Photography

Photography merit badge requirements

1. Safety. Do the following:

   a. 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.

   b. Show your counselor your current, up-to-date Cyber Chip.

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

   c. Depth of field

   d. Composition—rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, depth

   e. Angle of view

   f. Stop action and blur motion

   g. Timing

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 your counselor.

   a. Close-up of a person

   b. Two to three people interacting

   c. Action shot

   d. Animal shot

   e. Nature shot

   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.

   a. Crop your photograph.

   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 official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2016 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #621535)

A FREE workbook for Photography is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Photography requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• Boy Scout Merit Badges: Architecture - Art - Basketry - Bugling - Cinematography - Cooking - Graphic Arts - Indian Lore - Leatherwork - Metalwork - Model Design and Building - Music - Photography - Pottery - Sculpture - Theater- Wood Carving - Woodwork
• Venturing: Arts and Hobbies Bronze Award - Outdoor Living History (Ranger Award elective)
• Webelos Activity Badges: Artist - Craftsman - Showman
• Cub Scout Belt Loops & Pins: Art - Music

• Boy Scout Merit Badges: Art - Chess - Coin Collecting - Collections - Digital Technology - Dog Care - Fishing - Gardening - Genealogy - Golf - Horsemanship - Pets - Photography - Radio - Railroading - Reading - Stamp Collecting
  
• Venturing: Ranger Award electives: Cave Exploration - Cycling - Equestrian - Fishing
• Webelos Activity Badges: Artist - Traveler
• Cub Scout Belt Loops & Pins: Art - Chess - Collecting - Computers

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many boys have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)