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

Photo Manipulation and Ethics

 Photo Manipulation and Ethics

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. 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 manipulation.You only need to read the first part of the story, you can stop when you reach the subheadline titled "Advice from Pros".

http://www.globaljournalist.org/stories/2009/07/01/ethics-in-the-age-of-digital-manipulation/

When you are done reading, in the top left corner where there is a photo of a missile launcher, click the link near the bottom of the photo called "Launch". This will open up a series of photos. You need to look at each of the four examples. There are before and after photos, so you need to see both of them.

On your blog

A. Summarize the main points of the story in 1-4 sentences.

B. Explain why you think this type of photo editing is unethical or acceptable.

2. Look through the example images on this page:

http://www.sree.net/teaching/photoethics.html

On your blog

A. Post the manipulation 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.

B. Post the manipulation that you consider the least unethical, and explain why you think it is not as bad as others.

National Geographic Warm-up

National Geographic Warm-up

Go to the following website and look at the 45 photos there:

http://m.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/11/national-geographic-photo-contest-2011/100187/

On your blog

1. Post your favorite photo.

2. Tell me why this is your favorite photo (write at least 3 sentences)

3. Think about your world. What is a photo that you could take that would illustrate the world that surrounds you. What photo would you take to submit to this photo contest?

Post Shoot Reflection

Directions: 

Step 1: Find the link to your blog on the Akins Photo J Blog. Go down one on the list of the student blogs. Open the other students' blog.

Step 2: 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.

40 Greatest Photos Ever

Directions:

Take the time to look at every photo on this page and read the information about them below.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/most-powerful-photographs-ever-taken

Pick three of them and post them on your blog. Then write a few sentences about each, answering the following questions.

• What made you pick the photo?
• Is there anything about the composition of the photo (this means how the photographer set the photo up in their view finder, NOT the content of the photo) that made your eyes gravitate to the photo?
• Why do you think this photo made the cut of the top 40 photos ever?

Make sure that you find the photographers name and type it near their photo to give them credit for taking the picture.

Great Black and White Photographers Part 2

Overview: 

A couple of classes ago you were asked to go to a website and look at photos by the great black and white photographers in history. Today it's time to get to know your favorite in detail. 

Directions: 

Step 1: Make a new blog post titled "Great black and white photographers, PART 2."

Step 2: Go back to your original post where you picked your 3 favorite. Select ONE.

Step 3: Head to the Internet and use your favorite search engine to get more information about that person. Post a blog with a biography of that person.

Include the following information: 

First and Last Name

birth and maybe death) dates, 

Place of birth, 

Education, 

Jobs

Famous works published

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.

Step 4: When you post your blog, include at least 2 photos from your selected photographers collection of pictures. Pick your favorites.

Camera History and Camera Parts

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 "Camera History"

PART 1: CAMERA HISTORY

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 menue and click on "The Universal Stop."

14. What is a “stop.”

15. How many stops brighter is the new planet if there are two sons instead of one?

16. How many stops brighter is the new planet if there are four sons 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?

PART II: CAMERA PARTS

Directions: In a new blog post titled "Camera Parts" define the following terms well. Use the Internet to look up definitions for these terms.

aperture

shutter

exposure

depth of field

F-stop

focal length

Finally, we are going to take a look at a schematic drawing of what the cameras we use look like. It has a detailed description of the parts of the camera. 

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/T3/T3A2.HTM

List the BUTTONS you see on the back and the top of the camera. Explain in your words, what each of these buttons does.

Great Black and White Photographers

To learn how to take great photos, its important to look backwards at some of the most famous photographers and their work to get ideas and examples of what great photos look like.

The first photographers worked mainly in the Black & White medium. Each spent thousands of hours  in the darkroom perfecting their prints were as important to the final power of their prints as was their hard work and artistic eye when they originally shot them.

Although we won't be going into a traditional wet darkroom this year, we will be using another type of darkroom, Photoshop, to change and manipulate our photos. In the near future we will begin using Photoshop but first lets look at some of those famous photographers and their work.

Step 1: Review the masters

Go to: http://www.masters-of-photography.com/

Click through all of the master photographers listed on the left side of the site. Look at their photos. When you click on individual photographers, their work will show up in the middle of the screen in a little slide. You will need to click on one of those, and then use the magnifying glass to zoom in. You will also see a forward button so you can flip through all of their work.

Step 2: Choose three you like

Make note of their names. Choose well because you will be assigned one of these photographers for a more extensive assignment. At least two of the three must have done documentary work (candid photos of people).

Step 3: Post on your blog

Make a new blog post titled "Masters of Black and White Photography."

Post the names of the three photographers you like and your favorite photo (at least one) from each. You may have to do a Google Image search to find the photo you want, as not every photo on the "masters-of-photography" website are linkable. 

Make sure you SAVE the photos you pick out to the proper place. You should save all photos you download from the Internet to your Student Folder on the server. To get to the server you must have first connected to it using the "Journalism Drive" (black camera icon) on your desktop. DO NOT just save them to your desktop or your downloads folder.

Use the "Insert Image" button to upload the photo to your blog post.