PHOTOGRAPHY

What is photography?

Photography is the art and skill of taking pictures — using a smartphone or camera — to record moments, tell stories and show how we see the world. In Kenya you can photograph people, school events, landscapes like Mount Kenya, wildlife in reserves, or everyday life in town and villages.

Why learn photography?

• Express creativity and tell stories about Kenyan life and culture 📷
• Record school events, sports day, school trips and family functions
• Help in future careers: journalism, events, tourism, social media
• Good for school projects, competitions and clubs

Basic equipment you will use

• Smartphone camera — the most common and easy to use in Kenya
• Point-and-shoot or DSLR / mirrorless camera (if available)
• Tripod or a stable place to set your camera
• Cleaning cloth, spare memory card, power/bank to charge phone
• Simple accessories: clip-on lens for phones, reflector (white paper/board)

Basic camera terms

Exposure triangle (easy way to remember)

Aperture (light amount) — Shutter speed (time) — ISO (sensitivity). Change one and the others may need adjusting.

Good composition — make photos look strong

• Rule of thirds: put the subject off-centre (imagine 3x3 grid).
• Leading lines: use roads, fences or rivers to lead the eye.
• Framing: use windows, trees or doorways to frame the subject.
• Fill the frame: get closer to remove distractions.
• Background: make it simple so the subject stands out.

Lighting tips

• Shoot during golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) for warm light.
• Avoid harsh midday sun on faces — find shade or use fill flash.
• Backlight can make a subject into a silhouette — use it creatively or add fill.
• Indoors: place subject near a window for soft light; raise ISO if needed but watch noise.

Quick camera settings for common situations

• Sunny outdoors — ISO 100, shutter 1/200–1/500, aperture f/5.6–f/11.
• Portrait (blurry background) — aperture wide (f/1.8–f/4), ISO low, shutter fast enough to avoid shake.
• Action / sports — fast shutter (1/500+), higher ISO if needed, continuous focus.
• Indoors / low light — open aperture, increase ISO carefully, use a tripod for slow shutter.
• Landscape — small aperture (f/8–f/16), low ISO, tripod for sharpness.

Basic editing (simple and safe)

Use apps like Snapseed, Adobe Photoshop Express, or phone built-in editors. Small edits to try:

• Crop to improve composition; straighten horizons
• Adjust brightness and contrast; increase saturation slightly
• Remove small dust or spots if needed
• Do not over-edit — keep images natural

Ethics, permissions and safety (important)

• Always ask permission before taking photos of people — especially children and elders.
• Do not publish or share pictures of people without consent (ask parents if under 18).
• Respect cultural and religious events — some ceremonies do not allow photos.
• Avoid photographing restricted places (e.g., some government buildings, military areas).
• Be careful near roads, wildlife areas and water — keep a safe distance and follow rules in parks.

Careers and school activities

• Possible jobs: photographer, photojournalist, wedding/event photographer, social media creator, tourism photographer.
• School ideas: start a photography club, organise exhibitions, cover school events, enter local competitions.

Practical exercises (try these)

1. Portrait practice: take 5 photos of one friend using different backgrounds and choose the best. Focus on eyes.
2. Rule of thirds: photograph a tree or building and place it on a grid line (use phone grid setting).
3. Leading lines: find a road, fence or river and make it guide the viewer to the subject.
4. Golden hour shoot: take photos 30 minutes after sunrise or 30 minutes before sunset — compare with midday shots.
5. Photo story: take 6 pictures that tell a short story about a day at school (start, activity, end).

Quick photo checklist

Before you press the shutter: composition ✓ focus on eyes ✓ background tidy ✓ steady hand/tripod ✓ light good ✓ asked permission ✓

Glossary (short)

• Aperture — how wide the lens opens (controls depth of field).
• ISO — sensor sensitivity to light.
• Shutter speed — how fast the photo is taken.
• Exposure — how light or dark the photo is.
• Composition — how things are arranged in the photo.

Resources & teacher note

Recommended apps: Snapseed (free), VSCO, Adobe Photoshop Express. Look for local inspiration: Kenyan photographers' work, Kenya National Museum exhibitions or school photo shows. Teachers: encourage students to learn safely, get written parental permission before sharing online.