Today, being Digital Learning Day, I plan to get students to rethink cameras. How could camera create digital ‘stories’?

• How would a background give your subject context and proportion?

• What could you filter or manipulate a picture before you take the shot?

• How could you change the ISO settings to get a different result with the same subject?

Who knows? Some of my students may turn out to be journalists, or take to photography in some shape or form. Despite the fact that most pictures today are taken on phones, understanding lighting and perspective will always be an asset. My 5th grade class was divided into three groups. One with a Digital SLR, and two with regular digital cameras and two tripods if needed.

Here is how one group shot a Lego device. Interesting how one chose the robotics table, and another chose the Moon landing poster as a backdrop.

Or take how they approached this subject. Long shot with an outdoor context vs a close-up shot, adding the human element.