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

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