Final Portfolio

Today is our last class. You will have today and next class after the Final Exam to complete your portfolio. 

The final blog post will consist of 2 parts. 
In the first section you will post your 15 strongest images from the semester and provide a brief critique of each.

In the second part you will provide an assessment of your portfolio and your work ethic.

Individual Image Critique

Post your 15 strongest images of the semester. All images must be in black and white although you may include a color version.
 For each image discuss one strong point from the critique guide and one area you could improve upon.Please assess your work and level of success on this project in each of the 3 main critique areas. Use the critique guidelines to help you with terminology and comments, 

I feel I have ____ exceeded/ ____ met/ ____fallen short of the objective for this image because.....

Overall Portfolio-Semester work

Please answer the following questions about your overall work this semester  using the 1-4 scale: 

1=Not at all, 2=Somewhat, 3=Mostly, 4=Absolutely

I completed my assignments on time 1 2 3 4

I fulfilled all assignments 1 2 3 4

Made good use of class time 1 2 3 4

Used a creative approach 1 2 3 4

My pictures unique and original 1 2 3 4

My craftsmanship is excellent 1 2 3 4

My images are sharp and focused 1 2 3 4

My images are well composed 1 2 3 4

My images have good contrast and exposure 1 2 3 4

My photography sets a mood 1 2 3 4

Post the Garrison Springs Pictures - Plus Final Work that is DUE NOW

Today you will post your pictures from the Garrison Springs Trip

Due Today at end of class.

Subjects include:

Nature
Water
Plants-Trees
Landscape
Details
Repetition
Texture
The images should be:

Cropped if necessary
Desaturated (Black and White)
The levels or Curves should be adjusted to make the lights and shadows stand out.

Post the pictures to your blog

Next, write a DETAILED critique of the best picture of the 5 you posted.
1. Pick your best image from the 5 and write an In-Depth critique of it. Use the Critique Guide above. Address EVERY part of every section of the guide. Ask me if there is a section you do not understand.

2. Look at 2 other classmates blogs. Choose a photo and critique it. Use the Comments section to post the critique. You only have to comment on 2 sections of the critique guide (your choice). Comment on 2 areas that you feel were successful and 1 area that you feel could be improved. Be respectful.

NOTE: The Following Projects are now DUE:
Surreal Composition
Photoshop Filters
Text Effects

Surreal Composition

Using  at least FOUR of your own photographs, create a surreal/magical realist composition in Photoshop. Scale should be a significant aspect of your design. You may select, crop, and place the elements in the composition in any way that presents them in an incongruous, unusual or “super normal” manner.

I will give an in-class demonstration of how to make Selections and use layers in Photoshop, and we will do a brief practice exercise showing me that you understand how to use the tools.

the image should be 11x11 inches and 300 dpi. Use at least 4 original images. You may use up to 2 images from the web.

Activities/Skills/Followed Directions:

Set up document at stated size and resolution.  
10/________

Photoshop Skills

In class demonstration of Selection Tools and Layers Pallette
25/______

Made precise selections                                                                                                 10/________

Used Transform-scale tool to change at least one selection/layer.        
10/________

Used move tool to move selections from one document to another.                

10/________

Used Multiple Layers                                                                                                                    
5/________

Named Layers                                                                                                             5/________

Include at least 4 ORIGINAL images to the composition                                               
10/________  

                                                                                     

Creativity

Met creative requirements for concept: Magical Realism using scale        
25/________

Post and Critique Your Pictures from the Zoo

Today you will post your pictures from the Zoo trip.

Due Today at end of class.

Subjects include:

Animals

Nature

People

Shadows

The images should be:

Cropped if necessary
Desaturated (Black and White)
The levels or Curves should be adjusted to make the lights and shadows stand out.

Post the pictures to your blog

Next, write a DETAILED critique of the best picture of the 5 you posted.
1. Pick your best image from the 5 and write an In-Depth critique of it. Use the Critique Guide above. Address EVERY part of every section of the guide. Ask me if there is a section you do not understand.

2. Look at 2 other classmates blogs. Choose a photo and critique it. Use the Comments section to post the critique. You only have to comment on 2 sections of the critique guide (your choice). Comment on 2 areas that you feel were successful and 1 area that you feel could be improved. Be respectful.

Catch Up Work

Please make sure that your Zoo pictures and critique are posted to your blog.

Also a reminder to post your Environmental Portrait. This was due last month.

Final Portfolio - Seniors Only

The final blog post will consist of 2 parts. 
In the first section you will post your 10 strongest images from the semester and provide a brief critique of each.

In the second part you will provide an assessment of your portfolio and your work ethic.

Individual Image Critique

Post your 10 strongest images of the semester. For each image discuss one strong point from the critique guide and one area you could improve upon.Please assess your work and level of success on this project in each of the 3 main critique areas. Use the critique guidelines to help you with terminology and comments, 

I feel I have ____ exceeded/ ____ met/ ____fallen short of the objective for this image because.....

Overall Portfolio-Semester work

Please answer the following questions about your overall work this semester  using the 1-4 scale: 

1=Not at all, 2=Somewhat, 3=Mostly, 4=Absolutely

I completed my assignments on time 1 2 3 4

I fulfilled all assignments 1 2 3 4

Made good use of class time 1 2 3 4

Used a creative approach 1 2 3 4

My pictures unique and original 1 2 3 4

My craftsmanship is excellent 1 2 3 4

My images are sharp and focused 1 2 3 4

My images are well composed 1 2 3 4

My images have good contrast and exposure 1 2 3 4

My photography sets a mood 1 2 3 4

Dodging and Burning in Photoshop

Today we will discuss the Burning and Dodging tools in photoshop.

i will give a demonstration in class but there is a great tutorial here if you need to see it written out step by step. The tutorial covers everything i will show in class.

After I show you how to use the tools you will post an example of your use of the tools. The instructions and examples are below:

Post a before and after picture demonstrating your use of the Burn and dodge tools in Photoshop.

The burn tool will darken areas of your image, and the Dodge tool will lighten areas of your image.

In a brief paragraph explain the areas that you burned and dodged.

Follow the example below:

Original Photograph

I dodged the highlights on the bananas and in the blurry chair in the backgound. I felt like the picture would be stronger if you could better see the details in the distance.
I burned the details in the glass bowl as well as in the bananas because I felt that the bowl was too grayish and i wanted more contrast. Finally I burned the wall on the right of the bowl because it was hard to see where the bowl ended and the wall began.

Using the Clone - Stamp Tool

Select a photo that you have taken and use the Clone Tool to manipulate the photo in some way. You may want to add items, or make them disappear. Post a before and after pic.

Photo Retouching

Today we will work with a couple of tools to help improve minor imperfections in our photos.
Download the 2 photos below, retouch them, and upload the before and after pictures to your blog.

Use the Clone tool to remove the blemishes from the guy's face.

Here is a video to help you...

Use the Red Eye tool to correct the red eyes....

Use this video to assist you.

Download, Edit, and Post the Ozark Square Pictures

Download, Edit, and Post the Ozark Square Pictures from the field trip. 

Your pictures should include examples of:

City Scenes
Architectural Details - Close ups - Textures

If you have good shots of any of the following then you should post them also
Shadows
People - Environmental portraits
Animals
Plants or Nature

As always, Crop, De-saturate and adjust Levels or Curves to get the best possible image.

REMINDER #1 - you should be working on your Environmental Portrait assignment out of class.

REMINDER #2 - Make sure you get all signatures and permissions for the Zoo Trip this Tuesday.

Curves Assignment

Using  Curves Adjustment layers, create 3 three variations of an image you have taken.

First crop and De-Saturate the image.

Then make 1 layer a moderate "S" curve. This will give you an evenly toned picture with a moderate range of contrast.

Next make a second layer where you have moved the white and dark gray tone to black.

Next make a third layer where you have moved the black and dark gray tone to white.

Save screen shots of the curves window by one of these 2 ways:
1. use the Snipping tool to capture and paste the Curves window into your post
2. Holding down the alt-print screen key and pasting the image into paint. Do this for each of the Curves variations you make. 

Your Blog post should look like the following:

S Curve

White tones to Black

Black tones to White

Curves Adjustment layers

Previously we learned how to adjust and improve the overall tonal contrast of an image with Levels using the Levels adjustment layer.

The levels tool is good for adjusting the shadows and highlights of a picture, but it is limited in its ability to adjust the mid-tones in a picture. There is only one slider for the gray tones in the levels tool.

When we use Curves we have the ability to adjust many different tones of gray in our image.

Please watch the video below to learn how to locate and use the Curves adjustment layer.

Using Curves in Photoshop

I will explain in detail in class how to use Curves, and we will spend some time practicing this tool in class today.

Environmental Portrait - Due Friday, April 11

More info to come.....

Critique Your Work

Today we will write critiques. there are 2 parts to this assignment.

1. Pick your best image from your field trip blog post and write an In-Depth critique of it. Use the Critique Guide above. Address EVERY part of every section of the guide. Ask me if there is a section you do not understand.

2. Look at 2 other classmates blogs. Choose a photo and critique it. Use the Comments section to post the critique. You only have to comment on 2 sections of the critique guide (your choice). Comment on 2 areas that you feel were successful and 1 area that you feel could be improved. Be respectful.

Post Field Trip Pictures

Today you will post your pictures from the antiques stores.

Subjects include:
Still Life
Close ups - details
Textures
Repetition of objects

Make sure each image is:
Cropped - If necessary
Desaturated - Converted to Black and White
Levels are adjusted

Levels Tool Assignment

Save one of your images from the Field trip to a new folder. label it "Levels".


Desaturate it.
Use the "Levels" Adjustment Layers to create 3 variations of contrast.

Here is my original color image

Here is the Desaturated (BW) Image

Here is the image adjusted for levels. 
Shadows 21, Midtones .91, highlights 231

Levesls adjusted toward the shadows
Shadows 156, Midtones .81, Highlights 171

Levels adjusted towards highlights
shadows 15, Midtones .16, Highlights 65

Adjustment Layers in Detail

Today we will continue using Photoshop Adjustment Layers.

We will practice the following in class:

• Convert a picture from Color to Black and White using the Hue/Contrast Adjustment layer
• Adjust Levels using the Levels Adjustment layer

Creating adjustment layers

Do one of the following:
For Hue-Saturation (Converts to Black and White)

Last class we discussed using the Cropping Tool and I introduced the concept of Adjustment layers.

We use Adjustment Layers so that we do not 
1. Click the New Adjustment Layer button  at the bottom of the Layers panel, and choose Hue/Saturation

2. Move the Saturation slider all the way to the left

3. Click ok

Here is a video showing how to do it.

For Levels (Adjusts Contrast in your picture)

1. Click the New Adjustment Layer button  at the bottom of the Layers panel, and choose Levels

2. Move the Shadows, Midtones, and Highlights Sliders to adjust the range of contrast in your image

3. Click ok

Here is a video showing how to do it.

This link will take you to a description of using Levels in Photoshop. The photo in the example is in color but it works the same in black and white.

We will try this for ourselves in class and post the results on our blog

Composing Your Photograph Using the Rule of Thirds

Today you will take pictures using the Rule of Thirds. You will need to post 3-5 examples of the Rule of Thirds to your blog. For each example write an explanation of how the rule of thirds was used in each picture.

The rule of thirds is probably the most often referenced photography rule of composition.  It is all about subject placement within the frame.

Imagine that your picture space is divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically, like a tic tac toe grid.

The photography rule of thirds tells us to align our subject with one of the points where those lines cross. That means our subject is one third of the way “into” the picture space – from either the top or bottom, and from either the left or right. And that means it’s not in the middle.



Here is an example of the rule of thirds for a landscape photo. The focus is on the land area rather than the sky so the bottom two-thirds of the photograph are filled with land and the top third is sky.

Here are additional links explaining and demonstrating the Rule of thirds.
http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds
http://learnprophotography.com/rule-of-thirds
http://www.ultimate-photo-tips.com/photography-rule-of-thirds.html
http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/rule-of-thirds

Perspective

Perspective Exercise

1. Capture 3 Images of each of the following perspectives and post to your blog:

Birds eye Perspective

Bugs eye

Eye Level

Horizontal

Vertical

Diagonal

Combination of 2 of the various perspectives

Friday Photo Critique

Every Friday you will choose a photo from AP Images to critique. Follow the example below to do your critique.

I chose a photo of the Jewish new year.

Description: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men pray ahead of the Jewish New Year at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem's old city, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. Israelis happily welcomed the Jewish New Year late Wednesday despite uncertainty and turmoil brewing on both its northern and southern borders. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Critique Here.......use the Critique Guide (above) to write your critique.

Post Your Depth of Field Pictures

Post  pics to your blog  demonstrating both shallow and extended Depth of Field.
you should have 2 examples of both deep and shallow depth of Field.

 follow the format below for each picture:

This pic was shot at ISO 400, Shutter Speed 1/125, aperture f5.6. 
The DoF is very shallow:

This pic was shot at ISO 1600, Shutter Speed 1/60, Aperture f32. 
it has an extended Depth of Field.

Aperture Priority and Depth of Field

Watch the following videos. We'll began shooting in Aperture Priority and doing Depth of Field exercises later in class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUbjkMm_v-A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8T94sdiNjc

Aperture Priority is when you select the aperture and the camera chooses the corresponding shutter speed. Both modes have advantages, but aperture priority ultimately gives you more control over the overall quality and visual focus of your images. 

Depth of Field is the amount of the image that is in sharp focus

Here is the a link that describes how and when to use Aperture Priority

Here's link that descibes how to take better pictures using Aperture Priority.

Use the Nikons to experiment with Depth of Field around the building. Take pictures with both Shallow and Deep Depth of Field. We'll post them next class.

Review of ISO - Shutter Speed Project - Plus Research

Next class we will have an in-class review and discussion of the ISO-Shutter Speed work you have been practicing.

You should have your examples posted to your blog by now. 
For the Critique I want each of you to talk about your work. 
Did you notice any patterns or relationships between the ISO and Shutter Speeds?
For example, what combinations resulted in the best exposures? 
Which resulted in Under-Exposures? 
In Over-Exposures?
How did you solve any issues that came up?
How did you use the various shutter speeds to achieve the goals of the project? What speeds and ISO combinations worked best for Freezing Action, Motion Blurs, and Tracking?

Do not be passive! Everybody needs to contribute. Class participation counts!


After we complete it you will continue with your research on the history of photography. Today explore the work of two significant pioneers of photography.

Sir John Herschel
Joseph-Nicephore Niepce
Louis Dageurre

Who were these men and what were their contribution to the development of photography?

Next you will explore the Daguerreotype and Calotype.

On a google doc shared with me find the following:
What is a Daguerreotype? 
What does it look like? 
How does it differ from photographs of today? 
What length exposures were needed?
What were the styles of typical early daguerreotype portraits?
What were post-mortem photographs and why were they taken?
What is a Calotype? 
What does it look like? 
How is it similar to the process that we use today?
What is The Pencil of Nature? Who is the author/artist? 

Was the daguerreotype or the calotype preferred for most portrait photography uses in the early decades 

of photography? Why?

Post your answers in a Google doc and share it with me.

Post your Shutter Speed Work

Post your best examples of Freezing Action, Motion Blur, and Tracking plus the shutter speed and ISO you used. See the examples below.....

Freezing Action
Shutter Speed 1/1250 seconds
ISO 1600

Motion Blur
Shutter speed 1.6 seconds
ISO 100

Tracking
Shutter Speed 1/3 seconds
ISO 400

Shutter Priority

Shutter Priority Mode is when you set the shutter speed of the camera and the camera sets the Aperture.

By changing shutter speeds you not only control how long light enters the camera but also how motion is captured in your image.




Set the camera to Shutter Priorty by turning the Mode Dial to S 



Use the thumb dial to set the shutter speed

Follow this link for a description of how shutter speed works.

Today we will use various shutter speeds to:
1. Freeze motion (fast shutter speed of 1/125 or higher)
2. Create a Motion Blur (Shutter speed of 1/15 or slower)
3. Track motion (shutter speed of 1/60)

ISO Discussion and History of Photography-Camera Obscura

Due to you being in Mrs. Queen's classroom we'll be unable to download your most recent photos. You should still be thinking of ISO and how you use the settings, however. Have a brief discussion on ISO and what you have noticed in your photographic explorations with Mrs. Queen.

For most of the class you will conduct research on the Camera Obscura as part of an ongoing project on the Hisory of Photography.

SHARE THIS RESEARCH WITH ME ON A GOOGLE DOC!!!

First begin with this video...it's a brief history of photogrqphy from TED.
Illuminating Photography, From camera Obscura to Camera Phones


Use the following questions to guide you in your exploration of the camera Obscura:

• What does the term Camera Obscura mean?
• What IS a camera Obscura?
• What were the earliest examples of the principles the Camera Obscura utilizes?
• How does the Camera Obscura work?
• How was it used?
• Who is credited with first using the camera Obscura in painting?
• What role did the Camera Obscura play in the development of photography?

Here are some resources to help you:

http://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/a-history-of-photography-part-1-the-beginning--photo-1908

http://brightbytes.com/cosite/what.html

http://camera-obscura.co.uk/camera_obscura/camera_history.asp

http://www.obscurajournal.com/history.php