Download Project Information Sheet
Picture yourself in the photography project! In this project, you will have the opportunity to learn how to use a digital camera, lighting, and other photography equipment to get great photos. You will learn to review and evaluate photos for quality and eye-appeal. You can discover techniques in editing and developing photographs for display, competition, or personal enjoyment.
You can attend state-wide photography workshops and field trip held throughout the year that may cover topics such as architecture, portraits, still life, astrophotography, macro, and so much more.
In the photography project, you will learn how to:
- Take photos in manual and preset modes
- Apply different lighting techniques
- Learn about composition to take better photos
- Tell a story with your photos
- Express your artistic side
Resources
- Explore Guide: Photography
- 4-H Guide to Digital Photography (Available on Amazon)
- Click It! Photography Project Activity – Beginner| Intermediate | Advanced
- Digital Photography for Teens (Available on Amazon)
- Level 1 Photography Basics
- Level 2 Next Level Photography
- Level 3 Mastering Photography
- Photo Editing: GIMP
- Online Photo Editor: Photopea
- Exposure Triangle Simulator
- 21 Free Photography Cheat Sheets
- Pinhole “Camera”
- Learn Photography [Full Course] by Australian Geographic Photographer Chris Bray (YouTube video)
- Camera Buying Guide (Consumer Reports)
- Window to the World – Composition, Rule of Thirds, and Mounting (Iowa State Extension)
Contests
State 4-H Photography Contest
The Texas 4-H Photography Contest encourages self-expression and allows youth to demonstrate skills learned in photography, including the use of photographic equipment and process of photographs.
- Rules and Guidelines
- Results: 2023 | 2022 | 2021
Roundup Photography Judging Contest
The Texas 4-H Photography Judging contest allows 4-H members to demonstrate skills in the evaluation, selection, and placing of photographs based on industry standards and expectations. The 4-H members participating in the contest will judge six classes of photographs and two classes of problems, testing both the participant’s knowledge and skills in the photography project.
- Photography Judging Contest – State 4-H Roundup Procedures
Visit the Texas 4-H Roundup Website for entry details. - Oral Reasons Guide
- Class Notes Form
- Reasons Outline
- Practice PowerPoint
- Judging Contest Cuts
- Practice Sets – 34 Powerpoints
- Photography Judging Practice Sets – Zip File Download
Natural Resources Photography Contest
The Texas 4-H Natural Resources Photography Contest encourages observation within specific Natural Resources project areas and allows youth to demonstrate skills learned in the area of photography, including the use of photographic equipment and processing of photographs. This contest provides another opportunity to showcase the photographic work of 4-H members in all age divisions.
Videography Contest
The Texas 4‐H Videography Contest encourages self‐expression and allows youth to demonstrate videography skills learned in 4‐H.
- Rules and Guidelines – Coming September 2023
Leadership Programs
Texas 4 -H Junior Master Photographer (JMP) program is designed to develop youth in 7th through 12th grade as leaders in the 4 -H photography project through a series of in -depth workshops and hands -on practice events. The Texas 4 -H Junior Master Photographer program provides advanced instruction to photography enthusiasts. Becoming a certified JMP is a prerequisite to becoming Photography Ambassador. Additional details are outlined in the brochure.
The Texas 4-H Photography Ambassador Program provides opportunities to grow in the photography project through community service, workshops, training sessions, field trips, and leadership/citizenship activities. Photography Ambassadors serve in photography corps at state-level events, taking event photographs. To become an ambassador, members must first complete the requirements to become a Junior Master Photographer.
Applications to become a Photography Ambassador are open in the spring to candidates who have completed the Junior Master Photographer training certification. The two-part Junior Master Photographer trainings typically take place in September and December each year.