Article
Ami Vitale

Wildlife Photographer

Ami Vitale snaps pictures of wild animals around the world

By Jennifer Marino Walters
From the September 2022 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will draw a picture using the photography rule of thirds.

Lexile: 940L; 740L

When photographer Ami Vitale first picked up a camera, something amazing happened. The once-shy young woman began to interact with people, learn new things, and experience new cultures. Over the years, she has since traveled to more than 100 countries to take pictures.

“I am constantly seeing the wonder and magic of this world,” she says.

When photographer Ami Vitale first picked up a camera, something amazing happened. She was shy before. But after that, she talked with people. She learned new things. She experienced new cultures. Since then, she’s traveled to more than 100 countries to take pictures.

“I am constantly seeing the wonder and magic of this world,” she says.

At first, Vitale photographed human struggles like war and poverty. But then she realized most conflicts involved environmental issues such as climate change and lack of water. So Vitale switched her focus to photographing nature and wildlife.

“My photographs are a tool for creating understanding across cultures, communities, and countries,” she says. “They show how small and deeply connected our world is.”

At first, Vitale photographed human struggles like war and poverty. But then she noticed most problems involved environmental issues such as climate change. So Vitale decided to photograph nature and wildlife instead.

“My photographs are a tool for creating understanding across cultures, communities, and countries,” she says. “They show how small and deeply connected our world is.”

In 2009, Vitale photographed the release of one of the last remaining northern white rhinos from captivity into the wild. She’s worn a panda suit to get close to pandas in China. And in 2018, she won an award for her story about a community in Kenya working to protect elephants.

In 2009, Vitale photographed one of the last northern white rhinos in the world. The rhino was being released from captivity into the wild. She wore a panda suit to get close to pandas in China. She also visited a community in Kenya that protects elephants. In 2018, she won an award for her story about them.

Snapping a Story

When taking pictures of animals, Vitale is careful not to stress them out by getting too close. She also spends time learning about them.

“The secret is a mix of understanding the animals’ behaviors and having the patience to wait for an interesting moment,” she explains. “That’s when they reward me with something beautiful.”

Vitale is careful not to get too close to the animals she’s photographing. That can stress them out. She also spends time learning about them.

“The secret is a mix of understanding the animals’ behaviors and having the patience to wait for an interesting moment,” she explains. “That’s when they reward me with something beautiful.”

Vitale’s photos have raised millions of dollars for communities and organizations that protect wildlife. Her nonprofit, Vital Impacts, provides money and training for conservation efforts.

Vitale sees all these efforts as supporting one mission. “These stories about wildlife and our environment are really about all of us, our home, and our future.”

Vitale’s photos have raised millions of dollars to protect wildlife. She also runs a nonprofit called Vital Impacts. The company provides money and training for conservation efforts.

Vitale sees all these efforts as supporting one mission. “These stories about wildlife and our environment are really about all of us, our home, and our future.”

Analysis

Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.

Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.

About how many sections does the subject of your drawing fill? What fraction of the picture is that?

About how many sections does the subject of your drawing fill? What fraction of the picture is that?

How many sections in your drawing are empty? What fraction of the picture is empty?

How many sections in your drawing are empty? What fraction of the picture is empty?

If you wanted your subject to fill  of the picture, how many sections would it need to fill?

If you wanted your subject to fill  of the picture, how many sections would it need to fill?

What does your class think?

If you were a photographer, what would you photograph?

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Activities (6)
Answer Key (1)
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Activities (6)
Answer Key (1)
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

1. SPARK ENGAGEMENT.

Play the video "Nic Bishop Up Close." Then, before or after reading the article, spark a discussion based on the following questions.

  • Describe a photograph that is important or special to you.
  • What might a photographer have to do differently to take photos of animals instead of people or places?
  • How do photographers use measurements or calculations when doing their job?

2. INTRODUCE THE MATH CONCEPT AND VOCABULARY.

  • Hold up a square sticky note. If I make one horizontal fold across the middle of this sticky note, how many parts will my sticky note be divided into? (2 parts)
  • Make the horizontal fold. Then unfold the note, trace over the line, and hold it up for the class to see. What fraction could be represented by one of these parts? (1/2)
  • Next I am going to make a vertical fold and trace over that line. How many parts will the sticky note be divided into now? (4 parts)
  • Make the vertical fold. Then unfold the note, trace over the line, and hold it up for the class to see. Can you still use 1/2 to describe any part of this sticky note? Explain. (Yes, 2 out of the 4 parts still represent 1/2; half above or below the horizontal fold, or half to the right or left of the vertical fold.)
  • Play the math video, "Fractions."

3. WORK THROUGH THE "WHAT TO DO" BOX.

  • After drawing your 2 horizontal lines, how many sections does your square have? (3) How many sections does your square have after drawing your two vertical lines? (9)
  • Write an equivalent fraction you can see on your grid. (1/3 = 3/9; 2/3 = 6/9; 3/3 = 9/9.) Why do you think this rule is called the "rule of thirds"? (Answers will vary.)

4. REINFORCE WITH MATH PRACTICE.

Have students complete questions 1 through 3 on page 21.

Text-to-Speech