Author:
Janet
Subject:
College and Career Awareness
Material Type:
Activity/Lab, Assessment, Lesson
Level:
Middle School
Tags:
  • Arts/Audio/Visual Technology & Communication
  • College & Career Awareness
  • Food Photography
  • Food Styling
  • Hospitality & Tourism
  • Lesson Plan
  • photography
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
    Language:
    English
    Media Formats:
    Text/HTML

    Food Photography Lesson Plan

    Food Photography Lesson Plan

    Overview

    This lesson plan focuses on the careers of Food Photography and Food Styling. It was written for the College and Career Awareness Course which explores a variety of careers in 8th grade. The lesson plan includes a video on Food Styling, a video on Food Photography Tips and Tricks, followed with the "Glass of Water Challenge" which combines both Food Styling and Food Photography.

    Strands and Standards for College & Career Awareness

    1.1  Students will assess their interests and aptitudes as they explore career options in the career clusters and pathways.

    1.3  Explore the current Utah career cluster and pathways associated with each cluster and analyze the overlapping content:  Arts/Audio/Visual Technology & Communication, Hopsitality & Tourism

    Summary

     

    This lesson plan focuses on the careers of Food Photography and Food Styling. It was written for the College and Career Awareness Course which explores a variety of careers in 8th grade.

    Time: 65 minutes

    Format: In person (Can be an online assignment)

    Authors: Janet Tingey and Katrina Brighton

     

    Background for Teachers

     

    To teach this lesson, read through the lesson plan and watch the videos. Purchases the supplies needed for the “Glass of Water Challenge.” Have various areas, by classroom windows, outside the school, for photos to be set up and taken.

    Supplies for Glass of Water Challenge: Clear Glasses, ice, water, lemons, limes, mint leaves, straws, student devices for photos - phones, cameras, chromebooks 

     

    Step 1 - Goals and Outcomes

    Step 1 Goals and Outcomes

    State Strand and Standard:

    • 1.1  Students will assess their interests and aptitudes as they explore career options in the career clusters and pathways.

    • 1.3  Explore the current Utah career cluster and pathways associated with each cluster and analyze the overlapping content:  Arts/Audio/Visual Technology & Communication, Hospitality & Tourism

     

    Learning Intentions:

    • Students will learn about and practice food photography.

    • They will practice taking photos in different settings and lighting.

    • Students will learn about and practice food styling.

     

    Success Criteria:

    • Students will submit their best photo for the challenge for assessment.

    • Students will reflect on what they learned from the lesson.

     

    Step 2 - Planning Instruction

    Step 2 Planning Instruction

    Student Background Knowledge

    • Prior to this lesson, students will need to know how to take a photo using their device, chromebook, phone, camera, etc.

    • Students need to know and follow the expectations in the Foods Labs at school.

     

    Strategies for Diverse Learners

    • Students will be working with a partner to help with multiple ideas and sharing of skills.

    Step 3 - Instruction

    Step 3 Instruction

     

    Instructional Procedures

    **Before class begins, have the supplies for the Glass of Water Challenge on the supply table ready for the students to use.

    Starter: What is Food Styling?

    Give students time to write a brief description or definition. Students may need to do a quick online search, to be able to give a good description.

    Discuss what they found out about food styling and what it is. 

    Show this video about Food Styling and after watching the video, have the students write down what surprised them about food styling.  https://youtu.be/pRRUgI_iUXI

    (10 Mind Blowing Tricks Advertisers Use to Manipulate Photos)

    Introduce the next video about “Food Photography” and watch the video with the class. https://youtu.be/mAiDSCLDB9c

    (Easy Tips for Better Instagram Food Photos (Instantly))

    Discuss: Do you use any of these tips when you take photos of yourself or your friends?

    List and review the different tips and tricks given in the video.

    • Shot in natural light

    • Take control of the shadows

    • Use a neutral background

    • Think about color

    • Shout from the best angle

    • Arrange your food neatly

    • Decorate your scene

    • Create a story

    • Add a human element

    • Keep it simple

    • Enhance the color with editing

     

    Explain the “Glass of Water Challenge.”  

    Directions: Make a glass of water using the provided materials of your choice. Use props, consider the lighting and angles of the photographs. Take many photos.

    Allow at least 30 minutes for this challenge and clean up. Remind the students how much time is left until the end of class often.

    Step 4 - Assessments

    Step 4 Assessments

    Turn in your 2 best photos.  (Examples attached below.)

    Reflect and self-assess questions:

    I did this to make the glass of water enticing …..

    To create the best photograph I did …..

    I was/wasn’t challenged by taking the photographs because …..

    I enjoy/don’t enjoy food photography because …..