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