Intermediate
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+65 XP
Pupils work on their own device

Image Editing Basics: Crop, Brightness and Text Overlay

Use Canva to improve a project photo with crop, brightness and a short text overlay. Choose JPG or PNG for the job, then save the improved file as 08_edited_image.jpg (or .png if needed) beside the original in 08_promo as prep for the promotional document.

Teacher Class Feed

Load previous activity

    1 - Introduction ~5 mins

    Today you will

    • crop and brighten a project photo in Canva
    • add a few words on top of it
    • choose JPG or PNG
    • save it as {{code:08_edited_image.jpg}} in {{code:08_promo}}, beside the original

    Warm-up

    Illustration for IntroductionThink of one photo you might use in a promo. What is the most distracting thing in it? Is it a messy background, dark lighting, or too much empty space?

    2 - Key Concepts ~5 mins

    Crop means cutting away the edges so the main thing stands out.

    Brightness makes a dark photo lighter. A small lift is enough.

    A text overlay is a few words on top of the photo.

    JPG or PNG? Save ordinary photos as JPG. Use PNG only for a logo or a see-through background.

    Example

    Aoife's photo shows her phone case on a messy desk. She crops in on the case, brightens it a little and adds Hand-printed in Galway. She saves it as a JPG.

    3 - Step-by-step Task ~15 mins

    You will make a practice picture in Canva from a quick photo of something on your desk. This one is only practice. Follow the steps for your device in the box below.

    4 - Common Issues ~4 mins

    Common issues

    • The download button is grey. Wait for the design to save, then try {{btn:Share}} and {{btn:Download}} again. If it still won't work, tell your teacher.
    • My picture is blurry. Start again from the original photo, not the edited one.
    • My text is hard to read. Make it bigger, change the colour, or move it to a plain part of the photo.

    5 - Portfolio Build ~20 mins

    Portfolio Build

    Your goal: Edit one real photo from your Something Real project and save it beside the original. You will use it in your promo later.
    Time: ~20 minutes
    Task:
    1. Put one real project photo in {{code:08_promo}}, not the practice file.
    2. In Canva, crop it, and brighten it if it's dark.
    3. If you want to, add three to six words on top.
    4. Download it as a JPG and save it as {{code:08_edited_image.jpg}} in {{code:08_promo}}.

    If it goes wrong, close the design and start again from the original. Use PNG only if you need a see-through background.

    Success criteria:
    • {{code:08_edited_image.jpg}} is in {{code:08_promo}}, beside the original.
    • I can point to one clear change.
    • It's ready to go on a flyer or pitch slide.
    123learn · Online learning platform

    Unlock the full learning experience

    You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.

    Hundreds of curriculum-aligned lessons
    Interactive activities in every lesson
    Printable resources & progress tracking
    Copyright Notice
    This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.
    🍪 Our website uses cookies to make your browsing experience better. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more