Educator’s Guide:

How to use Photography: A 21st Century Practice in your classroom

Teach fine art photography with the new textbook from Routledge’s Focal Press.

This guide will show you how to incorporate the book's innovative content into your teaching, from high school to university-level, and beyond.

See our course-specific guides, too:

Photo I/Fundamentals/Intro

Photo II (Post-Production) / Digital Imaging / Intro to Photoshop

Portfolio Development, Photography Studio, Photography Project, Photography Lab, etc.

Key features that enhance classroom learning:

  • Main Text: Each chapter provides a broad overview, while also diving deep into important skills and concepts. The tone is light and friendly, encouraging students to keep reading.

photography textbook illustration
  • Illustrations: Carefully designed illustrations visualize technical details, equipment, abstract concepts, and complex computer program procedures that text alone can’t describe. 

  • Photographic artworks: The book is carefully curated with works by more than 250 contemporary and historic artists spanning the globe. These artworks are not only inspiring but also illustrate key technical and conceptual ideas. 

  • Professional Practice: Each chapter includes an interview with a working photographic artist, providing a window into their concepts, methods, and secrets for success.

Argus Estabrook interview layout detail.jpg
  • Show Me: This innovative feature ties together text and visuals to go in-depth on complex techniques and concepts.

  • Try This: Sprinkled throughout the book are practical suggestions for activities to extend the learning experience. 

  • Think About It: This feature asks thought-provoking questions building from the chapter’s discussions, asking students to dig in and think deeply.  

  • Flip The Page: The book’s content is linked through a web of references, helping readers see connections between subject areas and look for further details as needed.

  • Comic Strips: Ideas and concepts are illuminated through humorous comic-book style illustrations.

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Learn more!

Explore the book’s chapter topics and dig into more resources on our educator’s blog.