1/30/12, 1/31/12

Topic: Understanding Character Through Their Actions
Lecture:
Assignement: Watch the remainder of "The Princess Bride." Choose one character, write down 5 telling actions, then write down at least one inference that you made from each action.
Resources: Love Poems

Macro Photography

One more tangent before we take the photos for our narrative project.

Today we're going to look at macro photography. Macro photography is basically just close-up photography. In many cases, getting as close to the subject as your camera will allow.

Professional macro photography can cost a lot of money in expensive, specialized equipment. But, I'm going to let you in on a little professional secret-find a cheaper camera. In my camera bag I always carry a cheap compact camera, something similar to what you or your parents already have. The small sensor size and small lens size of these compact cameras allow you to get great macro shots with very little expense. Of course, I try not to let the paying customers see me break out the cheap little camera.

So, today you should try to avoid the Nikon cameras. They will work, but not as well as the others. So instead, grab one of the Cannon compacts that we have, the S5's or the G11, or try your own camera. Switch your camera to macro mode (a picture of a flower is the universal symbol for macro) and shoot away. But...

...before you go to take pictures, check out some examples HERE!

You should each post 5 pictures to your blog today. DO NOT post the same pictures that someone else in your group posts, or neither of you will get credit. Also, your pictures must be taken outside!

Good Luck!!!

Some Videos

One of the greatest things about studying photography is the almost limitless instructional material available online.

As we really start to understand the basics of photography, now is a great time to watch some professionals at work. For this assignment, watch the following two videos (you can watch them in small groups or all alone). After watching both of the videos, post some of your thoughts in the comments section for this post (click on "awesome students" at the end). Feel free to respond (respectfully) to comments that other students have posted as well.

The first video is Photographer Dave Hill shooting an ad for Verizon IN A PARKING LOT.

090820 Verizon - photo shoot from Dave Hill on Vimeo.

The second video is a photographer named Robert Seale shooting an artist at the South by Southwest Music Festival.

Lighting it up in Austin with Robert Seale from PhotoShelter.com on Vimeo.

Narrative Photography Step Three: Preconception

You have the story. You have some suggestions from your classmates. Not it's time to decide what your picture will really look like. Follow these steps to begin creating your image:

1. Think about it. I know it sounds kind of silly, but take a couple of minutes to think about what you want your picture to look like. Get away from your friends. Get away from people. Find a quiet spot and think specifically about your picture. Don't let your mind wander-THINK ABOUT YOUR PICTURE. You might find that this step is actually more difficult than you first thought as all of our minds tend to want to wander.
2. Visualize your picture. Close your eyes and see your picture. What does it look like? Where is the light coming from? What are the important details that will be included in your image? 
3. Write it all down. Using words only, tell me what your picture will look like. Include as many specific details as possible.
4. Draw a picture. Include as many details as possible. Annotate where necessary.
5. Talk to me. Bring all of your materials to me and lets talk. You must complete this step before going to part four.

Narrative Photograpy Step Two: Other People's Pictures

After writing your story, your second task is to read the stories of three of your classmates. You can find their stories by clicking on their names on the right of this blog.

After reading each story, describe in the comments section what their picture should look like. Be as specific as possible.

Narrative Photograpy Step One: The Story

Narrative photography tells a story within the confines of a single image. For our work, we are going to tell a story before we take a single shot. Your assignment, therefore, is to write a one page, single-spaced narrative that we will you as a basis for creating your image.

A couple of suggestions:

• Use settings that you will have access to for your image.
• An emotional plot may be easier to capture in an image.
• Keep it simple. Don't get too many characters, settings, or events involved in your story.
• There must be a conflict in your story!

Post a copy of your written narrative to your blog.

Texture Overlay

We're going to add a little extra oomph to some images today by adding a little extra texture to them!

1. Open your background image and texture image in Photoshop.
2. Copy your texture image by pressing "ctrl a" to select all and the "ctrl c" to copy.
3. Select your background image and press "ctrl v" to paste the texture over it.
4. In the layers palette, change the blend mode from "normal" to something else that works for your image (such as "multiply" or "screen.").
5. Create a layer mask on the texture layer by clicking on the "layer mask" icon.
6. Use the brush tool to erase areas of texture over the subject of your image.
7. Fine tune and enjoy.

Texture

Texture adds a dimensional quality to images, giving them the appearance of three dimensions instead of only two. There are unique and interesting textures all over the place, so this assignment shouldn't be too difficult to complete. However, really try to get the most interesting and photogenic textures that you can find.

See some examples of texture HERE.

A couple of technique tips for you:

1. Use a tripod people!
2. Get in close. You may need to switch your camera to macro mode (It's a picture of a flower on most cameras). If your camera won't focus, you may be too close.
3. Look closely at everyday objects. You may find texture in places that you wouldn't expect.
4. The texture should fill the whole frame. You may have to crop the image in Photoshop to achieve this.
5. Use a tripod!

Your Assignment:

• Take 5 different texture images.
• Save the images somewhere where you will have access to them (N drive, flash drive, email), we will be using them again in the near future.
• Post the 5 images to your blog.

Do and Redo

If you are missing any assignments, today is an opportunity to make them up. Go to powerschool to find any assignments that you are missing and then get them on your blog.

After you complete all assignments that are due up to this point, your new assignment is to choose one image or assignment that you've completed over the last nine weeks and improve that assignment. Carefully consider what the purpose was for the assignment, what you wanted to create to complete the assignment, and how you can improve your initial attempt.

After creating a new image for the assignment, post it to your blog along with a paragraph that details the original assignment, your approach to improve your image, and the final outcome.

The Eyes

Work along with the following videos as you watch them. You will most likely have to pause and review portions many times.






Post your final image to your blog.