Tues Feb 12 ..Update of Learnings/Assignments

The first few weeks is a bit intense for students new to Photography as they try to grasp every bit of new knowledge, all I can say is keep the questions coming because this is how you learn. Here is an update of what you should know how to do by the end of this week.

Assignments:

• Head shots:  2 shots that you have taken of someone, these are both head and shoulder shots. The shots can be of two different people. These shots should be flattering shots of the individual. Try to capture an essence of the individual in the shots. You are to save the originals on your L Drive under Photography in a sub folder entitled head shots. Next you will use the photo editor Pixlr of which I will include a link after this post to edit each head shot ( use a frame and an effect...do not go crazy in your efforts) Then you should post all 4 shots...your 2 originals and your 2 edited shots in a set on Flickr. Make sure your originals are between 50kb and 2 mb. If you need to resize see info on how to do this further down. Marks for this assignment 10

Editing software: There are a number of free programs you can use for editing photos. The one I most prefer these days is Pixlr which has a basic programs for filter and quick fix junkies and an advanced program which is VERY similar to Photoshop which is the program we will be using in class, and is generally the industry standard. You should be familiar with how to use a number of different programs. If you are a Mac user there are a multitude of Photo Apps which I am still trying to weed my way through.

Here is the link for Pixlr     http://pixlr.com
Here is the link for Pic monkey  http://www.picmonkey.com/?gclid=CLX3jozks7UCFap_QgodOwgAZw

Rule of thirds: Feb. 6

Today in class we printed out a copy of a good photo and then explained why it was good using the elements of composition. This assignment was to be handed in for marks.
Check out the following links to learn more about rule of thirds and how to become a better photographer.

Rule of thirds

Tips for becoming a better photographer

Welcome to Advanced Photography: Semester 2

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 2GB sd card and a jump drive for transfering photos from home to school. This is like your notebook and is very important. Try to have this for next Mon.

Please review the following links (this means do some reading!) Be prepared to review and discuss and have a short quiz on this information.
Ten Questions: Composition
Camera modes
Fill the Frame
Focal Points

Browse the Digital Photo School site to see what it is all about and rate it out of 10 ( 10 being great, 1 being poor) as a photographic source for students. Explain why you believe rate it they way you did.

Creative/Trick Photography 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

Photos Casey Mastuda

Photos Briana Pierce

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.