Photo literacy

From lush, green rainforests to hot, red deserts, from parched, brown paddocks to deep, blue oceans, the natural environment is full of contrasting and colourful images. From wondrous smiles to furrowed brows, from nervous grimaces to meditative calm, the human face is a multitude of emotions. Photos are an immediate and powerful means of capturing the diversity of our world and its people, and of expanding and challenging our thinking about both. Photos use light, colour, line, movement and framing to entice the viewer to explore further, ask questions and create stories. With digital technologies and an abundance of online photo libraries, students can now explore many aspects of the world in new and exciting ways. As teachers in a global classroom, we can assist our students to think deeply about how photos communicate information and ideas about the world and its people. We can teach skills that help students critically examine images, including questioning stereotypes and the bias of the photographer and editor. These skills can be taught in English, Humanities or Art curriculums. Here are some possible starting points: Ask students to examine a selection of images. For example: Describe how each image affects you. What does it make you think? How and why does it do this? Does the image affect others in the same way? Discuss the similarities and differences between the photos. Write captions, conversations in speech bubbles, descriptions, stories, questions, poems etc. Compare your texts with those of others to gain insight into different ways of viewing the world. Put yourself in the picture: What are you doing? How might your presence change the situation? Make your own selection of photos to explore a theme, issue, people or place. Learn more about photography to help you interpret the images created by others. Create your own photos, photographic series or collage using a digital camera or photos taken by others. Think about how photos are composed. How does framing make a difference to a photo? What might be outside the frame? Learn about digital manipulation. Discuss the question: Is a photo always truthful? Add sounds or music. How do different sounds change the feel of an image? Interesting photo collections: World Press Photo http://www.worldpressphoto.nl Yann Arthus Bertrand http://www.yannarthusbertrand.com

As part of a visual refresh of the Global Education website new banners were designed in 2008. The photos used in these banners were sourced from the AusAID Photo Library and used with the permission of AusAID. They can be viewed as a slideshow at http://www.ozprojects.edu.au/mod/slideshow/view.php?id=1375 More photos are available from the AusAID Photo Gallery.