Careers paper

You have a research paper due Friday, April 6th. You will research and write a three page paper on 'Careers in Photography'. Students should discuss at length at least three very specific career choices that utilize photographic skills. You should describe exactly what is involved, skills other than photographic which would be necessary, required education, locations where the job could be readily obtained, pros and cons of the profession, salary to be expected, difficulties to overcome, etc. Make the paper personal! Tell what YOU would enjoy about the career choices. It should be written in your own words, typed, and double-spaced. All reference material should be cited on a fourth page. At the end of class on Friday, we will print the papers and hand them in. They will be graded like a project. Do a good job!

Next Week's Assignments

On Monday, April 2nd, your macro contact sheet is due. Have your photos and you'll make a 100 on the deadline grade! If not, it's a ZERO. First and Second periods will be going on the field trip on Tuesday. Fourth period will go Thursday. During the week you'll be working on a research paper on Photographic Careers and editing your macro photos. By Friday, the paper and your best 5x7 JPEG macro are due. Also, your Elizabethan Gardens contact sheet is due that same Friday, April 6th. If you do not go with us on the field trip, you are still responsible for the project I will assign involving those photos. You will use your own garden photos instead.

Elizabethan Gardens Trip

All classes will be going on a field trip next week. Don't forget your permission slips and $5!!! If you have not submitted both BEFORE THE TRIP, you will work in the library during that period. Also, since this trip is for the purpose of taking photographs, if you forget your camera you will NOT be going!

ART SHOW

Quite a few of you had work chosen for the Spring Art Show at Festival Park. The exhibit will begin with a reception on Sunday, April 1st, at 4:00 p.m. Your work, as well as that of the other visual arts classes, will be on display until April 27th. Check it out!!

Macro Assignment

Your next photo assignment will be due Monday, April 2nd. The subject should be an extreme close-up of an object. Research the Internet for Macro Photography to get some ideas. Like always, you should take the equivalent of a roll of film--35-40 shots. We will make a contact sheet of the best 12 on Monday. Your deadline grade will be assigned then---a 100 or a zero. Your final photo will be due Friday, April 6th.

About participation....

Just another reminder....You get a grade in my class every day. You receive a 100 or a zero each day. I average those grades and record a weekly participation grade for you. It is based upon how wisely you use your time in Basic Photography. Please stay on task! We have plenty to do! I expect you to devote the entire class period to PHOTOGRAPHY! If you finish an assignment early, let me know. You may move on to the next assignment. At any time you finish early you may also experiment with PhotoShop, and I will consider this being on task provided your work is done. The more you work with the program, the more you learn. If you are doing work for another class, writing letters to your friends, surfing the Internet, or otherwise disturbing those who are working on their photography assignments, it will be reflected in your participation grade.

MACRO photography

Our next photo shoot will be Macro photography (extreme close-ups). Please use your imagination and pick inanimate objects. Here are some web sites that might help you get started:
www.photo.net/learn/macro/ (can't be accessed from school computers)
http://www.macro-photo.org/
http://homepages.tig.com.au/~parsog/photo/macro.html
http://www.ephotozine.com/equipment/buyersguide/fullbuyersguide.cfm?buyersguideid=12
http://www.photocritic.org/2005/macro-photography-on-a-budget/
http://www.mplonsky.com/photo/article.htm
http://www.mplonsky.com/photo/
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/macro-photography-tips-for-compact-digital-camera-users/
http://www.butterfly-guide.co.uk/photoideas/index.htm
http://blog.webshots.com/?p=556
Contact sheet/12 is due Monday, April 2nd.

Test on composition

You will be getting a test on Composition next week, probably on Thursday. It will involve critiquing photos using the theories of composition you have learned. You should be well-prepared for this test since we have thoroughly discussed the topic in class and you have researched it and written a paper.

8-1 activity

For those of you who have misplaced the handouts for the 8-1 activity, here are the instructions:
You will find a folder labeled '8-1 Activity' in the Shared Drive. You should manipulate each photo in the specified manner and save using your student id number. When you have finished with each of the seven photos, prepare a contact sheet and save to 'Completed Assignments' file. Write a short description about the process you took in each step, and the results.
8-1-1 Rotate Image
8-1-2 Straighten horizon and crop
8-1-3 Adjust brightness and cantrast
8-1-4 Add color, enhance color, or recolor the image
8-1-5 Soften or blur sections of the image
8-1-6 Add text to image
8-1-7(a,b,c) Combine elements of two images into a new image

Action Photography

Our next project will be shooting action photos. Please review the material at the following web sites for tips on taking good photos of objects in motion:
http://www.cameratown.com/guides/tutorial_listing.cfm/hurl/id%7C391
http://photo.net/learn/sports/overview (can not access from school computers)

Your assignment will be to take 35-40 shots using a variety of subjects in motion. Use your imagination and get creative in your choice of subject matter! You will need to make a contact sheet of your best 12 photos on March 26th. Your final photos will be due on Wednesday, March 28th. They will consist of three photos---stopping action, blurring action, and panning.
Don't forget:
To stop action use a fast shutter speed (ex: 250, 500, 1000).
To blur action use a slow shutter speed (60 or less).
To pan, move your camera at the same speed as the object using a slow shutter speed (blurs background). Check out this site for examples of shots using panning: http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGall2.asp?catID=97
Try to get these photos using manual settings in your camera. If your camera does not allow you to go to a manual mode, you'll need to create the effects through PhotoShop.

Due March 23rd

We finally have the 'N' drive back!! You have several project that will be due on Friday. This week I am giving you all the assignments at once and allowing you to budget your time. On Friday I will take up the 'Completed Assignment' folders for the paper on composition, the 8-1 activity, and the Butterfly Garden collage. Remember, you need to turn in a hard copy of the paper on composition, and turn in the 8-1 page where you describe what you did. The Butterfly Garden Collage should be created artwork using elements from a minimum of two photos. Use feathering and opacity to get the best results. Make your collage unusual and interesting!

Paper on Composition

Plan and write a report on Photographic Composition. Use the books in the classroom and/or photography sites on the Internet for your research. Include each of the following topics:
Lens choice
Rule of thirds
Background choices
Depth of field
Perspective
Framing
Point of View
Use of lines, shapes, form, pattern, textures, etc.
Explain each topic and include photos which are examples of each. You may use your own photos, or get them off the Internet. If you get photographs from the Internet, remember that you must give credit to your sources. Give photo credit under each picture in your report. If you use your own pictures, be sure to give yourself credit! Write your paper in essay form, in your own words. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE! Be sure spelling and grammar are correct, your examples look good, and your paper is well organized. List “Works Cited” at the end (bibliography).

Grading will be as follows:
Opening---What is composition? (5 points)
Lens choice, explanation and examples of several (10 points)
Perspective, explanation and examples (10 points)
Subject/Rule of thirds, explanation and examples (10 points)
Choice of Background, explanation and examples of good and poor choices (10 points)
Depth of Field, explanation and examples of several types (10 points)
Framing, explanation and examples (10 points)
Point of View, explanation and examples of each type (10 points)
Use of lines, shape, form, pattern, texture, etc., explanation and examples of each (10 points)
Closing---Summary (5 points)
Layout, general appearance, and ‘Works Cited’ (10 points)

You will be given two class periods (3 hours) to research and write this paper. Do a good job! This will be due on Friday, March 23rd.

Next week's assignments

Since we've had so much down time with computer problems, we're going to have a very busy week! I'm going to assign three projects on Monday and allow you all week to get them done, in whatever order you choose. You'll have a paper to write on composition. I will give the specifics in a separate post. You will do a PhotoShop Activity called 8-1. There will be instructions on how to alter several photos which will be provided to you. This activity is designed, in part, to prepare you for the collage you'll be making with the Butterfly Garden photos. More on this later.

Field Trip

We will be going to the Butterfly Garden on Wednesday March 14th to take some pictures. It is supposed to be in the 70's that day, so it should be a very nice day for an outing! Hopefully there will be flowers in bloom! We will be creating collages from these photos, so make sure you get a variety of landscape (distance) shots and close-ups. Take LOTS of pictures! Remember to bring your camera and permission slip on Wednesday. Those who forget either will be doing bookwork in the library while we go to the park! If you should miss the field trip for whatever reason, you are still responsible for the project. You can go on your own to the Butterfly Garden, or just take a number of good garden/nature shots. We'll start the project on Monday, March 19th.

PhotoShop Paint Exercise

Your "painting" and description of what tools you used will be due Thursday, March 15th. Here are the specifics copied from the handout you got. Remember, this is more about the PROCESS than the final product. The idea is to EXPLORE all of what PhotoShop can do so you can use these tools in photo editing! PhotoShop Exercise:
Make a painting using each of the following techniques. Start with a blank page (no photograph). You may want to consult your handout of the Toolbox map (Toolbox is on the left of your screen; Options windows on the right; Menu bar at top). Briefly describe what you did for each step on the back of this page or on notebook paper.
*Open Adobe PhotoShop from ‘Programs’ or icon on desktop
*From Menu Bar--- File>new--- Create a blank page, 8"x10" RGB, 200 ppi, 16 bit
*From Menu Bar---Window>brushes, history, layers, color, swatches, tools, options (make sure these items are checked/window appears on the left of your screen for each)
*Select each of the following from the Toolbox and create a “painting”:
pencil (use several sizes)
paint brush (use custom brushes--select load brushes from Brush Palette menu; use texture brushes; pick several different sizes and shapes of brushes; experiment with options in Menu Bar---diameter, softness, mode, opacity, flow; click on all arrows to get other options; use airbrush-- experiment with adjusting pressure)
paint bucket (to fill in large areas)
*Select colors from Color Palette window—experiment with tabs (color, swatches, styles) *Experiment with color selection options in Toolbox (the two blocks of color, black, white, or whatever color you chose last)--background, foreground, switch colors using arrows
*Use Adobe color picker (click arrow in Color Palette window)
*Create several new layers (Layer>new); Copy something from background and paste to another layer-- Rename to indicate what’s there by double clicking on layer (the layer will be blue to indicate which one you’re accessing) Put something on each layer
*Use the eye dropper from the Toolbox to select a color from within the picture and repeat somewhere else
*Experiment with opacity (in Layer window) and other options (click arrow)
*Select an area with magic wand from Toolbox; Extend selection with wand by shift/click
*Experiment with layer styles (the cursive ‘f’ icon at the bottom of the Layer window)
*Soften an item on a layer by using filter>blur>Gaussian Blur
*Change the order of layers by dragging one to the bottom in the Layer window
*Experiment with show/hide buttons in layers (the 'eye' icon)
*Paint using the Wet Edges option in Brush window
*Use gradient (Toolbox); Experiment with all options
*Paint straight lines with shift/click
*Try the special effects brushes from the Menu Bar (click arrow)
*Experiment with feathering edges by using anti-alias (Menu Bar) before selecting an item with lasso: Feather edges on existing selections with Select>feather, an amount>ok
*Use the various eraser tools in Toolbox
*Use the zoom tool to work in small areas (Toolbox)
*Experiment with Edit>Transform>(All options---from Menu Bar)
*Add text/Enhance text with a special effect---‘T’ from Toolbox, then Layer>Layer Style>(experiment with your choice of special effects) from Menu Bar
*When painting is complete, experiment with various filters, particularly Artistic options and Sketch options
*Save in 'Completed Assignments' folder using your id#, then 'Paint Activity'
*Turn in your sheet with a brief description of what you did during this exercise
*This will be graded as a Project—DO A GOOD JOB!

"Theories of Composition" Project

Today we will begin a new project which will be due on March 12th. We'll go outside to take some photos at school today and tomorrow. You may complete the project at home over the weekend. These photos should be composed in the camera---we will not edit them through PhotoShop. Here are the guidelines for the project:

We have studied various elements of design and techniques for achieving good photographic composition. Your assignment is to take a number of photographs that illustrate the following:
· Proper use of the Rule of Thirds
· Good choice of background to accentuate subject
· Depth of field used to accentuate the subject (selective focus)
· Perspective lines used to create depth
· Demonstration of scale
· Framing with objects in foreground
· Unusual point of view to create interest
· Dynamic composition with proper use of diagonals
· Emphasis on texture
· Use of repetition (either color, shape, or line)
· Good use of negative space
· Asymmetrical balance
· Positioning action moving into frame

We have also discussed design mistakes that should be avoided. Take photos that illustrate what NOT to do:
· Merging
· Poor choice of background
· Subject moving or looking out of frame
· Undesirable cut-off
· Centered composition (boring, static)
· Lens flare
· Lack of simplicity where subject is not clearly defined

Download the photos and make a contact sheet showing 12 different topics outlined above. Title each photo to indicate what you are illustrating. Select the six that you feel best illustrate six different topics. Copy and paste to a Word document with a paragraph about each photo. You should describe how each photo depicts good composition through the proper use of these techniques or poor composition because of design mistakes.

Websites to help you understand Composition

http://members.shaw.ca/clives/photo_comp.html
http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition.html
http://photoinf.com/General/Gary_Stanley/An_Eye_for_Composition.html
http://photoinf.com/General/AGFA/Photo_Composition.html
http://www.photozone.de/4Technique/index.html
http://photocritique.deviantart.com/
http://www.popphoto.com/howto/
http://www.bigstockphoto.com/forphotographer.html
http://www.lexar.com/dp/tips_lessons/index.html
http://photographytips.com/
http://photographytips.com/page.cfm/6
http://digital-photography-school.com/Digital%20Photography%20School.html
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/category/composition-tips/
http://photo-seminars.com/index.htm
http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0902/dp0902-1.html

BRING CAMERAS TO SCHOOL

For the remainder of this week, please make sure you bring your cameras in every day. Depending on the weather, we will go outside at least one day to take photos relating to what we're discussing about the elements of good composition. If you do not have your camera, you will remain in the classroom doing book work while we go outside.

Architecture Project Grades

If project was submitted late for any reason other than an excused absence on due date, a letter grade deduction has been taken and is reflected in the grade listed below (by Class ID#):

Turned in Assignment/Outstanding (A)
>Meets criteria of assignment
>Shows exemplary creativity and originality
>Gave 100%
>Demonstrates strong technical accomplishment
13, 14, 26, 27, 41, 42, 44, 46, 113, 115, 212, 219, 221 ,411, 412, 413, 415, 412, 422

Turned in Assignment/Above Average (B)
>Meets criteria of assignment
>Shows creativity and originality
>Gave large degree of effort
>Shows technical accomplishment
>Or 'A' work turned in late
11, 15, 17, 18, 19, 24, 43, 47, 49, 110, 114, 213, 216, 217, 220, 410, 414, 416, 418, 419, 420

Turned in Assignment/Average (C)
>Meets criteria of assignment
>Average quality of work
>Gave some effort
>Or 'B' work turned in late
12, 16, 21, 25, 29, 111, 112, 211, 215, 417, 421

Turned in Assignment/Below Average (D)
>Poor quality of work
>Barely met criteria of assignment
>Shows little effort
>Work is uninspired
>Or 'C' work turned in late
23,45

0-69/NHI (F)
>Not handed in, not complete, or does not meet criteria of assignment
22 (no final), 210 (no contact sheet)

If you have questions or your number is not listed, please see me.

"Island Girl" PhotoShop quiz grades

Based upon the overall appearance of the edited photo (Listed by Class ID#):
100/A--
18 ,24 ,44 ,45 ,111 ,112 ,113 ,114, 215 ,411, 416

90/B--
16, 19 ,26, 29, 43, 46, 115, 410, 412, 413, 414 ,419, 421

80/C--
11, 13, 14 ,15, 17, 22, 23, 25 ,27, 41 ,42, 48, 49, 110, 212, 213, 216, 217, 219, 220, 221, 417, 418, 420

late architecture photos

Last day to turn in late Architecture Project photos is Wednesday March 7th--loses one letter grade.

B & W student choice

Your best 5x7 JPEG will be due Thursday, March 8th. I'm looking for really special, UNIQUE photos! Show me that you used your imagination! Pay special attention to contrast/brightness.

Photography Contest--Cash Prizes!

The Land of Beginnings Festival, March 25-31, together with the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, are sponsoring The Great Outdoors Wildlife Photography Contest. The show will hang in the Sea-Tree Gallery in Nags Head. The winning photo will appear on the cover of Take A Walk on the Wildside magazine will receive $200. Other cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 will be awarded. Photographs must be taken from Jan 1, 2006-March 1, 2007 at locations on the OBX. Categories are Birds, Wildlife, and the Great Outdoors (nature shots, but no sunsets). Entry fees are $10 for the first photo, and $5 for second and third. See me for additional info if interested. Deadline is March 23rd!

TEST MONDAY!

We will have a test on Monday, March 5th, on cameras and exposure. Review will be today and Friday. Test will be taken directly from Study Guide handout!