Reading

For Monday, 10/12

Read chapters 2, 5 and 6

Write up a summary of five main take-away points (for you) from each chapter.

Photoshop practicum

Please be able to accomplish the following:

RAW files, in camera RAW module:

• Workflow options to set as smart object
• Global adjustments (all appropriate adjustments in "basic" menu, plus tone curve)
• Local Adjustments

JPEG files, in Photoshop:

• White Point / Black Point
• Curve Adjustment Layer for brightness
• Curve Adjustment Layer for contrast
• Basic dodge and burn layer

Both RAW (smart object) and JPEG derived images in Photoshop

• Sharpen with High Pass layer
• Blending mode curve adjustment layers (multiply, overlay, screen, etc.)
• Local adjustments with blending mode curves (advanced dodge and burn, with initial lasso selection, layer mask, etc.)

All:

• File correctly saved as PSD files, with layers
• Layers clearly labelled

Project 1

Based on discussions about your assignment 6 images (meaningful subject matter), develop a group of images around a concise theme or idea. It can be within person/places/things (choose 1), but developed further into a more ambitious and sophisticated project. It will be helpful to be as specific as possible about your subject or idea. A collection of haphazard images does not make for a strong project. Intention is important, as well as follow-through.

Work will be evaluated on:

• Clarity of idea/main subject/theme/concept
• Strength of images (framing, composition, etc.)
• Technical camera skills (sharp focus, solid exposures)
• Photoshop /image editing skills
• Whether project is adequately realized (follow-through)
• Print quality

Due Dates:

Prelim critique: 9/30 (Wednesday)

Final critique: 10/7 (Wednesday)

Portfolio of 7-10 images, 5 of these should be printed.

Assignment 6: Approaching subject and meaning.

(Student: Craft)

Merely capturing a subject does not automatically convey meaning or content.

For example, a photographer who says "I like to photograph people," is saying very little about what they are really trying to communicate. Yes they may show the presence of someone, but what do they want to say about that person... who they are, what they represent or what they stand for?

Look at the image above. The subject(s) are clear enough... half of a woman's face, a blurry green background. But what else is going on?

• Why are we seeing just half the face...that's kind of mysterious.
• What expressions are being expressed through that single, penetrating, eye?
• Why do I keep looking back and forth between the green eye and the green background?
• Why does this picture make me feel a tad...uneasy, nervous?
• Who is this person anyway? 
• What the heck is going on?
• What is the photographer trying to communicate?

Very quickly, this picture leads to interesting questions. The best art is about interesting questions.

For this assignment, I invite you to ponder questions about the subject you choose. So, if you "like photographing people" please ask yourself the following questions before/during/after you shoot. Be as specific as you can.

• What people?
• Who are these people?
• What are they doing?
• Where are they?
• Why?
• What do they really look like...hair, eyes, nose, head, arm, body, posture, texture, color...
• What visual story do I want to share about them? 

Similar questions can be asked about objects or places. Answer the questions with your camera...share with us.

Assignment:

1. Select a subject that you are commonly drawn to. Person, place, thing. Choose one. No animals or pets, for now. 
2. Apply the above questions, adjusting them to person, place or thing.
3. Answer the questions with pictures, not words
4. Be prepared to discuss your driving questions in class and share the images that resulted

For Monday, 9/14. 

Purchase paper

Update: In class assignment (Wednesday 9/9)

Choose a single image that moves you, drawn from all the images you have made from the class so far. It should meet the following guidelines:

• Good overall exposure...no extremes of light and dark
• Not extensibly cropped. 
• Adjusted using best workflow practices
• Optimized for printing...sharpened using high pass layer, brightened slightly
• Copy of the file transferred to the server. Make sure you do not transfer your original.
• Proper printing workflow for your paper

Homework: Print two more for Monday 9/14

Please order your paper to have by 9/9

Choose one, two or all three...

Epson Premium Luster Photo paper

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?N=10219807&InitialSearch=yes&sts=pi

Epson Premium Glossy Photo paper

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?N=10254312&InitialSearch=yes&sts=pi

Epson Ultra Premium Presentation Matte paper

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/203721-REG/Epson_S041341_Ultra_Premium_Presentation_Paper.html

Assignment 5: Reading and Discussion

Monday 9/14

Read Chapters 1 and 3 in the textbook, Light and Lens.

Prepare discussion points for the following. Everyone will have a chance to speak and share what they have learned.

Chapter 1: From the history of photography described by the author (pages 1-17), please choose a historic "movement" or approach to the medium that personally resonates with you. Be able to explain how this is pertinent to you as a photographer. Where might you go with this inspiration?

Chapter 1, regarding pages 18-30. Pick at least 2 question/answer combinations that you resonate with the most (in a positive way). Then pick 1-2 that you agree less with. Be prepared to discuss your reasoning in class.

Chapter 3: Generate 1-2 points about camera technology from the reading that you found intriguing, or have a question about. Be prepared to discuss.

Assignment 4: Depth of Field

Deep depth of field. Achieve with small aperture and/or wider angle lens.

Shallow depth of field. Achieve with wide aperture and/or longer (telephoto) lens.

In class:

Explore depth-of-field using Aperture Priority Mode. 

Nikon: use "A" mode

Canon: use "Av" mode
Other brands: ask instructor

The photographer chooses the aperture and the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed for optimal exposure.

Shoot in fairly bright conditions to ensure adequate exposure, or use higher ISO.

• Find a situation where there is a distinct foreground object and the background is far away.
• Set camera to manual focus.   Focus on the foreground object for all variations. 
• Use a medium-to-long focal length setting. Avoid wide angle. Instead zoom in and step back. 
• Shoot the image three times, varying the apertures. Create at least 3 3-image sets.

1. f4 or wider (f2.8, f1.4 okay)
2. f8
3. f16 or smaller (f22 okay)

Shooting (for Wednesday 9/9)

Chose specific subjects and shoot them with widely varied depths of field, while maintaining the same composition/framing. This means 2-3 variations of the same "shot" but created with a range of apertures to vary the depth of field. Again, shoot on aperture priority

In the examples below, we see the same subject and the same framing, but with different depths of field. How does this affect the image? Which do you prefer? Why?

f4.0

f18