6/5 & 6/6: ABSTRACT EDITING

Please edit at least one picture using each of the techniques below. I will give you a final list of items to turn in on Tuesday.

selective focus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSZ_Pqh63dM

vignette:
http://rockysnapper.blogspot.com/2007/12/creating-vignettes-in-photoshop-cs3.html

Vivid Color:

http://photoshoptutorials.ws/photoshop-tutorials/photo-effects/vivid-glow.html

Enhance Saturation:

http://www.tutorialized.com/view/tutorial/The-Best-Technique-to-Enhance-Saturation/33311

More Vivid Colors, that look natural:

http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/Photoshop/Color/1

EXTRA CREDIT, LATE WORK, & SENIOR INFO

All late work, or resubmitted work is due this Friday, 6/6.

SENIORS:  DUE THIS FRIDAY, 6/6:

• All photo equipment
• The additional 8 prints you would like printed in a folder titled PRINT

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Attend the Art Expo Showcase evening this Friday, 6/6 from 6-8pm.  Say hi to Ms. King in the Theater Building, sign in, and stick around for at least a half-hour.  You will receive additional credit for each additional person you bring.
2. Extra Credit Photo Assignment:  You select your own theme and select a Photo concept that we explored in class.  While you are readdressing a topic from previous classwork, you must select a theme that makes it different than the assignments that we did this semester.  Examples could be: SC demolition shots exploring DOF; Nature shots exploring complementary color; Action shots from a sporting event focusing on unique angles; A day in the life of you/friend using selective color; etc.
• You will submit the following:
1. A paragraph about what your theme is and what Photo concepts you will focus on.
2. a contact sheet titled, EC(& YOUR THEME), with 24 INTERESTING PICTURES WITH STRONG COMPOSITIONS
3. Your best image as a JPEG titled, EC(& YOUR THEME) BEST

6/3 & 6/4: ABSTRACT PHOTO SHOOT

ABSTRACT ASSIGNMENT LIST TO DATE: 
CONTACT SHEETS:

• AbstractCS1 - DUE Monday, 6/2
• Contact Sheet of 10-12 abstract images
• AbstractCS2 - DUE 6/3 or 6/4
• Contact Sheet of 24 INTERESTING abstract images (you may need to take more than 24 to get 24 good pictures)
• AbstractCS3 - DUE on 6/9 or 6/10
• Contact Sheet of 24 INTERESTING abstract images taken away from SC

When taking Abstract pictures today, keep the following in mind:

• Think about strong compositions, patterns, lines, shapes, lighting, color, nonrepresentational images (where it is not of something specific, or it is hard to tell what it is).  To achieve this, you may zoom in or try unique angles.
• Throw out the rules of photography.  Experiment. If your camera has experimental settings, you may want to try them.

PHOTOMERGE & ACTION SEQUENCE ASSIGNMENT LIST

This is the list of Photomerge and Action Sequence assignments.

CONTACT SHEETS = 75 points total:

• Photomerge1 =  2-3 panoramic photomerges were taken at SC  
• These images have already been merged in Photoshop
• Worth 25 points
• Springbreak = Approximately 24 pictures taken for 3 different photomerges, & one set of pictures to create an Action Sequence (at least 3-5 pictures)
• These are all of the separate pictures for the panoramic merges and Action Sequence. They have NOT been merged or made into the Action Sequence
• Worth 25 points
• Photomerge2 =  3 panoramic photomerges from your Springbreak pictures
• These images have already been merged in Photoshop
• Worth 25 points

FINAL PICTURES:

• PHOTOMERGEBest:   (JPEG)
• Worth 100 pts.
• FLATTEN IMAGE BEFORE SAVING (Layer->Flatten Image)
• Your SINGLE BEST PHOTOMERGE image
• Submit for printing as a maximum quality jpeg
• ACTIONSEQUENCEBest:   (JPEG)
• Worth 100 pts.
• FLATTEN IMAGE BEFORE SAVING (Layer->Flatten Image)
• Your SINGLE BEST ACTION SEQUENCE image
• Submit for printing as a maximum quality jpeg

 

5/29 & 5/30: FINAL PROJECT

FINAL PROJECT:  Abstract Picture Assignment 

You may take pictures nearby school today.

Tuesday the 3rd will be a shooting day.

Please look at the links below for examples of abstract work. What is an abstract photo? What makes abstract photos interesting?

Googled

Earth Photography

Photo.net

40 Great Examples of Abstract Photography

70 Great Examples



























For this next assignment I want you to throw out all of the "rules" we've discussed in class this semester. This is your chance to be as creative as possible. I would recommend looking for patterns, colors, and shapes when deciding on pictures to take. Also try to take pictures of things you don't normally see in pictures.

5/29 & 5/30: How to Turn in Portraits & Self-Portraits

You will turn in a contact sheet titled, PORTRAITADJUST or PA.

It will contain 14 pictures total:

• 5 Photos from day 1 of portrait shooting (another person)
• 5 photos from day 2 of portrait shooting (another person)
• 4 photos adjusted from self portrait shooting (one for each style of self portrait)

Please make sure that the contact sheets shows a variety of picture styles and composition. For example, I do not want to see 14 close ups. Variety rules.

You will also turn in:

• Best Portrait as a jpg.for printing and grading
• Best Self Portrait as a .jpg for printing and grading

5/27 & 5/28: Import Self Portraits

·   Create 4 separate Self Portrait Contact Sheets for each portrait style

·   Create a folder on your desktop called Self Portraits. Place your 4 Self Portrait Contacts Sheets into this folder. Turn this folder into the Staff Server.

·   Portrait editing.

DUE 5/27 & 5/28: SELF-PORTRAITS (CRITERIA LIST)

This is a reminder that your Self-Portrtait Assignment is due Tues., May 27 or Wed., May 28.  You will be submitting your remaining 96 pictures (4 contact sheets of 24 pics each) on Tues./Wed., and editing your images.  We will not be using more class time for shooting pictures.  This is 4 categories of self-portrait pictures (24 pictures for each category) for a total of 96 pictures. 
Note: Seniors need to turn their pictures on or before this day. No late work.
Below is the assignment sheet from class.  Good luck and have a nice weekend.


SELF-PORTRAIT ASSIGNMENT CRITERIA:

You need to pick 4 photo types from the following 5 categories, and shoot at least 24 pictures for each concept.  (4 x 24= 96 pictures total)

1.  A self-portrait where color is emphasized. Color may include wardrobe, location, props, or natural objects. Think of your picture as a one or two color concept picture.
2. A picture that emphasizes lighting and shadows. This will be a grayscale self-portrait.
3. A self-portrait that showcases your interests and hobbies. In this picture we learn what you like to do away from school. Think about what interests you and transfer that into a photo.
4. A fantasy self-portrait. Dress up and use costumes. In this self-portrait you can use Photoshop to enhance your picture in any way, shape, or form. Transfer yourself to Hawaii or become a Viking like you have always wanted.
5. The Supermodel self-portrait. Dress up like a GQ or Cosmopolitan magazine model. This can be a grayscale or color picture. You will use Photoshop to airbrush and enhance this photo.

Hints for self-portraits:

•      Use colors or lighting to create a concept.
•      Costumes or uniforms work great.
•      Change angles.
•      Use props.
•      Vary the lighting.
•      Try different emotional looks.
•      Pose in action. 
•      COLOR SCHEMES: monochromatic, warm, cool, neutral, analogous, complementary
•  ****Most importantly for this assignment don't forget your composition rules. Use framing, leading lines, rule of thirds, color contrast etc. to enhance your photo. Fill the frame. Look at your entire frame, and be sure the background and subject work together 

Technical Tips:

• Use the shutter timer and/or a tripod
• If shooting manually, have a someone pose in the frame to meter and then switch spots with them.
• Set your ISO___________.  
•  Bright, sunny light 100 (or very low number)
• Low light, higher number 800 or higher. 
• If you are having trouble metering, and/or the shutter speed is to slow, you may need to change the ISO, most likely to a higher number. 

Schedule:

• May 15: Start Shooting
• May 21 & 22: Self Portrait Shooting Day  Contact Sheets SP1 & SP2 Due  (24 pics each)
• May 27 & 28: All pictures are due. Note: Seniors need to turn their pictures on or before this day. No late work. Take all your pictures bY 5/27 & 5/28.

 

5/15-5/16: SELF-PORTAIT ASSIGNMENT

First of all, I want you to look at the photos on the following websites for self-portrait ideas and then answer the following questions. 

Please use text edit, Abi Word, or Word and drop the answers into the proper class folder.

 

Google Self Portraits

100 Awesome Self Portraits 

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_search.php?action=file&text=%22self+portrait+photography%22&b360a499b630a312fcf53946152d9cd2_1_203920=self+portrait+photography

http://www.teachingphoto.com/school_work.html

 Also, go to Getty Images and do a portraits search (self-portraits on Getty show people taking pictures of themselves. We do not need to see the camera).

What four categories do you think you will pick? Why?

What are your interests and hobbies that you can showcase in your self-portrait?

What colors will be the best for you to work with for self-portrait where color is emphasized? What are your favorite colors?

Do you have any costumes or props you can use for the self-portraits?

Next, I want you to grab two separate sheets of paper and sketch two of your ideas for self-portraits. Include location, outfits, poses, costumes, and facial expressions etc. I realize that not everyone is an amazing artist, but do your best.

Self Portrait Assignment

Self Portrait Assignment

The Art of Constructing a Self-Portrait

A self-portrait comes from within. Injecting 'those we love' into the portrait steers one away from the harder task to trying to reveal self without adornment.

If you eat, sleep, and live for speed then your self-portrait should reflect motion and movement as one of its cornerstones.

If you are a reflective type, then reflections and patterns and their intersections should occupy a primary space.

If overall you feel more flawed then whole, then you wouldn't want to go about photographing the most pristine parts of yourself; you would want, instead, to capture your essence in a manner that describes and defines you without complaining. I say that because the essence of self-discovery requires you to be a benign observer of self so as not to hone in too closely on this or that part.

A sense of 'wholeness' is difficult to capture at best. Indeed, wholeness is almost impossible for some people to even understand -- let alone capture in themselves -- because their persons and their lives are so fragmented, so disorganized in general.

But that is what self-portraiture is all about, capturing the whole -- the whole of who you are as a person.

Try to be unforgiving in a benign and neutral way. Study yourself in the mirror and paint what you see there. Then go inside yourself and paint what you see there."

www.drellenrudolph.com

 

You will shoot four different self-portrait concepts over the next 12 days. You will shoot at least 24 pictures for each concept.

 You need to pick four photo types from the following five categories.

1. A self-portrait where color is emphasized. Color may include wardrobe, location, props, or natural objects. Think of your picture as a one or two color concept picture.

2. A picture that emphasizes lighting and shadows. This will be a grayscale self-portrait.

3. A self-portrait that showcases your interests and hobbies. In this picture we learn what you like to do away from school. Think about what interests you and transfer that into a photo.

4. A fantasy self-portrait. Dress up and use costumes. In this self-portrait you can use Photoshop to enhance your picture in any way, shape, or form. Transfer yourself to Hawaii or become a Viking like you have always wanted.

5. The Supermodel self-portrait. Dress up like a GQ or Cosmopolitan magazine model. This can be a grayscale or color picture. You will use Photoshop to airbrush and enhance this photo.

 

Hints for self-portraits:

Use colors or lighting to create a concept.

Costumes or uniforms work great.

Change angles.

Use props.

Vary the lighting.

Try different emotional looks.

Pose in action.

Most importantly for this assignment don't forget your composition rules. Use framing, leading lines, rule of thirds, color contrast etc. to enhance your photo. Fill the frame.

 

Schedule:

May 15: Start Shooting

May 22: Self Portrait Shooting Day

May 27: All pictures are due. Note: Seniors need to turn their pictures on or before this day. No late work. Take all your pictures between now and next Thursday if you need to.

5/8-5/9: 1ST PORTRAIT SHOOT

You will shoot 48 or more pictures of your partner today.  If you are on campus today, you will be off-campus for your next shoot.  Return 20 minutes before the end of class.  You will submit your 48 images in the following 2 contact sheets:

• Portrait1:  contact sheet of 1st set of 24 images (4 columns; 6 rows)
• Portrait2:  contact sheet of 2nd set of 24 images (4 columns; 6 rows)

Note:  For your next shoot you are REQUIRED TO USE COSTUMES OR SPORTS UNIFORMS, or be dressed in clothing and using props other than the typical everyday you.  If you do not have costumes, you will be expected to retake your pictures outside of class. Additionally, if you are unhappy with your images you may retake pictures outside of class, and use a different model if you wish.

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS

1. Yousuf Karsh - http://www.karsh.org/
   
   
   
   
   Mary Ellen Mark - http://www.maryellenmark.com/
   
   
    
   Philipe Halsman - http://philippehalsman.com/
   
   
   Dorothea Lange - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothea_Lange
   
   
   
   
   
   

5/6 & 5/7: PORTRAIT ASSIGNMENT

You will shoot portraits over the next week on Thurs., 5/8 & Tues. 5/13, (or Fri. 5/9 & Wed. 5/14).

 

One day you will shoot at school using the lights in the studio and the other day you will shoot off-campus at a predetermined location. 

You will shoot AT LEAST 50 pictures of your subject each day (most of you will shoot between over 100 photos).

1. Find a partner in this class or in Mr. Mitchell's class .
2. Talk to your subject. What type of portraits do you want to create? Use colors or lighting to create a concept for your portrait. Costumes or uniforms work great. Imaginary ideas are OK. Choose an interesting setting based on your concept.
3. Change angles between shots. Shoot at least 50 pictures of each subject.
4. Use props if they will help the audience learn something about the subject.
5. Vary the lighting. Use filters, flashlights, lamps, or multiple lights to enhance your picture. Use the different lighting techniques that you will read about in class (see above).
6. Encourage different emotional looks. Pretend you are Austin Powers taking pictures. Tell your subject they are "groovy".
7. Having your subjects "pose" in action is just fine.
8. Most importantly for this assignment don't forget your compostion rules. Use framing, leading lines, rule of thirds, color contrast etc. to enhance your photo. Fill the frame.

Portrait HintsPart 1  
Portrait Hints Part 2 
More Hints  
Even more hints


Here is a list of the different types of portraits photos you will turn in:

• A Vignette Photo
• A Grayscale Method Photo
• A One Item Kept in Color Photo
• A selective Focus Photo
• A minimally adjusted photo
• One WHACKY anything goes portrait (change the colors, use the liquefy tool, and make this as unique and interesting as you can)

Finally, you will turn in your best picture as well.

Lighting!!! http://mrstorydigiphoto.blogspot.com/2011/12/different-lighting-techniques.html

• Creating Killer Headshots: The Cheap Way! - David Griffin
• A quick start guide to the one light setup - David Griffin
• Back Lighting - Studio Lighting Setup - StudioLighting.net
• Paramount (Butterfly) Lighting - Studio Lighting Setup - StudioLighting.net
• Multiple Light Portrait Setup Hints - David E. Price
• Short Lighting - Studio Lighting Setup - StudioLighting.net
• Broad Lighting - Studio Lighting Setup - StudioLighting.net

5/1-5/2: COMPLETING PHOTOMERGE & ACTION SEQUENCE

Today you will be finishing up your Photomerge and Action Sequence images. You will submit the following today: 

1. After you have photomerged, and cleaned up your 3 different photomerge pictures from Spring Break, make a contact sheet titled, Photomerge 2.
2. Submit your best photomerge image (as a JPEG) from all of your photomerges, and title it, PhotomergeBest.
3. Submit your Action Sequence, as a JPEG, and title it ActionSeqBest.

4/29-4/30: PHOTOMERGE IN-CLASS SHOOT

Today you will go out to shoot more Photomerge images. You need to go with in walking distance of class and be back 20 minutes before the end of class. Be sure that you take images that overlap 5-10% from your last image.

• Shoot 2-3 new, exciting & interesting photomerges of different areas.
• Each photomerge should have at least 4 pictures.
• One of your photomerges should be a more complicated photomerge where you have 2 rows & at least 3 columns (for a larger photomerge of 6 or more pictures)
• When you return, PHOTOMERGE YOUR PICTURES, THEN UPLOAD THEM TO A CONTACT SHEET TITLED, Photomerge1. 
• *Note: While you are out taking pictures, if needed more sequence shots and have time, take them too.

4/28: Returning from Spring Break

1. Import your photos.
2. Create a Contact Sheet called Spring Break. Include pictures from all three Photomerge locations (pick the best ones) and your sequence shots.
3. Turn your Contact Sheet in to the Staff Server.
4. Start merging your Photomerge pictures. Save these but do not turn them in.
5. Do not merge your sequences until Tuesday or Wednesday.

4/18: HOMEWORK OVER SPRING BREAK

• Three successful and awesome looking landscape style Photomerges in three separate locations.
• One must be during golden hour.
•  
• One intense action sequence of 3-5 shots
• You will take 30-40 pictures for it to work. If you are lucky or skillful, it may only take four to five.
• Be sure to shoot interesting activities, and use creative angles.
•  
•   Please refer to previous blog posts for more detailed information on the assignments.

4/17: ACTION SEQUENCE ASSIGNMENT

Sequence Assignment

The second part of your Spring Break homework is to create an action sequence. You can do this two ways:

1. If your camera has continuous shutter you can take multiple pictures very quickly.

2. If your camera does not have continuous shutter you can have your subject repeat the action multiple times and take multiple shots.  

 You need to get one really good action sequence during Spring Break. It may take you 30-40 pictures for it to work out or if you are lucky or skillful it may only take four or five pictures.

 Please shoot DRAMATIC action.  Pick sports or activities that are interesting and action packed.
 Make sure your shot is taken from a creative angle and demonstrates intense action. Each sequence should have 3-5 shots.

When you’re creating a sequence photo make sure you get all the action you need. This can be done by choosing the action setting on a DSLR. Make sure you have a camera that able to do high shutter speeds. A DSRL that can shoot 3-5fps can get you great results. Then set the camera up in a sturdy location or on a sturdy tripod so movement between frames is limited. Below are some truly amazing examples of sequence photography. The trick is to hold the camera steady and have the action move through multiple frames/photos:

Ray Demski




 

Examples

YouTube Sequence Tutorial 


Text Tutorial for Sequence Assignment

If you have overlap, use a layer mask

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReDRMX2-8n4&NR=1&feature=fvwp

step by step

• Open your multiple pictures into Adobe Bridge
• Tools>Photoshop>Photoshop>Load Files into Photoshop Layers 
• Edit>Auto Align Layers
• create a new black layer mask on your top layer (alt + click on the layer mask icon in the layer palette)
• paint in white over your subject (sometimes lowering the opacity will help you see where to paint.
• flatten image
• add shadows as needed
• save

4/15-4/16: PHOTOMERGE ASSIGNMENT

Photomerge Assignment

One of your assignments over break is to take multiple landscape panorama style photomerges.  Take a picture and then move the camera slightly up or sideways to take another "connected" image. Basically you combine smaller pictures to make one larger picture.

Use a tripod if possible. Remember to manual adjust white balance or select something like "cloudy" or "sunny" on your camera.


Here is how you connect multiple pictures in Photoshop.

To set up a new Photomerge composition:
Do one of the following:
Choose File > Automate > Photomerge.
In the File Browser, select the images you want to use and then choose Automate > Photomerge from the File Browser menu bar
In the dialog box, choose an option from the Use pop-up menu:

• Files to generate the Photomerge composition using individual files.
• Folders to use all the images stored in a folder to create the Photomerge composition. The files in the folder appear in the dialog box.
• Open Files to use the image files you have open in Photoshop.

Click the Browse button to navigate to the source files or folder you want to use to create the Photomerge composition. Select Attempt to Automatically Arrange Source Images if you want Photoshop to try to line the images up in their proper order.
Then edit your picture as you need.

Here is a tutorial you can use to get you going.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrNI-gAuI5s

4/14: DOF AND ACTION PICTURES ASSIGNMENT LIST

Listed below are all of the DOF and ACTION assignments and titles that will be graded. For more detailed information and criteria, please refer to previous blog posts.

• DOF1:   (CONTACT SHEET)
• Off-campus shoot on 4/1 or 4/2
• 24 pictures
•  DOF2:   (CONTACT SHEET)
• Off-campus shoot on 4/10 or 4/11
• 24 pictures 
•  ACTION1:  (CONTACT SHEET)
• Homework due 4/10 or 4/11
• 24 pictures
• DOFACTIONAdjustedFinal:  (CONTACT SHEET)
• Worth 100 pts.
• Due 4/15 or 4/16
• 20 best adjusted images from ALL of your DOF and ACTION images.
• You should include 10-15 DOF images and 5-10 Action shots for a total of 20 
• 
  
• DOFBest:   (JPEG)
• Worth 100 pts.
• Due 4/15 or 4/16
• Your SINGLE BEST DOF image
• This should be submitted for printing as a maximum quality jpeg
•  
• ACTIONBest:   (JPEG)
• Worth 100 pts.
• Due 4/15 or 4/16
• Your SINGLE BEST ACTION image
• This should be submitted for printing as a maximum quality jpeg
•  

4/14-4/16: COMPLETING DOF AND ACTION PICTURES

You will have all of class today, and 45 minutes into next class to finish your DOF and Action pictures and submit them.

• DOFACTIONAdjustedFinal:  (CONTACT SHEET)
• Worth 100 pts.
• Due 4/15 or 4/16
• 20 best adjusted images from ALL of your DOF and ACTION images.
• You should include 10-15 DOF images and 5-10 Action shots for a total of 20  
• 
  
• DOFBest:   (JPEG)
• Worth 100 pts.
• Due 4/15 or 4/16
• Your SINGLE BEST DOF image
• This should be submitted for printing as a maximum quality jpeg
•  
• ACTIONBest:   (JPEG)
• Worth 100 pts.
• Due 4/15 or 4/16
• Your SINGLE BEST ACTION image
• This should be submitted for printing as a maximum quality jpeg
•  

METERING TIP

Now that you are more comfortable taking pictures in the manual mode, you may find that some pictures are not coming out even when you meter correctly. This has to do with how your camera meters. Here is a tip:

• Add light to light
• This means that when you have A LOT OF LIGHT you will want your meter to be on the + side of the exposure meter, meaning that you will be OPEN the aperture a full stop or so.
• Add dark to dark 
•  This means that when IT IS DARK you will want your meter to be on the - side of the exposure meter, meaning that you will CLOSE the aperture a full stop or so.

4/10-4/11: OFF-CAMPUS DOF ASSIGNMENT AND HMWK SUBMISSION

Today, you will repeat the DoF assignment from April 1st (see blog for details). You will most likely want a tripod. Be sure to ask what to set your ISO to. Be sure to follow the directions and take INTERESTING pictures. Return 20 minutes early and upload the following:

• Your homework titled, Action1.
• Your in-class assignment titled, DOF2.

4/8-4/9: ACTION PRACTICE, HOMEWORK, AND OFF-CAMPUS SHOOT 4/10-4/11

Today in class we will review your DoF assignment pictures, and your action shots from last class.  

Homework due 4/10-4/11 (see last blog).  We will create a list of who is shooting what event. Also, if you want to sign out a manual camera overnight, have your parents email me (laura.king@shorelineschools.org) permission stating that they understand that they are responsible for the cameras (valued at $400-$800) if they are lost or damaged.

In class today we will focus more on shutter speed and action. At the end of class, INDIVIDUALLY upload your pictures, and title it ActionPractice2. Ask what to set your ISO at before photographing. You will take the following pictures:

• 2 Panning Shots (use Shutter Priority, Tv or S)
• Use shutter speeds of 1/20-1/40. The camera will adjust the aperture.
• 2 In Focus Tradional Action Shots (use Shutter Priority, Tv or S)
• Use shutter speeds of 1/250, or faster.  The camera will adjust the aperture.
• 2 In Focus Tradional Action Shots (use Manual, M)
• Use shutter speeds of 1/250, or faster.  Remember that you will need to adjust the F-Stop as well for correct exposure.

4/3-4/4: SHORECREST RELATED ACTION SHOT HOMEWORK

Homework:  Shorecrest Related Action Shots

24 Pictures Due Next Thursday morning.

Pick a Shorecrest sport or performance group and take pictures at a game or practice. 

Let me know if you want to shoot on the sideline during a game or match.  You may use the panning technique as described in class and in the Motorcross video. 

Go to the link below for more help with:
F-Stops and Shutter Speed Hints