Stage 2 and 3 high potential and gifted students using iPads and cameras to photograph nature during the Bush studio photography enrichment program at Field of Mars Reserve

Bush studio photography HPGE enrichment program | Stage 2 and 3 Creative arts

Program overview

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

High potential student editing photos on an iPad, remixing and manipulating images inspired by the work of Barkindji photographer Kent Morris
Printed and framed A4 photographs and digital artworks created in the Bush studio photography HPGE enrichment program displayed in a gallery-style session

Activities

Introduction

The day begins by exploring the work of Barkindji photographer Kent Morris. Kent’s photographs will provide inspiration for the day as we explore reflections, digital technologies and native landscapes.

Observing

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.

Refections

Referring to the work of Kent Morris students will explore the use of mirrors to create depth and illusions in photography. They will construct 3D models using a range of natural and made materials. Learning to observe in different ways student will photograph their models from a variety of perspectives.

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 and returned to school at a later date.

Portfolio

Student will select their best images to be saved as a single document PDF in a photography portfolio. The portfolio will be returned to school via Google drive.

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.

Location

Boardwalk and urban bushland setting in Field of Mars Reserve, main location for the Bush studio photography HPGE enrichment program

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 entrance to Field of Mars Reserve, used as an alternative access point during flooding or high tides at the main Pittwater Road entrance

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 and details

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.

Dates

Available dates

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 but are welcome.

Student selection

Maximum 8 students per school per day.

When choosing your students, remember the program takes place indoors, outdoors and in public spaces. Students may be near creeks and bushland tracks. While EEC teachers supervise them all day, consider if they’ll need SLSO or teacher support to stay safe.

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

Suggested timetable

Time

Activities

9.15 Arrival
9.30 - 9.15 Introduction
9.45 - 10.15 Observing
10.15 - 10.30 Recess
10.30 - 11.30 Photography or reflections
11.30 - 12.30 Refections or photography
12.30 - 1.00 Lunch
1.00 - 2.00 Mix up
2.00 - 2.15 Portfolio
2.15 Depart

Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary

observe, represent, manipulate, select, curate, intention, meaning, cyanotype, exposure, analogue, digital, rule of thirds, leading lines, reflection, composition

Syllabus outcomes and content

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

Book now button linking to Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre Bush studio photography HPGE enrichment program bookings

Book now

Book your HPGE program using our online booking form.

Learning resources tile linking to digital materials that support Bush studio photography visual arts and photography skills

Learning resources

View online lessons that support primary incursion and excursion programs.

Flora and fauna fact sheets tile for native plants, animals and habitats in Field of Mars Reserve that can inspire Bush studio photography artworks

Flora and fauna fact sheets

View our curriculum-aligned fact sheets on Australian animals, plants, ecosystems and environments for NSW primary and secondary students, ideal for research, projects and classroom learning.