Class Description
In partnership with ANIBH/CDC Prevention, this workshop gives students the opportunity to make their voices seen across their community. Students will photograph real people, places, or moments — and layer original positive messaging directly onto their images to create visual PSAs for print, digital, and community display. This class is part of a two-week MAPS media series; students may be joining for the first time or continuing from the audio PSA workshop in Week 1. Either way, no experience is needed — just your eye, your ideas, and your story. This class is about using photography to support and uplift your community.
Learning Objectives: in this class, students will learn about
- The art of the peer critique and how to give peer critiques on the progress of student work;
- Opportunities and potential resources on career pathways;
- How to distribute, exhibit, and promote artwork for a variety of audiences.
- How to compose and capture a photograph with intention and purpose
- Basic photography concepts: composition, light, framing, and the rule of thirds
- How to photograph people and community spaces with consent and care
- How to edit and tone photographs using Adobe Lightroom or VSCO
- How to add text overlays and positive messaging to photographs using Adobe Photoshop or Canva
- How to give and receive respectful peer feedback on visual work
- How photography and visual storytelling can support positive community messaging
- Career pathways connected to photography, photojournalism, editorial design, and media arts
- How to share creative visual work with real audiences through print, social media, and community platforms
Equipment
- iMac Studio computer
- Camera or iPad with camera capability
- Memory cards or USB cables for image transfer
- Tripods or handheld supports (if available)
- Printer for final print output (if available for gallery display)
- Whiteboard or screen for instruction
Software
- Adobe Lightroom (photo editing and toning)
- Adobe Photoshop (text overlays and final composition)
- Canva (backup option for text overlay and layout if Photoshop is unavailable)
- VSCO or Snapseed (mobile editing option if iPads are primary devices)
- Google Drive for saving, exporting, and sharing final files
Deliverables: Students and Class Projects
- Students will complete a photographed, edited, and designed visual PSA focused on healthy choices and positive community messaging.
- Final photo PSAs will be exported at print and digital quality for community display, social media, and outreach.
- Select photo PSAs may be printed and displayed in Fort Belknap community spaces or shared through tribal health channels.
- Students will practice photography basics, photo editing, text overlay design, and peer critique skills throughout the workshop.
