This Art & Photography project is fairly simple scheme of work and quick to teach, with effective photographic final pieces for students. It doesn’t require any complex understanding of photographic techniques (yay) and it was designed as a taster of GCSE Photography for my Year 9 (KS3) classes. Students created some brilliant, woven photograph pieces as their final outcomes using their own pictures 📷
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**UPDATE**
I have added more slides to the presentation with even more examples of paper weaving and student work – enjoy!
This mini art and photography project was really designed as a GCSE taster. It’s very short to teach (but could easily be extended if you wanted to) and students could make the work really personal by taking their own photographs.
I chose CONTRAST an overall theme for the scheme of work, giving students something to consider when taking their own pictures. To introduce the project, there is a starter activity getting students to think about what contrast means and how it could be explored in photography.
Once students were clear about the idea of CONTRAST in photography, I introduced the artist / photographer David Samuel Stern as a reference for students to research – his work is brilliant!
Although Stern doesn’t necessarily focus on CONTRAST, I wanted students to understand his process for weaving photographs together and see some of the possible outcomes. Students loved his work! Pictures of his work are included in the project slides so they can be printed for students to use in their research.
Students produced some excellent research pages about David Samuel Stern:
Quick note:
I’ve actually updated this scheme of work with another photographer – Jason Chen -as a reference for students. His work is now included in the presentation so you can choose either (or both!) to use in your lessons. Chen’s work has a clear link to ideas of contrast, juxtaposition and duality, which I thought were a bit more appropriate to the scheme of work.
How to organise students taking photographs during lessons
This part of the project required a bit of lesson planning:
– each student needed to take at least two photographs
– each photograph had to be printed ready to be woven
– some classes had 35 students!
While students were working on their David Samuel Stern research pages, I would select groups (up to 4) to move around the room taking pictures of things that contrasted, eg. a rough surface and a smooth surface. I would give them some tips and ideas related to camera angles / lighting etc. as they worked.
Any students not working well in their research, or not on task, didn’t get chosen and had to take the pictures as homework (hehe).
I set up an Assignment in Google Classroom and students uploaded their best two photographs. From there, I could just open the Drive folder and download all of their photographs in one go, ready to print.
Some students didn’t have a phone to take pictures with (or it had died) so I let them use our GCSE Photography cameras. We have a couple of these Canon EOS 4000d cameras and I find them great for our GCSE students – simple to get started with and various features for experimenting.
As soon as I got these cameras out and started to demonstrate with them for the small groups taking pictures, the rest of the class suddenly became very engaged and all wanted to have a go 🤔
Once students had finished their research pages, and had their contrasting photographs printed out, they could start weaving them together. This was the second or third lesson in the project (depending on the class I had or how far ahead / behind students were).
I used this great video on photographic weaving techniques to speed up the process:
To increase the challenge for some students, I used differentiated outcomes with my trusty Nando’s peri-ometer 😆 which they love. They were also already engaged with the work because they were using their own photographs rather than pictures from magazines or random print outs.
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Once students understood the paper weaving concept and had cut their pieces, the rest of the lessons were quite straight forward. To make their work as accurate as possible and to incorporate some maths into the project, I had students draw out ruled lines on the back of their photographs, ready to cut.
The smaller the gaps between the lines, the more complex the weave became. Most students opted for 1cm gaps, but a few went for 2cm or even 3cm if they really struggled with all of the cutting. Their photographs were all A4 size, so it was quite a lot to measure and cut.
Once students began weaving their photographs in my class, I assigned them a task to finish at home. This was primarily because of limited time, but you can also expand on this small art and photography project by trying out various weaving methods: using different shapes or sizes, or even by printing one copy of their photo in black and white to observe the contrasting colors.
Here are some examples of final photographic woven pieces by students – what do you think? I was really pleased with how well they came and, some look so nice!
If you would like a copy of the resources for this project, just leave a comment and I will share it with you – enjoy!
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Looks great – could i get a copy please ?
Yes, of course, I just shared it.
Looks great, and fun! Please could I get a copy.
It was a lot of fun! I have shared it for you.
Looks great, would appreciate copy of resource.
Thanks! I have sent it 🙂
HAPPY TO DISCOVER YOUR WEBSITE 🙂 I LIKE THE PROJECT AND WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE THE LESSON PLAN. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY HOURS YOU USED FOR THE PROJECT (BEFORE GIVING THEM AS HW TO FINISH UP), AND WHICH YEAR GROUP? DID YOU PRINT PHOTOS FOR THEM OR THEY HAD TO BRING?
I LOVE THE ALTERNATIVE OF WAVE CUT OF THE PHOTO 🙂
THANK IN ADVANCE FOR SHARING.
Thank you! I gave them 4/5 hours – depending on how quickly they could start weaving their pictures. Some classes needed longer in school, some were able to do more at home. I did this with Year 9 here in the UK and yes, I printed their pictures. Some printed their own too. I had them submit their pictures to an assignment in Google Classroom, so they all went into one folder and I could just print in one go 🙂 hope that helps!
Really looking forwards to trying this.
Thanks! I’d love to see how your students get on.
Hi, love this project. Please could I get a copy of the resources 🙂
Cheers! I have just sent it over 🙂
I’d love to have this resource and teach it!! I’d be appreciate if I can get a copy of this!
Of course! I’d love to see how your students respond too 🙂
Love that you have included an artist inspiration / investigation. Would love to get the resource
Thank you 🙂 I just sent it over.
please i need a copy i ask you snice week ago but to don’t share it
please share it in email, thank you
This is the first time I’ve seen your message, so I have just sent it over – enjoy!
Hello, fab project, I would love a copy. Thanking you in advance.
Thank you! I just shared it.
Hi, this project looks great and I would really like the resource so that I could teach it to my son who is year 9 and homeschooled. Thank you very much
No problem! Hope your son enjoys it 🙂
I ‘do art’ with my nieces across zoom as they live abroad. I love this idea, not sure how to tackle it transatlantically, but would love to see the details. Thanks
I’m sure you’ll be able to do this via zoom, I’d love to see how you get on!
Hello, this looks great! Please could I have a copy?
I just shared it 🙂
looks great I would appreciate a copy please.
I just sent it over for you 🙂
This looks like a fun activity, with simple resources but creative outcome!
Please do share!
I’ve shared it for you 🙂
This looks great! Could I have a copy, please?
Thanks, and yes! I have emailed it to you.
Thank you so much for the free resources and lesson ideas. Love your website. Could I please have a copy of the recourses for the mini KS3 photography project? Thanks 🙂
You’re welcome! Thanks for the lovely comment and glad you like the site 🙂 I have just emailed it over.
This looks great, could I get the resources please?
Hi, thanks! I just sent them over 🙂
What a great idea! Please could you send me a copy of the resources?
Much appreciated.
Glad you like the look of it – I just shared the project 🙂
Looks really interesting please can you share the resources. Thank you 🙂
Thanks! Yes, of course, I just sent them.
Hello, your idea is amazing, would love to try it with my students, I would really appreciate you sharing your resource
Thanks! I had some lovely outcomes from students with it – I just shared the resources 🙂
This looks really useful! It’s the first time I’ll be teaching any of this so thank you for sharing 😊
It’s the first photography project our students do so I’ve tried to keep it as simple as possible! Enjoy.
This looks like it would provide everyone with a chance to discuss what makes some pieces work so well, while looking at abstract artwork.
Thanks for your comment! I just emailed the resources to you.
Hello. I love the ideas and outcomes displayed. May I try this with my students using your resources, please.
Hi, yes of course! I just sent them.
Thank you!
I would love it if you wouldn’t mind sharing these resources.
Hi, no problem, I just shared the lessons 🙂
This looks great! Please could you send me a copy of the resources?
Many thanks 🙂
Hi, yes of course! I just sent them.
Hello! I would like access to the directions to this project (Photography Project ks3). I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen for Students. Looking forward to an Art-filled, eventful school year. Thank you
I have just sent them over – hope it helps with your schemes of work this year! Enjoy.
Hi
I think this is an excellent project and would love to share it with my Year 9 class if you could share any resources that would be great.
Thanks in advance
Hi! Yes, of course – I have just emailed it over to you. Enjoy!
Could I request a copy please? Many thanks.
Yes of course, I have shared it with you.
This looks really good. Please could you send me the resources. Thank you.
Thank you 🙂 I just shared it.
Hi there, I’m a new teacher and this would be brilliant for an introductory photography lesson for a photography club I’m running. Could you please send me the resources? Thanks so much!
Hi, yes of course! Best of luck with your ECT and club!
This looks great! Please could you send me a copy of the resources?
Many thanks
No problem, I just shared the presentation.
I have just started home educating my son and would love to try this . Please can you share the resource. Your website is brilliant!
Thanks! Glad the site is helpful 🙂 I just shared it – feel free to share what he makes 🙂
Hello I just downloaded the elements and joined your blog. I am so grateful. I am teaching Year 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Many are English Language Learners as well. Anyway, I would love a copy of this resource and I was wondering if you have a curriculum map for year 7-9 and for GCSE as well. I have seen some but I think your way would really work as I like your process and projects. I am just starting out so I think I ll start Year 7-9 on the elements project as all i have seen is a texture project from last year. I have no idea where to start year 10-11 only a few class members are taking the exam. Any help is welcome!
Hi, thanks for your message! I just shared the project.
I do have a curriculum map for my department, but I am always cautious about ‘buying in’ curriculum maps without knowing the students or school. I have a range of projects here: https://theartteacher.net/art-teacher-resources-sow-home/art-lesson-resource-bundles/ which you could use to build your own curriculum. There are a lot of full projects to choose from.
I do work with schools to develop curriculums based on their needs / context. If this is of interest to you then please just email me 🙂 Best wishes for your classes – where are you based?
This looks amazing – please could I have a copy for my mixed KS3 AP unit? Thanks 🙂
Hi, yes of course! I just shared it 🙂
This looks amazing, please can you send me the resources? Thank you so much. M
Thanks! I have just shared the project with you 🙂
This looks like a great project to get the shy artists to have a go.
I have sent it over – I’d love to see how your students get on with it!
I would love a copy! Thank you for the early morning inspiration 🙂
Thanks for the lovely message 🙂 I have shared it with you.
I would love a copy this looks great
Highschool Art teacher
Cheers! I sent it over to you.
This looks fab for my students who find drawing a challenge. I’d love to have the planning please.
It’s very hands on and ideal for a break from drawing! I have shared it with you 🙂
Could I please have a copy
thanks
Hi, yes of couse!
Hi, Love this idea as a taster for photography with my KS3 classes. I would really appreciate a copy of this, please.
Hi, thanks, that’s exactly what we use if as too 🙂 enjoy!
Hi, The photography project looks really good. Just what I am looking for. Would you be able to share the resources with me?
Hi – thanks! I have just shared it with you, hope it’s helpful.
Hi this looks great. Would you mind sharing it with me? Thankyou!
Hi, not at all, I have just sent it over.
Hi, I would love a copy please. It looks great and i’d love to try it with my class 🙂
Thanks so much, I have sent them over 🙂
Taking on art next year. This look great.
Thanks.
Best of luck with starting to teach art, enjoy the resources!
Hi, love this project! Please could I get a copy of the resources 🙂
Also, how did year 9 get along when using their phones ?
Yes – I have just sent them over. Great question! They were *not* allowed to use their phones in lesson, only at home. We have two DSLR cameras in school that I used with small groups of students working well. I showed them as a group how to use the cameras, they went around the room and helped each other out 🙂
This looks fantastic – would it please be possible to have a copy?
Thanks! Of course 🙂
Hi – please can you send d me this resource? Thankyou 🙂
Hi, yes – I just sent it over 🙂
I really enjoy your resources.
Please could you send me a copy of the PowerPoint – thank you.
Thanks so much, I like feedback like that! 😀 I have just shared it with you.
Hello, I would love a copy of this please. Such a cool project would love to try out with my class.
Of course, I would love to see how your students get on with it.
Hi, please can you send me this resource? I’m hoping to use in our KS3 Home Ed Art & Design learning.
Hi, yes of course, I hope it’s helpful 🙂