Photography Merit Badge Activity Planner
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'Patrol Leader Merit Badge Planning Guide for the Photography Merit Badge
*** Activities for the Youth Lead Patrol ***
Exploring Photography can be a fascinating youth adventure when done right. Here are a few tips to help the patrol leader get started.
- Scouts may never add or subtract from the actual merit badge requirements
- This Planner is only a suggestion of different ideas to make working this Merit Badge both fun and easy.
- While doing the Worksheet is not a requirement for earning this badge, in many cases it can help you learn key concepts and track your progress.
A. Make Your Plan
- Merit Badge Activity Planning Tips - 14 tips for a successful patrol activity. Read carefully before you start your plan!
- Share Your Plan - Meet ahead of time with your patrol, scout leaders, parents and especially with the Merit Badge Counselor. Make changes to the plan as needed.
- Prepare Activity Flyer - Keep your fellow scouts informed - events, activities, pre-requisites and more.
| Patrol Activity | GREAT | Easy MB to work as a patrol / Max Size 12 scouts |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Field Trip | GREAT | |
| Family Activity | GREAT | Great Family Activity - Do home photo story |
| Service Activity | POOR | n/a |
| S.T.E.M. Activity | GREAT | Outdoor STEM Activity |
| Field Trip | GREAT | Easy outdoor activities |
| Duty-to-God | GREAT | Do a religious theme visual photo story |
| MB Day | GREAT | Easy outdoor activities |
| Overnighter | GREAT | Easy outdoor activities |
| Summer Camp | GREAT | Easy outdoor activities / Bring laptop with Photo-shop. |
Online Resources
- Photography Merit Badge Requirements: BoyScoutTrial.com lists all requirements, additional resources, activity worksheet, etc.
- Photography Merit Badge File Store: Online resources
- Photography Merit Badge Worksheets: Worksheets are optional - but highly preferred by many MBC. When you find that many requirements say "discuss" - the worksheet can help you gather your thoughts beforehand.
- Photography Merit Badge Booklet: Everything thing you need to know about Photography is right here. Get this study guide from either Amazon or your Troop Library, Merit Badge Counselor or Scoutmaster to Learn More About this Subject.
- Photography @ Simple-Wikipedia: Get the basics quickly.
B. Introduction Meeting
Most merit badge activities do best to have a "introduction" meeting where the patrol can discuss how to get started and to plan out their field trips. Send out the activity flyer in advance to use as an meeting agenda. Your scouts will then know what to expect.
News Flash
C. Homework / Prerequisites
Assign one or more requirements that the scout can do at home, perhaps as a family activity.
Req #1B: "Show your counselor your current, up-to-date Cyber Chip."
D. Study Hall Patrol Night
While some scouts may be adept at self-study, others may do better in a small group setting and taking notes on worksheets. Make an agenda. You can facilitate discussion by asking them why each of the principles introduced here would be relevant. Schedule one or more patrol meetings to work this merit badge.
Pre-Open Gathering Activity
A gathering activity before the official meeting start is a great way to set a fun theme for the meeting.
MBC Discussion Group
- Req #1: Discussion - Safety
- Req #2: Discussion - Key Elements
- Req #3: Discussion - Basic parts of a Camara
- Req #8: Discussion - Careers in Photography
Discussion Resources:
- Photography Merit Badge - Slideserve powerpoint presentation
Req #6: Photoshop
Req #6: Describe how software allows you to enhance your photograph after it is taken. Select a photo you have taken, then do ONE of the following, and share what you have done with your counselor:
a. Crop your photograph.
b. Adjust the exposure or make a color correction.
c. Show another way you could improve your picture for impact.
E. Field Trip
This merit badge has several "projects" that can be done easily at either a patrol activity night or in a outdoor field trip.
Req #4: Perspectives Project
Req #4: Do TWO of the following, then share your work with your counselor:
a. Photograph one subject from two different angles or perspectives.
b. Photograph one subject from two different light sources - artificial and natural.
c. Photograph one subject with two different depth of fields.
d. Photograph one subject with two different compositional techniques.
Req #5: Three Photo Images
Req #5: Photograph THREE of the following, then share your work your counselor:
a. Close-up of a person
b. Two to three people interacting
c. Action shot
d. Animal shot
e. Nature shot
f. Picture of a person - candid, posed, or camera aware
Req #7: Visual Story Project
Using images other than those created for requirements 4, 5 or 6, produce a visual story to document an event to photograph OR choose a topic that interests you to photograph. Do the following:
a. Plan the images you need to photograph for your photo story.
b. Share your plan with your counselor, and get your counselor's input and approval before you proceed.
c. Select eight to 12 images that best tell your story. Arrange your images in order and mount the prints on a poster board, OR create an electronic presentation. Share your visual story with your counselor.
F. Extra Credit
While none of these are actual requirements for this merit badge - they are terrific opportunities to show Scout Spirit, Do a Good Turn Daily and to have FUN!
- Activity Reflection: Use this meeting for scouts to ask questions and to reflect on what they gained personally from this adventure. You can also have a discussion on what future opportunities are here.
- Court of Honor Exhibit: Pictures, handiwork and other memorabilia from this adventure will make for a great presentation at the next Scout Troop Court of Honor.
Related Merit Badges
Sometimes it is easier by doing two or more merit badges together as a joint activity: