Photography Catch Up Day

Today we will check our progress reports and make up any incomplete photography assignments. We will shoot photos during 7th period, and spend 8th period creating blog posts in proper format. Here is a list of assignments you may need to make up. In order to receive credit for the assignment, your blog post must be titled with the name of the assignment, and the photos must be properly categorized. No credit will be issued for blog posts that do not follow proper format (ex. each photo posted as a separate blog post, photos without captions, photos of random things that do not fulfill the assignment, etc).

Photography Assignments from this marking period:

• Bad Photos
• Angle of View
• Photographing One Subject
• Photographing Line & Shape
• Black and White Lighting

Today we will:

• Catch up on any incomplete photography assignments and make the appropriate blog posts

Photo Mini Assignment #5: Lighting

Today’s essential question: How can I use natural light to take great photos?

Today we will take photos with great lighting during the first half of class. During the second half of class, we will convert our photos to black and white. We will post both the original color photos and the black and white version to our blogs today.

Here are some photos taken by SOTA students that make great use of lighting:

Photo Credit: Morris, Class of 2018

Photo Credit: Mabel, Class of 2017

Photo Credit: Lauryl, Class of 2015

Photo Credit: Deanna, Class of 2015

Photography Lighting Tips

• Go outside. The sun is a more even, flattering source of light than anything you can find inside.
• Avoid harsh sunlight. Cloudy days are better for taking photos, because the clouds diffuse the sunlight, softening both the light itself and the shadows it creates. For the same reasons, it is better to photograph in the morning or evening instead of high noon.
• Diffuse harsh light with position and location. We can’t control the weather, but we can work around it. If the lighting is particular harsh, move your subject to a shady spot, such as under a tree or against a building. Check to make sure there aren’t any harsh shadows being cast. Also, try walking around your subject or having them face different directions. The lighting can dramatically change depending on the direction you face.
• Hold still. If you are working with limited light, the shutter will remain open longer to properly light the photo. If you (or your subject) move during this time, the photo will be blurry.
• Avoid flash. It will over-expose the light areas and under-expose the dark parts of your photo, and you won’t be able to correct it in Photoshop.
• Shoot with the sun to your back or side. Shooting facing the sun will cause the same issues as your camera’s built in flash – it will over-expose the light areas and under-expose the dark parts of your photo, and you won’t be able to correct it in Photoshop.

How to convert your photos to black & white:

1. Open Photoshop from the Start Menu at the bottom of the screen.
2. Image -> Mode -> Gray scale
3. Image -> Adjustments -> Levels

4. Look at the image that pops up. If your image has sufficient contrast, the “mountain range” will extend to the edge of the window.
   If your image looks similar to this, you do not need to adjust the levels, and can close out of the window:

   

   If your “mountain range” of values does not extend to the edges of the window (such as the example below), you will click on the left cursor and drag it to the beginning of the left side of the mountain.
   You will then click on the right cursor and drag it to the beginning of the right side of the mountain.
   You will be able to preview what you are doing as long as the “preview” box is checked.

   

   5. When you have adjusted your levels, click ok.

   6. Save the black and white version of your image. (File -> Save as.)
   Do not replace the color version, as you will need to post both to your blog!

Today we will:

• Take photos with great lighting during the first half of class
• Convert the photos to black and white
• Create a new blog post with the following:
  • BOTH versions (black and white and color) of the photos you took today
  • A paragraph answering the following questions:
    • What did you learn about photography and lighting today?
    • What (if anything) will you change about the way you take photos in the future to ensure quality lighting?
    • Do you prefer your photos in black and white or color? Why?

Photo Mini Assignment #4: Photographing Line and Shape

Today’s essential question: How can I use the art elements line and shape to create interesting photographs?

Today we will take photos, trying to capture line, shape, and space in interesting ways. You must post your best photos from today to your blog AND write a reflection according to the instructions at the bottom of this blog post in order to receive participation points for the day.

Look for photo opportunities that already exist, but at the same time, be ready to stage photos if you get an idea that fits today’s assignment.

Line

line

line

Shape

Today we will:

• Take interesting photos of line, shape, and space
• Create a new blog post with the following:
  • The best photos we took today
  • Label each photo with the appropriate category (line or shape)
  • The answers to the following questions
    • What are some ways your photography skills have improved over the past few classes?
    • What are some things you still struggle with?