Creative Photography
Weekly Photo Challenges- 1st 9 Weeks
Take a photo that you think encompasses each of the terms/subjects below. You will submit one photo for each of the topics (a total of three/four pictures). You may edit them if you would like to, but it is not required. When you submit the photos on Google Classroom, in the comment box list the topic and explain how the photo represents that topic. Then summarize the composition of the photo (think rule of thirds, repetition, lighting, etc.) and the good and bad qualities of the photo (a reflection/critique for each photo). Have fun and good luck!
These will be assigned on Tuesdays and due the following Tuesday.
Photo Challenge 10-13-20
Orange
Energy
Tall
Learning
Photo Challenge: 10-6-20
Colorful
Lazy
Power
Clean
Photo Challenge: 10-20-20
Fancy
Neutral
Cold
Save
Weekly Photo Challenges- 2nd 9 Weeks
Photo Challenge 11-17-20
With three objects, shoot 10 photos
In some cases---like landscape, astronomical, and street photography---the idea is to capture scenes in the moment as they are. In other cases---like portrait, food, and product photography---the idea is to construct your own scenes.
As you imagine, this isn't easy. There are many factors to juggle such as lighting and background, but one particular aspect that newbies find difficult is how to position multiple subjects within the frame.
That's what this photo composition exercise is about. Find three random objects, such as action figures, fruit, bowls, candles, plants, or whatever else you have to hand. It doesn't matter if they're related to each other or not, although it will be easier if they're all similar in size.
Now position them however you wish. Think of it as if you're composing the objects for a photo shoot (that is what you're doing, after all). Do this 10 times, rearranging them in different ways each time. Over time, this will stretch your creative muscles and develop your eye.
Photo Challenge 11-10-20
Here's a common mistake made by newbies: always taking photos from the same height and from the same angle. It's natural to stand up straight and take snapshots from eye-level, but that's boring. After all, everyone knows what the world looks like from eye-level.
If you want your photos to be more compelling, change things up. Capture the world from unusual angles and positions: viewpoints that are foreign to most people.
This photography exercise helps train your sense of angles. First, find a subject. Any subject. It could be a stove-top kettle, a pet dog, a fire hydrant, a herb garden, a manhole cover. Anything works.
Then take 10 photos of it. No two photos should be alike. Try looking directly down at it. Then try looking directly up at it. Shift the angles. Look at the front of the subject, then the back, then the sides.
RULE: These photos cannot be taken inside room 1C07!
Submit your photos on Google Classroom and post them on your portfolio!
Photo Challenge: 11-3-20
We are changing it up a bit for this week's Photo Challenge!
We have discussed having an "eye" for good photographic composition. You can get better at spotting it by looking at other people's photos and "recomposing" them, which is what we are going to do in this challenge.
- Find 10 photos on a site like Flickr or 500px (it can be any photo site) and download them to your computer (Right click, save as). It might help to save them all in one folder. Make sure you download a variety (portrait and landscape)
-Open one of the photos in Photoshop, select the crop tool, and try cropping the photo in different aspect ratios (Drop down menu in the tool options bar) to make the photo's composition better. You should also try cropping portrait photos into landscapes and vice versa.
* the point: experiment and get an idea of how different crops can change the feel and look of a photo and how some crops are more visually pleasing than others. This will help you with framing your own shots!
- Once you find a crop you like, save as Yourname_crop1.jpg.
- Repeat for the other 9 photos and submit all 10 originals and their cropped sibling on Google Classroom!
Module 1
Intro to Photoshop
It is important to know vocabulary associated with Adobe Photoshop functions and actions. Make sure you know the different parts of the Photoshop workspace so you can follow along with instruction in class!
The Tools panel gets the most use in Photoshop. When you click on a tool, you can adjust its options, then begin using the tool to edit your photo. Become familiar with the tools available in the Tools Panel, as well as their keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts allow you to work faster and more efficiently which could result in a higher cash flow in the future!
Selection Tools
Using selection tools in Photoshop allows you to tell the program which pixels you want to edit specifically, opposed to the entire image.
Module 2
What is Photography? (Sept. 22-Oct. 13)
It is important to understand how photography began and how it advanced to where it is now. Our first set of notes focuses on film photography.
We will be making an Camera Obscura in class on Tuesday, Sept. 29 Thursday, October 1st.. Please bring in a small box that opens (a shoe box is perfect).
While we are working on our Camera Obscura, we will also create our own Flat Lay Photo. Read the article below, then think of one object (your subject) and two or three other objects that are complimenting colors and different textures (explained in the article). We will take photos of our Flat Lay scene Tuesday and Thursday! Don't focus on the editing section of the article right now, we will do that together in class!
September 29
Today we are taking pictures!! We are intentionally taking Bad Photos but trying to make them visually appealing.
October 1
Today we made our Camera Obscura pinhole cameras out of boxes, dark paper, tracing paper, and tape! The instructions are below!
October 2
Remember when we read about creating the perfect Flat Lay Photograph (article linked above)? Today we took Flat Lay Photos using the guidelines from the article and 2-3 objects on a flat surface. We then submitted our original photo to Google Classroom and started editing them in Photoshop. We will finish editing them on Tuesday!
We finished editing our Flat Lay photos today. Please export them from Photoshop as a .Jpg or .PNG and submit them with your original photo on Google Classroom. Watch our recorded lesson below for step by step instructions on editing and exporting.
Chapter 4: Digital
On Google Classroom you will also see a link to Chapter 4: Digital. Please read this chapter. As you are reading, write down the vocabulary words and their definitions. Do not stress too much about the editing techniques discussed at the end of the chapter, we will go through those as a class on Thursday.
Each week you will be given a "Photo Challenge". I will give you 3 to 4 words and you need to take a picture representing each one. You will submit one photo for each of the topics (a total of four pictures this week). You may edit them if you would like to, but it is not required. When you submit the photos, in the comment box list the topic and explain how the photo represents that topic. Then summarize the composition of the photo (think rule of thirds, repetition, lighting, etc.) and the good and bad qualities of the photo (a reflection/critique). These challenges will be posted on Google Classroom and in a drop down menu on my webpage (below "Begin Here"). The idea of this activity is that you get in the habit of taking photos in different locations, noticing things around you, and work on the composition of the photo, especially considering the light source. HAVE FUN with these photos! It is a great opportunity for you to become a better photographer!
October 8
Fast Photo Fixes
Download the images on Google Classroom. Open the chapter files attached to the assignment and read the chapter, follow along with the instructions and take notes as you go!
October 13
Your first photo challenge is due today! Submit all four photos on Google Classroom and write your reflection in the comments. You can also put all of them in a Google Doc and write your reflection there, whichever you prefer. As a reminder of all of the terms we have discussed so far you will complete the "What is Photography" Crossword puzzle in class today. I will assign your new Photo Challenge and you will have time in class to catch up on work you have missed. Remember, it all needs to be complete when you get to class Thursday!
Module 3
What is Photographic Composition?
Composition in a photo is using different elements to compose a scene. The scene is whatever takes place within the four sides of your frame. In class we started discussing Photographic Composition with a few guidelines in this presentation:
Composition is the use of photographic elements (the things in your photo) together to apply photographic principles. The application of elements and principles will, in theory, help you produce a well composed photo.
Now that you know the elements and principles, you are going to go on a Photo Safari! Find things in your environment that resemble the photos on the worksheet. Add them to the Google Doc on the Google Classroom Assignment and explain whether or not the photo actually resembles the original photo. Then, list the principles that YOUR photo includes.
Now you have the tools needed to develop a critical eye. Read the chapter linked below and take notes!
Don't forget, you should be completing your weekly Photo Challenges! They are linked on Google Classroom, as well as in the link above: Photo Challenges. Today, we are going to start your Digital Portfolio. This will be a website that you use to showcase your work in our class (all of it)! We are using free sites on Weebly.com to set up a portfolio. You will update this page each time we have an assignment through the end of the school year! Make sure that you submit your Portfolio URL on Google Classroom so I have access to it!
Module 4
Line in Photography
Line is the most basic element that is included in almost every photo. Lines can be straight, or curved, they can be physical or implied, they also convey mood. Our recorded lesson on Line is below.
After learning about how line can be successfully and poorly used in photographs, complete the Pattern Exercise linked on Google Classroom.
You also need to start thinking about who you are going to document for your Day in the Life project. This will be due the Tuesday after you return from Thanksgiving Break (December 1st).
Let's take some time to practice noticing the different lines that are part of photographs guiding our eyes and giving the subject support.
You can also create lines to make your photography more interesting! We are going to follow this Photoshop tutorial together in class.
To enhance your observational skills, your next project will be to take pictures of the alphabet. The catch is that you can't take pictures of actual letters, they have to be naturally occurring in your environment!