Weeks 16-18

Hi Everyone!

We made it through our first week together!  I want to thank you all for being so patient with me while I am learning and making adjustments where they are needed.  Please continue to have patience while I continue to work things through.

I have really enjoyed seeing your ideas for your Project, Surrealistic Me.  I am looking forward to seeing your final images on Thursday!  We are going to use these images for your 3rd classroom critique beginning on Friday the 17th.

Please turn in your final Surrealism image to the album, Critique #3 (Under Mrs. Howard's Picasa Web Albums), and post them to your blog.  Remember to critique your photo by using the critique questions. Click here to access the album.  Upload your image to this album.

I am honored that I get to be your teacher for the remainder of the year!  I'll see you Monday!

-Mrs. Howard

Six Weeks Out

Hi Everyone,

I know everyone hoped that the new teacher would have already started, but some things are just out of our control. I just spent some time looking through everyone's blog (I made a few comments). I see you having fun with light painting and some time exposures. At home watch this video (it is on YouTube). It shows how one photographer combine numerous images together through layers and masks. It takes some work, but you can do some amazing images. It just takes patience.

What I didn't see is a truly awesome Photocubist image (although Juvian's was so simple and crisp that it was pretty darn good). I'll be honest, that is probably my favorite project that my advanced kids did for the last five years, but I have had only a few that really have blown my mind.

So, if you still need to do one or want to do another, I challenge you to take it to the next level. Change perspectives, put a detail in the midst of a wider shot, move your subject around, or do something that just doesn't look right. In Photoshop, add a border and a drop shadow - it just makes it look better. Juvian did it and here is one of my examples.

Well, I still plan to come visit at some point. My new job is going very well, but it is sure keeping me busy.

Take care. Happy Thanksgiving. Happy Holiday Season.

Be excellent.

Mr. M

Amazing Photo Essay

This is really amazing. Incredibly sad.

A photographer documents his girlfriend's battle with breast cancer. Click here.

Critique #2

Please submit one photo to be part of Friday's class critique. It can be an HDR or one of the photojournalism project images.

Click here to access the album. Upload the image to the album.

Also, here is the Wall of Fame link.

Weeks 5 and 6 - Photojournalism

I got into photography to tell stories. Between 1989 and 1996, I worked at a newspaper of some sort taking photographs. I saw great triumphs, terrible tragedies, mundane moments, and U2 (twice) through my camera lens. Those experiences gave me great insight on the human condition and how to share people's stories with others.

For this unit, we will break away from the desire to manipulate and instead think about telling stories and continue to get to know the camera a little better.

Here is the outline of what you will be doing in the next couple weeks.

1. Photojournalism Ethics Reading |Questions (Due Friday)
2. Eight Easy Lessons of Photojournalism Reading | Questions (Due Friday)
3. Shooting Assignments Overview:

• Documenting an Event
• Sports / Action
• People and their Things |Examples | PSD Template | Font

Weeks 4 and 5

We are still in the process of getting back into the photo groove. The first few assignments are designed to get you shooting again and starting to control the camera. Overall, I like what I am seeing so far. The All About Color images were fantastic.

Assignments you should be working towards, include:

1. DSLR and Exposure Basics - Starting on Thursday (9/26) you are going to be showing me you understand by demoing a few things for me on the D5000s. There is also a form for you to complete.
2. HDR Toning - Use the Photoshop HDR toning feature. (Picasa / Blog)
3. HDR Photographs - Take 3-5 images of a single subject and use Lightroom -> Photoshop feature to create a true HDR. (Picasa / Blog)
4. Photographer as Artist - Read one of the provided articles and respond to it on your blog (Blog).

While I am giving you the option to complete these items in the order that you want, they are all required. As we move forward, if you are NOT completing my assignments, you will NOT have the option of doing your own thing.

You have to earn your freedom. I'm seeing mixed productivity and my expectation is that you give me 4-5 hours of work a week.

A New Beginning

Here we are. Your senior year. The final year of the Digital Imagery Pathway.

This year is going to be the place where everything you have learned comes together. You will become a better photographer, digital artist, and designer. You will hear from more experts and you will start building a network of resources and people.

It all starts now. Are you ready?