginners, intermediate and advanced photographers.

Digital Kids Club
Tips and lessons for digital video and digital photography.

George Eastman House (International Museum of Photography and Film)
Fine site for adults and older youth interested in the history of photography.

How Do I Do That?
Includes an excellent free online short course on “things to do with your digital camera and images.” Learn how digital cameras work, how to achieve the best results and how to edit photos, and more. Site includes guides to digital video and many links. Site has over 2 million visitors a year.

National 4-H Curriculum
Visit this site for updated National 4-H Curriculum information including new titles. Purchase curricula by accessing the online order form.

New York Institute of Photography
Sign up for the free Photo Online Magazine for tips and articles on how to improve your photography. Site also features a “ Digital Learning Center” with more tips and advice.

Oconto County 4-H Project Resources
This web site provides links for many arts and communications projects including links for fun project ideas on photography.

Photo Secrets
Tips and ideas to improve photography.

Scrapbooking 101
Everything you need to know to get started with scrapbooking, including glossary of terms, tools, journaling, titles, layouts, templates, and more.

Shutterbug Magazine Online
Source of photography composition and equipment information.

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Project Support

For more information on the 4-H Photography Project, contact the following:

Cooperative Extension Media Collection
This lending library features several photography resources for photo volunteers that can be rented for photo training. It includes training videos and the annual State 4-H Photo Display, a portable collection of 150 best-of-show quality photos taken by 4-H photo project members.

UW-Extension County 4-H Offices
This is your link to a list of Wisconsin County Extension Offices. Select the county of your choice.

UW-Extension State Specialist: Wayne Brabender

Wisconsin 4-H Photo Advisory Committee
This is a group of 10 key 4-H photography volunteers from throughout Wisconsin that support the State 4-H Photo Program. The committee meets in the spring and fall to plan statewide activities and resources for Wisconsin’s 700 volunteer photo leaders and 9,000 photo members. If you're interested, contact Wayne Brabender at wayne.brabender@ces.uwex.edu.

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