The pupils look at images, videos, or other visual expressions and identify the techniques used to convey a message. They articulate how they experience the mood that is created.
This approach supports the pupils’ ability to recognise visual techniques and gain a deeper understanding of how these influence the viewer.
Present an image, a video, or another visual material to the pupils. Optionally point out what they should look for and/or provide examples.
The pupils observe carefully and make notes on which techniques are used (e.g. lighting, colours, composition, camera angles, text, sound, symbols, artefacts). It is important that they are as specific as possible.
Students write individually, in pairs or in groups, what mood or feeling the image/video gives them – and what elements contribute to it.
Pupils can compare their observations and experiences with a partner or in a group before the class discussion.
You may wish to write all identified visual techniques and moods on the board or whiteboard in the classroom.
Consider allowing pupils to work with different images/videos or various types of visual media (e.g. art, advertisements, social media) to explore how visual techniques are used in different contexts.
You could also ask pupils to find their own examples of images or videos where they can identify the use of specific visual techniques.
Optionally, provide the pupils with a list of visual techniques to look out for.
Encourage pupils to experiment with changing a visual expression (e.g. altering colours or cropping an image) to see how it affects the overall mood.
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