Photography Blog Post #2 - "Aperture and Depth of Field"

For today's blog, please respond to the following questions:

1. Discuss the different subjects you chose to photograph. Why did these subjects appeal to you and why did they seem appropriate for this specific assignment? 
2. Analyze a series of photographs that show various depths of field. What technique do you like the most? Why? How do you think the aperture affects the feeling of an image? 
3. Discuss why you chose this set of photos over the other 3 sets you took (why do you like it, how does it fit the requirement)? 
4. Explain the camera setting/modes you used and why! You must include the f/stop and shutter speed numbers with an accurate explanation of how the aperture values affected each photo for full credit! Remember to discuss the concept of “everything in focus” vs. “one thing in focus” and how your camera settings affected this for each photo. 
5. What skills did you learn and use completing the Photoshop element of this project? Be specific and thoroughly outline each of the tools you used to create your final product. 
6. What decisions did you make and/or challenges did you encounter while physically taking the photo. If your answer reads, “I did not make any decisions or encounter any challenges,” you will not receive credit. Be a conscious and intentional photographer, and remember, “You don’t take a good photograph, you make it.” –Ansel Adams

A reminder to post your completed Photoshop assignment on your blog along with 3 of the 6 images shot, one that clearly shows “everything in focus” and one that clearly shows the same subject with “one thing in focus.” Then pick an image between the two that shows the transition. Refer to the image I posted as an example.

Photo Lesson 1 Starts Now! (No Post Required)

Good Morning and Happy Monday!! Today is the day that we will begin taking our own original photos and for this course. With this fun, educational opportunity comes a lot of individual responsibility. Obviously, to have a great final product you will want to take a number of pictures which may require you to make your way around campus - be sure to be respectful of other classes. I am trusting you with valuable equipment and to represent the program well when out of class.

Reminders:

• Never go into or near a classroom while taking pictures - don't draw the attention or distract any students or teachers in other classes.
• Be sure to monitor your time. You need to be back in class with a minimum of 10 minutes to upload your photos and put your cameras away neatly.
• Be sure your memory(SD) card is always removed from the computer placed back in your camera before returning it to the closet
• Always return your camera to the closet before leaving ... being left on a desk is not a safe place for a $1,000 piece of equipment!! 
• Always have the lens caps on while you are not shooting images.
• Use your class time well to complete assignments. Photos, Blog and Photoshop Assignment are due Friday by the end of class.
• If you use any of my personal materials brought to class for you to photograph, they are expected to be left neat and clean for me on the back counter.

I hope you can understand why the above instructions are important to me. Please work well today (and this week), use the instructions and tutorial videos posted in Schoology and don't forget to respond to the blog (thoroughly) with the required images! Doing this will ensure your successful start in this course.

Thanks!

Photography Blog Post #1 - "Pop Art"

For today's blog, please respond to the following questions:

• What is Pop Art?
• Pick one artist, research them and discuss their work. Why is this artist’s work considered Pop Art? Why did you pick this artist and why do you like his/her work? (this discussion should be ~5 sentences)
• What would you say are some of the most iconic images in the 21st century? Think about marketing, mass media, consumer products, etc that everyone your age is familiar with. Were you able to capture one of these images in one or more of your twenty photos? (this discussion should also be ~5 sentences)
• How did you choose the photo that you used in your Photoshop project? What about it made it your best photo for this project?
• What skills did you learn and use completing the Photoshop element of this project? Be specific and thoroughly outline each of the tools you used and what adjustments it allowed for - in other words, what filters did you use for each of the nine grids in your Photoshop assignment
• What did you learn and enjoy about this project? Discuss both the Photoshop tools you worked with and the experience you had with the camera itself as you took photos. Were there things you realized about the photo taking process as you completed the project?

For this course you will be posting one blog each week. The expectation is that the blog will be thorough and well thought out. Remember at the top of your blog you should have 4 images. Your 3 best original images and then your "Pop Art" Photoshop Assignment. Please spend some time formatting the blog as aesthetics will factor into your grade.

MultiMedia - Let's Go!

Good Morning and Welcome back to M-A! This place is looking a little different than it did when we left in June and will continue to be a little crazy between now and February!! Today we are going to begin our year long blog for our MultiMedia course. This blog will be similar to the one you used last year, providing a good opportunity to use technology, but will also be the way we jot down notes and reflections about current topics and display the many unique projects we will be working on this year.  Your blog will consist of your opinions, information and more and will be updated (typically) 4 times each week. For today, the question is simple. 

• How does it feel to be back at school? 
• How does it feel to be a junior?
• What's exciting about this year for you?  What makes you nervous? What do you want to build on from last year?
• How was your summer?  Mention 2-3 highlights. 
• What are some things you are hoping to achieve this school year? Even though it's August, this isn't a terrible time to establish an academic new years resolution.  I know I have!

With each blog post, you are required to include one picture that represents your post. While some o you did an amazing job of this last year, many of you have not.  Obviously, given that today is our first post since being back, I will review just how you can do this!

Welcome Back!! I am excited for a great 2015-2016 School Year!

Agenda for today:

• Log into Google Account and access Blogger
• Login to Google Classroom
• Review Syllabus
• Begin Assignment #1 - Meeting Your Camera