Bush studio photography HPGE enrichment program
Creative arts
Program
Students will spend the day in the Field of Mars Reserve, printing and drawing as a catalyst to learning photography techniques, editing on iPads, and creating digital artworks inspired by the urban bushland setting. They will select one photo or composed artwork to be printed and framed.
Learning intention
- We are learning to represent the natural world by creating and manipulating images using both analogue and digital photography techniques.
Activities
Observing
The day begins with a technology-free exploration of nature. Learning to observe, students will focus on nature at a variety of scales. They will explore the basic concept of light exposure in photography through cyanotype printing.
Photography
Students will be introduced to the skills, techniques, and methodologies of digital photography. Topics covered include fundamental photography principles such as the rule of thirds, composition, and leading lines. Students will use analogue image manipulation tools alongside their digital photographic tool.
Students will create a catalogue of patterns and shapes found in nature using observational drawing and photography that can later be used to remix their photographs into composed artworks with distinct meaning. Each student will explore a range of environments and use a Field of Mars EEC supplied iPad to select photo subjects, compose, and frame shots, and identify creative ways to express their photographs.
Mix up
Students will review their photographs, selecting the best examples of life in the reserve. They will also learn how to edit their photographs using various apps.
Responding to the urban bushland setting and work of Barkindji photographer Kent Morris students will learn how to remix and manipulate some of their images to create a new composition.
Student's will select their best photograph or artwork to be printed on A4 photo paper at Field of Mars EEC. Printed images will be framed.
All digital images and artworks will be retuned to school via Google drive.
Gallery
Framed images and artworks will be on display.
Facilitator - Emily Besser
This program is supported by the NSW DoE Arts Unit.
Also available - Wild shots HPGE photography program.
This program is only available to NSW Department of Education school students.
One day workshop - Stage 2 and 3
2026
Term 3 - Week 10
Monday 21st September - capacity 60 students (60 spots remaining)
Tuesday 22nd September - capacity 60 students (60 spots remaining)
Maximum 8 students per school (DoE schools only)
Location
Field of Mars Reserve
Main location – including risk assessment, maps and track overview.
Teachers or parents will need to drop off and pick up students.
Westminster Road alternate entrance
This entrance or exit offers access during severe high tides and heavy rainfall events that cause flooding on the main Pittwater Road entrance.
Essential information
| Cost |
$60 per student - GST free This will be processed through the student's home school. This program is only available to NSW Department of Education school students. |
| Transport | Schools are required to organise transport for students to and from the location. No vehicles are permitted into Field of Mars Reserve. |
| Staff | Teachers are not required to attend. |
| Bring | Sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, reusable name tag. |
| View | Preparing for your excursion |
| Welfare |
Participants will be walking during the day on an accessible boardwalk. Wheelchair accessible. May not suit recently unwell participants. For medical or special needs notify staff prior to program. |
| Extreme or wet weather | Program may be modified, postponed or cancelled due to predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms. |
| Booking policy | Confirm student details 7 days in advance. |
| Cancellation fee |
Less than 4 weeks notice – full cost Weather or fire danger cancellation – $0 |
| Time | Activities |
| 9.15 | Arrival |
| 9.30 - 10.15 | Observing |
| 10.15 - 10.30 | Recess |
| 10.30 - 12.00 | Photography |
| 12.00 - 12.30 | Lunch |
| 12.30 - 2.00 | Mix up |
| 2.00 - 2.15 | Gallery |
| 2.15 | Depart |
Syllabus outcomes and content Stage 2
Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus (2024)
Visual Arts
Outcome
- makes artworks using art forms to represent subject matter and ideas, and describes ways artists convey ideas about their world to audiences through artworks CA2-VIS-01
Content
Making: Artists represent their world through subject matter and ideas in artworks
- represent subject matter and ideas in artworks, making choices based on own interpretations of the world
- use drawing materials and techniques to create effects with texture and tone to represent subject matter and ideas
- explore balance, scale and proportion in compositions to represent subject matter and ideas
- demonstrate safe art making practices with respect for physical, social and digital saftey
Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
Syllabus outcomes and content Stage 3
Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus (2024)
Visual Arts
Outcomes
- makes artworks in intentional ways to represent ideas about their world, and explains ways artists are influenced by contexts and how artworks are interpreted by audiences CA3-VIS-01
Content
Making: Artists represent their world in intentional ways through their artmaking practice
- Represent ideas or perspectives of their world and intentions in own artmaking practice
- Use drawing materials and techniques to create artistic effects to represent subject matter or ideas in intentional ways
- Create intentional effects with awareness of the relationships between colours and tones, to represent subject matter or ideas in realistic, imaginative or symbolic ways
- Use painting materials, techniques and processes to explore ways to apply paint in combination with mixed media materials
- Apply understandings of materials, digital technologies and processes to represent intended ideas in artworks
- Explore artistic conventions and ways to represent subject matter and ideas in compositions
- Demonstrate safe artmaking practices with respect for physical, social, digital and cultural safety
Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
