Cool videos with great cinematography

 

Beauty in a Minute

 

Open up one of your fall photos into Photoshop from the mdrive.

Resize to as close to 8x10 inches as possible

Bring in a photo of a clown from google, make sure it is a larger photo.

Resize as close to 8x10 inches as possible

Turn that photo into black and white.

Select only the image of the clown not the background and put it into your first photo.

Move the clown to the bottom right hand corner

Make sure it is slightly tilted in the corner ( hint you need to use transform rotate)

Now change the opacity to between 60-80 percent, make sure we can still see the clown image

Type the word clown onto the clown image

Save it as a jpeg on the mdrive under TEST

Practice Quiz

Open up one of your photos into Photoshop from the mdrive.

Resize to 8x10 inches

Turn that photo into black and white.

Bring in a photo from google.

Resize to 8x10 inches

Select the photo and put it into your first photo.

Transform it so the image is smaller and inside your first image

Type a word onto the image

Save it as a jpeg on the mdrive under practice test.

 Photo Assignments due Before Christmas

• Black and White slideshow

• Fall Shots

• Donut ad

• Product shots and 2 ads

• How to Video including storyboard

• 2 Dream photos including write ups

• 10 Light photos in a slideshow : Thurs Dec 19

• Photoshop Quiz : Practice Quiz Thursday Dec 12 Quiz on Friday

• Von Wong photographer question sheet

If you are finished everything, you can also begin working on Beauty in a minute video 45-60 sec or a choice video project.

• Also if finished you could work on macro candy shots 5 shots nicely composed and edited, and 5 lego shots. The idea is to put the lego characters into a scene and make it look real.

Friday Nov 29

After watching the film on a nature/travel photographer. Please continue working on assignments that need to be completed. Our photoshop test will be late next week. But your How to videos are due with no exceptions Tues for viewing in class. You will lose 10 marks for presentation if they are not ready.

Reminder: Career day sheets from yesterday need to be handed in.

Photographer Benjamin Von Wong

Reminder Photoshop Quiz coming soon. Know how to size, turn to black and white, type text onto an image, use the opacity tool and bring in an image from google, print. 

 

https://www.vonwong.com/

 Award-winning artist and activist Benjamin Von Wong edits behind-the-scenes videos with Adobe Premiere Pro: a glimpse into his photo shoots. For award-winning artist and activist Benjamin Von Wong, it’s the people and the process that shape his work, with technology merely playing a supporting role.

“The process of living life and solving problems is often more interesting than a final product,” says Von Wong. “In a world where content is abundant, context is important because it creates a shared sense of humanity.”

Von Wong’s photography and activism focuses largely on environmental and sustainability issues such the impacts of ocean plastics, fast fashion, and electronic waste. “Art is a tool that can close the gap between the heart and the mind and make us better people,” he says. “I don’t create for myself. I create to accomplish something in service to others.”

                                           
                                              

Photo Assignments due Before Christmas TERM 2

Photo Assignments due Before Christmas

• Black and White slideshow
• Fall Shots
• Donut ad
• Product shots and 2 ads
• How to Video including storyboard
• 2 Dream photos including write ups
• 10 Light photos in a slideshow Due Wed Dec 18
• Photoshop Quiz : Thursday Dec 12
• Von Wong photographer question sheet

Light Photography: Week of Nov 18

 

Light Photography

LIGHT PHOTOS ASSIGNMENT: You are to take 10 light photos experimenting with manual settings (slow shutter speed). I would like you to try to use photoshop to edit and maybe combine a few photos together. This assignment focuses on creativity in creating and editing. Marks 20 It should be put into a slideshow set to music for another 10 marks. Total 30 marks

 Here are some helpful bits of information to help you with Light Photography. 

SETTINGS: Make sure camera and lens are on manual. Move settings to the following:

SHUTTER SPEED:10 sec- 30 sec

ISO:100

FSTOP: F8.0

USE A TRIPOD AND MANUALLY FOCUS BEFORE YOU TURN THE LIGHTS OFF

Light sources: flashlights, light wands, phone lights, finger lights, sparklers, sparkle/fairy lights, gloves with lights on them.

Space: anywhere where you can get as full darkness as possible. IF USING THE DRAMA ROOM, YOU ARE ONLY IN THE CHANGE ROOM WITH PERMISSION. NO ONE SHOULD BE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE DRAMA ROOM.

Another How to Light Painting Video 

LINK: How to light paint article

I love this guy's tutorials on You Tube he is very knowledgeable and easy to understand. He has a number of creative tutorials, you should check him out.

light painting sample

Deadlines for Upcoming Assignments

Deadlines Upcoming Assignments

Photo Product ads and Donut ad : Due Friday Nov 22 in group folder on m drive

2 Dream Photos: in group folder on m drive latest Wed Dec 18

How to videos to be shown in class: Tues Dec 3

Light Photos 10: In a slideshow shown in class on Wed Dec 18

NEW ASSIGNMENT THE DREAMWORLD

Dream Photography Assignment

LINK: dream photography

LINK; dream photos 2

LINK: the dream collector

NEW ASSIGNMENT: In this assignment you are going to begin by brainstorming bits and pieces from memorable dreams, ideas for creating an interesting and intriguing dream photo.

You must use one photograph that you have taken and can use bits and pieces from other images from the internet. You should use features in Photoshop to layer and enhance this dream photo. It can be a scary dream or a positive dream or something even crazier.

Criteria:

• Minimum one photo must be your own in each finished piece
• Photoshop is used for editing
• You have a minimum of 6 layers in the final photograph
• You communicate a vision through your photos
• Write up an artist's statement about what each of your photos is about
• consult through the process with the teacher
• 2 dream photos 
• MARKS 30

Week of Nov 11

 1. Continue working on Bigfoot Donut ad and place in folder on Mdrive

2. How to video. 35-45 sec. Ideally shooting in horizontal mode will make the video easier to view, but if you want to post on Instagram you could use vertical Insta format. You should use all of the techniques you used for the first video. You will want to keep the clips short, include captions for clarity and VoiceOver if needed. Watch lots of Instagram how too to get ideas and determine a style that you like. Keep it simple. Do not have rolling footage, I want to see editing. We will view some examples.

3. Watch part of a short video on Product Photography.

Looking at the Week Ahead

 Mon: work on wrapping up Black and White Slideshows/Any other incomplete assignments. Slideshows will be presented on Tues. in class. A quick preview of the first video. If done everything, watch the second video on product photography.

Tues: presentation of Black and White Slideshows/Video how to set up a product shoot

Wed./Thurs: Sample Product Shooting Day BigFoot Donuts

Assignment: You and your partner will each shoot your donut 5 different ways. I would like you to use lighting, different backgrounds and different ideas for the shoot. 10 shots, 1 ad each for Bigfoot Donuts use Canva and use the Instagram format. 20 marks

Friday: A continued introduction to product photography and opportunity to edit and complete the BigFoot donut assignment. Introduction and a look at sample 

How to video. 35-45 sec. Ideally shooting in horizontal mode will make the video easier to view, but if you want to post on Instagram you could use vertical Insta format. You should use all of the techniques you used for the first video. You will want to keep the clips short, include captions for clarity. Watch lots of Instagram how too to get ideas and determine a style that you like. Keep it simple. Do not have rolling footage, I want to see editing.

Wed Oct 30 Photo/Film Contests

 LINK TO BC Student Film Festival Website: https://www.bcsff.com/

Student Photo Contests:

Independent Photo Contest

Photo Contests

Youth Photo Contests 2

Video Wrap -up

Self Evaluation:

• tells a story
• clean, steady shots
• nicely sequenced shots
• detail in editing
• Extras: pull focus, slow mo, time lapse, stop motion, titles ect.
• AREAS YOU COULD HAVE IMPROVED UPON
• WHAT YOU DID WELL
• grade you would give yoursef based on this criteria 

Tues Oct 29

 Term #2 First Assignment Product Shoot 30 marks

NEW VIDEO ASSIGNMENT term #2 : How to Video

Product Shoot Assignment Outline

Ad photos: Adam Meyer

PART A: Product shots:10 shots. You are to choose a product to shoot and you are to take 10 different shots of your product. Try to mix it up a little…take shots of people using your product, take inside shots on clean backgrounds, take you product outside to shoot…lots of experimentation. Upload all 10 shots under the album, PRODUCT SHOOT.

Ad PART B: After you have completed the 10 shots , you are to choose the best  2 shots and create 2 magazine ads which will be saved  under the Product Shoot folder. Your 2 good ads should be titled FINAL ad #1 and FINAL ad #2. please make sure you have your name on it. Example: chase ad1, chase ad2

Criteria for this assignment PART A: Photos should show experimentation, varied background and evidence of trying to showcase the product at its best. Not all shots have to be perfect or editied since I am marking your process in this assignment.  MARKS 10 

PART B: Product should be the focus of the ad, shot is clear, lighting effects work, logo or slogan is included in the ad, and most importantly looks professional…like an ad I would see in a magazine. MARKS 20

Sample Product Ads:

Adam Meyer product shoot

Cassie Fisher product shoot

Ethan Woodland Product shoot

Peter McKinnon Product Shoot Video

Mon Oct 28

 This week will be an opportunity to complete all work for term 1.

The following is being marked for term 1, all work must be completed by Fri Nov 8:

• Headshots 10 mks
• Top 5 on phone 5 mks
• 5 Photos pick BEST 5 mks
• Scan. Hunt #1 10 mks
• Composition shots 10 mks
• Video #1 ( shots in school) 10 mks
• Headswap in Photoshop 10 mks
• Video #2 Focus pull 10 mks
• mag cover 20 mks
• Conceptual shots...Ready set go/Blue 20 mks
• Brainstorming: Day in the life 5 mks
• Storyboard : Day in the Life 10 mks
• Day in the Life Video 10 mks presentation 25 mks for video = 35 mks
• Black and White  Slideshow 10 mks presentation 20 marks photos = 30 mks
• Fall shots 10 shots 10 mks
• Schaller Questions 10 mks

TOTAL: 210 marks

Tues/Wed Oct 21and 22

 Watch and answer the following questions about street photographer Alan Schaller.

Questions: Hand in for 10 marks

1. How did Alan Schaller get in to photography?

2. What does he think separates good photographers from mediocre photographers?

3. In this video, Schaller focuses a lot on _______________ and _______________ in his photography.

4. In his photography on many occasions Schaller allows the _______________ to convey a mood.

5. What makes street photography different from other forms of photography?

6. Schaller says in the video, "photography is about being in the _________________ moment.

7. What does Schaller say is the Magic in photography?

8. What do you think is effective in Schaller's work?

MON OCT 21

 This week in Photo 11/12 you should be working on:

1. Day in the Life videos have been extended until next Mon. Oct 28 when Ms. Chase returns. We will view them in class on Monday, please have them saved in the group folder on the Mdrive with your name as the file name. Make sure they play properly on the computer. Also please hand in your brainstorming sheet for the video 5 marks and your storyboard sheet for 10 marks.

2. Continue with Black and White photos, make sure they are edited. Any photos that seem really dark should be lightened up in Photoshop. If editing on your phone try using the app Snapseed and experiment with the HDR features.

Watch video with class ( 5 min) and try shooting some of the following in your Black and White photos:

• TRY SHOOTING IN MANUAL MODE
• try shooting steam
• try shooting in extreme light or dark
• try shooting crows
• try shooting through a car window when it's raining
• direct light onto your subject
• try shooting in the fog
• try to work with shadow and architecture
• keep shots simple
• try shooting close up face shots

Reminder Black and White shots need to be edited...consult with the teacher to get feedback, and they need to go into a slideshow set to music. Choose whatever video program you like. Canva is very user friendly. A reminder, I have audio files you can use on the Mdrive in the group folder.

3. FALL PHOTOS: Continue to work on Fall photos: NOTE: I have changed this assignment from 5 photos to 10 since I have been seeing a lot of great work.

Black and white Photography

Shooting Black and White

• CONTRAST
• SHADOWS
• FOCUS ON COMPOSITION
• KEEP IT SIMPLE 
• One of the ways to guide the viewer's gaze to the center of interest is to have a dramatic difference between dark and light tones. Therein lies your contrast. Seeing in black and white implies choosing simple subjects, clear negative spaces.

What is the best aperature for Black and White?

The aperature will vary. Try using a small f-number. When shooting in manual try using f/4 to f/5.6. That means you'll need to be pretty close to wide-open and pretty close to your subject to get a shallow depth of field (sharp subject, blurry background).

ISO:  Usually ISO 800, 1600  Remember, the higher the ISO the stronger the noise and grain.

Week of Oct 15-19

 This week you should be working on:

• Any unfinished  work
• Day in the Life video
• 10 fall shots
• Black and White Photography

 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

Take a look at the work of Ansel Adams

Week of Oct7-11

 When working on your Day in the Life videos, do not go any longer than 10 sec per shot unless you are doing a time lapse or a sped up shot. Keep your transitions simple, probably a fade in or out. Do not walk with the camera, it usually does not look good. If you are panning with the camera, do it very slow. You will get 5 marks for  brainstorming, 10 marks for rough story board and 25 marks for the final video. It will be due: TUES OCT 22 and presented in class.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Day in the Life Video: You are to video and edit a day in your life and set it to music. Likely you will need to shoot on more than one day and make it look like it was all in one day.

Keep your shots short, 3-5 sec.( maximum 10 sec) and make sure they are sequenced properly. The video should be no less than 1min in length and no more than 2 min in length. Make sure your shots are in focus, shot from various angles, and well composed. You should be choosing a song to put with your day in the life video. Do not forget you are trying to tell a story of your day.

Storyboarding

 We will star with Brainstorming ideas for Your Day in the Life Video

Week of Oct 1

 1. Purpose/How to use a tripod.

 2. How to use the digital SLR cameras to shoot video

 3. video assignment #1 Using manual focus on the digital slr cameras...5 second clip

Complete 5 sec video clips of each of the following

• opening a door and entering
• blurry to clear
• clear to blurry
• focus on upclose subject
• focus on background subject

4. Introduction of Day in the Life video

Thurs Sept 25

 

Weekly Shooting Assignment

This assignment is to be shot using the digital SLR cameras. You are going to shoot on a theme. Make sure these photos are edited. (20 marks) Due next Friday at the end of next week. Label as CONCEPTUAL in a folder.

1. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (3 shots)
2. High school life ( 3 shots)
3. Blue  (2 shots)
4. Ready, set, action (2 shots)

However you choose to interpret these prompts is up to you, but be prepared to back up your concept. Make sure you follow the rules of composition and have a focal point in each photo.

Wed.Sept 24

Film/Photo Contests

Habitat for Humanity Film Contest

LINK to Contest:https://vin.habitat.ca/en/news/student-reel-impact-contest

 CASH PRIZE! 1st prize - $300 | 2nd prize - $200 | 3rd prize - $100  

freedom photo contest:Justice Institut

In honor of Truth and Reconcilation Day: A look at an Indigineous film

Complete the following questions:

1. What makes this film feel authentic?

2. What do you think is the purpose of the extreme closeups at the beginning of the film?

3. This is a recent film, what clues do we have that the story is supposed to take place in the past?

4. Why do you think the filmmaker chose a rainy day to film?

5. Do you think the sound track was effective why or why not?

Composition Review

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. 

Mon Sept 23

 Assignments due this Friday

• Headswap in Photoshop (10 marks)
• 5 Phone videos (10 marks)
• 5 headshots (5 marks)
• 
  

Friday Sept 20

 

Using the Digital SLR cameras

 

Camera Basics

Things to check before using the camera.

• make sure there is a battery in the camera and it has full charge
• Make sure the settings are on Auto to start and the lens is also set on auto
• Make sure you get an sd card and sign out the camera and card in the sign out book
• Take a test shot to make sure the lens is focusing

The camera strap should be around your neck.

Do not take the camera off and leave it sitting somewhere in the school.

Cameras can be signed out, but need to be back the next day.

Signing a camera back in should be done with a teacher present.

Today's task.... go out and take some photos getting used to the camera

Continue with yesterday's Photoshop assignment and print out and hand in.

Continue with the assignments that are due Friday.

Headswap Tues Sept 17

 HEADSWAP IN PHOTOSHOP INSTRUCTIONS  (10 marks)

1. Find/or take photo of a person.When using google to find the image, get the largest size photo possible. ( ie superman, famous model or celebrity) no animals or cartoons.

2. Bring in both photos to Photoshop. Go to IMAGE, ADJUSTMENTS, IMAGE SIZE and change the photos to both be close to the same size. If one is way bigger than the other it will be difficult to do the assignment. While under ADJUSTMENTS, you can also change both photos to BLACK and WHITE.
3. Next go to the SELECTION TOOL,( right click) and using the tool, move the tool around the head of one of your photos, then click on EDIT CUT and go to your next photo.

Note: It is probably more interesting to put the student head on the celebrity body, but it does not matter which head goes where. Also if you do not have a head shot that works for the swap, simply go out and take a shot of someone in a similar pose and distance away from the camera.

4.When on the next photo, click on EDIT, PASTE. This will put the head on the page. Then to resize the head, click EDIT, TRANSFORM, SCALE. This will put a box around the photo and allow you to change the size of the head, you can also slightly rotate the head if you go to ROTATE under TRANSFORM tool.
5. Then you want to tweak the image by moving into place with the pick/move tool, or use the eraser tool to clean up the edges.

Note: SAVING the file: If you need to continue working on the head swap, save as a Photoshop file so you can come back and work on the image. It is always a good idea, to save your edited photos as Photoshop files as a backup in case you need to go back and make changes. However, if you think you are done you can save as a JPEG ( which is save as copy) put into your M drive folder and then print out the assignment, put your name on it and hand it in.

Criteria for this assignment: Looking for a clean transition, not warped but looking accurate, limited blurring to make the face/hair work. If I cannot tell it has been photoshopped it is a 10/10. Good Luck.

Mon Sept 16

 Assignments Due this Friday Sept 20

1. 5 phone photos in folder called TOP 5 (5 marks)

2. Shoot an object or subject 5 different ways, then choose the BEST one and label it best. Include all of the photos in the folder. ( 5 marks)

3. HUNT #1 Includes 6 photos of various things (10 marks)

4. Composition part 1 and 2 (10 marks)

5. 5 high quality well composed headhsots, cropped tight head and shoulders (10 marks)

NEW Assignment: 5 - 5 sec videos connected to school. PLEASE SHOOT HORIZONTALLY!!!!! Videos should include movement.

Example: opening the door to the school, opening a locker, someone taking a photo, kicking a ball, doing a math problem, walking down the hall etc. Upload to the mdrive and label School video

If done everything.....Research Magazine Cover and take or find a previously taken photo on your phone if it is high quality over 1 mb in size. Look at various covers to understand the style of the magazine.

Week ending Sept 13

Work on researching ideas for the magazine cover.

Headshots: 5 tightly cropped head and shoulder shots with your model facing forward. This is a professional shot used for portfolios, resumes, in yearbooks, websites, and possibly advertising.

Example:

Composition 2 Sept 11

 Composition

Fill the Frame: In photographic composition, the “frame” refers to the rectangular scene you see through your camera. When you use this technique, you simply fill your photo's frame with more of your subject, reducing the amount of background or negative space shown.

FRAMING:Framing in photography refers to the process of composing a picture. It involves choosing what you'll include in the frame and what you'll leave out. The goal is to create a pleasing composition that directs the viewer's attention to the subject matter.

Symmetry: In photography symmetry appears when parts of your composition mirror other parts. It is created when two halves of your scene look the same and balance each other out. Symmetry defines something being clean, proportional and balanced and will make pictures appear neat, tidy and clinical.

Negative Space: Negative space photography is related to minimalist photography. It emphasizes not just the subject, but the empty space around the subject. The viewer's eyes may be drawn to a central figure, but they can't help noticing the large section of emptiness that surrounds and defines that figure.

Simplicity: Simplicity is the photography equivalent of minimalism. It's a photography composition technique that concentrates on keeping only the absolutely necessary elements in the frame. You need to ask yourself what you really need in the photo in order to tell your story.

Now that you understand these 5 concepts, you can go out and shoot them. Place these 5 photos into the composition folder with yesterday's photos.

1.framing

2.Symmetry

3.Negative space

4.Simplicity

5.Fill the frame

Intro to Basic Composition

Basic Composition

Rule of thirds

Rule of odds

Focal Point

Centered composition

Leading lines

Now that you know what these elements of composition are, you are going to go out and shoot 1 photo for each element of composition on your phone. Come back upload your photos and put into a folder called composition, name each photo by its element of composition.

Sept 9/2024

Intro to Photoshop: Crop, Lighten, Black and White, Bring in a photo from google, Save photo to mdrive use save ascopy then rename your photo.

Assignment #1: Top 5 photos on your phone currently...upload to computer. Call this Top 5

Assignment #2 Find one object or person to shoot outside, shoot them 5 different ways, then choose your best photo and title it BEST

Today's assignment: Mini scavenger hunt...take a photo of:

1. something red

2. something round

3. something that has texture

4. shoot something while laying on the ground

5. something architectural

6. a shadow

Edit your photos, try not to just get the job done, but to make your photos interesting.

Then upload them and put them in a folder called HUNT#1

Welcome to Photography Fall 2024

 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. 

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
• 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:

To set your Apple devices to take photos in JPEG/JPG instead of HEIC: Go to Settings,Tap Camera,Tap Formats,Tap Most Compatible

Introduce Flickr app

Create a folder on the M drive

Drag Photoshop to the desktop

Assignment #1: Top 5 photos on your phone currently...upload to computer. Call this Top 5

Assignment #2 Find one object or person to shoot outside, shoot them 5 different ways, then choose your best photo and title it BEST

Today's assignment: Mini scavenger hunt...take a photo of:

1. something red

2. something round

3. something that has texture

4. shoot something while laying on the ground

5. something architectural

6. a shadow

Edit your photos, try not to just get the job done, but to make your photos interesting.

Then upload them and put them in a folder called HUNT#1