Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: Second Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Photography
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Types Of Film: Black And White And Colour Film.
Topic: FILM SPEED
Subject Matter: Film sizes, Meaning of film speed, Importance of film speed

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define film speed.
State common film sizes.
Differentiate between various categories of film speed.
Explain the importance of film speed in photography.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the impact of film speed on photographic outcomes.
Show interest in selecting appropriate film speed for different shooting conditions.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify different film speeds on film boxes and camera settings.
Compare various film categories based on their speed.

Discuss with peers the suitable film speed for specific photographic tasks.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum (Senior Secondary School Photography)
State Unified Scheme of Work for Photography (SSS 1)
Photography for Senior Secondary Schools, Textbook 1

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

ISO chart
Various film boxes (e.g., ISO 100, 400, 800)
A camera with adjustable ISO settings

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding film speed is important for pupils to choose the right film for different lighting conditions and desired photographic effects. This knowledge helps them achieve better image quality and control over their photographs.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a basic understanding of camera parts and how a camera captures an image.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

FILM SPEED

Film Sizes

Film sizes refer to the physical dimensions of the film negative or slide. Common film sizes include:

35mm film (most common for still photography)
Medium format film (e.g., 120 film)
Large format film (e.g., 4×5 inch sheets)

Meaning of Film Speed

Film speed, also known as ISO (International Organization for Standardization), indicates a film’s sensitivity to light. A higher ISO number means the film is more sensitive to light, requiring less exposure time or smaller apertures.

Film speeds are categorized into:

Slow Speed Films (e.g., ISO 50-200): These films require more light, produce finer grain, and offer higher resolution and color saturation. They are suitable for bright conditions or when maximum detail is desired.
Medium Speed Films (e.g., ISO 400): These films offer a good balance between light sensitivity, grain, and image quality. They are versatile for various lighting conditions.
Fast Speed Films (e.g., ISO 800-3200+): These films are very sensitive to light, suitable for low-light conditions or capturing fast-moving subjects. They typically produce more noticeable grain.

Importance of Film Speed

The choice of film speed is important for several reasons:

Light Conditions: It determines how well the film performs in different lighting environments (bright sun vs. dim interiors).
Image Grain: Slower films generally have finer grain, leading to smoother images, while faster films have more visible grain.
Shutter Speed and Aperture: Film speed directly influences the possible combinations of shutter speed and aperture for correct exposure. Faster films allow for faster shutter speeds or smaller apertures.
Depth of Field: By allowing smaller apertures, faster films can indirectly contribute to greater depth of field.
Subject Movement: Faster films enable faster shutter speeds, which helps to freeze motion effectively.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they remember about how cameras work and the different types of cameras they know. The teacher then introduces the topic “Film Speed” by asking pupils if they know what makes some photographs appear bright in low light and others dark.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the lesson and understand the lesson’s relevance.

Step 2: Film Sizes

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays various film boxes (e.g., 35mm, 120) and explains the concept of film sizes, discussing common formats used in photography. The teacher ensures pupils can visually differentiate between them.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the film boxes, identify different sizes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of film sizes.

Step 3: Meaning of Film Speed

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines film speed as a measure of a film’s sensitivity to light, introducing the ISO rating system. The teacher explains that a higher ISO number means greater sensitivity. The teacher also displays an ISO chart and explains its use.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the definition, observe the ISO chart, and discuss how ISO numbers relate to light sensitivity.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning of film speed and the ISO standard.

Step 4: Categories of Film Speed

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Categorization/Comparison
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the three main categories of film speed: slow, medium, and fast. For each category, the teacher provides example ISO numbers and discusses their typical characteristics regarding grain, resolution, and suitable lighting conditions. The teacher uses the film boxes to show examples of each category.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanations, examine the film boxes, and compare the characteristics of different film speed categories.
Learning Point: Pupils can differentiate between slow, medium, and fast speed films.

Step 5: Importance of Film Speed

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on why choosing the correct film speed is important. The teacher explains how film speed affects image grain, the necessary shutter speed and aperture, and the ability to photograph in various light conditions or freeze motion.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion, asking questions about the practical implications of using different film speeds.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the practical importance of film speed in achieving desired photographic results.

Step 6: Practical Observation

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher passes around film boxes and a camera. Pupils are instructed to locate the ISO/film speed rating on the boxes and, if applicable, on the camera’s settings. The teacher demonstrates how to change ISO settings on the camera.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils examine the film boxes and camera, identifying the film speed indicators and observing the camera’s ISO settings.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify film speed on physical materials and camera settings.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is film speed?
Mention two common film sizes.
List three categories of film speed and give an example ISO for each.
Explain two reasons why film speed is important in photography.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the definition, categories, and importance of film speed. The teacher assigns homework: “Research and write down the advantages and disadvantages of using slow-speed film compared to fast-speed film.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are given tasks for further study.

Lesson Keywords

Film Speed – A measure of a photographic film’s sensitivity to light.
ISO – International Organization for Standardization; a standard for measuring film speed.
Grain – The visible texture in a photograph, more pronounced in faster films.
35mm Film – A common film format for still photography.
Light Sensitivity – How much light a film needs to create a proper exposure.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to research how film speed relates to reciprocity failure. For pupils needing additional support, the teacher will provide more one-on-one guidance and use simpler visual aids to explain the differences between film speeds and their effects.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure to have actual film boxes of various ISOs and a camera to demonstrate the concepts clearly. Encourage pupils to bring their own cameras if possible for practical identification of ISO settings. Emphasize the practical implications of choosing film speed for different photographic situations.