Grade 5 Art And Craft Design, Mixed Media And Technology – Photography Notes
Art & Craft — Design, Mixed Media and Technology
Subtopic: Photography
Photography means using a camera (or phone) to capture pictures. In Kenya we can take photos of people, animals, markets, farms, beaches and mountains like Mt. Kenya. Today we will learn simple camera tips and how to turn photos into mixed-media art.
1. Camera basics (phone or simple camera)
- Hold steady: Keep both hands and stand with feet apart to avoid blurry photos.
- Tap to focus: On phones, tap the subject on the screen so it looks sharp.
- Use grid lines: Turn on the grid to help place things using the rule of thirds (see below).
- Avoid zoom: Move closer instead of using digital zoom for better quality.
- Charge your battery: Carry a power bank for long school trips or safaris.
2. Simple composition tips
Rule of thirds
Imagine your screen has 2 lines across and 2 lines down (a tic-tac-toe). Put the subject where lines meet for better photos.
Imagine your screen has 2 lines across and 2 lines down (a tic-tac-toe). Put the subject where lines meet for better photos.
Fill the frame
Move closer so your subject (a goat, a friend, a fruit stall) fills the picture.
Move closer so your subject (a goat, a friend, a fruit stall) fills the picture.
Background
Look for clean backgrounds so the subject stands out. Try a wall or the sky.
Look for clean backgrounds so the subject stands out. Try a wall or the sky.
3. Light — the most important part
Use soft daylight. Morning and late afternoon light (golden hours) make warm, pretty photos. Avoid taking faces in strong midday sun — move to shade.
4. Types of photos you can take in Kenya (fun ideas)
- People: family, friends, teachers (always ask permission).
- Nature: trees, flowers, hills, lakes (Rift Valley views), beaches (Mombasa), and animals at a safe distance in parks.
- Markets: colourful fruits, vegetables, fabrics and crafts — great for bright, busy photos.
- School life: classwork, sports day, art projects.
5. Respect and safety
- Always ask before photographing people — say “May I take your photo?”
- Do not go near animals — they are wild and can be dangerous.
- Stay with an adult near roads and busy places.
- Share photos only with permission from your family or teacher.
6. Simple editing (easy steps)
You can improve pictures with small changes: crop to remove extra space, make the photo a little brighter, and straighten it so the horizon is level. Many phone cameras have these tools already.
7. Mixed-media project: Photo collage with Kenyan style
Materials: printed photos (small), glue, scissors, cardboard, coloured paper, beads (e.g., Maasai beads), fabric scraps, markers, stickers.
- Choose a theme: “My Day at the Market” or “My Village” or “Animals of Kenya”.
- Print or make small photo prints (ask a teacher or parent to help).
- Cut a strong cardboard as the base (A4 size). Arrange photos without gluing first.
- Add layers: glue fabric strips for roads or rivers, stick beads to make borders, use markers to draw trees or suns.
- Write small labels for each photo: where it was taken and one sentence about it.
- Frame your collage on the wall of your classroom or home.
Example collage
(small printed photos + beads)
Try making a collage that mixes photos with beadwork patterns like those used by some Kenyan communities. Use bright colours and write one short sentence about each photo: where it was taken and who is in it.
8. Technology and sharing (use carefully)
- Store photos in folders: “School”, “Family”, “Nature”.
- Ask a parent or teacher before sharing online. Only share photos of friends with their permission.
- Use simple editing tools on your phone for brightness and crop — do small changes only.
9. Fun practice activities (try 3)
- Photo walk: Walk around your neighbourhood with a teacher and take 10 photos of colours you see.
- Portrait practice: Take 5 photos of a friend smiling in different lights (morning, shade, late afternoon).
- Nature close-ups: Take 5 close-up photos of leaves, flowers, or insects (do not touch dangerous animals).
10. Small glossary
- Camera: device to take photos (phone camera works well).
- Composition: how things are placed in your picture.
- Crop: cut away the edges to focus on the important part.
- Portrait vs Landscape: portrait is tall (people), landscape is wide (hills).
Teacher/Parent note: Encourage children to learn respecting privacy and safety. Supervise printing and online sharing. Use local examples (markets, farms, parks) to make the lessons meaningful.