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Look and See

World Photography Day is on 19 August

by Janice Ross

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To compare photographs as a way of keeping records with creation as a record of what God is like.

Preparation and materials

  • You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Look and See) and the means to display them.

Assembly

  1. Show Slide 1.

    Welcome the children to the assembly and ask them to look at the photograph.

  2. Ask them who can be seen in this photograph. Who might find this photo special and why?

    Listen to a range of responses.

    Explain that this is a photograph of some of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. We can tell that it was a happy occasion because everyone is smiling.

    Explain that this is likely to be a special photo to all those who were present that day because recently, the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, died. Even his great-grandchildren will have a recollection of him when they see the photo.

  3. Identify that taking a photograph is a great way to record something, to make a memory.

    Ask the children, ‘What kinds of things or events do we photograph?’

  4. Show Slide 2.

    Ask the children, ‘What is happening in this photo?’ (Answer: it is a child’s birthday party.)

  5. Show Slide 3.

    Ask the children, ‘What is this?’ (Answer: it is a recording of a child’s piece of artwork.)

    Who might be glad that there is a photo that records this piece of work? (Answer: family members such as parents and grandparents.)

  6. Explain that photographs are taken for the media every day all over the world. Sometimes, these pictures inform us; sometimes, they shock us; and sometimes, they make us angry, and we feel like we want to help.

    Show Slide 4.

    Ask the following questions.

    - Where do you think this photo was taken?
    - What do you see in this photo?
    - Why do you think the photographer took this photo?
    - How does this photo make you feel?

  7. Point out that what we see in a photograph can have a powerful effect on our emotions. It may even make us want to take action.

  8. 19 August 2021 is World Photography Day. The main aim of this day is to inspire positive change in the world by raising awareness and making connections with people.

Time for reflection

Remind the children that photos can have a lasting effect on us. They help us to look again carefully at something. They help us remember and they remind us of people who love us.

Point out that the Bible has a lot to say about looking and remembering.

Show Slide 5.

We are reminded to look around us at creation and to see that God is good.

Show Slide 6.

The Bible also tells us that creation is there to show us God’s creativity and eternal power.

Photographs like this sunset make us gasp in astonishment. Such images stay imprinted on our minds and remind us of the God who made us.

Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that you gave us eyes to see and hearts to understand.
Thank you that your beauty, goodness and kindness are all around us.
Please help us to pause and take notice of the beauty in this world.
Amen.

Song/music

‘Tidal wave’ by Doug Horley, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWfYpF40i8U (4.25 minutes long)

Extension activities

  1. Encourage the children to take photographs that highlight a key issue such as keeping the playground tidy, helping people in some way or a current environmental issue.
Publication date: August 2021   (Vol.23 No.8)    Published by SPCK, London, UK.
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