Self Portraits and Portraits Preview

 Self Portrait and Portraits

As we get ready to take photos next class on our new assignment, self-portrait and portrait photography. I thought you might want to look at some ideas and get something more than just looking at some photos. With that in mind go take a look at these 3 websites.

http://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/100-seriously-cool-self-portraits-and-tips-to-shoot-your-own--photo-5689

http://digital-photography-school.com/self-portrait-photography-tips

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/portrait-photography-tips/

http://shutterbug.com/refreshercourse/portrait_tips/197/

After looking at these, find what you think are the best 2 or 3 tips and copy and paste them into a new post on your blog (I don’t need 2-3 tips from each site, but 2-3 total, but please look at all three sites).

Step 2: I want you to a Google image search “Environmental portrait” and pick out 2 that you really like and post them on your blog. Tell me what you liked about the photo and why you picked it.

Step 3: Google image search “casual portrait” and pick out 2 that you really like and post them on your blog. Tell me what you liked about the photo and why you picked it.

Step 4: Google image search “formal portrait” and pick out 2 that you really like and post them on your blog. Tell me what you liked about the photo and why you picked it.

Step 5: Pick a self portrait from the Web sites above or Google image search “photography self portrait” and pick out 2 that you really like and post them on your blog. Tell me what you liked about the photo and why you picked it.

Planning Ahead:
Write a paragraph telling me your plan for your portrait assignment. Answer the following questions: who will you shoot, where will you shoot, and what will you do to make the shot successful. Be specific on all three answers. When I read it I should know who and where you will take the photos and I should know exactly what your plan is to make sure you get a quality photo.

BE AWARE I MUST SEE RULES OF PHOTOGRAPHYin your portraits.

Rules of Photography Part 2

Rules of Photography Part II

Earlier this year you learned the 6 basic rules of photography. Those included:

Rule of Thirds

Balance/Balancing Elements

Lines/Leading Lines

Simplicity/Background

Framing

Avoiding Mergers

Today we are going to add 4 more rules for you to think about as you continue to shoot for this class. They are:

Symmetry and Patterns (repetition)

Viewpoint

Create Depth

Cropping

We are also more clearly defining the first six rules, so their names are changing slightly, be aware of those changes.

Check out the new rules here, you can ignore the one at the end called Experiment and sub in Avoiding Mergers:

http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules

Please pick a theme, I don't care what theme you choose: football, guitars, Justin Beiber, whatever.

Then use google search and find photos relating to your theme.

Find photos that show good examples of the following photo composition rules. Show me that you understand these rules. Make sure to tell me which photo = which rule, i.e. label your photos with the proper rule title.

Here are the rules again, in case you forgot in the last 2 minutes:

1. Rule of thirds

2. Balancing Elements

3. Leading Lines

4. Symmetry and Patterns (repetition)

5. Viewpoint

6. Background

7. Create depth

8. Framing

9. Cropping

10. Mergers and avoiding them

When you have posted 10 photos – you’re done.

Ethics in Fashion Photography

FASHION

Watch the video titled Evolution at the following link.

http://vimeo.com/4097606

In case that one doesn't work, try this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U

On your blog:

1. List the changes that were made to the model's face in the computer. (Look carefully)

2. Is it ethically acceptable to change a person's appearance like this in a photo? Why or why not?

3. Are there circumstances in which it would be more ethically wrong to do this type of manipulation?

4. What types of changes are OK, and what aren't?

5. Explain what you think the differences are between fashion photography and photojournalism.

6. What relationship does each type of photography have to reality, and how does this affect the ethical practice of each?

The Three Pillars of Exposure: Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed

Overview: 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.

Directions: 
Go to this website and read about Aperture:

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

READ AND POST EXAMPLES: 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.

ANSWER: 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

READ AND POST EXAMPLES: 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:

Do: 1. If you were assigned to shoot at Blue and Gold night, which was earlier this month, what shutter speeds (slow, medium, fast)  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 is still partially up and the courtyard has reasonable light

• a.) the dunking booth
• b.) the food eating contest
• c.) the rock climbing wall
• d.) someone working at a booth
• e.) the DJ/MC working at the middle of the circle
• f.) the Diamonds performance.

Towards the end when there is no sun and it is dark so there is not enough light to see from one end of the courtyard to the other.

• a.) the dunking booth
• b.) the food eating contest
• c.) the rock climbing wall
• d.) someone working at a booth
• e.) the DJ/MC working at the middle of the circle
• f.) the Diamonds performance.

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

READ AND POST EXAMPLES: Once you are finished reading, 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 shooting with a higher ISO setting at a sporting event like 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?

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

http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/shutteraperture.php

I would like you to experiment with all the settings so go through them step by step. Start with F2.8 and see what happens at each shutter speed, repeat for all of the Aperture settings at each stop on the Shutter Speed table.

On your blog list the exposure that looks best to you for EACH F-stop. I will help you with the first one here: F2.8 - looks the best at 1/125th of a second shutter speed.

Do: Now its your turn - tell me which ones look the best for:

• F4 
• F5.6 
• F8
• F11 
• F16 
• F22

Also please tell me what is happening with the backgrounds at each F-stop. Again here is the first answer:

EXAMPLE: At F2.8 there is no background visible - it is very blurry and all you can really see is the couple.

Now its your turn at each F-stop tell me what the background looks like. Is it in focus or blurry? 

Finally, what is happening to the subject (the people) at SLOW Shutter Speeds? What could the photographer do to help combat this problem?

What is the lowest Shutter Speed do you think a photographer can hand-hold the camera without a tripod?

If you want to see more of this - try this website - I like its exposure simulator too:

http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator.html

If you are brave - you should try clicking the manual button in the middle of the control panel. You will be shooting in manual next shoot......be ready!!!!

Now to our last stop today:

I want you to take the two tests. One is called "Image Sorter - Depth of Field." The other is called "Image Sorter - Shutter Speed and Motion."

How well did you do? Do you understand Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO better now?

Caption Writing: 5 Ws and H

Overview: An essential skill for photographers is the writing of informative, accurate and attractive captions to enhance the photos they publish. A photo might tell a thousand words, but the exact words needed to explain a specific story might not be easy to tell by simply looking at a photo. Captions provide the necessary background information needed to tell a story.

Directions: Before you begin to write a caption, a photographer must gather some essential facts needed to completely tell the story. Read the steps below to help you gather this information.

Step 1: Go to http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/01/us/the-flag-iconic-images/index.html?on.cnn=1

Step 2: Create a new blog post titled "Caption Writing: 5 Ws and H."

Step 3: TURN OFF the caption feature on the CNN Website. Select FIVE PHOTOS that you find striking. Answer the following questions for each of the five photos:

• 1. Who (Make up a first and last name) for everyone who is obviously meant as the subject of the photo. If there are more than three people that are subjects, all names are not necessary. Use a group name instead.
• 2. What (Think of a verb that could be used to describe the action that the subjects are doing in the photo. Use PRESENT TENSE action verbs. This means your verbs should usually end in "s" like "runs," "jumps," "prays." That also means to avoid passive verbs like "is" and "gets."
• 2. When (Think of a day of the week or even a time of the day) the photo was taken. If the event happened in the last week use actual days of the week like Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Don't use non-specific days like today or yesterday. If the event happened more than a week ago use the exact date like Sept. 3).
• 3. Where (Think of an exact place the event happened. This should be very specific. For example, the intersection of First Street and Slaughter Lane or on at Auditorium Shores Park in downtown Austin.
• 4. Why (Think of a reason the action is taking place. Again, be specific. Make up a cause for the action taking place.)
• 5. How (Think of a descriptive term that explains how the action is taking place. This could be an adverb such as "slowly" or "hurriedly." Or it could be the exact height of a jump or the yardage earned in a running back's run down the football field.

Your Mural Photos

Directions: Once you have organized your mural photos into the appropriate Group folder on the PhotoJ server drive, make sure you have posted these photos to your student blog.

You should post just your best 5 photos that will be printed out and attached to your mural.

Post these in a new blog post titled "Mural Photos."

Great Black and White Photographers Part 3

Overview: It's time to learn more about your selection for your favorite Black and White Photographer. Read the following directions CAREFULLY!!! For those people that did not do the previous assignments, they are still on the Akinphotojblog and you can go back and complete them for credit on this assignment.

For new students who need to review the original blog post for Great Black and Photographers Part 1, click here: http://akinsphotojblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/great-black-and-white-photographers.html

On your blog post titled "Great Black and White Photographers Part 3" with the following information:

1.) What first caught your eye while looking at your photographers photos? Is there something in particular about their photos that made you want to choose them?

2.) Look at those 2 photos you posted last time in the assignment Great Black and White Photographers Part 2. Use your five senses to tell me more about those photos. Answer them on your blog.

I see . . .

I smell . . .

I hear . . .

I taste . . .

I feel . . .

You can do this in 2 ways. You can either put yourself in the photo and pretend your standing next to the subects in the photo. I know smell and taste are hard but you can do it.

Or, you can pretend you were the photographer and use those same senses.

On the one titled "I feel . . ." you may either touch things in your photo (imagination please!!) or you can tell me what you (yes, you in the real world) feel or felt the first time you saw the photo, or how it makes you feel when you look at it now.

BE REFLECTIVE HERE! Try to be descriptive, try to write more than you think you can. One sentence per prompt is NOT ENOUGH, write at LEAST 3 sentences per!!! Write more, if you think its enough, its NOT.

3.) Finally, what would you like to create to show the world your great photographer. Ideas include, posters, power points, a blog, etc. You tell me what you would like to create so we can come up with a plan to share your thoughts and ideas about your photographer with your classmates and with the rest of the school.

Purpose to Photography: Africa and Mural Project Preview

Overview: When a photojournalist begins a project, their is an underlying purpose to his or her work. In most cases, the photojournalist seeks to tell a story with their photos. Review the following two projects and reflect on their work.

Directions:

FIRST: Africa

Go to the Photojournalism Drive and find the Photojournalism Folder drive. Open the PowerPoint file called Africa: Black_and_White

View the PowerPoint

1. On your blog post your reactions to the PowerPoint presentation.

2. What was your favorite photo (find a way to get a copy of the photo and post it on your blog, you will probably have to look it up on google since you can't get it off the power point)? 

3. Describe it and tell me why its your favorite.

4. What rules of photography are evident in the photos you selected, be sure to explain the rule to me?

4. Look up the photographer on Wikipedia –

a.     What kind of camera did he use?

b.     What is his reason for taking the photos?

c.     What is his hope by taking these types of photos?

d.     Find something he has to say about Africa and post the quote on your blog

NEXT: Mural Project Preview

Go to the following website - read the story and look at the photos:

http://caseycatelli.blogspot.com/2011/10/instagram-inspired-wheatpaste.html

If you have an iPhone — you should download that application. If you have an app-ready phone see if you can get Instagram.

On your blog please answer the following questions:

1. What theme could you use here at school to make your own mural that tells a unique Akins story? Be specific. Explain what subjects you will include in your mural.

2. Why is this theme worth devoting time time and effort to capture? Why would other students care about this theme?

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages to using a phone camera to do this project?

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages to using an SLR camera to do this project?

5. Should we use phones or SLR cameras for this project? Why?


Your Mural Project Preview:
Our next Major Project will be to shoot the class-decided theme and to create a mural like this - each class will have its own and we will print them here in this room. We will use butcher paper to mount the photos on. If you want to see examples walk upstairs in the red hallway, there are still some from last year hanging in that hallway. We will take all the photos and I will help print them here in class. We will do this again, especially once we learn more about Photoshop, so your art will be up around the school all year, with your name under the photo, so take it seriously!!!

Naviance and 4-Year Plans

Overview: At Akins students are asked to map out their 4-Year plans using an online resource called Naviance. It helps the school track student interests in the courses offered and is used to decide how much funding each program should get. By tracking you through your four years, we get access to additional money to pay for things like new Apple computers and lots of camera equipment.

So this is very important.

Today will seem a little complex for those of you who are freshmen and sophomores, but I will be there to help you through the process. If you are a junior or senior, you should be familiar with this program. I need your help today with our younger students. If you finish early, plan to help. Thank you.

Directions: Today we are going to do your four-year plans on Naviance. Please follow the steps below:

Go to the following site:

https://connection.naviance.com/fc/signin.php?hsid=charlesakins
 

Login user name: student ID # (without S)

Password: student ID # (without initials) 

If it doesn't work please go to the clipboard located on the table in front of my desk and write your name and student number so we can activate your account.

Once you are logged in, click on the tab on top labled: Course

Then click: Manage my courses

Then go to: My current plan

• Click on each department area to the left and check that current selections are accurate.
• Add any classes that are missing.
• You will need to do this for each year you have left in high school. Seniors, its simple, just do this year.
• Juniors, you only have this year and next year.
• Sophomore, you have 3 years to complete and
• Freshmen, you have all four years to plan.

Important: Now here is where it gets tricky... These 4-year plans are NOT your course sheet selections. You are not signing up to take these classes. It's just a plan that shows where you think you are going. We want you to do your best to fill in all your core classes and what you think you want to take in the future with non-core classes. Every academy has a variety of majors and since we have students from every academy, we will do our best to direct you. But each and every one of you can deal with the core classes, and we can work on your major/non-core classes.

To see a list of course sequences related to CTE majors, click the link below.

• These are only Career and Technology Education related majors. This doesn't include majors for Fine Arts and other non-CTE majors.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v4yg8ai7ipy3p17/3upraUPdOx

So lets get started, log in and get rolling. I will be walking around helping all I can.

Academics Shoot Directions

Overview: After you have taken your Academics photos, it's time to post them on your blog.

Directions: Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Make a new post on your blog titled "Academics Shoot." You should post SIX photos on your blog — one for each rule or photography that you know. Lines, Simplicity, Rule of Thirds, Balance, Framing and Avoiding Mergers. Make sure they are labeled.

If you have not shot, please let me know and I will get you out today to take photos. Make sure you have the rules of photography written down before you go and follow all the verbal instructions I give to you.

Step 2: Go back and edit the post with those 6 photos - answer the following questions:
1. How well 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 didn't follow the rule well, what could you have done differently?

Step 3: Make a new blog post titled "Academic Shoot reflection." 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?

Academics Photo Shoot Preview

Only do this if you are finished with everything else: 
1st assignment for the 2nd 6-weeks:

Overview: While you are a student at Akins, you have a unique perspective on what goes on in the classroom as a photographer. You will use what you have learned about photo composition as you go into classrooms to document the academic activities that happen in Akins classrooms.

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

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

Step 1: 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.

Step 2: 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

Step 3: Make a new blog post titled "Academics Shoot Preview."

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.

Step 4: 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 at the ones with Academics and Community Service

Step 5: Select your favorite photo from the "Academics and Community Service" section. You  will have to use Grab to save the image. To get to "Grab" go to the Spotlight feature and type in "Grab."

Step 6: Answer the following questions:

1. Why did you pick this photo?

2. What rules of photography are evident in the photo?

Step 7: 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?

Photo Composition 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, go back and edit your posts (if you don't know how to edit your posts please ask a neighbor and if they don't know, ask me) and write about the photos you picked out. 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:

Composition Web Site

Example

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

Lines

Good 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.

Bad Example - The flag makes leading lines to the guy.

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. There will be a quiz of some sort next week to see if you know and more importantly, understand the 6 basic rules of photography.

Photo Composition and 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.

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.

Step 1: Read about the the basic Rules of Photo Composition by clicking on the link below. You should read about Simplicity, The Rule of Thirds, Lines, Balance, Framing, and Avoiding Mergers. You can skip the Introduction and Conclusion pages.

Composition Web Site

Step 2: Go to the three websites below, and find excellent examples of photos shot on 9/11 that follow each of the Composition Rules.

Post one example of each of the photo Composition techniques from the Composition Website.

You will make a total of 6 different blog posts. 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. This means you should have 6 posts today.

Below are the 9-11 Websites. They should be clickable links. If not copy and paste then into a new browser window.

http://www.911photos.com/

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/

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

Step 3 (Bonus): 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.

http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0903-SEP_FALLINGMAN

Elements of Art and Principles of Design Example

Example of a completed entry:

Lines are marks made by a pointed tool: brush, pencil, pen, etc. Lines can vary in width, direction, curvature, length, or color.

I chose this photo because of the clear line that is created by the spiral staircase.

I chose this painting because of the strong black line that was used to draw the image of the bull.

Elements of Art and Principles of Design in Photography

Overview: As with any form of visual design, photography follows the same Elements of Art and Principles of Design as any great piece of art. Today we will learn about these elements and principles and find examples of each in the form of paintings and photographs.

Directions: Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Review the following Principles and Elements of Design below. Click on the link below to see definitions for each of these terms.

http://dwartclass.weebly.com/elements-of-art.html

Elements of Art are the various parts used to making a design. The seven elements of art are color, value, texture, shape, form, space, and line. Elements of design are the building blocks that you will use to make a composition, including photographs.

Line

Shape

Color

Value (Tone)

Form

Texture

Space


Principles of Design are the laws of designing anything. When making a design the seven principles are contrast, emphasis, balance, unity, pattern, movement, and rhythm. Consider each of these carefully for any composition, including photographs.

Balance

Contrast

Emphasis

Movement

Pattern

Rhythm

Unity


Step 2: Provide the definition of each term. Copy and pasting definitions is acceptable, but your text must be readable on your blog.

Step 3: Review the list of paintings at the link below. Find a painting that you believe exemplifies each of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Post this image under each of the terms.

Write a sentence that explains why the Element of Art or Principle of Design is present in the image. (If you don't like the paintings on this Web page, you are free to find a different painting from a different Web site as long as it is a painting.)

http://121clicks.com/articlesreviews/25-paintings-every-photographer-must-study

Step 4: Go to Google Image search. Search for "Elements of Art photography" and "Principles of Design photography" with each of the terms. You must find a photograph that you think exemplifies each of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Post this image next to the painting that you already posted.

Write a sentence that explains why the Element of Art or Principle of Design is present in the image.

http://www.google.com/imghp