Assignments from now until the end of the course

1. Ad: take a photo of your own and put into photoshop and include text. This assignment should look just like a magazine ad. Marks 15

2. Portraits: Take 10 photos of the same person, work with the individual to get them to shine. I am looking to see that you are able to bring out your model's personality in the shots. Regular photo criteria applies which means photos should be in focus, and meet the elements of composition criteria. Marks 20

3. Gel transfer: Take an artistic photo and using words, and two other images, (words should be reversed) you are to use 4 layers in Photoshop to create an artistic piece of work from your photograph. Marks 20

4. Duplicate Assignment: Shoot a  person in same background edited into 4 different positions: Marks 15

5. Social/Enviro/Political shot. This assignment is one shot which should focus on a theme. It is very much like the ad assignment, but with a public service focus. Marks 15

6. Major Project: Student Choice: Please make sure you check with the  teacher to gain approval of this project. This project will be presented to the class in the last few days of our class together.
Marks 25

Update week of Nov.1, 2011

Students have just handed in their storyboards and should be working diligently on their song photoshoot. The due date for this assignment is Mon. Nov. 21, we will be presenting in class. While this assignment is being worked on, students can be working on their advertisement assignment and their portrait photoshoot. While you have your models for your song shoot, you may want to work on your portraits.

Advertisement: Have a look through magazines and online ads to get an idea of the style of ad you want to shoot. Decide on a shot, then upload into Photoshop and ad words to your ad.

Portrait Photoshoot: You are to use one or two models only. The focus of this assignment is to work with your models and tell them what you want. You need to get the best out of them and push boundaries using the same model.
Shots: 10 in total marks 20

Things to think about:

• location of shoot
• background
• use of props (hats, scarves, sports equipment)
• poses/position of models
• lighting, even if you are outside, what time of day are you shooting? what are your light conditions?
• capture the spirit/essence of the person you are shooting

Criteria for this assignment to follow soon.

LINK TO HOW TO TAKE A GOOD PORTRAIT

The Week Ending Oct. 7, 2011

Song Assignment

Basic Assignment Outline (to be marked out of 50)
Due: Mon. Nov. 21 in class

Song Length: 3 minutes min.
Number of Photos: 50 shots minimum
Video clips No more than 1 min. of video broken up however you want.
 
This assignment is similar to creating a music video except you will use still photographs. You should choose your song first, then decide on the kind of photos you want to shoot. You will be expected to create rough notes and a story board of your shots needed. This rough copy/storyboard of shots will be handed in for 20 marks. You should come up with a focus or theme for your photos.

ALL PHOTOS SHOULD BE TAKEN BY YOU OR YOUR PARTNER. It is expected that if you work in partners, you should split the work equally on the project. Decisions should be made cooperatively.

Criteria for Marking

This assignment must be in a format in which you can present to the class. As a group we will be spending time critiquing this work.

You may use any movie program you like, but please make sure it can be presented to the class, speak to me first if you are unsure.

photos (50 min.) are in focus and you use effective compositional techniques,
high quality photography 
photos connect thematically with the music in some way       
slideshow is put together thoughtfully and sequenced effectively, thought is given to: order, timing and
transition of shots
evidence of creative thought processes: use of metaphor, story, light, thematic concept…
GO BEYOND THE LITERAL INTERPRETATION OF THE SONG
evidence of time and effort spent on this project, WOW factor

marks will be deducted for late work, part of the assignment expectation is to work within a time frame and
be able to meet a deadline

Assignment Update

Skatepark shots are due on Flickr NOW: They will be graded on the elements of composition and the general aesthetics and quality of the shots.
Shots: 15: 10 colour and 5 Black and white
Marks: 20

Macros: This assignment consists of 20 shots, 10 black and white and 10 colour. Please do not reuse old photos from last year.( I have a good memory) Your black and white photos should have a solid contrast in them...I do not want to see grayed out photos. Your focal point should be in focus. Try to choose object that are different and interesting.
Shots: 20: 10 blk and white and 10 colour
Marks: 40

In addition to taking the shots, they must be put into a slideshow and music should be added to the slideshow. We will be critiquing these photos as a class.

Upcoming Test: Tentative date: the end of next week.

Shooting macros more tips

Check out the following links at the Digital Photography School.
Getting close up

Using manual focus

Point and shoot Macros

The week ending Sept 22/2011

Students have been working on photographing and editing Skatepark photos. The skatepark shots are due on Flickr by next Wed. for marking. These shots will be marked based on the elements of composition. Students should begin work on the new assignment which is Macros/Close-ups.

NEW ASSIGNMENT: 10 shots in blk and white and 10 shots in colour. Vary the type of shot, the content, and remember to use unique angles. Stay aware of your backgrounds, which in most cases may be blurred.
This assignment will be marked out of 50. The shots will be put into a slideshow and set to music. The class will spend some time critiquing the photos. This assignment will be marked using the rule of composition.

Re : Slideshow Requirements

• first slide should have your name on it
• start with your 10 blk and white then put in your 10 colour shots
• photos should be up for 4 sec. in length
• transitions should not distract from photos
• music should be instrumental or soft in nature

Macro Link
Focal Point Link

Let's review before we shoot

Things to Remember before we shoot


Skatepark Photo Assignment: This is a fairly wide open assignment which can involve shooting the park itself, people in and around the park, boarders, up close shots at the park. We will spend two days out shooting (Thurs/Fri during class: feel free to come to the park on the weekend to get more shots if you like)

Assignment #1
Number of Shots: 15
All should involve basic editing ( DO NOT USE ANY HEAVY FILTERS FOR THESE PHOTOS)
5 shots are to be edited into black and white
All 15 shots should be posted to Flickr and should be in a set entitled: skatepark

Criteria for marking will be based on the basic elements of composition. Unless you are trying to create a blurred photo, all photos should be clearly in focus. Marks 30

Things are looking good

I am very impressed with the group of students in this class so far, everyone is picking things up quickly. We have been moving a little slower than usual to make sure that everyone is up to speed on the basics. Today in class, we viewed a short slideshow on top photos from last year, and one slideshow on the assignment where you create a slideshow to a song. Have a look at the following list to see if you are up to date.

• Flicker account set up with F2011 in brackets beside your screen name
• you have made me a contact on Flickr (go to contacts chase)
• Buddy icon created on Flickr
• first photo of yourself uploaded onto Flickr ( make sure all assignment photos are public so I can mark them, this means they have a green square beside them)
• Do not upload photos to Flickr bigger than 3mb
• a folder on your L Drive created that says Photo 11/12
• you have purchased your own 2gb sd card
• you know how to crop, resize and turn a photo to black and white in Photoshop
• review the links on this site that focus on composition/camera modes etc.( we will be having a test the end of next week)

Skate Park photoshoot is Thursday during class. Make sure you have your cameras in class, your batteries charged up and your compositional toolkit ready.

Welcome to Advanced Photography 11/12

The focus of this course is on improving and building on basic photographic skills and techniques. We will use photography as a medium for artistic impression. Students will independently create, design and present images that reflect their own individuality and style. Students will create and manipulate personally meaningful images in order to elicit audience response. Some other topics of study include: developing skills in Photoshop CS3, creating art from photography, and learning about careers in this field.

Strong computer skills, access to a camera, and prior photographic skills will be an asset. Students MUST have their own 4GB sd card and a jump drive for transfering photos from home to school.

First Photo Shoot will take place on Thurs. Sept. 15 in class, please have cameras and sd cards ready. I will not be supplying sd cards to any students.

Preparing for Test #1

You should make notes/study the information for a Review of Basics test . The test will involve some written and practical components, and will be out of 25-30  marks.

Also open up Photoshop and be prepared to know how to use the following tools/complete the following tasks .

• change an image to black and white

• resize and image
• save image as a jpeg
• crop tool

Please help each other out. Those who know how to do the basics can do some teaching.Review the following links:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/
(home site for advanced photographers to read up on more detailed articles)

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-questions

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/digital-camera-modes

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/fill-your-frame

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/using-focal-points-in-photography

Term 4 Assignments

Term 4 Assignments
All assignments must be completed by June 10, NO EXCEPTIONS

Song set to Music (see criteria sheet) 50 marks SHOULD BE DONE
Fashion/Sport shoot (10 shots on Flickr) 20 marks
Social/Political/Enviro photos ( 5 shots on Flickr) 25 marks
Scanned photo art (print out in colour, 1 shot) 10 marks  SHOULD BE DONE
Magazine cover shoot (print out in colour) 10 marks SHOULD BE DONE
Photo transfer (canvas or wood or t-shirt material) 15 marks
Field trip photos (20 shots on Flickr, refer roughly to required shots 30 marks
PORTFOLIO ASSIGMENT AND PRESENTATION 50 marks
(please speak to teacher to confer the nature of the assignment.

More Great Macro shots from the 11/12 Photoclass

Photo: Holly Kramer

Photo: Alexa Nottebrock

Photo: Milena Russell

Photo: Trent Timmons

Photos are the sole property of the students and are published with permission for educational purposes.

An example of an exemplary macro shot

Photo: Kaitlin Nickerson  (all rights reserved)

New assignments

I have introduced three new assignments. Details to follow

1. scan art
2. social/political/enviro shots
3. gel transfer photo onto wood, t-shirt, canvas, paper

Conceptual Photography

Begin to take some time to think about your final photo project. Try to come up with a concept. The social/political/environmental 5 shot photo shoot will require you to shoot conceptually as well.

Check out the link:Conceptual Photography

Assignments and Deadlines to date

Skatepark- 10 shots on Flickr
Animoto- should now be completed and shown to me
photo slideshow- set to music due Tues March 29 (extended to Friday April 8)
*Note: this assignment will not be on the term 3 report card
Macro shots (black and white)- 10 shots due  on Flickr
Background shots- 5 shots, focus on texture due on Flickr
Yearbook shots- 5 shots taken around the school of school related activities. on Flickr
Dream camera assignment written- should now be completed and handed in to me
Photoshop Magic wand tool.-  on Flickr or handed in to me.

Song set to Photos Due

Basic Assignment Outline (to be marked out of 50)
 Due: Tues March 29 ( EXTENED TO FRIDAY APRIL 8), late marks will be deducted beyond this date every day the assignment is not completed.
Song Length: 3 minutes min.
Number of Photos: 50 shots minimum
Video clips No more than 1 min. of video broken up however you want.
 
This assignment is similar to creating a music video except you will use still photographs. You should choose your song first, then decide on the kind of photos you want to shoot. It would be beneficial to create some rough notes or a story board of your shots needed. You should come up with a focus or theme for your photos.

ALL PHOTOS SHOULD BE TAKEN BY YOU OR YOUR PARTNER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE IN SOME OF THE PHOTOS IN YOUR OWN SLIDESHOW, SPEAK TO ME FIRST TO ASK MY PERMISSION.

Criteria for Marking

• photos (50 min.) are in focus and you use effective compositional techniques
• photos connect thematically with the music in some way
• slideshow is put together thoughtfully and sequenced effectively,  thought is given to: order, timing and transition of shots
• evidence of creative thought processes: use of metaphor, story, light, thematic concept
• evidence of time and effort spent on this project, WOW factor
• marks will be deducted for late work (2 marks per day)

As a group we will be spending time on critiquing this work.

Assignments for Photo 11/12

Song set to Music (see criteria sheet)
Photoshop magic wand assignment (hand in & put on Fllickr)
Dream camera ( typed with photo of camera)

Term 4 Assignments

Song set to Music (see criteria sheet) 50 marks
Fashion/Sport shoot (10 shots on Flickr) 20 marks
Social/Political/Enviro photos ( 5 shots on Flickr) 25 marks
Scanned photo art (print out in colour, 1 shot) 10 marks
Magazine cover shoot (print out in colour) 10 marks
Photo transfer (canvas or wood or t-shirt material) 15 marks
Field trip photos (10 shots on Flickr & presented with critique)
PORTFOLIO ASSIGMENT AND PRESENTATION 75 marks
(please speak to teacher to confer the nature of the assignment.

Intro to class/course outline

From the New BC curriculum

BIG IDEAS Photography is a unique art form that captures images in a variety of contexts. Photography reflects the interconnectedness of the individual, community, history, and society. Growth as a photographer is dependent on perseverance, resilience, and reflection. Artistic expression is an artist’s physical and cognitive articulation of our humanity.

Course Outline

The focus of this course is on improving and building on basic photographic skills and techniques. We will use photography as a medium for artistic impression. Students will independently create, design and present images that reflect their own individuality and style. Students will create and manipulate personally meaningful images in order to elicit: audience response.Some other topics of study include: developing skills in Photoshop CS4, creating art from photography, and learning about careers in this field.

Strong computer skills, access to a camera/camera phone, and prior photographic skills will be an asset. Students must have their own 16GB sd card and a jump drive for transfering photos from home to school.

Students are expected to know the following: • elements of art, principles of composition • image development strategies in photography • photographic materials, techniques, processes, image-making technologies, used in digital photography• creative processes • behaviours of light • principles of light and parts and functions of cameras and accessories • roles of photographer and viewer 

Preparing for Test #1

You should make notes/study the information for a Review of Basics test . The test will involve some written and practical components, and will be out of 25-30  marks.

Also open up Photoshop and be prepared to know how to use the following tools/complete the following tasks .

• change an image to black and white

• resize and image
• save image as a jpeg
• crop tool

Please help each other out. Those who know how to do the basics can do some teaching.Review the following links:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/
(home site for advanced photographers to read up on more detailed articles)

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/10-questions

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/digital-camera-modes

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/learning-exposure-in-digital-photography

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/using-focal-points-in-photography