Making a Class Portrait

This afternoon we created a portrait of Leven class.

We started by talking about the last assignment and looking at the photos of the other classes.  We critiqued these together and used this to help us create a more creative version of the usual school photo.  Instead of lining up at the front, we were going to try and show all the different types of learning that go on in the classroom - all at once.

We decided on seven different types of activities: topic research, maths, reading, drama, science, art and Activote.  We split into small groups - one for each activity.  The groups decided how they would pose themselves and practiced free-frames.

When it was time to take the photo, I stood on a stool in the corner of the room to try and get as wide a view as possible.  This is one of the first lot of photos:

We looked at this together.  I wasn't happy with it and asked for a critique to help me work out why.  We saw that there was a lot of empty space and that everyone was too spaced out.  The angle of the frame wasn't working and we thought that it would be better if the camera was straight.  Also, we noticed that the activities didn't look very active - some children looked like the were falling asleep nearly!

So we rearranged the room slightly so that everyone would be closer together.  We also decided I should move so that the camera could see the topic display board at the back of the classroom.  (In the picture above it is hidden by the learning line.)

Then it was time to take the picture!  Here are two photos from this second go:

I felt much happier with these ones.  There is less empty space, you can see what everyone is doing (mostly!) and it is more active.  We couldn't decide which was better - looking at the camera and smiling or not.  

I like the top one where everyone looks like they are concentrating on their activity.  Some look like they are working together and comparing their work.  Others are on their own and absorbed in what they are doing.  I wonder if someone who saw this would know that it was all just pretend!  But I also like the bottom one too: it's such a nice friendly image of the class.  

It took us all afternoon to create these portraits.  This was because we spent time thinking carefully about what we wanted to show and how to arrange the room and the people in it.  There were lots of decisions to make along the way.

What do you think?