Friday, September 30, 2016

Great Black and White Photographers part II

A couple of weeks ago you were asked to go to a website and look at photos by the great B&W photographers in history.

Today its time to get to know your favorite in detail. Go back to your original Great Black and White Photography post where you picked your 3 favorite and select ONE.

Head to the Internet and use your favorite search engine to get more information about that person, please verify your facts by finding TWO sources to make sure its accurate.

Make a new blog post with a biography of that person.
 Important information that should be included: name, birth (and maybe death) dates, origin of birth, education, jobs, books published, etc. PLEASE SELECT ONE that you didn't have the first few days of class when we were in groups getting to know each other.

This is just the information gathering portion of a project you will complete this semester.

DO NOT COPY AND PASTE this information, retype it in your words.

Yes, its just a bio, but don't plagiarize. Please post this as a separate blog and title it "Great black and white photographers, PART 2." This should be AT LEAST 3-4 PARAGRAPHS.

Also, when you post your blog, include at least 2 photos from your selected photographers collection of pictures. Pick your favorites and do not use the one you used before.

**Be sure to have everything posted on your blog before Monday, grades will be FINALIZED TUESDAY! "Academic post shoot and peer reflection" and "Great black and white photographers part II" will be on the next grading cycle, both should be COMPLETED BEFORE THE NEXT CLASS**

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Academic post-shoot AND peer reflection

You should have 6 images from the academic shoot posted already. Please go back and edit the post with those photos - answer the following questions for each photo you turned in (either underneath the photo if you did 1 big post, or under each photo in your separate posts):

1. What composition rule did you follow the rule?

2. What is the subject (be very very specific)?

3. Is it clear to people looking at your photos what the subject is?

4. If you can't very clearly see what the subject is, what could you have done differently?

Third:

Make a new blog post - title it - Academic Shoot reflection and critique. Answer the following questions:

1. What challenges did you encounter while trying to get the photos following the rules I set out for you? 

2. What technical aspects of photography or the assignment in general (focus, framing, holding the camera, etc.) did you find yourself thinking about the most? Provide a specific example of what you did to do this correctly.

3. If you could do the assignment again, what would you do differently now that you know some basic rules of photography?

4. What things would you do the same?

5. When you go out with your next set of prompts, which rule do you think will be the easiest to achieve?

6. Which rule do you think will be the hardest to capture?

7. What rule are you still not totally clear on and what can you do to figure out what that rule is?

Now go and critique someone else's work:

Step 1: Go to our class blog. On the student blogs list titled MY BLOG, Pick someones blog (NOT IN THIS CLASS) and click on it. Go find their Academic Shoot - and take a peek at them.

Step 2: On your blog copy and paste the link for the student's blog. 

Step 3: Write two positive things about the photos. 

Step 4: Write about one thing that could be improved in the photos.


Step 5: Leave them a comment on their blog about their work. You can choose to write something clearly positive, or you can choose to leave a comment that is constructive criticism (something that is written in a positive way, but makes a suggestion on something they could have done better).




I will grade both that you did this correctly with a DIRECT LINK to their blog, and I will grade the comment you left them for appropriateness.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO - what are they?

The next lesson in our use of the camera and how it works involves what is commonly referred to as the "three pillars of photography." They are Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO.

Today we are going to learn about all three and how they impact our photography.

Let's start with Aperture as it is probably the hardest of the three to full understand.

Go to this website and read about Aperture:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-aperture-in-photography

Once you are done reading - I want you to use google and find me an example of a photo taken at aperture setting F2.8 and an example of a photo taken at F16 or higher. DO NOT USE the photos on the website I sent you to, find different ones. Post those photos on your blog and label them.

Then answer the following questions:

1. What part of the body should we closely relate aperture?
2. Finish this sentence - the smaller the Aperture _____________, the higher the Aperture ________________.
3. In your own words tell me how aperture impacts Depth of Field?

Now lets move on to Shutter Speed. This is a little easier to understand but we should read about it here:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-shutter-speed-in-photography

Once you are finished reading about Shutter Speed, I want you to use google and find me an example of a photo taken with a high shutter speed and one taken at a slow shutter speed (you do not have to show blur unless you want but I still need to see an example of a photo that COULD have been taken at a slow shutter speed). Post them both on your blog and label them.

Then answer the following questions:

1. If you were assigned to shoot at Bulldogs and Hotdogs night, which was a few months ago, what shutter speeds do you think you would have to shoot at the following events that night I would like you to answer the question for the following two situations:

At the beginning while the sun was still up and the courtyard had reasonable good light

a.) a booth in the middle of the yard near the Tree
b.) a food booth outside under one of the big red awnings
c.) the Stars performance inside the gym
d.) students dancing near the center of the courtyard
e.) people streaming in from the front doors
f.) the basketball booth where students are shooting basketballs at a hoop

Towards the end when there is no sun and has gotten dark enough that you can't see from one end of the courtyard to the other.

a.) a booth in the middle of the yard near the Tree
b.) a food booth outside under one of the big red awnings
c.) the Stars performance inside the gym
d.) students dancing near the center of the courtyard
e.) people streaming in from the front doors
f.) the basketball booth where students are shooting basketballs at a hoop


2. List the three settings your camera has regarding setting shutter speed (these are found at #5 on the Shutter Speed website. Explain how each works - DO NOT COPY AND PASTE, use your own words.

Now for the last of the pillars, ISO. Lets go read some more at this website:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-iso-in-photography

Once you are finished, please go to google and find me an example of a photo taken at ISO 200 and a photo taken at ISO 3200 or 6400. Post both on your blog and label them.

Then answer the following questions:

1. What are the advantages of shoot at a higher ISO at a sporting event like basketball or a night football game?
2. What suggestions did the author make about using a low ISO?
3. What suggestions did the author make about using a high ISO?

Now that we have a basic understanding of the three pillars, let's look at some direct examples of what happens in when you mess with Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO. Go to the following website:

http://www.canonoutsideofauto.ca/play/

This simulates a DSLR camera. Make sure you set the camera on MANUAL setting at the top.

List the aperture settings available on this camera.
List the shutter speed settings available on this camera.
List the ISO settings available on this camera.

Now have some fun and play with the settings. We will play with this site or one like it more later.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Posting academic shoot images AND photo manipulation and ethics

FIRST

Please post your 6 images from the Academic Shoot. This means 1 photo for each of the six rules of composition we discussed in class. You can complete this in 1 post, or you can make a new post for each rule.

You do not have to write about the composition rule, but you must LABEL each image either as the Post Title, or in the actual body of the post.

We will come back to these images in the near future.

SECOND

Soon we will start using Photoshop to adjust and edit photos, but before we do that, it is very important that you understand what changing photos means and how that impacts the public.

Remember this is a Photojournalism class, not just a photography class. The hope is that you will eventually join newspaper and/or yearbook and when you do, there are "rules" about changing photos. For those of you already thinking about commercial photography, it is even more important you understand what you are doing when you manipulate images in either Photoshop, Lightroom or other photo altering programs.

Here we will look at what has been published around the world and the impact of changing photos.

There is a time and a place to change photos. Let's start that discussion here:

1. Read the following story about examples of photo manipulations.

https://ethicsinediting.wordpress.com

PLEASE DO NOT WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE TOP, WE WILL WATCH IT LATER AS PART OF ANOTHER ASSIGNMENT!!

On your blog create a new post called Photo Manipulation and Ethics

A. What are some of the main points you read about in the website above regarding manipulating images?

B. What is the philosophy of newspapers like the Washington Post and the New York times regarding image manipulation?

C. What do you think are acceptable things you could do to an image and not cross the line unto an unethical manipulation?

On your blog

D. Post the manipulation (this means get that image and post it on your blog) that you think was the most unethical, and explain why you think it was unethical. If you do not know what the word ethic or unethical means, look them up on the internet. It is very important you know what those two words mean. Please write at least 2-3 sentences explaining why you think it is so bad.

E. Post the manipulation that you consider the least unethical, and explain why you think it is not as bad as others. Please write at least 2-3 sentences explaining why you think this one is not so bad.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Academic Shoot Assignment

Today you will go out and take photos for the Academic Shoot.

Here is the assignment:

You will go out around the Bowie campus and go into classrooms and take photos. There are some rules about this - you MUST get permission to take photos in any classroom, so knock politely and ask permission to come in. If the teacher says no, please find another teacher. I have sent an email to the campus letting them know that you may come to their rooms. I highly recommend classes where there is something going on - like a science class or perhaps engineering or even culinary. DO NOT go to PE or any sort of dance or place where there is lots of movement going on, we will do motion later and the cameras are not set up to shoot motion yet. I expect you to stay with your partner/team at all times, the camera is your pass.

What will you shoot?

Your goal is to get high quality, peak of the action photos where you fill the frame and tell a story of what is going on in that classroom. If you know the saying - a picture is worth a 1000 words - this is the concept we are going for.

Do I need to do anything else?

Why, yes, you do. I expect you to turn in 5 really good photos. I also expect to see some sort of rules of photography evident in each of your photos. You will be asked to reflect on your work afterwards, and you will also be completing a peer reflection as well, so be ready to defend your work in writing.

Do you remember the rules of composition we have covered?

Here they are again:

Lines
Balance
Simplicity
Rule of Thirds
Framing
Avoiding Mergers

But remember the focus is Academics. Each photo must have "Academics" in it.

I will be doing a short presentation about expectations and suggestions before you head out. Make sure you pay attention.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Academic Shoot Preview

We are about to go out for our first photo shoot. This one is called the Academic Shoot.

Look through the winners from the Jostens Yearbook contest at the link below.

http://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/ybk_cp_contests.html

In the middle of the page, click the arrow that has the words: 2011 Jostens Photo Contest - U.S.

Read the information there and then look in each of the categories and take a peek at the photos that won for those particular category.

Then go to the category called:  Academics/Community Service

Save the one that tells the best story
Save the one with the best action or emotion
Save the one that fills the frame with the most interesting stuff

On your blog:

Post the photo that tells the best story. Label it "The Story" and describe specifically how it visually tells a story and what you think the story is.

Post the photo with the best action or emotion. Label it "Action and Emotion" and describe the action and emotion.

Paste the photo that fills the frame with the most interesting stuff. Label it "Filling the frame" and describe specifically how the frame is filled.

Next Step:

Go to the following link:

http://issuu.com/jostens/docs/2012photos?mode=window&backgroundColor=%2322222

Flip through the photos, make sure to spend some time looking specifically at the ones in the Academics & Community Service area.

On your blog describe your favorite photo from the Academics & Community Service section. You won't be able to actually copy the photo, so you will need to describe it to me.

Write 2-3 sentences on your blog describing the photo.

Answer the following questions:

1. Why did you pick this photo?
2. What rules of photography are evident in the photo?

Finally - your next shoot will involve shooting academics, which means in classrooms around the campus.

1. Where do you think you could take photos like the ones you look at today?
2. Whose classroom would you like to visit and take photos in?
3. What will you do, as the photographer, to get amazing photos like you look at today?

Do not forget to make arrangements with a teacher to visit their classroom during our next class! Your grade will result in a ZERO if you are not able to take pictures in a classroom that day, please see me if you need help making arrangements. 

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Composition 9/11 Review and Post Shoot Reflection

First complete this assignment:

Discuss your 9/11 composition shots

Now that you have found good examples of the different composition techniques in 9/11 photos, create A NEW POST (it can be new pictures to follow the rules too) and write a reflection FOR EACH IMAGE. 

Explain your choices. Help me understand how the photo you picked meets the rule you think it shows.
What to discuss - Be specific - Describe specific elements in the photo. Explain what the technique is all about. Explain the EFFECT of the technique.

If you can't remember all the rules, here is the website again:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/192HfRA92dE7FSuc3UNKx8eswGOvWk4loZv2jcsrTE8M/edit?usp=sharing

Example







Below you will see examples of a well written description and one that isn't so great:

Lines

Example - In this photo, the red stripes of the flag and the grey ladder all form lines that lead the eye to the man playing the bagpipe. Since these lines are diagonal, they give the photo a dynamic feel.

The above example is the correct amount of writing and analysis.

Example - The flag makes leading lines to the guy.

The above example is too short and doesn't really show me that you understand the rules.

Do this for all six of your posts or all six of the photos in your post.

If you think you didn't pick a very good photo, feel free to go back and redo the assignment. Eventually you will be asked to prove your knowledge by taking photos that show me you understand these rules.

Second Assignment:

In a second blog post - titled "post shoot reflection" - answer the following questions:

1. What challenges did you encounter while trying to get the photos of your first 4 prompts?

2. What technical aspects of photography or the assignment in general (focus, framing, holding the camera, etc.) did you find yourself thinking about the most? Provide a specific example of what you did to do this correctly.

3. If you could do the assignment again, what would you do differently now that you know some basic rules of photography?

4. What things would you do the same?

5. Finally - go back and edit your blogs with the 4 photos, tell me what rules of composition (which you just learned about) did you end up actually achieving? Did you have any?

6. Are you interested in shooting those same prompts again, why?

THEN in the same post called "post shoot reflection":

Step 1: Find the link to your blog on the Bowie PhotoJblog. On the student blogs list titled MY BLOG, go to a class period that ISN'T your class period. Pick someones blog and click on it. Go find their prompt/free shoot - square, metal, happy, Bowie and take a peek at them.

Step 2: On your blog copy and paste the link for the student's blog. 

Step 3: Write two positive things about the photos. 

Step 4: Write about one thing that could be improved in the photos.

Step 5: Leave them a comment on their blog about their work. You can choose to write something clearly positive, or you can choose to leave a comment that is constructive criticism (something that is written in a positive way, but makes a suggestion on something they could have done better).

I will grade both that you did this correctly with a DIRECT LINK to their blog, and I will grade the comment you left them for appropriateness.

Monday, September 12, 2016

Composition 9/11

Overview Like great pieces of art, great photojournalism shots are well composed. The photographer carefully places the elements of a photo within a frame in order to tell a story in the most visually powerful way possible.

Unlike art, the content of photojournalism is not, for the most part, controlled by the photographer.
This was never more true than during the attacks of September 11, 2001. This has been called one of the most photographed events in history. Most of you weren't even born when this event happened, but it is still a very important moment in the collective memory of most Americans.

Imagine being a photojournalist on that day, running into this disaster while most people are running away. In the midst of this misery and chaos, it is your job to capture the the human side of the story in an orderly and effective way.

Assignment

You will learn about some composition techniques and find examples of how photojournalists applied them to the chaos of 9/11.

First - Everyone must read about the the rules of "Simplicity, The Rule of Thirds, Lines, Balance, Framing, and Avoiding Mergers" on the following web site:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/192HfRA92dE7FSuc3UNKx8eswGOvWk4loZv2jcsrTE8M/edit?usp=sharing

Next- Go to the four websites below, and find excellent examples of photos shot on 9/11 that follow each of the rules.

Post one example of each of the techniques from the composition web site.

The title of the post should be the name of the technique.

For example- Post a photo with "Framing" as the title. You will need to do a post for each of the composition techniques. Which means you should have 6 posts today.

Here are the websites - they should be clickable links, if not copy and paste then into a new browser window.

http://www.news.com.au/world/pictures-of-911-that-show-you-why-you-should-never-forget/story-fndir2ev-1226717187453

http://www.thepowerhour.com/911_analysis/911_photo_gallery.htm

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/09/pictures/110908-about-911-september-9-11-twin-world-trade-center-towers-indelible/

http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2013/09/11/iconic-911-photos.html

(for the website above, there are 25 pictures make sure you find the clickable link labelled NEXT and look at all 25 photos.)

It may be hard to get these images to right-click and save to your folder on the server. If you want, you are welcome to do a google search for specific images and save those images. The important thing is that you are picking photos that show me you understand the six composition rules in the power point presentation.

When your done - you might be interested to read this story - if you post your reactions to this story in a separate blog, I will give you extra credit points. This is graphic and not the easiest thing to read, so if you are squeamish, you might want to skip this one. Once you click the link, hit continue and it should redirect you to the website.

http://www.news.com.au/world/the-story-behind-the-most-powerful-image-of-911-the-falling-man/story-fndir2ev-1226717247792

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/long-fall-the-most-famous-9-11-photo-is-still-suspended



Thursday, September 8, 2016

Camera History and Basic Functions

Overview: To take good photos, it is necessary to understand the parts of a camera and how they work to take photos. To learn more about cameras click on the following link and click on each category.

Assignment: Click on the link and answer questions in a new post on your blog called "The Camera."

The Beginner's Guide to Photography

Click on the link for "The Camera" and answer the following questions:
1. Explain the “camera obscura” effect. How is it achieved?
2. What invention during the 17th Century helped man get a step closer to creating the modern camera?
3. What were the parts of the first modern camera invented by Niepce?
4.What do modern digital cameras have in common with Niepce’s camera?
5. What do digital cameras use to capture an image?

Go back to main menu and click on "Camera Modes."
6. What is the difference between the Auto Mode and the Program mode?
7. What is the Portrait mode used for? How does it work?
8. What is the Sports mode used for? (not just sports) How does it work?

Go back to main menu and click on "The Half Press."
9. Why should you do a half press on the trigger button?

Go back to main menu and click on "Controlling Flash."
10. What does this symbol mean?
 When would you use this?



11.What does this symbol mean?
When would you use this?



Go back to main menu and click on "Introduction to Exposure."
12. What happens to your photo if there is too much light?
13. What happens to your photo if there is not enough light?

Go back to main menu and click on "The Universal Stop."
14. What is a “stop.”
15. How many stops brighter is the new planet if there are two suns instead of one?
16. How many stops brighter is the new planet if there are four suns instead of two?

Go back to main menu and click on "Shutters and Aperture"
17. What affect does a longer shutter speed of have?
18. What affect does a shorter shutter speed have?
19. What does the aperture control?
20. When adjusting the aperture, how can you increase the amount of light?

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Friday September 2nd

Happy Friday 4th period!!! As you all know, I am not here today, so here is a list of everything you need to have COMPLETED AND POSTED by next Wednesday!


  • Go through the Mac basic skills post again and set your mouse, dock, background, etc. The computer is now ready for you to set up how you want it, DO NOT link your iCloud unless you want everyone on campus to be able to access your account.The computers are ALL working, if your log in does not work just restart the machine and that should do it. 

  • Complete the Great Black and White Photographers assignment by posting the names of your 3 photographers, 3 pictures and the names of the pictures on your blog. 



  • If you have not done the first assignment yet, create your blog and email me the link.

  • Now that you have looked at the great black and white photographers, I want you to find 3 modern day photographers and do the same thing with them. Post their names and a favorite photo (with the photo name) for each of them. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!
-Coach D