Introduction to Photography
By the end of this unit, students will be able to understand photography basics that include: analyzing photography techniques, camera basics, use of equipment, white balance, camera angles and more. Students will then take these photographs and enhance the images through techniques performed through Adobe Photoshop.
Here is an introductory PowerPoint to get you started:
Here is an introductory PowerPoint to get you started:
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Getting to Know Your Camera Assignment
I apologize to the folks who know what all the buttons do all of the time on the camera. However, as a starting point there's probably a few buttons on the camera that you do not know yet. This includes the options on the dials! So here is a short assignment that will help you get to know the DSLR better.
In this school, we will be looking at Canon Brand Digital Cameras. Most cameras have features that perform similar functions; the options you will be looking at are not necessarily unique to Canon because you can find most of these settings and buttons on the Nikon, Olympus, Fuji, Casio, Sony, etc brands.
One of the greatest challenges the current generation has is to use unlimited knowledge at your finger tips. While I could have made a lengthy resource for you to study about what all the buttons do I decided to allow you to use the internet to find the information you need. Even though this may take longer, it is an important skill to learn. In this class you will be consulting the internet to answer your questions, so now is a good time to start searching for answers. Finding the correct answers starts with asking the right questions. If you need help with your questions please let me know!
In this school, we will be looking at Canon Brand Digital Cameras. Most cameras have features that perform similar functions; the options you will be looking at are not necessarily unique to Canon because you can find most of these settings and buttons on the Nikon, Olympus, Fuji, Casio, Sony, etc brands.
One of the greatest challenges the current generation has is to use unlimited knowledge at your finger tips. While I could have made a lengthy resource for you to study about what all the buttons do I decided to allow you to use the internet to find the information you need. Even though this may take longer, it is an important skill to learn. In this class you will be consulting the internet to answer your questions, so now is a good time to start searching for answers. Finding the correct answers starts with asking the right questions. If you need help with your questions please let me know!
Step #1: Get a camera
- Sign it out properly
- Bring it to your desk
- You will not need to go anywhere
Step #2: Create a table
- Do not literally build a table
- On your website create a table (like the one provided) in your Assignments Page
- Sign it out properly
- Bring it to your desk
- You will not need to go anywhere
Step #2: Create a table
- Do not literally build a table
- On your website create a table (like the one provided) in your Assignments Page
Step #3: Fill in the table
- Go through all the buttons and fill in the table
- Some of the cameras are slightly different and may have a different layout for buttons and number of buttons
***This is a very important step as I have found that by missing this basic knowledge students have a hard time and make mistakes in future lessons. ***
- Go through all the buttons and fill in the table
- Some of the cameras are slightly different and may have a different layout for buttons and number of buttons
***This is a very important step as I have found that by missing this basic knowledge students have a hard time and make mistakes in future lessons. ***
Shot Skills
Since we are using Canon DSLR Cameras, study the following poster on how to hold a camera properly and then watch the 2-minute YouTube video below.
The basics of understanding the different types of shot skills are shown in the PowerPoint below:
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Assignment:Step #1
- Look at the PowerPoint Presentation above. Step #2 - Get a camera (you can use your own or use one from the school) Step #3 - On your website create a page called Photography. This is where you will put all the work that you have done for this unit. Step #4 - Go take the following pictures: Extreme Long shot, Long Shot, Medium Shot, Close up, and Extreme close up - ALL PHOTOS MUST USE LAW OF THIRDS AND MUST BE OF PEOPLE! -Take many pictures and use your artistic judgement to choose the best one, for each shot. I expect quality, artistic photographs, not just the first one taken. Step #5 - Create a document in Photoshop, and put your best example of each shot (labelled). - Title it SHOT SKILLS. Save the document as a PDF and insert it into your photography page. To give you a sense of further techniques in the following courses, watch the video below to learn about manual settings:
Introduction to Photoshop Assignment Part I:Go to the following website and click on the blue GET FILES button to download the files to work with.
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/how-to/graphic-design-basics.html - Follow the 5 video tutorials to create the cow/sun/text layer assignment. - Upload the finished assignment to your Photography page. |
Grade 12's will need to further understand the complex functions of manual mode photography. Please go over the following videos on ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed
ISOIn this video, we explain how ISO works in relation to sensors, light and time. Learn more about the range of ISO and menu settings and which ones are ideal for certain shooting situations.
ApertureUnderstand the relations between aperture size, f-stop numbers and lighting conditions with this tutorial and how it alters depth of field.
Shutter SpeedLearn how you can experiment with creative photography using various shutter speeds to either freeze motion or portray it over a length of time. In this video, we show you how shutter speed works and its affect on the brightness or darkness of a photo.
Here is an informative and interactive website to play with these settings. http://www.canonoutsideofauto.ca/
Assignment:Take multiple pictures with different settings to show the difference when the following are adjusted:
Upload and label the photos under your photography page. Introduction to Photoshop Assignment Part II:Now that we have gone over the basic of photography, we can get into photography challenges, and advanced Photoshop techniques.
1. Click on the following link and go through the PHOTOSHOP tutorial. Download the files and follow along with the videos. This tutorial will give you the skills to adjust your photographs and make the colors more vibrant. https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/how-to/photo-editor.html 2. Upload the finished assignment to your Photography page. |
Focus:
Before we venture off trying different types of photography, a REALLY important skill that everyone should know is how to focus the camera on a subject you want to focus on.
What does that mean? As some of you may know, focus is when you hold the shutter halfway and the camera focuses in on a certain subject within your field of view.
What you probably didn't know was the following:
Step 1:When using a Canon DSLR camera, the device will let you know when it is focused by letting out a small beep.
Step 2: When you look through the viewfinder, PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE THE RED DOTS ARE ILLUMINATING. The area where a red dot is illuminated shows you where the camera has chosen to focus onto.
Step 3: After you make sure that the subject you want focused on is illuminated in red, YOU MAY NOW FREELY MOVE YOUR CAMERA so that you can position the subject to follow the rule of thirds. (This means that I can point the camera at my subject right in the center, let the camera focus on it, and while holding the shutter speed still halfway down--move and position my view to follow the rule of thirds afterwards)
What does that mean? As some of you may know, focus is when you hold the shutter halfway and the camera focuses in on a certain subject within your field of view.
What you probably didn't know was the following:
Step 1:When using a Canon DSLR camera, the device will let you know when it is focused by letting out a small beep.
Step 2: When you look through the viewfinder, PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE THE RED DOTS ARE ILLUMINATING. The area where a red dot is illuminated shows you where the camera has chosen to focus onto.
Step 3: After you make sure that the subject you want focused on is illuminated in red, YOU MAY NOW FREELY MOVE YOUR CAMERA so that you can position the subject to follow the rule of thirds. (This means that I can point the camera at my subject right in the center, let the camera focus on it, and while holding the shutter speed still halfway down--move and position my view to follow the rule of thirds afterwards)
Types of Photography:
Selective Colouring/Colour SplashThis is a type of custom photography edited by photographers to bring out emphasis on a certain point in an image. Watch the tutorial below to learn how to create one of these images, then do the assignment and upload it onto your photography webpage.
PortraitPortrait photography or portraiture is photography of a person or group of people that captures the personality of a subject by using effective lighting, backdrops, and poses.[1] A portrait picture might be artistic, or it might be clinical, as part of a medical study.[1]Frequently, portraits are commissioned for special occasions, such as weddings or school events.[1] Portraits can serve many purposes, from usage on a personal Web site to display in the lobby of a business.[1] -Wikipedia
“Portrait Photography.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Aug. 2017, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_photography. Look at the following portraits and ask yourself the following questions:
Assignment
1. Sign out a camera and ask people if you can take their picture. Always get permission before you take someone's picture! 2. Take many different portraits of subjects. Switch up the environment! Take some pictures indoors and some outdoors. Play with lighting and a reflector. You are welcome to use the green room with the teacher's permission. 3. TAKE MORE PICTURES! The only way you will become a better photographer is by taking MORE pictures! Open Photoshop and import the photos that you feel are your best photographs. Feel free to share your photos with others, and get constructive feedback. Use the following tutorials to improve your portraits. Tutorials: |
Negative SpaceNegative space is simply the area around and between the objects (main subjects) in an image. The objects themselves are referred to as the positive space in your photo.
Double ExposureDouble Exposure is an advanced technique which will require you to be a little comfortable using Photoshop. The basics of Double Exposure photography is using the outline of a subject (Can be anything) and overlaying it so you can see some sort of other photo on the inside, for example like a city scene inside of a human, or a nature photo inside of a wolf.
Assignment:
Step 1: Go out and take a photo of a subject (either an animal or a portrait shot of a person--with their permission) Step 2: Find an interesting landscape background and capture that image as well. Step 3: Following the instructions on the tutorial, create a double exposure photograph that stands out. You must apply previous Photoshop editing knowledge such as contrast and bringing out certain highlights within the photograph to create a quality image. Pay attention to the blending techniques used in the tutorial and experiment with different outcomes. Step 4: Post your completed result onto your webpage under the heading: "Double Exposure". Photography ChallengeCheck out the link below to see other photography challenges. Choose one of them and try to capture a photograph of that type.
Post your photograph onto the website under the heading "Photography Challenge" and explain the process of how you created the image. What were your challenges? What were the highlights? http://www.techradar.com/how-to/photography-video-capture/cameras/52-photography-projects-a-photo-idea-to-try-every-week-of-the-year-1320795 Improving Your Photoshop Skills Assignment:Step 1: Refresh your memory on editing in Photoshop by doing/redoing the following module:
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/how-to/graphic-design-basics.html Step 2: Everyone must choose one of your own unique photos taken throughout this course to create this Dark Atmospheric Manipulation photo effect: http://psd.fanextra.com/tutorials/photo-effects/create-a-dark-atmospheric-photo-manipulation/ Step 3: Choose one of the following effects to apply to one of your own unique photos and label it/title it accordingly on your webpage. Be sure to post the before and after sides of the photograph that you've edited. http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/41-nicest-photoshop-photo-effects-photoshop-tutorials/ Photography Research Assignment
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THIS IS THE END OF MEDIA ARTS 12. |
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4. Feel free to look up other tutorials. Just make sure to include CS5 in your youtube search.
5. Edit at least 4 of your favorite portraits. I want to see the following.
5. Edit at least 4 of your favorite portraits. I want to see the following.
- Erase blemishes with the Spot Healing Brush.
- Brighten colours (eyes, whiten teeth, and any other colours you think should pop).
- Blur Background.
- Let me know of any other adjustments you make.
- Post both the originals and adjusted Portraits on your website and give a written explanation of what you adjusted in Photoshop.
Action SportsAction/ sports photography is a form of photography that uses varied shutter speeds to capture the action. Be it sporting games (soccer, baseball, etc), extreme sports (skiing, skateboarding, etc) or motorsports (motocross, car racing, snowmobiling) the focus of the pictures can change. Check out the 8 tips in the following website.
https://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/8-tips-for-taking-sports-photos-like-a-pro--photo-296 Sports and Action photography is all about timing. Its about reacting. Its about being in the right place at the right time and its about execute. These are all qualities of the athlete and those of the photographer as well. Each sport has predictable and unpredictable moments. Assignment
1. Get out there and take LOTS of pictures! Check in the gym, out on the field, or pick an activity to take pictures of. 2. Take more pictures! Do not stop during the sport/activity to look at your pictures, just focus on the action and keep taking pictures! Adjust the shutter speed in case you want to blur the background, blur the action, or keep it crisp, adjust the settings to see what comes up. 3. GO over your pictures and pick the best action shots. 4. Use Photoshop to edit your favorite shots. 5. Upload at least 10 of your best action shots onto your website, under the heading Action/Sports Photography. |
Light GraffitiTime to get your glow on!
Light graffiti uses a light source, (a cell phone flashlight works well), a dark room/location, a tripod(otherwise your pictures will come out blurry), and a camera that allows a very slow shutter speed (30 seconds is recommended), and creativity. You may want a partner to help you draw, write, or be a model. Indoors 1. Use a dark room. Outdoors
Assignment 1. Use the information above, and play around with light writing. You may want to get light sticks or sparklers to create a different effect. you can also put tape over your phone light, and color it with markers. 2. Take many pictures! 3. I will want to see the following:
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