What are you sayin'?

You should be well into your movie- I want to pose the following line of inquiry at you:
What are you saying? What are you trying to show your audience? Your experience in these photos is unique to the person sitting next to you. How so?
Start thinking so that you are able to articulate it when we critique next week.

We will watch the following TED story on how photography connects us. START THINKING about your story.

Funnnnny

Here are some funny t-shirts (funny if you're a photo kid, that is...)

OHS Alum

Check out this website by one of our very own. ..

7 Photoshop Sins

Sometimes we get lazy...sometimes we just get forgetful. Here's a little article- are you committing these post processing sins?
http://www.lightstalking.com/photoshop-crimes

Cell phone picture submission

Be sure to make it out to this one of a kind exhibit, featuring the works of the anonymous, every day Milwaukeean!
Shouldn't an occasional exhibit take place that truley questions the value and/or meaning of art, as well as the role of the gallery/curator?
I will be showcasing hundreds of cell phone photographs that are being
sent to me from all corners of Milwaukee, by anonymous art, and non-art contributors alike. I will be hosting this unique show in the beautiful Pritzlaff building, within a layout that has been envisioned specifically for this concept.
It is sure to spark some healthy conversation, bring in a diverse crowd, and be a lot of fun.

CONTRIBUTE to this diverse portrait of our culture, by sending your best/worst/favorite cell phone pics to JOSEPHREEVESART@YAHOO.COM, or by simply FWD them to 414 520 0699. All work remains anonymous, and I will have the right to use/arrange the entries however I wish, provided that I do not alter the artists work in ANY way. All content is acceptable.

WHAT: "The Cell Phone Photo Gallery," Curated by Joseph R. Reeves

WHEN: FRIDAY, MAY 28th (opening reception), 6:00 p.m.- 12... SAT/SUN: 12-12

WHERE: The "Pritzlaff" Building, 333 Plankington

HELP!
By SUBMITING your favorite "Cell Phone Picture" to:
JOSEPHreevesART@yahoo.com, or 414.520.0699

iMovie

What is it? As we start thinking about our "big project" its time that we become familiar with it all. I would recommend that you take some photos that are just hanging out on your 'puter and get used to iMovie. It will help you to understand transitions and know what kind of pics you need to evoke your mood in your movie.

Tuesday

Figure out who your artist is and get started on your presentation.
Edit your baby pics.

Start getting ideas for your final.

Be good for the sub.

Thank you.

Thoughts and what not

For those of you who aren't following the 500 Photographers blog, check out #23.
Proof that sometimes the best photos are of the truely mundane.

WHAT IS GOING ON?!

Object as Special- print out your best.
Drip.. we will start tomorrow (Wed.). Read the tutorials. Lets be done with those by Friday.

On your own: DIPTYCHS - aka "The Chelsea" (read the tutorial). They will be due on Friday (yes, of this week) at the end of class. Any subject matter, your choice.

Start thinking about what we can do to make G2G successful/organized this year.

HDR example

This was taken by Jesse J last year.  He used this website to compile the images.

And here is another example.

And if you're interested in portraits, click here.

Drip Photography

Examples are HERE.
And then, please read THIS.

Simple Still Lifes

Think of the object that you would like to photograph.

Read this tutorial on lighting the object  and here is another high school's images .
If you choose to photograph food please read up on it. There is also a YouTube video (if you want to watch it at home).
In this photo tutorial, it suggests food should be shiny (and how to do it). Do you agree? When would this apply in real life?

You will be photographing your "object" in class, beginning on 4/28 (you may be able to begin celebrating on 4/27 if there is time). They will be due, EOC on Friday 4/30.

Adding onto the weekend assignment.

Just because it’s raining or foggy, there is no need not to go outside and get snapping. Yes a low auburn sun may be considered the perfect light for outdoor photography but if you live in a country where it drizzles more than it is dry your only option is to get out there and make the best of what you have to work with.
Thunderclouds can enthuse drama and tension into a shot, so meter on the clouds and set a narrow aperture to capture as much detail as possible, but don’t forget to include some foreground interest.

Even if it is pouring with rain you can still use this as a photo opportunity. For best results use a tripod, self timer and dial in a long exposure or use a narrow aperture. The resulting image should show the slow fall of the rain and convert to black and white for a more dramatic images. Duck under a protected covering like a porch or tree for some shelter.

Mark your calendars...

Here are the big dates we have coming up:

April 21 (Wed)- The French students will be visiting us today. (project: photograms)
April 22 (Thursday) EOC- 2 Myth Photographs are due on the flash drive.
April 27 (Tuesday)- Flowers are due (2 8x10s). And 1 8x10 "rain assignment" due next Mon.
April 27 (Tues)- Begin assign the Object (reminder- lab scheduling, 4/27-29)
April 30 (Friday)- Object is due (EOC).

Artists' Eyes Photography

Add this to your google reader (we will be doing a series in a weeks. Save artists that you find inspiring - a style that you would like to emulate)

http://500photographers.blogspot.com/

and Artists' Eyes http://www.artistseyeblog.blogspot.com/
Many of you have been fortuante enough to work with them.

And if you want to work ahead...

(We'll talk about it more later... dun dunn dunnnn).
p.s. You will need 2, VERY different, photographs.

Mythology

Just a reminder (an "official" reminder).

2 Summative Myth prints are due on BOC Wed. I will get you the rubric in a wee bit . . .

Please respond to this post so we don't have overlap (of your myth).

We will be using class time next wk to shoot other things (so plan accordingly).

Vimeo

http://www.vimeo.com/channels/staffpicks#8669028

Check this link out for night photography !

Due Dates!!!!

Friday BOC: We need you to have your "night photograph" complete. Also, complete your "texture" photograph. You can decide what you want to do for that. It can be a macro photo if you like. Whatever you do, please make sure that you are using light to create your texture.

4/11/10

Gearing up to go back, I think we will need a "refresher" of sorts. We have new people joining us term 4 and loose ends from term 3.
Monday, I plan on us updating our blogs (with enviro. portraits and beginning work on our "night" shots.)
Add 5 more comments on the OHS photo blog (term 3 people, please start a fresh Word document and turn in last term's comments).
Tuesday, we will introduce ourselves to our classmates and go through the blogs as a group. I want us to focus on our strengths and where we need improvement. (A little fyi- we're going to take a break from formal portraits for a bit).


 

Have a great spring break!

Enjoy your time off everyone! Have a Happy Easter!

Helpful Sites

Moth lights http://content.photojojo.com/tutorials/light-painting-with-moth-trails/?utm_source=Photojojo+Newsletter&utm_campaign=93368a25d3-Light_Painting_with_Moth_Trails3_29_2010&utm_medium=email
Flicker Night Commons http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=night+photography
Night Photography Lesson http://www.schoolofphotography.com/courses/free-night-photography-lesson.html
Night Photo Blog http://gorillasites.blogspot.com/
Vimeo http://vimeo.com/channels/staffpicks#8669028
Freezelight http://www.freezelight.ru/archives/300
Blog http://studiocalico.blogspot.com/2008/09/night-photo-fun.html
Online Photographer http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2008/09/reviewed-by-geo.html

More examples

Digital Photography School had this on a post last week, it may be inspirational for you as well:
(They referenced this site).

Forrester Rocks At Night - by brentbat

This is a fun technique to try out at night and is an ideal way of adding light to the scene to enhance a particular immobile object, such as a tree, rock face, bench etc.  Position your camera on a tripod and ramp up the ISO to around 400. Dial in a shutter speed of 15-20 seconds and to avoid camera jog, use the self timer to activate the shutter. During the release, light your subject with a beam of light from a torch and ‘paint’ with the light to ensure the entire object has been covered.

Night Photography

Start by playing with your shutter, and keep it open as long as you possibly can. (look it up if you aren't sure how to use it).
A tripod is going to be your bff for this assessment. We will look at these when you come home from break- here is an example:

Fire Island - by sebastien.b

Light graffiti is everywhere at the moment and is a fantastic to way to get creative with light trails at night. Set up your camera on a tripod, with ISO of between 400-800. During the exposure you’ll want to ‘draw’ an image or word with a beam of light such as glow stick, torch or sparkler for example.
Dial in an exposure long enough for you to complete the word or image, and start the release with the self-timer. Get in front of the lens and start drawing. To finish the image hold the torch steady and turn it off, then move out of the frame. Check the LCD for results and amend the shutter speed as required. It’s advisable to wear black so you do not show up within the photo and remember to move quickly or you’ll be captured within the scene. Coloured gels or coloured plastic sweet wrappers can be taped over the end of the torch to add a variation of colour.

Weekend Assign: Enviromental Portrait

An environmental portrait is a portrait executed in the subject's usual environment, such as in their home or workplace, and typically illuminates the subject's life and surroundings.
Spend time getting to know your subject
Before you select a location and start shooting, spend some time getting to know your subject. Find out where they spend their time, what the rhythm of their life is like and observing their personality. Out of this you’ll not only find appropriate locations but will begin to get a feel for the style of shots that might be appropriate and you’ll begin the process of helping your subject relax into the photo shoot. If possible it might even be helpful to accompany your subject to some possible locations to see both how they look but also how your subject behaves and interacts

LOCATION
Sometimes a location chooses you (it’s easy) but on other occasions you need to be quite deliberate and purposeful in making your choice (and it can take a lot of searching).
When choosing your environment you ideally want to get one that says something about your subject – after all that’s what this style of photography is all about.
The environment that you place your subject in needs to provide context and interest without overwhelming the subject. Sometimes the location can dominate the image so much that it distracts your viewer away from your main focal point (the subject).
Try to avoid cluttered backgrounds (and foregrounds), colors that are too bright etc. Keep in mind that you might be able to decrease the distractions with clever use of cropping, depth of field and subject placement

Photographers:
Larry Sultan
Arnold Newman
Tina Barney

3/15/10

This week, you will be working on portraits and Holga.

Lomo photo

The digital photography class is doing a lomo photo. I thought you guys may be interested in doing something like that (or at least learning the technique). Click here to do the tutorial.

Holga (cont'd)

Almost forgot to tell you that your Holga can take multiple images in a frame. Here is one Cody did last year.

Assessment for 3/4/10

You will be doing a holga photograph over the next couple of weeks. So, some of you may be getting the camera this weekend.
Your only other assignment is to do 2 digital photographs. Portrait to represent "moods".

Ready. Set. Go.

For Sarah

Here is the post that we were talking about in class.

Choose-your-own-assignment

This is a summative assesssment.
You need to have 5 SOLID photos. By that, I mean that we could take the pictures and put them on a poster and say "THIS IS ARTWORK".... sound easy?..Well, my friend, its all a matter of perspective.

Using what you know about filters, and photowork, choose a combo of 2-3 different topics.

Here are your options:

• Blue (the color) 
• Taking candid photographs
• Using the previous link to create a portrait.
• Love (but careful of cliche)
• Curves - these are awesome, but they do require that you be in the 'right place at the right time'.

Post Processing Tips

Use this to help finialize in Photoshop. (landscapes)



Use this to create the vignette. (for use with most images).

Portrait Photography

Read about how to make it look more "natural".

Pet Photography

Please visit this website if you have any pet photography you would like to enter into a contest.

Portraits

Look at these interesting examples!

Valentines day weekend

This week we will be doing more things in the darkroom/studio (including the photogram). Over the weekend, I expect that you will look at the photograms on the blog and have an idea of exactly the look you would like to go for.

You will also, of course, have a digital assignment over the weekend.

Please read the article on how to improve your lighting without spending a dime. I will expect that you incoorporate that in your photos.
You should also try to use a reflector. You can also make one.  With it being winter, just be careful that you don't "blow out your subject" with the flash.

We will do different things in Photoshop with new techniques - but here is what I want you to take photographs of: (YOU WILL HAVE 12 PHOTOS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT)
Use your ISO, Av, and white balance to get better photos (I know...so much to remember!)
1. 2 photos that show "lines" or "textures"
2. Portraits of 4 people- it is up to you to decide how you want the people to appear (inside/outside/etc).
3. Images of 2 things that annoy/bother you.
4. 2  images of landscapes.
5. 2 images with "selective focus" (Av/Macro)

possibilities?

See if this is something we could do?

Photograms IN THE DARKROOM!

Photogram-Like Sites...Check these out and try to use one as inpiration

Adam Fuss
Flickr Photograms
Adam Fuss Exhibit
Jerry Burchfield
More Adam Fuss
Susan Derges
Susan Derges Workshop

TEXTURE- Wkend Assignment Part 2

Read the Article on Digital Photography School.

You will need to take TWO technically solid images (iso, white balance, Av, etc.) and add a texture to the photos (as it is suggested in the DPS website).

Before we do that [add textures] we will be learning how to color balance in class [on Monday].

Here is a Flickr Group that uses Flypaper Textures.

Idris Khan: WKEND ASSIGNMENT PART 1

This weekend I would like you to take at least 40 photographs that you can meld together in the style of Idris Khan.
His series every... presents his work (travel, photos from him and others, paintings from masters) in which he uses layers that he re-photographed, enlarged, and superimposed into multiple layers. Using digital photography, he alters the opacity of the layers to reinforce the mystery of the original objects, while allowing their superimposition to reveal new details.

Along with his images, this may serve as an inspiration.

inspiration

Here's a cool site of different ideas done by readers- just like you!

The Exposure Triangle

And this brings together all that we have been working on....

And the last "exercise" (and other stuff)....

For Friday of this week, please take 2 photos in which you utalize Av and 2 that you utalize Tv.

This article will give you a quick-y refresher. Enjoy! AND here is another on Av.

Remember to change your file size to 72 dpi when you upload it to your blog.

SOOOOO....that means that
1. Compensation Photos are due TODAY (Tues)
2. ISO photos are due Tomorrow (Wed)
3. Your montage is due Thurs
4. This assignment (shutter/aperature) is due on Friday.

Yippee! (and yes, that is all folks- then we're going to do this "for real")

Here is an article if you are having issues with snow.

Images to Save

The Duck     and     The Lake

This weekend, photoshoot!

I want you to come out with 4 different photos that we can look at on Wed. when you walk into class (psst...Remember that the compensation pics are due on Tues).  You will have FOUR images that are completely DIFFERENT scenes.

We will take the advice of the post and use it for you to understand your ISO.
I want you to test your camera’s image quality at different ISO settings. Set your camera to AV (Aperture Priority). Set your aperture to no lower than 4. . . preferably around 5.6 the purpose of this assignment is not to mess with exposure, composition or depth of field. The goal is to test your camera’s ISO capacities and how it holds up under the pressure of high ISO’s. Step outside into the open shade. Shoot an image at 100 ISO and move up incrementally through your camera’s available ISO’s all the way until you reach your camera’s maximum ISO. . . don’t worry, your camera should make up for the extra sensitivity of the sensor by shortening the shutter speed. Upload the images and check the quality.

ISO

This is a great explanation of ISO . As is this...

When choosing the ISO setting I generally ask myself the following four questions:

1. Light – Is the subject well lit?
2. Grain – Do I want a grainy shot or one without noise?
3. Tripod – Am I use a tripod?
4. Moving Subject – Is my subject moving or stationary?

If there is plenty of light, I want little grain, I’m using a tripod and my subject is stationary I will generally use a pretty low ISO rating.

White Balanced Photos

Please put your white balanced photos in a folder labeled with your name_wb (mooney_wb would be mine).

The files need to be renamed as jpegs and they need to be labeled with your name. Please post your favorite 3 on your blogs, with a short description of the image.

Exposure- due 2/1

How to get digital photography right ... its all about exposure!

Read the article and do 4 examples of the compensation. Be sure to note what your white balance is for each shot.

On Monday, I want you to have two photos that demonstrate this. (Your choice on what the photos are).

Whatcha know about CS3? Due 2/4/10

We are all coming in with different strengths and weaknesses. Lets try out a montage to see where you are at with Photoshop.  The size will be 8x10 with a resolution of 150.

The theme:   PEOPLE'S PERCEPTION of YOU.

Choose one person in your life- how do they see you? Are you the picture of 'all things lovely' or are you 'rough around the edges'?

Please follow these guildelines:
- Use at least 8 layers, and the opacity must change in at least 3 layers
- Remember that "color" can have a meaning/tone. Pay attention to that as you select images.
- No words.
- You may not use any photographs of yourself.
- You may use stock images http://www.stockvault.net/ , http://pstutorialsblog.com/44/free-stock-photos/, http://www.freeimages.co.uk/ )

White Balance

We need to understand the technical aspects of photography before we worry about the content.

(The blue tint in the photo is done because the white balance is incorrect. The image on the right is correct.)

White balance is something that will instantly make your photos better.

Here is a tutorial on White Balance . This is another article that should help you become more familiar with white balance and all it entails.

For your first assignment (digital) I want you to take 10 photographs using different white balance settings. 10 Photos will be taken and we will project them on Friday. This will help us to understand where your skill base lies within photography as well. The photos need to be posted to your blog with descriptions about what you did to enhance them with white balance (full sentences).

27 Resources to Open Up a Whole New Photography 2.0 World

Ok, so you own a digital camera and you’ve taken more shots then you can count, and you’ve filled up more space on your hard drive than you have free.

You say you’re going to organize your files but you never quite get around to it, and you sure as hell never print out any images to put in an album or a frame.
The problem: your beautiful, thought-provoking work sits on your computer and never sees the light of day. It never gets admired, wins awards, brings joy or breaks hearts. And this really is a problem!
The solution: take advantage of the amazing sites/resources that the latest version of the web has to offer and enter the world of photography 2.0.
What can you do in photography 2.0?

1. Share your images

The best thing about the web today is that it’s focused on connecting and sharing. And sharing is caring! By putting your work in the public domain, you can get feedback, inspiration and ideas. There are hundreds of image sharing sites out there. Some of the more popular ones are:

• Flickr
• Photo Bucket
• Picasa
• Deviant Art

2. Create a portfolio

If you want to be taken seriously as a photographer, you need to have a portfolio. Select your best images and showcase them through a portfolio site. A good idea is to share your images on one of the sites above and get some opinions on your work. Then, create your portfolio based on this feedback. Also, check out the portfolios of other photographers to see how they select and arrange their images. There are a plethora of portfolio building sites available, but the main ones are:

• Livebooks
• Carbonmade
• Zenfolio
• Wix
• Bludomain

3. Make a slideshow

Turn your images into a slideshow with music, transitions, titles and effects. Photomontage videos are an engaging, entertaining way of presenting your images. They help you stand out from the crowd and get your images seen. You can create a slideshow at:

• Slide
• Animoto

Then share it on:

• YouTube
• Vimeo
• Daily Motion

4. Meet other photographers

Join a photography network and meet like-minded people. Share your experiences and learn from others – you might even make some new friends! Sign up to a photography specific network:

• Shuttrr
• Picture
• My Modern Metropolis
• Behance

Or connect with photographers on general social networks:

• Facebook
• Twitter

5. Get inspired

The best artists always have a keen awareness of the work of others in their field. After all, you can’t push the boundaries without knowing them first! There is endless inspiration on the web, but some great places to begin are:

• StumbleUpon
• ffffound
• Colorlovers
• The Photography Blog

6. Start a blog

A blog let’s you bring all of this together. You can share your work (images and videos), your inspiration and your thoughts/ideas all in the one place. You can connect with other photographers by commenting on their blogs and by adding them to your blogroll, and you can join photography blogging communities. Check out these sites to get started:

• Wordpress
• Tumblr
• Blogger

Blog name

- When signing in with your name please use the naming convention of:


OHS.firstname.Lastinital.Dayofbirth

ex: OHSJoeS27
- Keep in mind that this blog is for educational purposes. Keep comments directed towards digital photography, as well as details about your life.