Young Photographers
Photo Appreciation
“What story does this photograph tell us?”
This is one of the questions our Primary 2 and 3 students think about and share their ideas with their peers. They observe, analyse photographs and share their stories with their peers. Through this activity, our students have the opportunity to develop observational, creativity and critical thinking skills.
Students also get to learn about composition techniques which they could leverage to tell a more interesting story. They get to apply their learning through hands-on activities and analysing photographs taken by their peers at our photo gallery, Rising Expressions.
Learning Through Photography
In Young Photographers, students leverage the power of photography to achieve the 3Cs – Create, Communicate and Collaborate.
To capture photographs that tell a story or a concept, students acquire photography skills and composition techniques such as rule of thirds, leading lines, layering, framing and symmetry. Students acquire these composition techniques and outdoor shoot locations through Student Learning Space (SLS). This provides them with opportunities to be an active and self-directed learner
All students attend face to face sessions and outdoor shoots in Young Photographers, which equip them with valuable skills to create and communicate stories through their lenses using DSLR cameras.
Learning beyond the classrooms
The Primary 4 students have been given a task – they need to apply photography skills to capture flowers with bright coloured petals, leaves with different edges and shapes. What did they use? A DSLR camera and knowledge on plants gleaned from their Science lessons.
They learnt composition techniques such as layering and leading lines using the DSLR camera and applied their skills at Gardens by The Bay – Flower Dome. They were able to observe the different colours and shapes of flowers and plants in real life as compared to images found in textbooks and videos.
Ka Shing said, “I had learnt about plants during Science lessons in school and Student Learning Space (SLS). Learning was more exciting when I observed the plants at Flower Dome in real. I applied my knowledge from Science and took photographs of leaves with different edges.”
Dave shared, “Young Photographers was very enjoyable and interactive. It was my first time using a DSLR! I learnt new composition techniques such as layering and framing. We saw and learnt about some exotic flowers and plants which we had never seen before.”
Our Primary 5 students went to Marina Barrage for their outdoor shoot. They had learnt about the threefold benefits of the location and its importance to Singapore. Just like the other levels, they applied photography skills gleaned to capture the beauty of Marina Barrage.
Practice is Key
Students are given the opportunity to apply and practise photography skills through outdoor shoots at Telok Blangah Heights, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Gardens by the Bay – Flower Dome, Marina Barrage and Jurong Lake Gardens. They capture images based on the theme for each level. While doing so, students’ confidence in handling the cameras grows.
Outdoor Shoot: Some of our students' works
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A Picture Paints a Thousand Words
After the outdoor shoots, students share compelling stories and perspectives through their own photographs. There are many enriching learning opportunities. Our Primary 4 to Primary 6 students hone their English Language skills through photojournalism via our Viewpoints programme. This activity provides enriching learning opportunities by encouraging students to become active contributors and collaborate with one another.
Creative Photography: Some of our students' works
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Think Beyond What We See
Using the Thinking Routine See-Think-Wonder in SLS, students analyse photographs so as to generate possibilities, deepen their thinking and raise questions. Jayden, a P3 student, says “We have learnt to be more imaginative, explore different ideas and ask questions through See-Think-Wonder. We were then able to view things from different angles and apply our photography skills at the outdoor shoots.”
Deepening Our Passion for Photography
Have a keen interest in photography? Join MediaKids CCA! You will learn more about photography and acquire advanced skills through authentic photography experiences. MediaKids have been the official photographers for school events and even national events such as the Singapore Youth Festival. In addition, MediaKids learn about creativity and teamwork when they head out to participate in competitions such as National Primary School Photography Competition.
Click here to read about our MediaKids’ participation in the 2019 Singapore Youth Festival.
Click here to check out our winning stories from our photography competition - Photojournalist of the Year.
Our MediaKids’ works have also been featured in our publications such as Bicentennial Coffee Table Book, Covid-19 Book, Reflections of an Overcomer: Life Lessons from our SG Sports Heroes and The Green Dragonflies and Their Swampy Friends.