# Photography Merit Badge Requirements

- Eagle-required: No
- Category: Communications
- Official requirements: https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/photography/
- Pamphlet: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/Merit_Badge_ReqandRes/Pamphlets/Photography.pdf
- Last synced from scouting.org: 2026-03-29
- Overview: https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/photography/index.md
- Digital Resource Guide: https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/photography/guide/index.md

Learn camera operation, safety protocols, composition techniques, exposure control, and photo editing skills to earn this merit badge.

## Requirements

- **1** *Shoot Safely* (Do all) Safety. Do the following:
  - **1.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.
  - **1.b** View the Personal Safety Awareness "Digital Safety" video (with your parent or guardian's permission).
- **2** *Control Light and Motion* (Do all) Explain how the following elements and terms can affect the quality of a picture:
  - **2.a** Light—natural light (ambient/existing), low light (such as at night), and artificial light (such as from a flash)
  - **2.b** Exposure—aperture (f-stops), shutter speed, ISO
  - **2.c** Depth of field
  - **2.d** Composition—rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, depth
  - **2.e** Angle of view
  - **2.f** Stop action and blur motion
  - **2.g** Decisive moment (action or expression captured by the photographer)
- **3** *Know Your Camera* Explain the basic parts and operation of a camera. Explain how an exposure is made when you take a picture.
- **4** *Pick Two Creative Experiments* (Choose 2) Do TWO of the following, then share your work with your counselor.
  - **4.a** *Change Your Angle* Photograph one subject from two different angles or perspectives.
  - **4.b** *Change the Light* Photograph one subject from two different light sources - artificial and natural.
  - **4.c** *Change the Focus* Photograph one subject with two different depth of fields.
  - **4.d** *Change the Composition* Photograph one subject with two different compositional techniques.
- **5** *Pick Three Subject Types* (Choose 3) Photograph THREE of the following, then share your work with your counselor.
  - **5.a** *Make a Strong Close-Up* Close-up of a person
  - **5.b** *Capture Interaction* Two to three people interacting
  - **5.c** *Freeze or Follow Action* Action shot
  - **5.d** *Photograph Animals Patiently* Animal shot
  - **5.e** *Notice the Outdoors* Nature shot
  - **5.f** *Photograph a Person Intentionally* Picture of a person - candid, posed, or camera aware
- **6** *Edit for Impact* (Choose 1) 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:
  - **6.a** *Crop for Stronger Framing* Crop your photograph.
  - **6.b** *Fix Exposure or Color* Adjust the exposure or make a color correction.
  - **6.c** *Improve Impact Another Way* Show another way you could improve your picture for impact.
- **7** *Tell a Visual Story* (Do all) Using images other than those created for requirements 4, 5, and 6, produce a visual story to document an event to photograph OR choose a topic that interests you to photograph. Do the following:
  - **7.a** Plan the images you need to photograph for your photo story.
  - **7.b** Share your plan with your counselor, and get your counselor's input and approval before you proceed.
  - **7.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** *Explore Photography Careers* 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.