Last reviewed: 2 November 2026
Updated November 2026. These Grade 9 notes on photography cover sub-strand 2.6 of Grade 9 Creative Arts and Sports: the three viewpoints (bird’s eye, normal and worm’s eye), finding scenic points, taking good scenery photographs with a phone or camera, composition tips, ethics, and how to store and present your photos as a slide show with captions. Practice questions with answers are at the end.
The content follows the Photography sub-strand in the KICD Grade 9 Creative Arts and Sports curriculum design, under Strand 2.0 Creating and Performing. The design expects learners to identify viewpoints, take photographs of a scenery to showcase beautiful scenes in Kenya, and present them for appreciation. Its key inquiry question is: which ethical issues should be considered in photography?
On this page
- Grade 9 Notes on Photography: Key Terms
- The Three Viewpoints in Photography
- Finding Scenic Points
- How to Take a Good Scenery Photograph
- Ethical Issues in Photography
- Storing and Presenting Your Photographs
- Practice Questions With Answers
- Photography in Grade 9 Creative Arts and Sports
- Frequently Asked Questions
Grade 9 Notes on Photography: Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Photography | Making pictures by recording light with a camera or phone |
| Scenery | The natural or built features of a place, such as hills, rivers, lakes and buildings |
| Scenic point | A spot that gives an attractive view of the scenery |
| Viewpoint | The position and angle from which a photo is taken |
| Composition | How the parts of a picture are arranged in the frame |
| Caption | A short line of text that explains a photograph |
The Three Viewpoints in Photography
| Viewpoint | How it is taken | Effect and example |
|---|---|---|
| Bird’s eye view | From high above, looking down | Shows layout and pattern; makes subjects look small. Example: a town photographed from a hilltop or a drone. |
| Normal (eye-level) view | At the height of a standing person’s eyes | Looks natural, as we see things every day. Example: a market street from the roadside. |
| Worm’s eye view | From near the ground, looking up | Makes subjects look tall and powerful. Example: a tall tree or building shot from its base. |
Finding Scenic Points
On a field walk around your school or home area, look for geographical features (hills, valleys, rivers, lakes, rock outcrops), vegetation, farmland, and buildings or bridges. Good scenic points give a clear, open view, interesting light and a strong main subject. Kenya has many well-known scenes, such as the Great Rift Valley viewpoints, but a well-composed photo of your own locality counts just as much.
How to Take a Good Scenery Photograph
- Choose the subject: decide what the photo is about, for example a river bend or an old building.
- Pick a viewpoint: try the same scene from bird’s eye, normal and worm’s eye views and compare.
- Use the rule of thirds: imagine the frame split into a 3 × 3 grid and place the horizon or main subject on one of the lines, not in the centre. Most phone cameras can show this grid.
- Keep the horizon level: a tilted horizon makes a landscape look wrong.
- Use good light: early morning and late afternoon give soft, warm light; harsh midday sun creates strong shadows. Keep the sun behind or beside you.
- Hold steady: use both hands, tuck your elbows in, or rest the phone on a wall to avoid blur.
- Focus: tap the main subject on the phone screen to focus.
- Take several shots: vary the scene and viewpoint, then choose the best.
Ethical Issues in Photography
- Ask permission before photographing people, and never share photos of others, especially children, without consent.
- Respect restricted places: some government buildings and security installations must not be photographed.
- Stay safe: do not stand on cliff edges, roads or riverbanks for a shot, and walk in groups with a teacher on field trips.
- Do not trespass: get the owner’s permission before entering private land.
- Be honest: do not present someone else’s photo as your own, and do not edit a photo to mislead.
- Protect the environment: do not damage plants or disturb animals to get a picture.
Storing and Presenting Your Photographs
- Transfer your photos to a computer or tablet and save them in a clearly named electronic folder, for example “Grade 9 Scenery Photos”.
- Select the best photos, choosing variety in scenes and viewpoints.
- Arrange them in a logical order, for example from bird’s eye to worm’s eye view, or by location.
- Add a caption to each: place, feature and viewpoint, such as “River Tana bend, bird’s eye view”.
- Make a still or slide presentation using presentation software, or print and mount them for display.
- Present to your class, explain your choices, and give and receive feedback fairly and respectfully.
Practice Questions With Answers
- Name the three viewpoints in photography. Answer: bird’s eye view, normal (eye-level) view and worm’s eye view.
- Which viewpoint would make a building look tall and powerful? Answer: worm’s eye view.
- Give two ethical issues to consider in photography. Answer: any two of getting consent from people, respecting restricted areas, not trespassing, honesty about ownership and editing, safety, and protecting the environment.
- What is a caption? Answer: a short text that explains a photograph, such as its place and subject.
- State two ways of avoiding blurred photos. Answer: hold the camera with both hands, rest it on a steady surface, and tap to focus.
Photography in Grade 9 Creative Arts and Sports
Photography is one of the items learners create in the subject, and the design’s assessment rubric lists taking photographs of scenery among the practical skills. KJSEA assesses Creative Arts and Sports through a project and a written paper: the KNEC 2026 KJSEA timetable listed 911/1 as a three-month project and 911/2 as a written paper of 1 hour 40 minutes. See every sub-strand on our Grade 9 Creative Arts and Sports guide.
The landscape side links to Social Studies, so revise physical features with the Grade 9 Social Studies revision guide. Test yourself on the Grade 9 CBC Challenge and find every subject on the Grade 9 notes hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the viewpoints in Grade 9 photography?
Bird’s eye view (from above looking down), normal or eye-level view, and worm’s eye view (from the ground looking up). Each gives a scene a different look.
Can I use a phone for Grade 9 photography?
Yes. A smartphone camera is enough for scenery photographs. Turn on the grid, tap to focus and hold it steady.
What ethical issues should be considered in photography?
Get consent before photographing people, respect restricted and private places, stay safe, protect the environment, and be honest about who took a photo and how it was edited.
How are photographs presented in Grade 9 Creative Arts and Sports?
Learners select their best photos, save them in an electronic folder, add captions, and show them as a still or slide presentation for peer feedback.
Want marked practice? Every paper starts with free questions. A Day Pass (KSh 20) unlocks full Grade 9 practice papers with worked answers for a day, and the Monthly Pass (KSh 500) opens every grade and subject for a month. Compare passes.