Creative Shooting Exercise

Due: 1/27, Files in drop-box

For the images you shot for the creative shooting exercise:

• Edit photo shoot down to top 10 images within that particular exercise
• All 10 files should be saved out as PSD
• Name files with the following protocol: (LASTNAME)_(Exercise #)_(File#).psd. The use of batch rename in Bridge is very helpful

Example; If I did the 10x10x10 (exercise 1), my file names would be:

Jordan_1_1.psd

Jordan_1_2.psd, etc.

Make adjustments to at least 6 files
The following adjustments should be evident among the six files as appropriate:

• Tonal Range curve adjustment layer
• Brightness and/or Contrast adjustments using curve adjustment layer
• Brightness and/or Contrast adjustments using blending mode curve adjustment layer (Don't forget the opacity slider for fine tuning)
• Local adjustments (burn and dodge layer, as demonstrated in class)
• For one of these files, we will also be adding a sharpening layer. Turn this file into Chris at end of class 1/25 for printing.

Suggestions for Presentations

Suggestions for Presentations

Some of these pertain to identity, the body, or both (1/27)

• Carrie Mae Weems
• Lyle Ashton Harris
• Will Wilson
• Catherine Opie
• Nancy Burson
• Katy Grannan
• Shirin Neshat
• Collier Schorr
• Matthew Barney

Open Lab Hours Start this Tuesday 1/18

M,W,T,Th 7:15pm-11:30pm

F, Sun 12-5pm

Podcast 2

Podcast 1

Blogging

Expectations:

1. One substantive post per week. Due by Friday of given week. 1st entry due: 1/22
2. What is meant by substantive?

• 3-5 paragraphs
• Smart and intelligently written.
• Include links to images, scan images into blog and if so, include bibliographic references

Possible Topics

• Artist you may have discovered / seen.
• Gallery or museum visit and review
• Something you may have read that is pertinent to themes of the class.
• Discussion of articles assigned by instructor

Caveats:

• Look for established or emerging artists with at least a regional or national reputation
• Limit one posting can be of a wedding, portrait or exclusively commercial photographer
• Limit one posting about yourself or a peer ;-)

Reading: Real World Photoshop CS4

The following reading applies to the content covered in class. Please read the following as you work through your exercises/assignments. There will be a quiz and practicum based on the reading, date TBD.

Chapter 2: Image Essentials, 15-34

Chapter 5: pages 101-116; 188-236

Chapter 7: 326-344

Theme Presentations

Create a 3-5 minute presentation within your assigned Theme.

Expectations:

1. Must contribute 3-5 minute presentation and discussion about artists / photographers (at least 2) that work very closely within the theme and exemplify creative exploration of the associated ideas.
2. Must have visual resources (website or scanned images as digital slides)

• What are they doing, exactly?
• How does artists work function within the theme?
• Describe the work from a visual standpoint... how do the visuals support the idea, and vice versa?
• What questions does it raise? Or answer?
• What intrigues you about the work?
• What does the work remind you of? Other work?
• What specifically do you think makes the work effective? What isn't so successful?
• What do you learn/take away from the work?

3. Generate three questions to pose to the class, to generate discussion of your topic

Shooting Exercises

It can be helpful to periodically push yourself outside your comfort zone. I try to do one of these at least once every few weeks to stay limber. It can be surprising how images from these exercises can inform your "real work" and vice versa.

Choose 1 of the following to complete by Wednesday. Shoot at least 36 exposures preferably in RAW mode. If RAW not possible, high quality jpeg. Bring files to class to work with. Be able to upload to computer in class (bring tether, card reader, etc.)

1. Framing exercise: “10x10x10”. Situate yourself in an interesting place, with plenty of descriptive, natural light. Imagine that you are held within an invisible cage 10 feet x 10 feet x 10 feet. Mark the boundaries for a reference. You can’t escape! You might as well make pictures. All pictures must be made from within this “box”. Shoot up, down, sideways, and look, look, look. See what you discover when confined. 36 exp. for a single subject. Radically vary framing, distance, point-of-view, direction of light. Keep yourself from becoming bored!
2. Shoot continuously for 1 Hour. Dramatically vary subject, approaches, point of view, composition, lighting , etc.
3. Take the dog (er) camera for a walk. Photograph what comes to eye or mind and be as daring and adventurous as possible
4. Focal length exercise: (zoom lens or at least 2 different focal length lenses needed). Shoot single subject at a time. Try to keep size of subject relatively constant within the composition (yes, you’ll have to physically move in or out to match this.) What is the effect of focal length on a sense of space and distance?
5. Blindfold yourself for 1 hour. Take the blindfold off and make pictures of the first things that engage your visual interest. Its best to do this outside or in a place with plenty of light (the mall? Bring a friend to help you)

Sony Mavica, Digital Video Camera (1981) First commercially produced electronic camera (Less than 1/4 megapixel)

This blog is "home base" for this course. Please refer to it for assignments, important links, comments, announcements, etc.

More to come.