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Focus:
To help students become aware of the aesthetic beauty of nature (specifically
the forest).
Materials:
• 3X5 cards
• Pencils and/or markers
Procedure:
This activity is called “Camera”. One person acts as the photographer
and another person acts as the camera. The photographer guides the camera,
who keeps his/her eyes closed, on a search for beautiful and interesting
pictures. When the photographer finds something of interest, he/she points
the lens (which are the still closed eyes of the camera) and “shoots”
the picture by pulling gently on the camera’s ear lobe. When the
camera feels the “shutter button” being pulled, he/she opens
their eyes until the shutter button is released. An effective exposure
time is 3-5 seconds.
Once everyone has the idea of how
this activity works, here are some suggestions that will make this activity
more enjoyable:
- The camera is
at the mercy of the photographer. Have the students generate suggestions
on how to guide the camera safely.
- Decide ahead
of time how many exposures there are in a roll of film (5-10 is about
right).
- Encourage the photographers
to take pictures from unusual angles and perspectives.
- Have the photographer
tell the camera what type of lens to use for the next shot. For a picture
of a tiny insect, they may need to use a zoom lens. For a picture of
a mountain range, they may need a wide-angle lens.
- Show the students how
to pan the camera (you may need more than 5 seconds exposure time for
this).
- Talking should be minimal.
Silence during the shooting sessions helps the camera to focus better
- You may want to choose
a theme and have all the pictures be of insects, trees, flowers, etc.
- After each partner
has played both roles, give each student a 3X5 card and say, “Think
back and remember your favorite picture you took as a camera. Develop
it by drawing that picture on the card and give it to your photographer.”
- After everyone has
completed their pictures, have them share their pictures with the class.
(This activity was adapted
from Sharing the Joy of Nature by Joseph Cornell.) |
