All worksheets / Photography
Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Photography
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Photography is about learning to see light, framing, and depth before pressing the shutter. You will master shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, and compare how varying light changes a subject. Requirement 7 asks you to shoot and assemble a coherent 8-to-12 image photo story that communicates a clear narrative without words.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Exposure Triangle: Aperture, Shutter & ISO
- Composition Principles & Lighting Control
- Digital Image Processing & Editing
- Creating a Curated Photo Story Portfolio
6Printable Pages
8Requirements
2024Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Photography Requirements
Every requirement for the Photography merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Safety
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 View the Personal Safety Awareness "Digital Safety" video (with your parent or guardian's permission).
2Light, Exposure, and Composition
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 Decisive moment (action or expression captured by the photographer)
3Parts of a Camera and How Exposure Works
Explain the basic parts and operation of a camera. Explain how an exposure is made when you take a picture.
4Same Subject, Two Ways
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.
5Photograph Three Subjects
Photograph THREE of the following, then share your work with 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
6Option Selection
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.
7Tell a Story in Eight to Twelve Images
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:
- 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.
8Careers
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.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Photography requirements in 2024. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/photography/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
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