 Photography
This Merit Badge requires 1 session to complete.
The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the Photography merit badge are: 1a, 4b, 6, 7
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Photography Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
NOTE: Please bring either a digital camera or a cell
phone, the Photography Badge Workbook,
and your up-to-date Cyber Chip with you to
the session. |
1. |
Safety. Do the following: |
| a. |
Show your counselor your current Cyber
Chip. |
| b. |
Explain to your counselor the most likely
hazards you may encounter while working with
photography and what you should do to
anticipate, mitigate, prevent, and respond to
these hazards. Explain how you would prepare for
exposure to environmental situations such as
weather, sun, and water. |
2. |
Explain how the following elements and terms can
affect the quality of a picture: |
| a. |
Light—natural light (ambient/existing), low light
(such as at night), and artificial light (such as
from a flash) |
| b. |
Exposure—aperture (f-stops), shutter speed, ISO |
| d. |
Composition—rule of thirds, leading lines,
framing, depth |
| f. |
Stop action and blur motion |
| g. |
Decisive moment (action or expression captured by
the photographer) |
3. |
Explain the basic parts and operation of a camera.
Explain how an exposure is made when you take a
picture. |
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. |
5. |
Photograph THREE of the following, then share your
work with your counselor. |
| b. |
Two or three people interacting |
| f. |
Picture of a person—candid, posed, or camera aware |
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. |
| b. |
Adjust the exposure or make a color correction. |
| c. |
Show another way you could improve your picture
for impact. |
7. |
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. |
8. |
Identify three career opportunities in
photography. Pick one and explain to your
counselor how to prepare for such a career.
Discuss what education and training are required,
and why this profession might interest you. |
|
The requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2026"
Download the workbook for the
Photography Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
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