A. Creating and Presenting · Creating Art: The Creative Process, Design and Studio Techniques

Digital and Photographic Art

A3.1 C1.2 C2.1About 70 minutes

Learning goals

I can compose photographs using framing, viewpoint, the rule of thirds, leading lines and light.
I can explain pixels, resolution, raster and vector images, and choose a suitable file format.
I can use layers, selections and non-destructive editing in a free digital art program.
I can use emerging technologies (such as stop motion, digital drawing and AI tools) responsibly and honestly.

Words to know

pixel
The smallest square of colour in a raster (bitmap) image.

resolution
The amount of detail in an image, often given as width × height in pixels; for printing, pixels per inch (ppi).

raster image
An image made of pixels, such as a photo or digital painting.

vector image
An image made from mathematical points, lines and curves; it can be enlarged without losing sharpness.

layer
A separate transparent level in a digital image that can be edited on its own.

non-destructive editing
Editing in a way that keeps the original (adjustment layers, duplicates, masks) so changes can be undone later.

exposure
How much light a photo captures; too much is overexposed (washed out), too little is underexposed (too dark).

frame rate
In animation or video, the number of frames (still images) shown per second (fps).

lossy compression
Making a file smaller by discarding some image data, as JPEG does; repeated saving lowers quality.

New tools, same principles

The Ontario curriculum asks you to produce art with traditional and emerging technologies. Phone cameras, tablets, free drawing programs, stop-motion apps, 3-D printers and AI image tools are all part of today's art world. The elements and principles of design still apply: a photo needs a focal point, balance and contrast just like a painting.

This lesson uses free or built-in tools. Free programs such as GIMP (photo editing), Krita (digital painting) and Inkscape (vector drawing) work on most computers, and most phones and tablets have built-in photo editors.

Photography: composition and light

Rule of thirds: turn on the grid in your camera settings. Place horizons on a third line and subjects near intersections.
Leading lines: roads, fences, railings and shorelines that lead the eye to the subject.
Framing: shoot through a doorway, branches or a window to frame the subject.
Viewpoint: crouch low (worm's-eye) to make a subject look powerful; shoot from above (bird's-eye) to make patterns or make subjects look small.
Fill the frame: get closer. Most beginner photos have the subject too small.
Simplify the background: move until nothing distracting is behind the subject.

Light is the photographer's main medium:

Front light: even, flat, few shadows.
Side light: strong shadows that show texture and form (like the light logic lesson).
Back light: silhouettes and glowing edges.
Golden hour: the hour after sunrise and before sunset, when light is low, warm and soft.
Overcast days: soft, even light, good for portraits.

On a phone, tap the subject to focus, then slide the brightness control to adjust exposure.

Many phone cameras can show a rule-of-thirds grid. Here the horizon sits on the lower third line (more sky, an open feeling) and the lone spruce sits near the upper-right intersection (circled), which feels more dynamic than dead centre.

Pixels, resolution and file types

A digital photo is a raster image: a grid of pixels. A phone photo might be 4000 × 3000 pixels (12 million pixels, or 12 megapixels).

For screens, the pixel dimensions matter.
For printing, a common rule is 300 pixels per inch (ppi) for sharp prints. Divide pixels by 300 to find the largest sharp print size in inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm).
Enlarging a small image does not add real detail; it just makes bigger, blurrier pixels.

File formats:

JPEG (.jpg): small files for photos; lossy, so quality drops each time you edit and re-save.
PNG (.png): lossless; supports transparent backgrounds; good for graphics and screenshots.
SVG (.svg): a vector format for logos and icons.
A program's own format (such as .xcf in GIMP or .kra in Krita) keeps layers; save your working file in this format and export a JPEG or PNG copy to share.

The same curved edge enlarged. A raster image (photos, digital paintings) is a grid of coloured squares called pixels; enlarge it too much and the edge looks blocky. A vector image (logos, many illustrations) is stored as points and curves, so it stays sharp at any size.

Digital editing and drawing

Layers: keep parts separate (see the diagram). Lock or hide layers as you work.
Selections and masks: edit only part of an image. A mask hides parts of a layer without erasing them (non-destructive).
Adjustments: crop, straighten, brightness/contrast, levels or curves (values), saturation (intensity), colour balance (warm/cool). These are the same elements and principles in digital form.
Digital brushes: a stylus with pressure sensitivity changes line weight like a real brush.
Undo is not an excuse to skip planning: thumbnails still help.

Time-based and emerging media

Stop-motion animation: move an object (clay, paper cut-outs, toys) slightly, take a photo, repeat. At 12 frames per second (fps), one second needs 12 photos.
Video and GIFs: short loops can show change or movement.
3-D modelling and printing, augmented reality, and AI image generators are new tools. With AI tools, be honest: say when and how you used AI, follow your school's rules, never present AI output as your own hand-made work, and remember that the images used to train some tools raise copyright questions that are still being debated.

Layers in a digital art program work like stacked transparent sheets. Upper layers cover lower ones. Keeping line art, colour, shading and text on separate layers lets you change one part without damaging the others (non-destructive editing).

Worked example

Let's calculate print size and plan an edit

Noor took a 4000 × 3000 pixel photo of frost on her window. She wants to print it at 300 ppi for an exhibition. How big can it be? Then plan her edit.

Width in inches: 4000 ÷ 300 ≈ 13.3 inches.
Height in inches: 3000 ÷ 300 = 10 inches.
Convert to centimetres: 13.3 × 2.54 ≈ 33.9 cm and 10 × 2.54 = 25.4 cm. So about 34 cm × 25 cm.
Crop: she crops to a square for a stronger composition, 3000 × 3000 pixels: 10 in × 10 in, or 25.4 cm square.
Edit non-destructively: duplicate the photo layer first. Add a levels adjustment to deepen darks and brighten the frost (more value contrast). Lower saturation slightly and shift colour balance cooler for a winter mood.
Save the layered working file in the program's own format, then export a high-quality JPEG for printing and a smaller copy for sharing online.

About 34 cm × 25 cm at 300 ppi (or 25.4 cm square after cropping), edited with adjustment layers on a duplicate so the original is never lost.

Ask before you post

Get permission before photographing people, especially before posting. Don't share photos that show your address, school name or other personal information. Turn off location tagging in your camera settings if you post art online.

Just for fun

Funny but true: the word pixel is short for "picture element". Your screen is basically a mosaic made of millions of very tiny tiles.

Hands-on activity

Digital and photo studio

You need: a phone, tablet or digital camera; a free editing program or your device's built-in editor; optional: modelling clay or paper cut-outs and a free stop-motion app.

Photo walk (30 min): take 20 photos around your home or neighbourhood, at least two each of: rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, worm's-eye view, bird's-eye view, side light, back light (silhouette), close-up texture.
Select: choose your best 5 and write which composition strategy each uses.
Edit one non-destructively: duplicate the layer (or keep the original file), crop, adjust levels/contrast, and change the mood with colour balance. Save the before and after side by side.
Choose ONE extension:

Stop motion: make a 5-second animation at 12 fps (60 photos). Keep the camera still (prop it on books).
Digital drawing: draw a portrait or still life using at least 4 layers (sketch, line, colour, shading).
Photo collage: combine three of your own photos with layers and masks into one surreal image.

Reflect: what did the camera or software let you do that pencil couldn't, and what did it make harder?

Safety and responsibility: stay aware of traffic and surroundings on your photo walk and go with someone or tell an adult where you are; never photograph people without permission; don't post location details; credit any music or images you didn't create.

Your turn

What is the difference between a raster and a vector image?

A photo is 2400 × 1800 pixels. What is the largest sharp print at 300 ppi, in inches?

Why should you keep line art and colour on separate layers?

Which file format would you choose for a logo with a transparent background to put on a website?

Name three ways to compose a stronger photo.

How many frames are needed for an 8-second stop-motion animation at 12 fps?

What kind of light creates silhouettes?

More practice: warm-up

What does fps stand for?

What is a pixel?

Is a JPEG lossy or lossless?

What is the golden hour?

Should you photograph and post pictures of people without asking?

More practice: on your own

Sam enlarges a 500 × 500 pixel image to print as a 40 cm poster. Explain what will happen.

Why might a photographer choose side light for a photo of tree bark?

Explain why repeatedly editing and re-saving a JPEG lowers its quality, and how to avoid it.

A student used an AI tool to generate an image and submitted it as a hand-drawn digital painting. What is the problem, and what would be responsible?

How do the elements and principles of design apply to a phone photo? Give two examples.

Challenge

A gallery wants a print 60 cm wide at 300 ppi. How many pixels wide must the image be? Show your work.

Plan a 10-second stop-motion animation about snow melting into spring. Include the frame rate, total frames and two principles of design you will use.

Discuss one benefit and one concern of AI image tools for young artists, and suggest a responsible practice.

Check your understanding

Quiz

Which image type stays sharp at any size?

A 3000 × 2400 pixel photo printed at 300 ppi is how large?

What is the main benefit of layers?

At 12 fps, how many frames are in a 5-second animation?

Which light makes a silhouette?

Which is a responsible practice when sharing photos online?

For parents and teachers

Most teens already use phones; this lesson turns casual snapping into deliberate composition. Ask your teen to show you their rule-of-thirds and leading-line photos and explain the choices. Free programs (GIMP, Krita, Inkscape) are safe to download from their official websites. Common difficulties: resolution maths (remember 1 inch = 2.54 cm), editing originals instead of copies, and over-processing (too much saturation or contrast). Discuss online safety and consent: no photos of people without permission, no location tags, and follow school rules on AI tools. Go along on the photo walk or set clear boundaries.