Storytelling is what business needs for the Future.

There is and will be good jobs in the arts.

 

Manual focus: Racking and pulling focus

 

Still life black and white: Still life

Upcoming Deadlines

 Black and White Slideshow ...with music, presented in class: Thur May 2

Term 4 5 photos shoot....Thurs May 2

Little Kid Photo Re-creation ...Tues May 7

Term 4 Begins

 

Assignments so far for TERM 4

• 5 Term 4 shoot (10 marks)
• 1 black and white
• 2 cherry blossoms
• 1 flower
• 1 photo of someone jumping up in the air   
• 
  
• 20 Black and Whites in a slideshow set to music (40 marks)
• Photo re-creation, 1 photo (10 marks)
• Portraits 21 photos in a slideshow set to music (40 marks) The first slide should be a selfie which tells me something about you.
• Beauty in a Minute, 60 1second shots focusing on the beauty of life, photos should be interesting and have variety....not all buildings (50 marks)

Assignments to come:

• 10 experimental photos
• one other short video/assignment: day in the life/how to redo/light photo video to music/1 min music video/ creative your choice (talk to me) This assignment will be worth 30 marks.
• there may be a few smaller assignments added in depends on how well the class uses their time.

Critiquing your own work

 How do you know if a photo is good or not...the art of self critique....an important lesson in life as well since in life we rarely get graded on our work and have to know ourselves whether or not we are doing good work.

Link: Critiquing Your Own Work

A review of questions to ask yourself when taking a photo.

Light: 

• what time of day am I taking the photo, how strong is the light, is it sunny, or cloudy, what direction is the light coming from, and what kind of light is th artificial light giving off?

Camera settings

• spend some time understanding your camera settings shutter speed, iso and aperture in manual mode  and the different shooting modes in auto. 

Focal Point: 

• Make sure you have one and it is interesting and in focus

Story:

• Are you telling a story? What are you communicating in your photo? Photograph the same object/person three different ways.

Edit: 

• All photos should be edited for cropping, clean backgrounds, lighting and colour enhancement.

Portraits Fri April 19

 NEW Assignment Portraits 

Working with a model of your choice, you should plan to set up a portrait shoot. You will need 20 different shots of one model. If this seems impossible I will accept two models one male and one female. Plus you will include one selfie photo that portrays you in an interesting way...maybe tells us a little about you. Plan to shoot a variety of different shots including but not limited to: a couple of head shots, several full body shots, creative shots using the lcd projector/costumes/props etc. Study other portrait photographer's work and learn how to effectively pose your model.

This assignment is worth 40 marks. 20 marks for your portraits posted to Mdrive, 10 marks for your selfie portrait included in the slideshow and 10 marks for your portraits put into a slideshow, set to music for viewing.

 If you do not meet the deadline for the slideshow, you will receive a zero for the presentation portion of the assignment.

Tips:

• plan your shots/shoot
• be aware of where the light is ( best times to shoot dawn and dusk)
• choose a good background
• use a prop ( umbrella, hat, scarf, pumpkin etc)
• shoot people in their element ( skateboarder with a skateboard at the skatepark)
• create a rapport with your model and direct the shoot, which means tell the model what you want them to do.

So maybe you can research posing and plan your model and location. If you have done your shoot, you should spend some good quality time editing. If you are doing your portraits at school, find someone to photograph and get busy. There are lots of places to shoot around the school. ( skate park, woods, garage door near the soccer clubhouse, metal storage containers on the soccer fields, Ms Chase's white wall in the art room ) 

McKinnon Photography Portraits

All term 3 work due Friday end of term

 

• 3 Photos and why you think they are good (5 marks)
• 5 phone photos (5 marks)
• Scavenger Hunt labeled 15 photos (20 marks)
• Magazine Cover (20 marks)
• Composition Test (10 marks)
• How to Video sheet write up (10 marks)
• Slideshow Macros (30 marks)
• Product shoot (10 shots) and 2 ads (20 marks)
• How to video (30 marks) presented in class on Thurs
• Total 150 marks

Tips for shooting in Black and White

NEW ASSIGNMENT: 

Black and White Photography 20 photos in a slideshow set to music.

Basic tips for Black and White Photography

• find or shoot contrast
• use an external flash or bring in more light
• shoot directly in Black and White
• Use photoshop to select sections to lighten or darken

Please make sure the Black and White Photos are edited in Photoshop and are in the highest quality possible

Make a list of 10 things you think would look good shot in black and white. Hand in to me on Mon of next week.

Ansel Adam's Gallery: Ansel Adams collection

Black and White ideas

NEW ASSIGNMENT

Photo Re-creation: You are to find an old photo of yourself betwen the ages of 3-7 years of age. You are then going to take a photo of the photo on your phone. Next you are to recreate the photo to the best of your ability. I am looking for a solid redition. You may have to get someone to help with taking the photo if you are in the photo. Marks 10.

April 15

Today, everyone is going to go out for 15 minutes and photography spring. 5 shots

• 1 black and white
• 2 cherry blossoms
• 1 flower
• 1 photo of someone jumping up in the air   ......10 marks

Here is a classic series which specializes in spectacular black and white cinematography. Check out even just one episode on Netflix. The cinematography is spectacular.

Black and White Photography

NEW ASSIGNMENT: 

Black and White Photography 20 photos in a slideshow set to music

Focus of Black and White Photography is on CONTRAST 

( Below are links for you to check out)

Black and White Photography

Black & White Images

Tips to improve black and white photography

Tues April 2

 10 PRODUCT SHOTS 2 ADS due: Due Wed April 10.

How to video ready to show in class Wed. April 17 in class viewing

Product photography is a branch of commercial photography which is about accurately but attractively representing a product. The principal application of product photography is in product catalogues and brochures, with a proportion of product images also being used in advertising and on the internet.

Link to Tips on Product Photography: Product Photography

Product photo ideas

YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Ad Shoot and Final Ads: You are to decide on a product to shoot, and try shooting it many different ways. You are expected to do 10 shots minimum shooting creatively.

 Once you have done this, in consultation with the teacher or others in the class, you are going to determine which 2 photos will work best for an ad and then create the ad from these 2 photos. You will then edit for lighting, put on text ( an ad slogan) or a logo. Marks 20 Due Wed April 10.

Assignments Due Before March Break

 

The following is a list of all the work that should be in for marking before the March Break.

• 3 Photos and why you think they are good
• Scavenger Hunt labeled 15 photos
• Magazine Cover
• Composition Test
• How to Video sheet write up
• 10 Candy macros/10 alternate macros in a slideshow set to music, slideshow will be presented in class on Thurs. March 14
• Product shoot (10 shots) and 2 ads

You should be working on your How to video and your Beauty in a Minute video over the Spring Break

Week of March 4

Reminder of Beauty in a Minute Video

Finish up any outstanding work ( Hand in How to video step sheet)

Have a look back through the blog watch any videos you missed and try out the camera sim

Shooting 10 Candy Macros and editing

Shooting 10 alternate Macros and Editing

Put into a slideshow to music

Start watching similar how to videos on Instagram to get ideas....play around in Capcut

Week of Feb 27

 Show up to 6:45

Here are some links to get better Macro shots, especially in manual mode.

LINK: Macro #1
LINK: Macro #2
LINK: Aperture for manual focus

If you want to brighten a photo, you can also lower the shutter speed or boost the ISO. And if you want to darken a photo, you can raise the shutter speed or drop the ISO. 

In terms of exposure, widening your aperture by a full stop has the exact same effect as lowering your shutter speed by a full stop or boosting your ISO by a full stop. A key consequence of this: different exposure variables can cancel each other out. Increase your ISO by a stop while decreasing your aperture by a stop, and you’ll end up with an identical exposure.

The point here is that, while aperture does determine exposure, you can’t think about it in isolation. Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together to give you a well-exposed (or poorly exposed) image.

What’s important to know is that the aperture offers you creative control as a photographer. Want to create a blurry background? Pick a wide aperture. Want to keep your shot sharp throughout? Pick a narrow aperture.

  

Introduction of NEW Assignment: Candy Macros : 20 photos edited 40 marks, put into a basic slideshow to music 10 marks

Total=50 marks

10 Candy shots

10 Other macros

Do not reuse old work

Due before March break

Criteria:

• 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

Week of Feb 20

Assignments so far

• info on you
• 5 phone photos
• 3photos from the net with write up
• Scavenger Hunt part 1 and 2...15 photos
• Magazine Cover
• Writeup for How To Video

This week we will have a 10 mark quiz on Composition of Thurs.

I would like magazine covers finished by the end of the week and the steps for your how to video handed in.

Product Shoot and 2 Ads: A variety of shots are taken of your product, 10 different shots are needed. These do not have to be perfect...you may need to take more than 10, to get what you need for the 2 ads. Marks: 20, 10 for the shots and 10 for the 2 final ads.

How to shoot in Manual Mode

 

Review of Composition

• Rule of thirds
• Leading lines
• Symmetry
• Fill the Frame
• Rule of Odds
• Golden Spiral
• Framing
• Centered composition
• Simplicity
• Rule of space

Mon Feb 11

 This week .... Due by end of Week which is Thurs.

1. Wrap up scavenger hunt...please edit photos and put them on the M drive  (15 marks)

Criteria: well composed, in focus, creative shots 

    2.Wrap up 5 Hand shots and put on Drive (10 marks)

Criteria: photos of hands communicate a concept, clear, in focus, creative and well composed

    3.  Complete research on what magazine you are going to use as a magazine cover, take a vertical photo for the magazine cover

Criteria:

• bar code ( bring in from google)
• coordinating colours for lead ins
• clear, well composed vertical  photo
• 3 sets of text with page numbers drawing the reader in
• text size is appropriate, Font is appropriate for magazine...NO written fonts
• looks visually pleasing and is sized properly 8.5 inches X 11 inches ( these covers will also be printed out)
• looks like a real magazine cover
• NOTE: Please get Ms Chase to approve your photo before you begin working on it

 

Magazine Cover Assignment: (Marks 20) 

Sample Magazine covers from years past are on the Mdrive under Chase2024/Group photo 11and12/ Magazine cover samples

The magazine cover requires you to take a vertical photo that is at a very high quality, and using photoshop you are to create the cover of a magazine. I should be able to look at the cover of your magazine and think it is a real magazine. 

    To be saved on the Drive in 2 places

4. Hand in an outline of the steps that will be shot in your how to video.

Exmaple:

Step 1: Gather the ingredients needed. White Glue, Borax and a bowl and spoon

Step #2 .....

Step #3 ......

Thurs/Friday Feb 8/9

Cameras Out: Get camera, check to see you have full battery, switch out battery if necessary, get card, format card, clean lens, sign out camera.

Cameras In: Turn off camera, take out card, upload photos to the M drive or to your phone, return camera to the bin. Wrap the strap around the camera and put lens side up. If the battery is below half switch it out.

Today and tomorrow you have time to work on the following:

• bio, 3 photos you like with write-up 
• phone photos (5) on Mdrive
• scavenger hunt ( 6) on Mdrive
• hands (5)
• concept and cover photo for Mag cover 
• idea for how to video ....consult with Ms Chase we will be starting on this next week

Scavenger Hunt: part 2

Scavenger Hunt: 15 marks

• rule of odds
• a water shot
• a reflection shot
• a close -up/macro shot
• photo of a person taking a photo
• a shadow shot
• low angle shot
•  the concept of freedom
• joy/pain

Wed Feb7

 Assignments already due/ by Friday:

• Bio on yourself
• 3 Photos you like and why
• 5 Phone photos
• Scavenger Hunt ( 6 photos)
• Hands (5 photos)

• Can be working on getting a verticle photo for your magazine cover.
• Can be thinking of an idea fo your first HOW to video (30 sec) 
• Can be trying to find a portrait model
• Thinking about a product to photograph

Composition continued : https://petapixel.com/photography-composition-techniques/

https://www.camerasim.com/original-camerasim

Manual Functions

Mon Feb 5

 1. Camera review

2. How to download from Flickr

3. How to upload from your phone

4. How to upload using the card readers

5. Photoshop intro/review

5. Composition: https://petapixel.com/photography-composition-techniques/

6. NEW Short Scavenger Hunt 5 items 

• Something round
• Frame the shot
• fill the frame
• close up of an eye
• something red
• BONUS: something that says ISFELD

Fri Feb 2

One of my favourite you tuber photographers. I suggest this is one photographer to subscribe to. he has all kinds of tips and has been a working photographer for years. Also he offers lots of great advice.

 Hands All over story:   Rosie Hardy

Continue with: 

• 3 photos on the net and why you like them
• 5 phone photos on Drive in a folder

NEW assignment: 5 hands shots ( phone or digital camera)

Thurs Feb 1

 Flickr Introduction

Click on this LINK: Check out these new Flickr Groups to help keep you inspired

10 things to think about before taking a photo 

https://digital-photography-school.com/10-questions/

Composition Review: rule of thirds, leading lines, focal point, framing

Assignment #1: Time to work on: 3 photos you like and why you think they are good photos/what you like about them.
Can send by email or print and hand in.

Assignment #2: Put of your 5 best phone photos of the week ( does not have to be new photos this week)

History of Photography Video

 Intro to Photo 11/12

Photography is not about the camera but how you use the camera. You can have an expensive camera and still take bad pictures. The focus of this course is not on the many technical aspects of how to use a camera but rather on how to compose great shots and extending your knowledge into creating using photography as a medium. 

We will be learning how to use and expand the use of Photoshop and other editing programs to create advertising, a magazine cover, videos, and conceptual photographic art. ( more for grade 12's )

The visual world is becoming part of our everyday life. Most people on the internet are focused on photos and video to get across ideas. Logos and photos are an instant way for people to get an idea across. It is important for young people to be able to navigate the ever increasing world of visual literacy.

Requirements of this course:

• a decent digital slr or camera phone for taking photos, school cameras will be allowed to go home with permission.
• a usb drive and/or an extra phone cord for use at school for transferring photos 
• a card reader/phone cable at school for transferring photos to the school computer
• a 16 gb card that can be used for taking photos with the school camera
• the ability to use some of your time to take photos outside of school 
• a desire to learn and grow through digital media
• ability to work with others and be a good model
• time management skills
• You may want to install the Flickr app on your phone for faster digital uploads, but this is not a requirement

Assessment:

This course is assessed based on student's ability to push boundaries, meet assignment deadlines and progress in their ability to become better photographers/videographers and visual artists. Students are expected to push themselves at the level they are at to improve and produce quality work. A high standard is expected, and poor quality work will not be accepted. You will be asked to Re-do an assignment if it does not meet expectations. 

FYI:

Photos showing as HEIC instead of JPEG/JPG Sync uploads the photos as they are saved on the device. With the release of iOS 11, Apple replaced JPEG with a new image format called HEIC.To set your Apple devices to take photos in JPEG/JPG instead of HEIC:

Go to Settings,Tap Camera,Tap Formats,Tap Most Compatible

Write up and hand in

Name, grade, type of photography you like, what you want to learn this semester, and anything I should know...job, strengths and areas needing improvement, trouble meeting deadlines, learning difficulties etc

Group brainstorm: How is Photography used in our world today?

As photographers and videographers we are learning to embrace the technology for multiple uses in our world. List some of the potential jobs someone with photo experience could get...or put another way what jobs involve a photo or videography skillset?

 Click on this LINK: Check out these new Flickr Groups to help keep you inspired

Composition is the strongest way of seeing. —Edward Weston

A good photograph is knowing where to stand. —Ansel Adams

Composition noun com·po·si·tion : the way in which something is put together or arranged : the combination of parts or elements that make up something.

Welcome to the wonderful world of photographic composition. In its most general terms, photographic composition is the art of composing an image through framing. And there exists the problem. How is it that one thing that almost everyone agrees is critical to the success of a photograph is completely subjective—an art unto itself? Composition is in the eye of the artist, however we know there are many techniques to help with good composition.

You Create Composition

There are three basic ingredients to a good photographer: knowledge of camera, an eye for composition, and artistic vision.

Today’s cameras have such amazing technology that they can do everything but make a great photograph for you. That “but” refers to composition. Composition is the aspect of the medium that is 100% dependent on your efforts as the photographer. It is the one part of photography that the camera cannot do on its own. Therefore, good composition is not something that can be achieved by expensive photography gear alone. Along the same lines, you may have the most astute eye on the planet, but, without the aptitude to effectively use your camera, you may lack the ability to make the photograph that you perceive in your mind’s eye. Photography is a technically based art form. Even the world’s best composition can be ruined because the image is out of focus, badly over- or underexposed, or the victim of some poorly chosen camera settings.