Photography Merit Badge

Photography
Merit badge requirements
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  1. Tell what makes a good picture. Show your understanding of these as you take pictures for requirement 2.

  2. Do the following:

    1. Take pictures illustrating at least eight of the following picture-taking techniques. Use comparisons to illustrate your points.

      1. Camera steadiness
      2. Rule of thirds
      3. Level horizon
      4. Moving in close - Fill the frame
      5. Framing
      6. Direction of light - Front, side, and backlighting
      7. Quality of light - Flat light, bright sunlight and time of day
      8. Point of view - Eye level, high and low angle
      9. Use of leading lines
      10. Flash - Proper range and reflective surfaces

    2. Do one of the following, utilizing techniques of planning a photo report. Start with planning cards; then do your photography and editing, and complete the requirements by presenting your report in an organized manner to your counselor.

      1. Expose a roll of print film, and select 5 to 10 good pictures for your picture story. Mount the pictures on a large art board or in a photo album.

      2. Expose a roll of slide film and select 10 or more good slides to tell your story.

  3. Explain how photographic film is processed and tell how black-and-white prints are made, or process and print your own pictures and show your counselor, explaining the steps you took.

  4. Do the following:

    1. Explain to your counselor the basic parts common to all cameras using a diagram you prepared.
    2. Explain common photographic terms such as lens, shutter, view-finder, camera angle, exposure, negative, transparency, f/number, and planning card.

  5. Describe jobs in photography.

Merit badge requirements courtesy of Troop 586 Farmington