The Elements of Composition Lesson Plan

WEEK/DAY: LENGTH OF TIME:

Day 3, Week 2 45 minutes

High School Photography Class

TENTATIVE
DATE: September

TOPIC/DOMAIN: MATERIALS NEEDED:

Elements of
composition
OBJECTIVE 
What will your students
be able to do by the end of
the lesson (SMART
GOAL)?
What is your College and
Career Ready Standard (or
any state- or national-
specific standard)?
- Computer
- Projector
- Paper
- Pens/ Pencils
- Internet
- PowerPoint document
- Camera (Digital or phone camera)
- Worksheets online for student use through google classroom
 
Students will be able to identify and differentiate the elements of
composition in photography. Students will be able to create their own
original works based off of the elements of composition.
The elements of composition are broken down into multiple lessons and
days, this lesson will focus on 6 of the elements: texture, line, color,
shape, pattern 

PREREQUISITE
SKILLS
What will your
students need to know
to master the grade-
level objective?
Students will have prior knowledge of how the camera works and how
to properly take a photograph using the device they have. They will
recognize the idea of the elements of art that are learned early on in
elementary school and revisited throughout their school career in art.

Common Core MCPS Guidelines for photography classes state “Students develop skills
Connection in using an SLR camera, processing film, and printing black-and-white
photographs. The elements of art and design principles are studied and
applied to photographic compositions. Contemporary photographic
technology is demonstrated and used where available. Safe darkroom
practices are learned, and opportunities to exhibit work are presented.
Writing and thinking skills are reinforced through journaling.”

KEY POINTS 1. What are the elements of composition?

What three to five key
points will you 2. Why is It important to know the elements of composition?
emphasize? 3. How can you use the elements of composition in your own works?

OPENING (5 Students will be greeted as they enter the classroom, they will be
min.) instructed to follow the daily classroom routines of:
How will you 1. Enter the classroom respectfully
communicate what is
about to happen?  2. Place your backpack (if you have one) on the back of your seat
How will you or under your table
communicate how it will 3. Turn on your computer if it is not already on
happen?
How will you 4. Log into your computer and go to our google classroom
communicate 5. Follow and complete the warmup in today’s google classroom
its  importance? After students complete the warmup they will be allowed to work on
How will you
communicate connection previous or current assignments while waiting for instruction.
s to previous lessons?
How will you engage Warm-up: Last week students learned about the functions of the
students and capture their
interest? camera and how they work, students will use the websites given in
the week prior to explore three parts of the camera and explain what
those parts do and why they are important for the camera.

WKS
Example:

INTRODUCTION Students will be asked to turn off their computer monitors and look to
OF NEW the front of the classroom, if students need to move closer to the board
MATERIAL (10 to see they are permitted to do so.
min.)
What key points will The lesson for today will be given through a slide show titled the
you emphasize and Elements of Composition it will be made available for students to have
reiterate?
How will you ensure
at their seats through the class google classroom.
that students actively
take in information? With the help of the slide show the instructor well
How will you vary your
approach to make
information accessible
What are the elements of composition?
to all students? 1. Texture - Texture can be used in various ways in a photograph from
Which potential conveying a mood or feeling to providing a visually interesting break
misunderstandings will within the image. Texture can be in the foreground or the background
you anticipate?
of an image.  Things like a brick wall, burlap, pebbles, sand patterns,
Why will students be
engaged/interested? and fur are all examples of textures.
2. Line- In photography line is what is used to move the viewers eye
throughout the photograph. There are various types of lines such as
continuous, broken, jagged, vertical, horizontal, and diagonal. Lines in
a photograph can be curved, they do not have to be geometrically
defined as a line they can be a guide to show the viewers eyes where
to go.
3. Color- The use of primary, secondary, complementary, and
analogous color sets within a photograph. The use of color within a
photograph can set the mood, add contrast ad warmth or coolness to
a photograph.
4. Shape- Shape in a photograph can be any defined shape, shapes can
be used to convey an emotion or to frame out an image. Shapes may
also be used to move the photograph along.
5. Space- Often referred to as positive and negative space within an
image, space refers to the area that surrounds the subject in an
image.
6. Point – Point in an image is used to draw the viewers eye to the point
of interest in a photograph. Points can be something in the
background of an image or front and center. A point can be the
intersection of two lines in an image or a bright light that draws the
viewer in.
7. Patterns- A pattern in a photograph is the repetition of an element
within a photo. Pattern can be simply a pattern repeated throughout
the photograph as well. Some patterns in photographs are not visible
at first but become clear the longer the photograph is explored.

What do the elements of composition do?

The elements of composition are photography’s equivalent to the
elements of art.

Why are the elements important in photography?

The elements of composition are important in photography to promote
visual interest in the photographs as well as to show the photographers
knowledge of the elements of art.
GUIDED I will lead the students through the slide show on the elements of
PRACTICE composition, students will be asked questions about the elements. I will
(15min.) go through the websites that students will be allowed to use during their
How will you clearly independent practice. And explain the expectations for their assignment
state and model and their homework.
behavioral
expectations?
How will you ensure
that all students have
multiple opportunities
to practice?
How will you scaffold
practice exercises from
easy to hard?
How will you monitor
and correct student
performance?
Why will students be
engaged/interested?

INDEPENDENT Students will be instructed to choose 3 of the elements of composition

PRACTICE (10 and be asked to find online examples of those 3 elements, they will then
min.) as a homework assignment photograph images of those elements to
How will you clearly state bring to class the following day.
and model behavioral
expectations?
In what ways will students
attempt to demonstrate
independent mastery of
the objective?
How will you provide
opportunities for
extension?
Why will students be
engaged/interested?

CLOSING (5 Students will be given a brief quiz with photographic examples and be
min.) asked to identify the element of composition used in that photograph.
How will students summarize
what they learned?
Students will be able to show that they are able to identify the various
How will students be asked to elements and how they can be identified in a photograph.
state the significance of what
they learned?
How will you provide all
students with opportunities to
demonstrate mastery of (or
progress toward) the objective?
Why will students be
engaged/interested?

ASSESSMENT
How will you know whether
your students have made
progress toward the
objective? How and when
will you assess mastery?
 References
(Below, please
provide up to three Cox, S. (2020, January 20). The 10 Elements of Composition in
references that you Photography. Photography Life.
used to ensure that https://photographylife.com/elements-of-composition-
this was researched, photography.
referenced-based
lesson plan. Must Montgomery County Public Schools. MCPS High School Course
be APA styled.) Bulletin.
http://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/CourseDetails/In
dex/6345.

Trent Sizemore. (2018, June 27). The Elements of Art in Photography.

Trent Sizemore. https://www.trentsizemore.com/2012/03/07/the-
elements/.