Teacher resources and professional development across the curriculum

Teacher professional development and classroom resources across the curriculum

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Science in Focus: Shedding Light: Lights, Camera, Action

Test Your Lighting I.Q.

I. The Web Activity

Photographers use their equipment to "paint with light." They are keenly aware of the interplay of light and shadow in their work. They see light, which most of us take for granted, through trained eyes.

Photographers use the direction of the light source, the shadows that are created, and materials that absorb, reflect, and transmit light energy to compose their images. In this activity you will work on training your eyes to see light and shadow as a photographer would.

Directions: How well can you determine what a photo might look like when lit in a particular way? Test your lighting IQ by matching the following seven photos to a particular lighting situation. You'll find the answers here.

Photo 1

  1. front lit, no flash
  2. front lit, with flash
  3. shade, without flash

Photo 2

  1. front lit, no flash
  2. side lit, with flash
  3. back lit, with flash

Photo 3

  1. back lit, no flash
  2. side lit, no flash
  3. front lit, no flash

Photo 4

  1. back lit, no flash
  2. side lit, no flash
  3. side lit, flash

Photo 5

  1. back lit, no flash
  2. back lit, flash
  3. front lit, no flash


Photo 6

  1. back lit, with flash
  2. shade, with flash
  3. front lit, no flash


How can you explain what is happening to the light in this picture?


The Answers and More Information

I. The Web Activity <—
II. The Science
III. Do It Yourself
IV. Do It with Your Students
V. Resources


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