Happy Holidays!!!

Hope you all have a WICKED SWEET Christmas and a SICK New Year!!! And don't forget to take those Hockney pictures! Ms. Finch

ART SHOW!

We have the annual Dare County Schools Art Show at Glen Eure's Gallery coming up mid-January. I would like EVERY student to submit one piece of photography for consideration for the show. Out of my approximate 60 students, we will only be able to enter a handful. I will allow you to vote on which ones get printed, matted, and entered for exhibition. I have placed a folder on the 'N' drive (shared area) for each student to leave the ONE 5x7 - 8x10 JPEG they want considered. You will receive a 100 or zero grade for participation in this. Deadline to drop your photos in the folder is December 21st.

The Photocollage

Background information and project details:
http://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/TeachWeb/wagners/PhotoCollagehandout.doc

View some of David Hockney’s photocollages:
http://www.artchive.com/artchive/H/hockney/furstnbg.jpg.html
http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=112574
http://www.artchive.com/artchive/H/hockney/hockney_mother.jpg.html
http://www.getty.edu/bookstore/titles/posthockney.html

Read about collages, and see some of Hockney’s work:
http://facweb.cs.depaul.edu/sgrais/collage.htm

More on David Hockney:
http://www.artchive.com/artchive/H/hockney.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/hockney_d.html

Experiment using your own photographs with the “Hockneyizer”:
http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/hockney.php

Another artist’s interpretation:
http://very.com/about.htm

Our holiday picture-taking assignment is going to be based on the work of artist, David Hockney. When we come back to class in January, you’ll put together a collage from the photos you take. You will need at least 50-100 pictures. Think seriously about your subject matter! You will need to take photos from every conceivable angle and distance. You will print it up, design the collage, and paste it together when we return to school!

Additional interesting reading:
http://www.austinkleon.com/?p=936http://www.koopfilms.com/hockney/articles.html

Catalog Page

We will be putting together a catalog page this week using photos you have taken in the past. You will be experimenting with the color replacement tool in PhotoShop to show an article of clothing in several different colors. You may even want to design a pattern to use! Your "advertisement" must include text. Think about your font and size of type, as well as your background choice. You want your catalog page to really grab the attention of your "buyer". This will be due on Thursday by the end of class.

next project...

Metaphor Self-Portrait

Metaphor--
1) A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison, as in “a sea of troubles” or “All the world’s a stage” (Shakespeare). 2) One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol: “Hollywood has always been an irresistible, prefabricated metaphor for the crass, the materialistic, the shallow, and the craven” (Neal Gabler).

Still Life--Still life is the photography of small groups of objects, either found or put together for the purpose. It may simply be concerned with formal qualities (tones, textures, colours, shapes, form etc) or have a more metaphorical intent.

Check out these sites:
http://www.shutterpoint.com/Photos-BrowseCat.cfm?cat_id=7
http://www.shutterbug.net/refreshercourse/lens_tips/1205back/
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGall2.asp?catID=17

Most of what you see here is considered ‘Still Life’ photography.

Read these instructions carefully. This photograph is about you. It is a portrait of you. The only thing different is that you are not in it. This picture is a still life, a metaphor that contains at least three things that represent who you are. Your friends should be able to look at it and recognize you in the picture. This picture should not contain any living things, only still objects. It should represent things you are passionate about.

Pay special attention to lighting and arrangement of the items. Change them up and see what works best. You will make a contact sheet with 12 DIFFERENT photos that represent YOU. You

Contact Sheet is due December 17th. Final is due December 19th at the end of class.

Still Life Photography

Check out the following sites:
http://webhome.idirect.com/~dpl/gallery1.html
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGall2.asp?cat=17
http://www.usefilm.com/photo_category/16/Pictures_of_Still_Life.html
http://www.apogeephoto.com/mag2-6/mag2-7winners.shtml
http://www.stilllifewith.com/2006/07/14/photo-contest-from-food-wine-magazine/
http://stilllifewith.com/2006/12/01/stw-challenge-for-december-tradition/
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2004/09/15/food_photos.html
http://www.markhemmings.com/MarkWebsite/food_photography/index.htm
http://dessertfirst.typepad.com/dessert_first/2006/05/food_photograph.html

Basic Principles of Still Life Photography:

Throughout the decades, artists have depicted still life scenes—arrangements of inanimate objects—in paintings and photography. Shooting still life subjects is one of the best ways to sharpen your photographic skills. You can take your time, and your subject remains stationary.

Good composition, framing and lighting are all very important to translate your still life into a great photo. Every day we are bombarded with still life images of appetizing foods, shiny housewares and other appealing products in magazine ads, brochures and catalogs. Professionals spend a great deal of time setting up these shots and you can learn a lot just by studying the photos you find most appealing and unique.

Notice how photographers use repeating shapes and lines to create patterns and use complimentary colors. Study the lighting that they use. Simplicity is very important when composing still lifes. You don’t need to collect a wide range of complicated objects to create an interesting picture. Instead, choose a few objects with a common thread.

The arrangement of a still life should begin with the positioning of a single dominant subject. Then add other objects one at a time, and examine the arrangement through your camera’s viewfinder. Experiment with your camera angle until the scene shows the elements in the most pleasing balance. Photograph the original grouping, and then rearrange or remove objects to see if it improves the composition.

Your next project will involve setting up a still life of specific objects and photographing it. To help prepare you, read the previously mentioned articles and find 6 still life photographs from the Internet that you particularly like. These photos should include only inanimate objects. Paste the 6 photos to a one-page word document (two columns) and write a short paragraph about each. Tell what techniques the photographer used that appeal to you. This will be due at the end of class Friday, December 7th. Turn in a hard copy, and leave a copy in your "1AAA Completed Assignments" folder.

Over the weekend, take still life photographs of FOOD AND/OR BEVERAGES. Experiment with the arrangement and lighting. Take some photos with flash and some without. Be creative! Think about the elements of composition we have just studied. Be prepared to work with your food photos Monday, December 10th. A contact sheet of 12 will be due at this time. If you do not have your photos Monday, you will be writing a paper on still life photography while the rest of us work in PhotoShop. The 6 edited and best 5x7 are due at the end of class. The alternative assignment, a 3-page paper on Photographic Still Life, is due then as well. We will move on to the next topic Tuesday. Unless you are absent Monday, you are expected to have this project completed that day.

NHIs

I wanted to give you an opportunity to take care of any missing projects before interims go out next week. Please keep in mind that I show NHI until ALL pieces of the project have been submitted. You may still turn these projects in until 5 p.m. Monday, December 3rd.

As of 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 29th, I am showing the following NHIs:

Backlit (same close-up backlit shot with and without flash, side by side & contact sheet/12)--
24, 27, 28, 210, 212, 214, 216

Backlit Landscape (contact sheet/12, 6 edited, best final photo):
24, 28, 210, 214

Before and After Portrait Retouch (contact sheet/12, 4 before shots side by side with the same 4 portraits after retouch):
24, 28, 213

Macro (contact sheet/12, 6 edited, best final photo):
28, 210, 213, 214

Classwork Collage (collage combining several images--any subject):
28, 213

Family/Relationship Themed Collage (contact sheet/12, collage containing elements from at least four photos):
23, 28, 212, 213, 214

IMPORTANT!!! TURNING IN FUTURE WORK FOR A GRADE

Beginning Monday, December 3rd, with the Action Project, all completed work will be submitted to the "1AAA COMPLETED ASSIGNMENTS" folder that is within your own folder on the 'N' drive. Do NOT change the title of this folder---It is the ONLY place I will look for your projects to grade. Do NOT clutter this folder up with other things except work that is finished and ready for grading. You will continue to use your identification number, but you will no longer use the shared folder. In addition, you will have seven days ONLY to turn in a project late. After that, it is NHI (zero)--no exceptions! I will accept late work for this grading period until December 3rd as a help to some of you who would otherwise have several NHIs (and a failing grade) on your interims. As you know, PhotoShop automatically records the date and time that any photo is saved, so there will be no question as to whether a project was submitted on time. I hope this system will work better for those of you who are having difficulty in this class.

What is CRITIQUE????

Critique \Cri*tique"\, v. t. [Cf. Critic, v.] To criticise or pass judgment upon. [Obs.] --Pope.
Critique \Cri*tique"\ (kr?-t?k"), n. [F. critique, f., fr. Gr. ???? (sc. ????) the critical art, from ?????. See Critic.] 1. The art of criticism. [Written also critic.] [R.] 2. A critical examination or estimate of a work of literature or art; a critical dissertation or essay; a careful and through analysis of any subject; a criticism; as, Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason.''

Here’s an excerpt from an article that I found interesting on the topic:

The Photographic Critique as a Learning Experience
by Joseph Meehan
Although the word “critique” is rooted in the concept of criticism (“a judgment of what is wrong”), a successful photographic critique should result in a positive outcome for the photographer. That is, the experience should help the photographer better understand how his or her work is being perceived as a basis for improvement. This typically begins with the reviewer reacting to how well the overall visual message is stated. In doing so a professional reviewer is expected to remain objective while identifying the specific strengths and weaknesses of a photograph. It is not very useful, for example, to simply say they like or dislike a particular image without explaining why.

On the other hand, the photographer needs to approach this process with the proper motivation and attitude. Most importantly, to understand that the work is being evaluated in terms of how it appears to the professional conducting the critique. If there is a disconnection between the impressions of the reviewer and what the photographer intended, then something is obviously wrong. Identifying why the message was not clearly perceived should be balanced with an emphasis on how things can be done better or even to identify missed opportunities.
See the full article with examples at:
http://www.photoworkshop.com/critiquing

Definition of the different types of critique:
www.scphotogs.com/articles/critique.pdf
Please pay special attention to the portion about ‘Peer Review”, which is what we are doing when we critique photos in class (pp. 5-7).

Peer Review

What it is:
A peer review is one of the most common forms of critique available. As peers, this means that the photographer is receiving a critique from other photographers. A peer review means that your feedback is no longer just Aunt Betty seeing a sunset shot and saying “Nice.” It consists of a peer that can consciously recognize the smoothness of the water, the sharpness (or lack thereof) throughout the image, as well as changes in color tones and contrast.
Since fellow photographers are more aware of these technical merits, they can actually comment on them with a certain degree of “expertise”. These are typically the types of critiques one will see requested and given in photo communities like www.photo.net, www.fredmiranda.com, www.dpreview.com. The very nature of these communities is that they serve as a venue to present and share images with your peers, as well as to give and receive useful critiques and analyses of your imagery.

What it is good for:
Peer review is typically good for individuals who would like some objective analysis and feedback on what is good about their imagery, including times where there are areas that could use improvement. It takes a tougher skin to accept reviews of this nature, because you may get feedback that points out flaws either in your technique, style, equipment, or any combination of these. So, be forewarned, if you ask for a peer review; be prepared to perhaps hear things you wouldn’t get from Aunt Betty or your sister, Mary.
Expectations
Since this is a peer review, the typical expectation is that the reviewer will give their thoughts on some of the technical aspects of the image as presented. Likewise, for the one receiving feedback, you likely are not going to get the typical sunshine and glowing responses that you get from Aunt Betty and your sister Mary. These reviews will likely include comments such as “I like the composition here, but it looks like your horizon isn’t straight. You may want to fix that.”
So, what technical aspects can the submitter expect to get critiqued on? This varies, depending on the skill, experience, and breadth of knowledge on the part of the reviewer. In general though, there are 7 key areas that people look at when critiquing photographs on their technical merit:
1.
Depth of Field (DOF) and Focus – Often confused with sharpness, DOF and focus speak to the entire image, rather the main subject. Depth of field considers the impact of blur and sharpness throughout the image. Questions often considered include: Is the entire image in focus or are some parts blurred or out of focus? Is it blurred only in a particular region of the image (foreground, middle ground or background)? How does the DOF impact the subject? Does the blurring of the foreground and/or background help or detract from the image?

2.
Exposure – Are there any areas of the image that are completely black (no shadow detail) or white (no highlight detail)? Does this help or detract from the image?

3.
Lighting – What type of lighting exists? Is it soft even lighting, or harsh spot lighting? In either case, does it produce a visually appealing or stimulating result? Does that result help or detract from the image?

4.
Sharpness – Often confused with depth of field and focus, this factor looks specifically at the subject of the image. Is it slightly out of focus( soft), completely out of focus (usually as a result of camera or motion blur), or spot on (tack sharp for the entire subject matter)? Is the effect (soft, blurred, or spot on) intentional, and if so, does it enhance or detract from the image?

5.
Lines – Are lines present and/or are they used effectively within the image? Lines are used in photography to guide the viewer through an image. Lines can take several forms in photographs. Curving landscape, the arrows of an bird’s feathers, the rippling circles of a water drop, the repeating pattern of bark on a tree, the random meanderings of vines across a wall, the veins of a leaf, the bold architectural lines or a church steeple or suspension bridge, and even abstract lines of blurred grass in the wind are all examples of how lines can be powerful anchors to an image that stimulate and direct the viewer to and through points of interest in a picture. Their presence or absence and effective placement can make or break an image.

6.
Color – Are colors accurate, vibrant, or non-existent? If the skin tone is off or not corrected during post-processing, this can decrease the appeal and quality of an image in the eyes of a reviewer. Likewise, if colors are flat or subdued, depending on the nature of the image this can either enhance or detract from overall image quality. Finally, lack of color can also have a very powerful impact on images. The notoriety and recognition that one of photography’s most famous, Ansel Adams, and his presentations of black and white imagery is still seen today in the work of people that strive toward those particular ends.

7.
Composition/Originality – When critiquing photographs, some basic rules of composition can be used to measure the overall appeal. One of the most famous, the Rule of Thirds (ROT), is often applied to determine whether the composition of an image is “on” or “off”. Often times, images may not adhere to the ROT principle by intent, to produce a new and original perspective. Since the composition and originality of an image is often subjective by nature, it can be difficult to quantitatively measure this. Nevertheless, the composition of an image is probably the fundamental cornerstone upon which imagery is presented. If the composition is not there, it does not matter whether the colors are accurate, sharpness is present, with beautiful even lighting, or depth of field is effective. The image will likely not be received well if it does not stimulate or engage the viewer on some level.

Generally, peer reviews will usually address one or more of the above technical merits, as well as offer general feedback. Commentary can vary wildly depending on the familiarity level the reviewer and the submitter have with one another, the type of community, and how it’s presented. (Is it done by means of an email, private message, or other one-on-one communication, or is it done in an open community where everyone can read the review?)

What it is not good for:
Peer review is generally not good for images presented outside the parameters of a peer review area. Typically photo communities like the ones mentioned above, or groups and gatherings of photographers in an organization (like regional clubs that meet regularly to share and critique each others works) are where peer reviews are done. If someone has images on a web log, or on a website as a gallery, this is not the venue for conducting peer reviews. From a reviewer’s perspective, this is also not the place to leave generic and/or non-specific commentary. Usually responses like “Nice”, “overblown” or “I like this” will not be of much help because there is nothing specific that the submitter is getting back that either they need to work on, or that they know they are doing correctly.


For a tutorial on Professional Photographic Critique:
http://tips.romanzolin.com/articles/article004.php

Another, on Professional Critique:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/je1001-1.html

Important Excerpts—Goals toward writing an effective critique:
Start off by taking some time to truly study the image and form an opinion of what appeals to you about the image, both technically and aesthically. Sometimes coming back to study the image again a short time later is helpful.
After forming an overall impression of the image, begin to identify the specific technical qualities of the image (lighting, color, contrast, composition, depth-of-field, background, etc.) that appeal or don't appeal to you. In just about any image, you can find both. Do the same with the aesthetic qualities of the image by describing any emotional response the image imparts. It's not uncommon to find images that are technically deficient, but yet impart a strong emotional response from the viewer, and visa versa. Feedback to the photographer on both the technical and aesthetic aspects of an image is useful.
Search for the words and phrases that most effectively convey your thoughts about these specific qualities.
Begin the written critique with what you like about the image. It is a mistaken belief that a photo critique should only point out what is wrong. In fact, as much can be gained by pointing out what it is that appeals to the viewer.
Out of the image qualities that you feel need improvement, pick those qualities that you can most effectively communicate why you think they need improvement, and how an improvement of those qualities would help improve the image.
Whenever possible, offer suggestions based on first-hand experience on how to improve those image qualities that you found lacking.

Action/Sports Photography

Our next photo shoot will involve sports photography. You should take action photos---stop action, blurred action, and panning. Please take LOTS of pictures (minimum 35-40). Many of them will not come out! You should have several of each type by MONDAY, DECEMBER 3RD, DEADLINE FOR CONTACT SHEETS. You'll make a contact sheet showing 4 photos of each type---12 total. Save it to the folder entitled '1AAA COMPLETED ASSIGNMENTS' within your own folder on the 'N' drive by the end of class Monday. I will not look for it any other place.

The final project will be to turn in the best edited 'freeze action', best edited 'blurred action', and best edited 'panning' shots, as well as a sports shot using text to make a poster. You will place the four photos on one sheet. This page will be due at the end of class on Thursday, DECEMBER 6TH. Save to your '1AAA COMPLETED ASSIGNMENTS' folder. Print the page to our new color printer in the computer lab, and turn in the hard copy. THE LAST DAY THIS PROJECT WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE, WITH A LETTER GRADE DEDUCTION, WILL BE DECEMBER 13TH.

Here are some sites to help you better understand what makes a good action shot.
Professional Photographers who specialize in Action Photography:
http://www.padulaphotography.com/
http://www.actionsportsinc.com/eventdisplay.aspx?is=9
http://www.actionathletics.com/
http://www.actionsportsphotography.sasktelwebsite.net/
http://www.actionsportspress.com/
http://www.greggriess.com/action_main.htm

‘How to’ Sites:
http://photo.net/learn/sports/overview
http://www.popphoto.com/popularphotographyfeatures/4016/how-to-photograph-baseball-and-softball.html
http://www.nyip.com/ezine/sports/golf.html
http://www.squidoo.com/action-photography/
http://www.nyip.com/ezine/sports/football.html
http://www.popphoto.com/popularphotographyfeatures/4334/how-to-show-an-action-sequence.html
http://www.schoolofphotography.com/if/infocus22.html

Required Reading:
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dtwp/episode/0,2499,DIY_23301_40578,00.html
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/hp_digital_photography/article/0,2033,DIY_13956_4228109,00.html
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/hp_techniques/article/0,2033,DIY_13958_2270940,00.html
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/hp_digital_photography/article/0,2033,DIY_13956_4228109,00.html
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/hp_digital_photography/article/0,2033,DIY_13956_4228155,00.html

Collages/Thanksgiving assignment

This short week you should first turn in anything you are missing, then practice techniques for making collages. I have demonstrated it for you on the big screen in class, but if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call me over. Don't forget to alter the opacity, and you can apply different filters to each layer. Do not flatten layers until you have finished. You may also use text if you wish. Make sure all photos have something in common. Good collages tell a story. The key is to combine objects of different scale. Pair distance shots up with macros. Use full body shots together with close-up facial pics. Do your best on this practice collage, and turn in Tuesday. It will be graded as classwork. We will do a collage project when we return from Thanksgiving. This one will be for a full project grade. Your topic is family/relataionships. Take all photos over the holiday. Contact Sheet of 12 due 11-26. Final Family/Relationship Collage using elements from a minumum of four photos will be due THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH! I will only grade those projects that have both pieces---a contact sheet AND a collage containing elements of at least four photos. LAST DAY TO TURN IN LATE WITH LETTER GRADE DEDUCTION IS THURSDAY, DEC. 6TH.

Photography Contest

Students, I was asked to pass this along to you: (LF)


Hi
Sandy Semans sent this to me to forward to ya'll - this could make a great project, or something for kids to do on their own.
Thanks, and enjoy your day.
sharon
>Dear Refuge Supporter:
>
>This year, for the first time, the 2008 Refuge Photography Contest is
>accepting entries from youth! If you know a photographer under the age of
>18, direct them to the attached flyer and NWRA's site, www.refugenet.org,
>for details on how they can enter for a chance to win.
>
>How to Enter:
>
>1. Select either the Senior Youth category, ages 14-17, or the Junior Youth
>Category, ages 13 and below.
>
>2. Choose up to 10 photographs taken on a National Wildlife Refuge within
>the past three years.
>
>3. Submit your image(s) online at www.refugenet.org before December 15,
>2007.
>
>Five top winners in each category will receive a prize and the chance to
>have their image appear in future NWRA publications! Go to
>www.refugenet.org and click on "2008 Refuge Photography Contest" to learn
>more. If you have any questions, please contact Claire Stoker at
>cstoker@refugenet.org or (202)333-9075, ext.25.
>
>Thank you.
>
>--
>National Wildlife Refuge Association
>1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 407
>Washington, D.C. 20006
>Ph. 202-333-9075
>

Macro--second chance!

I was searching for some really good macros to put on channel 19, but I was disappointed that I found very few. So many of the macros students turned in were out of focus! That is automatically a failing grade. Please do not EVER turn in a photo where the main subject is not in clear focus!!! Also, I saw many shots on the contact sheets that I thought were better than what was submitted as the best photo. I want to give you a second chance to get a good grade on this project.

I'm asking all my classes to resubmit a macro photo. It does not have to be from the macro project. It can be from any photo shoot as long as it was taken by you this semester. I have placed a folder on the shared drive for this submission. Label this one with your full name so you can get credit for it if yours is selected for tv!

When I grade the macros, I will choose your better shot--either the one you originally submitted or the new one. I will grade whichever one will give you the highest grade on this project.

Next Photo Shoot...

...backlit landscapes! We all know what a backlit photo is now. We have taken some backlit close-ups. Now we will take backlit landscapes---sunrises, sunsets, anytime you're shooting INTO the sun. Avoid flares! Think calendar shots--buildings or people should be incidental, not the main focus. The OBX has some beautiful scenery and outstanding sunsets! These should be great! You should have your photos ready for the contact sheet by Monday, November 19th.

Wednesday field trip

As you know, we will be without a classroom again on Wednesday due to testing. I am planning another field trip---this time to the Monument---for the purpose of taking photos to be used in a collage. If the lighting is right, you can also take some shots for our next assignment---backlit landscape. Please meet at the front lobby for 2nd period. Don't forget your cameras and extra batteries. If you do, you'll be doing paperwork in the advancement center instead of going on the field trip.

Portraits

On Friday, November 8th, we will begin retouching portraits. I have lots of techniques for interesting editing, include whitening teeth, colorizing hair, nose job, frown to a smile, enhancing eyes and eyelashes, removing blemishes, wrinkles, and freckles, applying PhotoShop makeup, etc. I want you to experiment with several different techniques. Don't be in too big a hurry to get to the final photos for the project---perfect your techniques through experimentation and practice first! Be sure to take additional photos over the weekend so you'll have plenty to work with. Remember, it's more fun to work on an imperfect face!

Your portrait project will be to ENHANCE four portraits through the retouching techniques we will learn, and show 'before' and 'after' shots. Make sure you don't permanently alter your original so you'll have a before photo to use for comparison! You'll make contact sheets of 4 photos, showing two before and after shots side-by-side per page. You'll hand in two contact sheets at the end of class on Friday, November 16th. That's a total of 8 photos---4 'before' photos, and 4 'after' on two contact sheets.

I am looking for fairly drastic changes, so use your imagination! Some retouches will be natural-looking. I am not opposed to adding unusual things though (i.e. blue hair, whiskers, tattoos, etc.) Make sure everything you do enhances the image, not detracts from it. And keep it clean! If you are working on the face of a family member, friend, or classmate, make sure what you do will not offend! Your grade will be based upon the amount of work done, technical skill, and overall appearance of final photos. If you choose a harder portrait to fix, you'll likely get a higher grade than if you choose one that needs very little work. At least one photo of the four should include a vignette.

Deadlines

Backlit project will be due on Friday, November 11th. Make SURE that you can see the difference between your photo with flash and without. Subject should be no more than 8 feet from camera! Paste the final two photos side by side.

You should have lots of portraits by now from our field trip on Tuesday. Take more over the weekend. We'll be working with these images for quite a while, so please make sure you have plenty. Have a minimum of 35-40 good head-and-shoulders shots of individuals (one person per photo!) Your contact sheet of 12 is due on Tuesday, November 13th.

Thank you for the photo cards some of you made for our Veterans. Those have to be in by 3:30 today to make it out on time!

Any other work can go in the late folder. Remember, it is far better to turn a project in late than to take a NHI!!

November 6th and 7th

Don't forget we have been kicked out of our classroom for these two days! We'll meet at the front doors of the school on Tuesday to go on a field trip to the Butterfly Garden. Make sure you have your camera and extra batteries! The purpose of our trip will be to take portraits in natural light. Keep in mind the tips you've read and seen in the videos. We will be working with portraits for quite a while, so please make sure you take plenty. We will soon be mixing these photos into a collage, so if you see some nice nature shots, you will probably have an opportunity to use those as well.

On Wednesday we'll meet in the library. We will each do a Photography Book Review.

Thursday we'll be back in our class to edit portraits.

check out You Tube

Just found some interesting You Tube videos on portrait retouch. Here's a good one:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQWt3Kx4DGY
others:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHLpRxAmCrw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iwaQ2zi63c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlV7I8Qm7Vw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1wX0b3X3RQ

Perspective vs. Point of View

While grading your papers on composition I discovered that quite a few of you seem to be having difficulty understanding the difference between these two terms. I'd like to try to clarify this for you.

PERSPECTIVE:
Imagine standing on a path with a row of trees running along the side. As you look out to a point on the horizon, you’ll naturally see that the path, and the trees appear to get smaller the further away they are from you. This demonstrates the principle of linear perspective. When you shoot a photo that clearly shows linear perspective (objects getting smaller the further they are away from you), you visually add a greater sense of depth to the image. An explanation based upon the rules of geometry can be found at http://www.ski.org/CWTyler_lab/CWTyler/Art%20Investigations/PerspectiveRules/PerspectiveRules.html . A less complicated explanation which addresses the topic as it relates to art is presented at http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/tech10.html .

POINT OF VIEW:
Point of view refers to the physical location of the camera with respect to the subject. Every scene has many points of view. Your job is to find a viewpoint that is unique and interesting. There is no law that says all pictures have to be taken from eye level and straight on. In fact, this type of photo is usually somewhat boring and uninspired. By taking a picture from a different angle, you can produce a totally new feeling, mood or effect. The worm's eye view can be pretty interesting. By lying down on your stomach, you can get flowers in the foreground to frame your subject. If you are taking pictures of small children or pets, getting the camera down on their level can improve results. You can also avoid cluttered or ugly background by changing your point of view. Climbing up on things and looking down from a high point of view offers lots of different opportunities. The creative photographer will experiment with many different positions of the camera. Read more about this at http://www.montenagler.com/Article021906.asp

Portraiture

We are still studying lighting, but we will begin taking some portraits as well. Be prepared to go on a field trip on Tuesday for that purpose. We'll take some portraits of each other in natural light. Don't forget your camera and extra batteries!

IMPORTANT: NHI's

You all know the rule that late work is only to be accepted ONE WEEK following the original due date--and then with a letter grade deduction. Several students have not submitted one or two projects, and this is having a serious detrimental effect on your grade. Since projects make up such a large percentage of your grade in Photography, missing even one can cause your overall score to drop a letter grade. If you have NHI's (Assignments 'not handed in'), FOR THIS WEEK ONLY, I will accept any projects you have missed---whatever the reason. You MUST submit the entire project (including contact sheets) to the late folder by Thursday. Your grade will reflect how late the project is, and whether or not you hurried through it---but at least you'll get rid of your NHI (zero). This is a one-time offer! Next week we'll go back to the rules as they were set up at the beginning of the year.

Backlighting Project

Read the article at www.picturecorrect.com/photographytips/backlighting_photography_tips.htm

Read the article atwww.apogeephoto.com/may2005/wtbird5_2005print.html

Use the Internet to find six backlit photos that you particularly like. Copy and paste to a word document—one page, two columns. Write a short paragraph about each photo explaining what you find appealing about it. Turn in to completed assignments folder.

Take 35-40 photos that are backlit. These should be a mixture of natural scenes and scenes you set up, all close-up’s. FOR EACH SHOT, take one with a flash, and one without. Make a contact sheet of the best 12 (6 pairs). I am looking for photos where the backlighting is obvious, and enhances the subject.

Turn in the following photos for your final project grade:
-One 5x7 JPEG close-up, interior or exterior, with backlighting—no flash!
-The same close-up shot, backlit, but with fill light from a flash
The two identical photos should be placed side-by-side before submitting for grading.
When you complete this project, you will have three pages:
1) The word document with the six photos you found on the Internet and captions describing what you like about them
2) The two identical 5x7’s, one with flash and one without, mounted side-by-side
3) The contact sheet of your 12 best shots (6 pairs of identical shots with and without flash)
Entire project is due at the end of class Monday, November 5th

Starting Monday....

Our next unit will be on photographic light! If you want to read ahead, check out these web sites:
http://photo.net/learn/making-photographs/light
http://www.shutterbug.com/techniques/lighting/
http://www.foodportfolio.com/blog/food_photography/photographic_lights.html
http://www.picturecorrect.com/photographytips/backlighting_photography_tips.htm

Macro photo assignment

Our next picture-taking assignment will be macro photography. To help prepare you, please do some Internet research. View lots of macros and read up on tips for taking good macros. Find six photos on Internet that you particularly like, paste to a word document, and write a short paragraph telling what it is about that photo that you like. You should have 35-40 NEW, UNIQUE macro shots by Monday, October 29th. Contact sheet of 6 edited photos, and best 5x7 JPEG are due at the end of class on Wednesday, Oct. 31st. You have permission to use any creative filter you want on your macro. Just make sure you are enhancing the photo, not detracting from it!

Budget your time wisely!

This week we will be working on the Black and White Project and the 'Theories of Composition' Photo Shoot Project. For the B&W Student Choice, a contact sheet of 12 new, UNIQUE photos is due today (Monday). These can be straight out of the camera. You do not have to make them black and white before creating the contact sheet. Edit a minimum of six photos. Crop for the best shot. Make them black and white either by desaturating or using the grayscale mode. Adjust levels and brightness/contrast. This is the most important feature in black and white photography. Correct any obvious mistakes. Once you have six photos as perfect as you can make them, create a contact sheet. Don't forget to change the numbers so that the photos take up the whole page. Turn in the contact sheet of six edited photos, and the best 5x7 JPEG. You should also experiment with duotone. Turn in your best duotone. You'll need to copy and paste to a new canvas in order to make it a JPEG. So....for the B&W project you are turning in 4 pieces---contact sheet of 12 straight out of camera, contact sheet of 6 edited, best b&w 5x7 JPEG, best duotone 5x7 JPEG. You should have these in the completed assignment folder by Thursday.

Your 'Theories of Composition' photo shoot project will be due Thursday as well. This consists of 12 labeled photos on a contact sheet (should have been turned in today) and a word document of the six that best illustrate the techniques. You should write a paragraph about each of the six describing how the photo illustrates the theories of good compostion, or of what NOT to do. Please refer to the handout (also listed here on the web site) for additional details. Print out your word doc and turn in the hard copy as well as electronic.

Your test on composition will be Friday. You should be very well prepared by now!

Help with Compostion

By now you should know a lot about photographic composition! You've seen my in-class demonstrations with explanations of the individual theories of composition. You've done some reading, watched films, researched the Internet, and written a paper. You are now completing your "Theories of Composition" Photo Shoot. To further help prepare you for the test next week, please follow these links for some good additional reading. See me if there is any topic you are unsure about. This may be the most important thing we'll cover as it effects EVERY picture you take!
http://photoinf.com/General/Wendy_Folse/Composition_Part_I_Theme_Emphasis_Simplicity_Rule_of_Thirds.htm
http://photoinf.com/General/Wendy_Folse/Composition_Part_II_Horizontal_or_Vertical.htm
http://photoinf.com/General/Wendy_Folse/Composition_Part_III_Perspective_Focal_Point_Cropping.htm
www.larrysizemore.com/articles/COMPOSITION.pdf
http://www.scphoto.com/html/composition.html

Test on Composition...

...will be on Friday, October 26, 2007. It will be a test that will require your camera!! Don't forget to bring it to school! Anyone without a camera on this day will have to take a written essay test instead.

Theories of Composition Photo Shoot

“Theories of Composition” Photo Shoot


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. Do not edit in PhotoShop! Use them just as they came out of camera. 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. Contact sheet and Word Doc. will be due at the end of class on Monday, October 22nd.

Ansel Adams Exhibition

There is a groundbreaking exhibition of about 50 images by famous photographer, Ansel Adams, on display in Elizabeth City! These particular photos document a cruise he took on the Intracoastal Waterway in 1940. Many images are from North Carolina fishing villages. This is only the second time this collection of photos has ever been shown. You can contact the Museum of the Albemarle at 335-1453 for more details. If you visit the museum to see this collection prior to December 2nd, you will receive an extra credit of 5 points on your next report card!! You must bring back proof that you visited (a program personalized to you by the museum director, for example), and you should write a couple of paragraphs telling what you saw and giving your opinion of the work. This is a good way to boost your grade and get to see, up close and personal, the work of a true pioneer of art photography!

B&W Student Choice

Your next photo shoot will be student's choice of subject matter, black and white. TAKE THE PHOTOS IN COLOR!!....But think Black and White! We will take the color out through PhotoShop. You can take color out of a color photo, but you can never put color into a photo taken in B&W! Use subject matter that is VERY high contrast. Make sure you have bright light. Read up and look at examples of black and white photography before you begin to help you select subject matter. 35-40 shots are due on Monday, October 22nd. Make your photos UNIQUE and special. Use your creativity!!

Caught up????

You are up-to-date with the assignments from the past couple of weeks if you have turned in:
Nature Project--contact sheet of 12 straight out of camera, contact sheet of 6 edited, best 5x7 JPEG of selective focus, best 5X7 of full-focus
Composition Paper--explain fully the theories of composition as described on hand-out, and give photographic examples of each
8-1 activity--folder with 7 edited photos and contact sheet
Create an Image using Layers Tutorial
Spirit Week Project--contact sheet of 12, 10 edited photos with captions OR 5-page paper

Disappointed!!!

I'm sorry to say that it has come to my attention that some of you have been turning in work as your own that was prepared by others. Some students have shared photos, and some have stolen them from others. I am extremely disappointed! I feel the need to remind you at this time of the Honor Pledge you all signed at the beginning of the school year. In part it reads:

"The student that is taking the course must photograph all work that is turned in for a grade. Unless specifically stated by the student, all work should be taken during the semester they are enrolled in photography or digital media. If a student violates this rule, they will receive a zero for the assignment and will be referred to the Administration. As proof of student compliance, each student is required to make contact sheets of all images. These sheets will be kept on file by the student and be reviewed...."

You MUST take all your own photos! You should take them after they are assigned, and before they are due. You MUST keep a copy of your contact sheets, and any photos you turn in on the contact sheet or as a final project for a grade. If asked to produce these photos, you must be able to show them in your folder on the 'N' drive. Otherwise, you will take a zero. Do NOT delete photos!!! Do NOT go into any other student's folder!! Do NOT copy any other student's work!! Get out there with your cameras and take some pictures if you want to pass this course!

Butterfly Garden Field Trip

Since your next photo-taking assignment involves nature, I would like to take you all to the Butterfly Garden on Thursday, October 11th. This field trip will ONLY be for those who have completed their Spirit Week Project (or the alternative) and who bring their cameras to class. Those who still have written work to do will be working in the library instead.

Alternative Assignment (Instead of Spirit Week)

Apparently quite of few of you (particularly in my 5th period class) did not bother to take any photos during spirit week, and so you are unable to complete this week's project. If you did not get enough spirit week photos, you may elect to do the following assignment instead.

I feel that an alternative assignment should require an equal amount of effort as displayed by those who actually took their cameras out all week and got their photos, and the editing and caption-writing they are to do this week. That's only fair to the ones who put forth the effort to do the assignment.

Therefore, as an alternative to the Spirit Week project, you may hand-write a five page paper expressing to me how you might become a better Photographer, and a better Student of Photography. You may analyze specific study skills which would enhance your performance in class. You may talk about specific strategies you might adopt. You might also explore the different types of photography which appeal to you and how you can become a better photographer by using tips listed on the many Internet Photography Websites. You may specify the actual tips for each type of photography. A list of works cited should be attached to the five-page report. This should be hand-printed on notebook paper. Do not skip lines. Make your paper heartfelt and to the point for a passing grade.

Since projects make up 60% of your grade in this class, I suggest you take the next one seriously and put forth the effort necessary to get it done. However, I am willing to offer you this alternative so that you might pass this course!

Next Photo Assignment

Your next group of photos is due Monday, Oct. 15th. You should take 35-40 nature shots. Practice using selective focus and full focus. You will make a contact sheet of 12 on Monday, and turn in your best two photos on Wednesday, Oct. 17, which illustrate shallow and deep depth-of-field.

Have you submitted all assignments?

This week we worked on the "8-1 activity" and the "Create and Image Using Layers" tutorial in PhotoShop.
The 8-1 activity involved editing 7 photographs to certain specifications, and recording how you did it on a worksheet. You should have turned in the entire folder containing 7 photos and a contact sheet along with the written assignment.
The tutorial should have produced a circular image with border and colored background with text. This also should have been turned in to the completed assignments folder on the 'N' drive.
We also completed a reading assignment in the Digital book with three worksheets. Keep the worksheets in your notes, but bring to me to check off.
Your best 5x7 Architecture shot (and contact sheet/12 if not already submitted) was also due this week.
I have allowed you to budget your own time this week. How did it work for you? If you were not able to get all assignments submitted, please see me. I could give extra time if necessary.

Study Guide

Here is a list of what you should know for the test Friday:
Know about shutter speeds and what shutters do.
Know about apertures, f-stops, and what they do.
Understand depth-of-field, what it means and how to use it.
Understand exposure settings:
>>Aperture priority
>>Shutter priority
>>Program exposure
>>Manual exposure
Know Exposure=Aperture + Shutter Speed (Light + Time)
ISO and what it means.
Lenses:
>>Zoom
>>Normal
>>Wide Angle
>>Telephoto
Autofocus, how it works.
Resolution
Dynamic Range
Parts of a digital camera
Noise
Image Ratios
Shutter Lag and what causes it.
Metering Systems:
>>Spot
>>Center weighted
>>Matrix
>>Color balance
Light sources
Uses of the flash
Red eye, what causes it and how to correct it.
File formats
Histogram
White balance
Camera accessories

Here are some sites that might help:
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/glossary/terms_a.htm
http://www.photographytips.com/page.cfm/1587
http://photography.about.com/od/gloss3/A_Glossary_of_Photography_Terms.htm
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/glossary/glossaryContents.shtml
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/glossary/

Test on cameras

You should be preparing for a test on 35mm and digital cameras on Friday, October 5th. The test will come from your reading, the film, the handouts, and notes you have taken from in class discussions.

spirit week photos

Students should be taking pictures this week of the spirit week activities. You will turn in 12 on a contact sheet next Monday. You will paste 10 to a word document and write appropriate captions for each. Make sure you have cleaned up your photos, adjusted levels, and corrected any mistakes. Fix red eyes!! Your completed "newspaper" assignment will be due on Wednesday.

Architecture Project

For your architecture project, edit a minimum of 6-8 photos to help you determine which is your best. Adjust color, brightness/contrast, levels, and crop for best composition. You may use other tools and/or filters, but make sure whatever you do ENHANCES your photo. Choose your best picture of a man-made, permanent exterior structure (or a close-up detail of same) and make into a 5x7 JPEG. Save a copy for yourself, and submit to the completed assignments folder using your ID number. This is due on Friday, September 28, 2007.

PhotoShop Quiz

You will be given a quiz on Friday, September 21st, on the new PhotoShop skills you have learned this week. You will primarily need to understand the use of the dodge, burn, and sponge tools.

First Photo Shoot!!

Your Architecture Project will consist of your 12 best shots on a contact sheet and one 5x7 JPEG. You will take 36-40 shots (same as a roll of film) and narrow it down from there. You will be shooting man-made, permanent structures. It can be the entire structure (a barn, church, pier, etc.) or just an architectural feature (a window, door, moulding, cornice, steeple, etc.). Your photo can include people or animals, but they should be incidental---not the focus of the shot. On Monday, September 24th, you will turn in your 12 best shots on a contact sheet. If you don't have 12 shots in the completed assignments folder by the end of class, you will take a zero on the deadline grade. Beginning on the 24th, we'll start editing those photos!! You should edit at least 6-12 photos to be able to determine which is your best shot. Go for something unusual. Pay attention to shadows and color. You may use a filter on this photo, but make sure it ENHANCES the picture. Think...calendar shot! We are going for either beauty, or very high interest. Your final photo will be due on Friday, September 28th. During the week you will learn lots of new techniques to use on your photos. It will be fun!! You can continue to take more architectural shots all during the week if you find that you are not satisfied with what you have on the 24th. Your final photo does not have to be on the contact sheet.
Good examples of architectural photos can be found at:
http://photo.net/learn/architectural/exterior

History of Photography Test

Your test on the History of Photography is coming up Monday, September 17th. Please study the worksheets from the two reading assignments and the film. Also, you should know the important facts I reiterated on the photographers presented. The test will consist of 35 multiple choice questions, and three essay.

Make sure you know these photographers:
Louis Daguere
Talbot
Lewis Hine
Walker Evans
Ansel Adams
Yousuf Karsh
Margaret Bourke-White
Edwin Land
Eastman
Clarence White
Marion Post Wilcott
Roy DeCarava
Steiglitz
Brady
O'Sullivan
Dorothea Lange
William Henry Jackson
Edward Weston

...and these terms (and their significance to photography):
Camera Obscura
Collodion
Stereoscopic Camera
Speed Graphic
35mm
FSA
F/64 Group
Calotype
Daguereotype
Polaroid
Little Galleries (291)
Yellowstone
Yosemite