Landscape Photography

What You Need:

• Camera
• Notebook
• Pencil
• Photography paper
• Printer

What You Do:

1. Invite your child to take a closer look at examples of Ansel Adams’ photography. Encourage her to take notes in a notebook about his style as well as how he focuses on the nature around him in his photographs. A landscape is a picture of nature including a foreground, middle ground, and background.
2. Discuss with your child how taking a picture in black and white creates different contrasts and textures than if it was taken in color. While looking at his photographs, she can try to imagine if they would have the same impact if taken in color.
3. Encourage your child to head outdoors and take a nature walk around the neighborhood scouting locations for setting up her outdoor photography shoot. She can make sure to document her favorite spots in her notebook.
4. When she’s ready, invite your child to set up for taking a good photograph by positioning herself in a comfortable stance and bracketing when taking her pictures, which means taking several pictures of the same things with slight adjustments. She can change the point of focus on the digital camera or take a step forward or back to capture things in a slightly different way.
5. If your child’s camera has the option, invite her to take several additional pictures in a black and white setting. Encourage her to remember to include the foreground, middle ground, and background, just like Ansel Adams did.
6. Now your child can print the pictures and take a closer look at how they tuned out. Did she capture a landscape as perfectly as Ansel Adams? Help her find the perfect spot for displaying her favorite finished print.

Did You Know:

Ansel Adams was a pianist before becoming a photographer and decided to pick up the camera after a visit to Yosemite National Park in 1916. He also helped establish the San Francisco Art Institute in California.