BIO
Elaina Shaver is a storyteller in many forms.
She taught creative writing and theatre at Whole Heart Family Tutorial in Franklin for 8 years. Prior to that, she was the Youth Programming Coordinator at Street Theatre Company in Nashville for 6 years where she wrote and directed several plays for students ages 6-18. Most recently, she has taught for the Discipleship Tutorial Co-op for 3 years on a variety of subjects including Creative Writing, Folklore & Fairytales, Literature, Art and Science. This year, she and her husband created a performing theater class on their family farm in Lascassas.
Elaina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with a minor in Photography from Belmont University and before she had children, Elaina worked in the marketing industry, helping local businesses tell their stories through photography, written copy, and graphic design.
Elaina has written over a dozen stage plays that have been performed at several theaters around the middle TN area, has co-written two staged musicals, and is always in the process of writing another story. She is a mother of 4 and is married to Aaron Shaver who is a published author and storyteller as well. She and her family have been homeschooling for 4 years and attend North Blvd Church of Christ.
Photography
32 WEEK CLASS
Tutor Name: Elaina Shaver
Course Name: Photography
Required Texts: The Beginner's Guide to Photography, ISBN 978-0-7440-9950-8
Other Required Materials:
Studentsnts will also need access to a dSLR camera for the whole year. The brand does not matter, but whatever camera you choose must have fully manual capabilities to be able to change the ISO and F-stop, have a mode dial on the top, an LCD screen on the back, a viewfinder on the top, ability to add a flash on the top, and the ability to have interchangeable lenses on the front.
A telephoto lens and macro lens are sometimes included when purchasing a new camera. Both will be important for this class and can typically be purchased separately if needed.
Students will also need access to a phone with a camera for a few assignments.
Students will need a tripod.
Copy Fee: $20
Minimum Number of Students: 6
Maximum Number of Students: 18
Course Description/Outline/Objectives:
A picture can tell a story worth 1,000 words. The goal of this photography class will be to explore this highly creative artform, learn how to use the various capabilities of a dSLR camera with a standard, macro, and telephoto lens, learn how to photograph events and people, but above all, how to compose beautiful digital photographs!
In addition to weekly assignments, the students of this class will have a variety of larger projects throughout the year. We will also be the photographers for all of the DT events throughout the year. We will have a sign up so that all students have a chance to photograph an event or two that fit with their family's schedule. Our class will also help with taking the class photos and creating the yearbook for DT.
At the end of this course students will:
Know how to use a dSLR camera on manual
Understand how and when to use various settings and lenses
How to take great photographs on a cell phone camera
Know how to photograph events and people
Understand composition, lighting, and how to tell a good story with a photo
Have a portfolio of beautiful photographs
Expected Weekly Time Commitment for Homework: On average, 1 hour per week. Some weeks will be far less and some may be more if they are taking photos for an event.
Prerequisites: None
Recommended Grade Level: 5th-12th
More Courses
by Elaina Shaver
Creative Writing
Photography
Junior Creative Writing