Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 18/01/2026
Subject: Art and Design
Lesson Topic: understand conventions of photography and genres such as portrait, landscape and documentary
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe key conventions of photography (composition, lighting, exposure, colour, post‑production).
  • Identify distinguishing features of portrait, landscape, and documentary genres.
  • Apply planning, shooting, and post‑production techniques to create a cohesive mini‑series across the three genres.
  • Critically evaluate peer work using a conventions checklist and reflect on ethical considerations in documentary photography.
Materials Needed:
  • Digital cameras or smartphones with manual controls
  • Tripods (optional)
  • Lenses or zoom ranges (if available)
  • Sketchbooks and pencils for planning
  • Computer with projector and image‑editing software (e.g., Photoshop, GIMP)
  • Printed handouts of the conventions checklist
  • Basic lighting kit for the portrait lab (softbox, reflectors)
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick slideshow of striking portrait, landscape and documentary images to spark curiosity. Ask students what visual cues they notice that differentiate the genres, linking to prior knowledge of composition and lighting. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to plan and produce a mini‑series demonstrating each genre’s conventions.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students view images and note genre cues on sticky notes.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Review core conventions and genre characteristics using the projector.
  3. Sketchbook planning (10'): Learners choose a theme and draft thumbnails for each genre.
  4. Hands‑on labs (20'): Rotate through stations – portrait lighting lab, mini‑landscape walk (outside), documentary storytelling sprint (in school corridors) – to capture images.
  5. Peer critique (10'): Groups exchange work and use the conventions checklist to give feedback.
  6. Reflection & wrap‑up (5'): Students record a brief commentary linking technical choices to artistic intent.
Conclusion:
Summarise how the conventions guided their creative decisions across the three genres. Collect an exit ticket where each student lists one technique they will apply in future work. Assign homework to edit one of their images and write a short reflective paragraph.