Photo Assignments Term 2

Food shots: You should  get up close and make your food look interesting. Make sure you shoot from an interesting angle and your shots are well composed. (shots 5...marks 10)

Texture shots: Choose interesting background textures like jeans, lace, burlap, stone, etc. Take a good in focus picture of each of these textures. (shots 5...marks 10)

Overlay in Photoshop:  This technique can also be done in Pixlr. You are going to take a photograph and overlay a texture over top of the photo. You will then reduce the opacity to mesh the layers toether.Both photos should be your own. shots 1...10 marks)

Circles: In nature or man made...you are LOOKING to photograph the circle...get creative. I bet you will start to see circles everywhere. ( shots 10...marks 20)

Christmas shoot: Have fun taking artistic Christmas /decoration shots. Use different angles and interesting compositions. Have fun and play! (shots 10...marks 20)

Gel transfer: You are to create at least two photo layers and one word layer in photoshop. You cannot use your overlay from textures. TIP: WHEN YOU PUT YOUR WORD /QUOTE ON THE PAGE MAKE SURE IT IS REVERSED. You will print to the colour printer ( have Ms. Chase make sure it is set up properly) then using gel medium, transfer onto a canvas board. (shots 1...marks 15)

Album/CD cover: You are to choose a cover and duplicate the look of the cover shot. Make sure you pay careful attention to detail. shots 1...marks 20)

Photo Slideshow: Due Tues Dec. 18 in class. Must be in format ready to present. (shots 60 or more...marks 50)

Annie Lebowitz Questions : (3  questions marks 15)

Creative/Trick Photography shot: Please see details for this assignment above, if you are unsure as to what will work for the assignment please ask Ms. Chase. (shots 1....marks 20)

Ad/Magazine cover: You are to complete a photoshoot whereby 5 of your shots will be put into a Flicker set entitled Fashion/Magazine/Ad Photoshoot. From these shots, you will produce a magazine ad or cover of a magazine. (shots 1...marks 20)

Reminder storyboards due tomorrow

This is the video I did several weeks back in about an hour on my Mac. I am expecting your shots to have more focus and be thoughtfully clipped together. Be conscious of your beginning and ending shots. I will be giving a higher grade to those of you who have given consideration to a theme of some kind. Stay tuned for further detailed criteria. This assignment is due on Tues Dec. 18 and we will be viewing all of the slideshows in class during that week.


I will be marking your storyboards tomorrow without exception. If you do not get them in you will not receive the full grade. Continue to work hard to begin the term 2 photo assignments which are listed below.

Term 2 Assignments

Food shots: 5 shots
(up close, use of angles, get creative, make the food look good.

Texture: 5 shots
( jean, dirt, fabric, brick etc, anything with texture)

Photo to do your texture overlay on: 1 photo
( This is to be done in Phtoshop)

Circles: 10 shots
( any circles in nature...or set up your circle shots )

Album/cd cover: 1 shot
( to recreate an album/cd cover including cover text)

The following is a fantastic photo by Kody which showcases the creative component of photography.

Update of Assignments for Term 1

TERM 1 ends Thurs. Nov. 8, all assignments for this course are due Friday Nov. 9. The following is a condensed list of all of the assignments due for term 1. This means from the end of this week you have 4 weeks until the end of term.

On Flickr: Buddy icon, contact with Ms. Chase, 3 photos posted to the group site Mark Isfeld Photography. (marks 10)

Skatepark shoot: 6 shots, 3 of people, 3 of objects (marks 10)

Macros: 5 black and white, 10 colour (marks 25)

Spot colour: 5 shots (marks10)

Animoto video on macros, was presented in class.

Portraits: 10 for people who have never been in a photo class before, 20 for people who have been in one of my classes before. (marks 20)

Duplicity: minimum 4 shots within the one edited piece. In this assignment you are taking a photo of one person in 4 different poses in the same background. You then edit them in Photoshop into the same photo. Shots should be in focus and edited to look like they are meant to be there (marks 10)

Conceptual word piece: 5 shots of conceptual word and brief description. In this assignment, you are working as a conceptual photographer taking a word and then transforming it into a photo. For example  if the word is joy, then you would try to come up with a photo which represents this idea. Go to getty images, Evolve images and type in a conceptual word and get some ideas by viewing what kind of photos are connected to this word. (marks 15)

Head/body switch: This is an edited piece done in Photoshop, using the same technique as in the Duplicity shot ( the free transform tool) Basically you are removing a head from one of your photos and putting it on another body. The head should be your own photo, but the body can be an internet image.
(marks10)

Finished everything? Continue working on the Beauty in a Second video assignment. Remember this is due before Christmas. If you are new to photography you are shooting 60 still shots, and if you are experienced, you are shooting 60 moving video shots. All photos are put into a video and put to the same song, which can be purchased from iTunes for Mac users or copied from you tube for people using Moviemaker.

Portraits Assignment

In this assignment students are going to be taking pictures of 1-2 different models. The focus is to really get to know the model and have their personality shine through in the photos you take of them. The things that need to be considered when shooting portraits includes:

• be aware of your background, it should not overpower your model and it should not be cluttered.
• you may want to have your model choose a certain style of clothing for the shoot
• you may want to bring props such as a hat, scarf, skateboard, balloons or umbrella
• choose a location or a variety of locations to shoot your subject
• encourage your model to feel comfortable and do what comes natural to them
• DO NOT SHOW YOUR MODEL EACH SHOT..this wastes time, tell them they can have a look when the shoot has been completed
• get a variety of shots using different distance ranges
• use natural light, avoid harsh sun

Assignment: Advanced photographers who have done this assignment before 20 shots

New photographers: 10 shots

Criteria: in focus, use of compositional elements, unique background, capturing of an essence or spirit of your model

Portrait backgrounds

Shooting portraits

Video on shooting portraits

An interview with a portrait photographer

Aslo check out Fickr by doing a search under Portrait Photographers.

Check out these videos or others on you tube

video1

video2

Isfeld Runs for Cancer

My favourite day of the year...when the whole school gets out of class to run in support of Terry Fox and in support of finding a cure for cancer.

Portraits

We are moving into photographing people portraits. Here are a couple of links to check out.
Portrait techniques

Spot Colour

Using Photoshop to crerate spot colour can take a number of steps. Thankfully, technology has improved to the point where there are a number of Apps and photoediting programs which simplify the process. To ease the eding process for the spot colour assignment, I suggest you try Pixlar or Pic Monkey. Make sure you begin with a good photo and you have a photo in which highlighting spot colour will be effective. Here are some samples. You are to complete 5 spot colour photos.

Highland Seondary's Legacy Video

Hey Photography students have a look at what the grad class created as part of a grad class legacy project to create awareness around the suicides that happened last year. Congrats, it is a well done video!

Your first Assignments

Assignment #1: Make sure you are set up on Flickr and have a buddy icon. You need to make sure that you have made me a contact, and all of your photos are public, not private. ( MARKS 10)

Assignment #2 : 6 skatepark shots, 3 shots of people and 3 shots of an object. You should keep the following criteria in mind.(MARKS 20)

• make sure all photos are in focus
• keep rules of composition in mind when shooting
• focus on interesting angles
• use the skatepark as your backdrop

Assignment #3: PART A: 15 Macros (close-ups) 5 black and white and 10 colour. Criteria for this assignment is as follows: (MARKS 20)

• make sure your object is the focal point and in focus
• keep your backgrounds clean or blurred
• shoot a variety of shots and use a variety of different objects
• use your light effectively
• make your shots interesting ( frame them differently, have them tell a story)
• draw me into your photo
• make the ordinary look extraordinary

PART B: Sign up to Animoto and put your macros into an Animoto slideshow with appropriate music. (MARKS 10)

Assignment #4: Spot Colour. You are to shoot 5 photos that have some interesting colour in them, you will then turn the photos into black and white, and then edit to bring one colour into focus.

Assignmnet #5: (MARKS 50) "Beauty/Life in a Second" Please see sample assignment links to get an idea as to how this assignment should look. Essentially, you are to go out and shoot 60 still shots or 60 1 second video clips ( you may need shots to be up to 6 seconds to capture the video fully to allow for editing) and then compile to the specified piece of music in a movie program. The music is the same for all slideshows. When watching the sample videos, music can be downloaded through iTunes mp3 convertor or bought from i -tunes. Please note: when shooting video, you still want your shots to be up close, shot from a an interesting angle and capturing a feeling or essence of the beautiful moments in life.

Welcome back photo students

Welcome back to Isfeld photography. I am renaming this "the year of photography." This is the year where I have now had many students for a number of years. The seeds have been planted, watered, nurtured and there has been lots of time for growth. This is our year to harvest our photographic talent. My goal this year is to print and publish as much student work as I possibly can. What this will look like is: photos professionally printed and displayed in our new photo frames created by Mr. Pridy, lots of photos taken by photo students in the yearbook, student generated slideshows showcasing their photography, and a photo art show in semester #1, as well as photography as part of our big art show in June.

Term 4 Has Begun

The following is a list of assignments which will need to be completed in Term 4. I will add detail to these and go over criteria for these assignments in class. Deadlines will also be added, as we discuss timelines in class.

The following assignments are due this term:

• Song Assignment : 50 marks
• 8x10 magazine add: 20 marks
• Gel transfer: 15 marks
• Work habits: 15 marks

Bonus marks will be given for any independent work/photography over and above the following assignments. Students should create a folder on flicker entitled More photography, which will include any photography they have been working on over and above class assignments.

Disappointed with work ethic in class

I had an extremely motivated and hard working group of photography students last semester...and I am expecting the same from students this semester. After viewing much of the work on Flickr,  I noticed  three things...many people are not taking enough photos and many people are not posting to Flickr, and lastly many people are wasting time in class.

May I remind all of you that this is a senior level class that counts for 4 credits. I am feeling that there are only a few students who seem to be able to work independently and at the level I am expecting...for this reason those of you who have been slacking off need to begin to work harder, or I will have to pull the independent nature of the class and assign simple photo assignments that are completed at the end of each week.

When I can go out and shoot portraits, macros, and the word assignment in a couple of hours...I know many of you are not working hard enough...You can do it...it just takes some work...so get out into the world, start really seeing, and begin to capture the beauty that surrounds you!

Photo: lchase, taken at the Filberg last weekend, Editing: Polaroid App

Week of March 12

Here is a list of the assignments which will be due by March 29 for term 3.

• 5 shoe shots (10)
• 10 macros: 5 colour, 5 black and white (20)
• 10 portraits (25)
• Photo of self on Flickr (5)
• 3 word shots ex. leap, friendship, sorrow or whatever 3 words you chose (30)
• creative shot (20)
• duplicity shot (photo sequence) (15)

The song assignment and your independent photo project will be part of your term 4 mark.

Tues Feb 21

We will write the test on Wed when I am back. There are comments on Flickr for some of you. Today you should read carefully through all of this assignment criteria and continue working on the following assignments.

On Flickr: Buddy icon, self portrait, make me a contact, photos resized on Flickr ( 1-2mb) and in sets.
Marks: 10

Shoes: Looking for a strong sense of composition, use of varied angles, photos should be clear.
(shots 5) Marks: 10

Macros/close-ups: Photos should be well composed, interesting (choose subject matter carefully), very lightly edited, and in focus. Background can be blurred, but make sure your subject matter is clear. Make sure your black and white shots show decent contrast and are not greyed out.
(shots: 10, 5 black and white, 5 colour) Marks: 20

Portraits: "Anyone can shoot a portrait, but it is only a skilled photographer who can shoot a great portrait." For this assignment you are to shoot one person/model only... choose your model wisely. If you are having trouble finding a model, let me know right away. The criteria for this assignment is the same for taking all other photos... good composition, awareness of background etc. but you need to takes things a couple of steps further. You need to be very aware of lighting and I am looking for you to capture the essence of your subject in the photo. You need to get to know your subject and find a way to make them feel comfortable during the shoot in order to get your best shots, and capture who they truly are in the photo. This may mean you need to take many shots to get your best 10. I am suggesting at least a two day shoot. You should be aware of things like clothing, make-up, shooting location etc.
(shots: 10) Marks: 25

Song Assignment: By Mon. of next week, I will be requesting that people have their song chosen for this assignment.

NEW TODAY: This is an assignment that should be able to be done mostly in class, and will likely involve some Photoshop work. You are to find a photo that think is really cool like the one below of the banana with the kiwi inside, or like the ones I have below in the links. It may take some time on Flickr or You Tube to find what appeals to you. Your task is to duplicate the photo assignment on your own. This may require some research, trial and error or experimentation. You may even want to contact the photographer and ask how they produced the photo. Try checking out the Creative Group on Flickr for ideas.


Check out these links:


creative photo#1

creative photo#2

creative photo#3

creative photo#4

creative photo#5

creative photo#6

Creative Photography

Check out this creative shot

Macro (Close-ups)

SD CARDS
Reminder to all students, after today, you must have your own sd card (this is your notebook) I will only hand them out occasionally as people forget. This is a requirement of the course. I will rent cards for $10, which means when you return the card after the course is over, you will get your money back. You should be trying to find access to a camera at home for photo work on the weekend.


MACROS/CLOSE-UPS
The focus of this assignment is to begin to see from a different point of view. Essentially, you may be able to get good shots at school, but to get a really good mark on this assignment you may need to go beyond the confines of the classroom. I do not want the macro photos edited using any artistic filters. I want to know that you can take a good shot on your own. Basic editing is all that is required. I have very high expectations. Please review the post on macros. This means read the articles in the links.

Shots: 10 ( 5 colour and 5 blk and white) Make sure you have good contrast on your black and white photos.

Macro #1

Macro #2

Aperture for manual focus

Have nothing to do READ this: PHOTO TIPS

A reminder to look over the links you need to know for the test this Friday. I will go over what you need to know later in the week. As well, I will look for some inspiring objects to shoot up close for Wed. class.

Week ending Feb. 9/2012

Students should be completing their shoe shots (5 shots basic editing)  and have them posted onto Flickr in a set. I should be your contact on Flickr and you should have a portrait of yourself and a photo on your buddy icon.

Welcome to Photography Developing

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 next Mon./Tues 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