Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Portfolio options
1 - Print your best 6-8 shots from the semester. 5x7 or 8x10. Placed in a simple portfolio. Captions not needed.
2 - Submit on CD a PowerPoint presentation or video of your 12-15 best shots.
The PowerPoint should present examples of different photojournalism techniques we've talked about -- emotion, informational, lighting, personality, technique, etc.
A video should have a cross dissolve between each photo (each photo should be on screen 4-6 seconds) and music.
And, you might have to go back and edit some shots as needed to make them look their best.
And don't forget about the scrapbook or paper assignment (details in the syllabus!)
Everything is due by 2:30pm December 14th! I'll designate a drop-off space in the Photo lab.. ask me or Curt!
2 - Submit on CD a PowerPoint presentation or video of your 12-15 best shots.
The PowerPoint should present examples of different photojournalism techniques we've talked about -- emotion, informational, lighting, personality, technique, etc.
A video should have a cross dissolve between each photo (each photo should be on screen 4-6 seconds) and music.
And, you might have to go back and edit some shots as needed to make them look their best.
And don't forget about the scrapbook or paper assignment (details in the syllabus!)
Everything is due by 2:30pm December 14th! I'll designate a drop-off space in the Photo lab.. ask me or Curt!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Extra credit
Hey folks,
Here is an opportunity for extra credit:
Go to NewsU.org and create an account. (You only need to fill in the required fields -- it will send an email to you -- you'll have to check your email and click on their link)
Search for the "Language of the Image" course and click enroll (it's free).
Complete the self-directed course (should take 30 minutes or so) and click "Email course report" to my gmail or DMACC address.
Earn 20 extra credit points!
Here is an opportunity for extra credit:
Go to NewsU.org and create an account. (You only need to fill in the required fields -- it will send an email to you -- you'll have to check your email and click on their link)
Search for the "Language of the Image" course and click enroll (it's free).
Complete the self-directed course (should take 30 minutes or so) and click "Email course report" to my gmail or DMACC address.
Earn 20 extra credit points!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Sports assignment
Sports Assignment (25 points)
Due: November 30
Specifics:
• Three of your best shots from one sporting event -- can't overlap with a News Event
• Captions for each
• Handed in via Flickr
You can shoot sports for your News Event assignments, but use your best for this one.
Ideas:
High school football
Drake, Grand View or other college football
Drake Volleyball
Soccer
Cross country
Cheerleading
Off-road bike race (bikeiowa.com / Ride calendar)
Unless you have an "in" or know you can get on the sidelines at a high school game, you'll need to get a media pass:
• Call the media relations office for the team.
• Say a photojournalism student and you're interested in a media pass. They will take your name and usually just leave the pass at the ticket window.
Other tips:
• Try to figure out if there are any stars on the team and try to focus on them throughout the game. Watch for interesting interactions with the referees or the bench, or any interesting characters in the crowd.
• Put your camera in aperture priority -- if you don't have a lot of light, set it to the smallest f-stop number. This will automatically give you the fastest shutter speed available.
• If the setting is too dark and you're having trouble getting a fast shutter speed (1/500 or faster is ideal for sports), set your ISO up to 1600.
• Flashes are usually prohibited, although sometimes they are allowed (ask media relations).
• Shoot the scoreboard occasionally so you know what quarter/period the play happened in.
• Take notes during the game for your captions, especially if you know you got a great shot.
• For all games… STAY SAFE! Watch for flying players or balls!
Due: November 30
Specifics:
• Three of your best shots from one sporting event -- can't overlap with a News Event
• Captions for each
• Handed in via Flickr
You can shoot sports for your News Event assignments, but use your best for this one.
Ideas:
High school football
Drake, Grand View or other college football
Drake Volleyball
Soccer
Cross country
Cheerleading
Off-road bike race (bikeiowa.com / Ride calendar)
Unless you have an "in" or know you can get on the sidelines at a high school game, you'll need to get a media pass:
• Call the media relations office for the team.
• Say a photojournalism student and you're interested in a media pass. They will take your name and usually just leave the pass at the ticket window.
Other tips:
• Try to figure out if there are any stars on the team and try to focus on them throughout the game. Watch for interesting interactions with the referees or the bench, or any interesting characters in the crowd.
• Put your camera in aperture priority -- if you don't have a lot of light, set it to the smallest f-stop number. This will automatically give you the fastest shutter speed available.
• If the setting is too dark and you're having trouble getting a fast shutter speed (1/500 or faster is ideal for sports), set your ISO up to 1600.
• Flashes are usually prohibited, although sometimes they are allowed (ask media relations).
• Shoot the scoreboard occasionally so you know what quarter/period the play happened in.
• Take notes during the game for your captions, especially if you know you got a great shot.
• For all games… STAY SAFE! Watch for flying players or balls!
Portrait assignment
Portrait assignment (25 points)
Due: November 2
Two portraits -- of a stranger. Someone you don't know (well). No relatives or friends for this.
One candid - this means NOT in the studio or in your back yard. It should be in a place that means something to the subject. Your subject at work or home doing "what they do," in a candid, unrehearsed moment.
One studio/posed portrait - here is where you can show off your studio, posing, and lighting skills. Feel free to include props to help illustrate your subject's interests. The challenge is to show the persons's true self, as best you can. Let their personality shine through!
Tips for the studio/posed shot
• Use small talk or music to put the subjects at ease.
• Try using a remote shutter release or cable release to maintain a connection (and eye contact) with the subject.
• Lighting is key: Think about if you want high key (few shadows) or low key (moody, dark lighting), or something in between (maybe using some kind of pattern).
• If you're setting up lighting, remember the standard three point lighting setup (key-fill-backlight). The key and fill should be at about a 45 degree angle off the camera. The fill should be about 1/3-1/2 the power the key. The backlight adds a halo affect around their head.
• You can also use "glamour" or "butterfly" lighting with the light in direct line of sight of the subject and camera, raised slightly above eye level (this really only works with soft light, hard light with this method won't be flattering).
• Usually soft light is best (especially for the fill light), but also consider hard light.
• Be on the lookout for locations that have interesting lighting without having to do any setup
• Sometimes a reflector is called for to add some fill light. You can use anything from a white sheet of paper, foam core, aluminum foil, or a (real) store-bought reflector. Attach to a stand for added control.
• Avoid busy backgrounds; Use open apertures and/or telephoto lenses to blur the background (a 50mm f1.8 is a nice portrait lens)
• To make your background more out of focus, pull your subject away from it.
Due: November 2
Two portraits -- of a stranger. Someone you don't know (well). No relatives or friends for this.
One candid - this means NOT in the studio or in your back yard. It should be in a place that means something to the subject. Your subject at work or home doing "what they do," in a candid, unrehearsed moment.
One studio/posed portrait - here is where you can show off your studio, posing, and lighting skills. Feel free to include props to help illustrate your subject's interests. The challenge is to show the persons's true self, as best you can. Let their personality shine through!
Tips for the studio/posed shot
• Use small talk or music to put the subjects at ease.
• Try using a remote shutter release or cable release to maintain a connection (and eye contact) with the subject.
• Lighting is key: Think about if you want high key (few shadows) or low key (moody, dark lighting), or something in between (maybe using some kind of pattern).
• If you're setting up lighting, remember the standard three point lighting setup (key-fill-backlight). The key and fill should be at about a 45 degree angle off the camera. The fill should be about 1/3-1/2 the power the key. The backlight adds a halo affect around their head.
• You can also use "glamour" or "butterfly" lighting with the light in direct line of sight of the subject and camera, raised slightly above eye level (this really only works with soft light, hard light with this method won't be flattering).
• Usually soft light is best (especially for the fill light), but also consider hard light.
• Be on the lookout for locations that have interesting lighting without having to do any setup
• Sometimes a reflector is called for to add some fill light. You can use anything from a white sheet of paper, foam core, aluminum foil, or a (real) store-bought reflector. Attach to a stand for added control.
• Avoid busy backgrounds; Use open apertures and/or telephoto lenses to blur the background (a 50mm f1.8 is a nice portrait lens)
• To make your background more out of focus, pull your subject away from it.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sports assignment
Sports Assignment
Due: November 30
Specifics:
• Three of your best shots from one sporting event -- can't overlap with a News Event
• Captions for each
• Handed in via Flickr
You can shoot sports for your News Event assignments, but use your best for this one.
Ideas:
High school football
Drake, Grand View or other college football
Drake Volleyball
Soccer
Cross country
Cheerleading
Unless you have an "in" or know you can get on the sidelines at a high school game, you'll need to get a media pass:
• Call the media relations office for the team.
• Say a photojournalism student and you're interested in a media pass. They will take your name and usually just leave the pass at the ticket window.
Other tips:
• Try to figure out if there are any stars on the team and try to focus on them throughout the game. Watch for interesting interactions with the referees or the bench, or any interesting characters in the crowd.
• Put your camera in aperture priority -- if you don't have a lot of light, set it to the smallest f-stop number. This will automatically give you the fastest shutter speed available.
• If the setting is too dark and you're having trouble getting a fast shutter speed (1/500 or faster is ideal for sports), set your ISO up to 1600.
• Flashes are usually prohibited, although sometimes they are allowed (ask media relations).
• Shoot the scoreboard occasionally so you know what quarter/period the play happened in.
• Take notes during the game for your captions, especially if you know you got a great shot.
• For all games… STAY SAFE! Watch for flying players or balls!
Due: November 30
Specifics:
• Three of your best shots from one sporting event -- can't overlap with a News Event
• Captions for each
• Handed in via Flickr
You can shoot sports for your News Event assignments, but use your best for this one.
Ideas:
High school football
Drake, Grand View or other college football
Drake Volleyball
Soccer
Cross country
Cheerleading
Unless you have an "in" or know you can get on the sidelines at a high school game, you'll need to get a media pass:
• Call the media relations office for the team.
• Say a photojournalism student and you're interested in a media pass. They will take your name and usually just leave the pass at the ticket window.
Other tips:
• Try to figure out if there are any stars on the team and try to focus on them throughout the game. Watch for interesting interactions with the referees or the bench, or any interesting characters in the crowd.
• Put your camera in aperture priority -- if you don't have a lot of light, set it to the smallest f-stop number. This will automatically give you the fastest shutter speed available.
• If the setting is too dark and you're having trouble getting a fast shutter speed (1/500 or faster is ideal for sports), set your ISO up to 1600.
• Flashes are usually prohibited, although sometimes they are allowed (ask media relations).
• Shoot the scoreboard occasionally so you know what quarter/period the play happened in.
• Take notes during the game for your captions, especially if you know you got a great shot.
• For all games… STAY SAFE! Watch for flying players or balls!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
News event grades
News event grades will be coming to your email soon.
I noticed there was a discrepancy between the syllabus and the news event handout -- syllabus says they are worth 25 points each, the handout says 20 points. I'm going to go with the syllabus so News Event grades breakdown like this:
Newsworthiness: 10 points
Technical (focus, exposure, cropping, etc): 10 points
Captions: 5 points
I noticed there was a discrepancy between the syllabus and the news event handout -- syllabus says they are worth 25 points each, the handout says 20 points. I'm going to go with the syllabus so News Event grades breakdown like this:
Newsworthiness: 10 points
Technical (focus, exposure, cropping, etc): 10 points
Captions: 5 points
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Photo story
Photo Story assignment
Due: November 2 via Flickr
Specifics:
• Six or seven photos
• Captions for each
• We'll talk about ideas for you at our one-on-one meeting
Your task is to tell a story through photos. Much of the time, photojournalists have to try to capture the story in just one image. For this one, you can tell the story with the best six or seven photos to bring as many angles you can (literally and figuratively) to the reader.
Find someone with a story. Maybe you know someone with an unusual (and photogenic) job. Maybe it's someone who faces an everyday struggle. Maybe it's someone who is trying to make a difference. Think human interest. Conflict. Complication.Inspirational. Struggle. Unusualness. Humor.
Coordinate a shooting schedule once you find someone. Maybe you will follow them around for a day. Maybe you'll stop by over the period of a week or a couple weeks. It depends on the timeline of your subject story.
You don't have to follow a single subject, either. Your story could be a certain issue or problem that affects different people. Keep an eye out for stories about trends in the paper, maybe you shoot one person as an example of a trend.
Do whatever research you can to plan how much equipment you'll need with you (a flash? telephoto lens? tripod?)
Remember to include descriptive captions for each image. Feel free to break the typical 2-sentence length.
Each photo should be of a different "event" or "moment." For example, you wouldn't include a photo and then another one taken a few seconds later from a slightly different angle. Pick the best one to represent that moment. Think of each photograph as a different chapter of a book.
Use a mix of close-ups, medium shots and wide shots. Get different perspectives.
Arrange the shots in the sequence that makes the most sense. It's not always chronologically how they were shot.
If it's between the less perfect shot that better tells the story or a nice shot with less story, pick the one that best tells the story.
Try be as honest and objective as you can. Be a fly on the wall. Don't manipulate the subject.
Remember to title your photo story.
And remember to edit and crop all images as needed.
Due: November 2 via Flickr
Specifics:
• Six or seven photos
• Captions for each
• We'll talk about ideas for you at our one-on-one meeting
Your task is to tell a story through photos. Much of the time, photojournalists have to try to capture the story in just one image. For this one, you can tell the story with the best six or seven photos to bring as many angles you can (literally and figuratively) to the reader.
Find someone with a story. Maybe you know someone with an unusual (and photogenic) job. Maybe it's someone who faces an everyday struggle. Maybe it's someone who is trying to make a difference. Think human interest. Conflict. Complication.Inspirational. Struggle. Unusualness. Humor.
Coordinate a shooting schedule once you find someone. Maybe you will follow them around for a day. Maybe you'll stop by over the period of a week or a couple weeks. It depends on the timeline of your subject story.
You don't have to follow a single subject, either. Your story could be a certain issue or problem that affects different people. Keep an eye out for stories about trends in the paper, maybe you shoot one person as an example of a trend.
Do whatever research you can to plan how much equipment you'll need with you (a flash? telephoto lens? tripod?)
Remember to include descriptive captions for each image. Feel free to break the typical 2-sentence length.
Each photo should be of a different "event" or "moment." For example, you wouldn't include a photo and then another one taken a few seconds later from a slightly different angle. Pick the best one to represent that moment. Think of each photograph as a different chapter of a book.
Use a mix of close-ups, medium shots and wide shots. Get different perspectives.
Arrange the shots in the sequence that makes the most sense. It's not always chronologically how they were shot.
If it's between the less perfect shot that better tells the story or a nice shot with less story, pick the one that best tells the story.
Try be as honest and objective as you can. Be a fly on the wall. Don't manipulate the subject.
Remember to title your photo story.
And remember to edit and crop all images as needed.
Illustration
Photo Illustration Assignment
Due October 5 -- handed in via Flickr. Include a headline, no caption needed.
Your task is to illustrate a concept through photography, and, if you want, Photoshop.
Here are some ideas:
Crime on college campuses
College students trying to live on a small budget
Computer frustration
Avoiding the flu
Anger management
The stress of parenting
Kids playing too many video games
The challenge of dieting
Living environmentally conscious
Too much texting/Facebook on campus
Print is dead
Surviving an all-nighter
Binge drinking on campus
Rising cost of textbooks
You can take a concept and go to the next level: for example, with "Computer frustration," you could illustrate too much email spam and someone being frustrated by it (maybe someone buried under a pile of letters?). Then you could have a headline like, "How to keep from being buried in spam."
Think about these ideas from different angles and use wordplay. For example, for living on a budget, you could try to convey the concept of literally "pinching pennies." You get the idea. Use a visual metaphor (see p. 342 in the book) or an archetype (e.g., Mother Nature, knight in shining armor) as a visual shortcut.
Focus on not only your subject but also what colors and lighting you use. Does it call for high key light? Moody shadows? A backlit alley? You'll have to say a lot about an abstract concept for the reader very quickly and clearly.
Your background will also add to the mood of the scene. You can use a simple backdrop or even use a composition in Photoshop. Remember, if you use Photoshop, don't incorporate someone else's work.
Picking the right model and props will also be key. Make sure your props are accurate enough (if you need to fake it, that's fine if we don't notice!). Like a good actor in a movie, your model should make sense in the role.
See p. 345 for thinking creatively. Brainstorm with a friend or classmate. Play with words and puns. Don't rely on overdone cliches. Try to put a new spin on them.
Due October 5 -- handed in via Flickr. Include a headline, no caption needed.
Your task is to illustrate a concept through photography, and, if you want, Photoshop.
Here are some ideas:
Crime on college campuses
College students trying to live on a small budget
Computer frustration
Avoiding the flu
Anger management
The stress of parenting
Kids playing too many video games
The challenge of dieting
Living environmentally conscious
Too much texting/Facebook on campus
Print is dead
Surviving an all-nighter
Binge drinking on campus
Rising cost of textbooks
You can take a concept and go to the next level: for example, with "Computer frustration," you could illustrate too much email spam and someone being frustrated by it (maybe someone buried under a pile of letters?). Then you could have a headline like, "How to keep from being buried in spam."
Think about these ideas from different angles and use wordplay. For example, for living on a budget, you could try to convey the concept of literally "pinching pennies." You get the idea. Use a visual metaphor (see p. 342 in the book) or an archetype (e.g., Mother Nature, knight in shining armor) as a visual shortcut.
Focus on not only your subject but also what colors and lighting you use. Does it call for high key light? Moody shadows? A backlit alley? You'll have to say a lot about an abstract concept for the reader very quickly and clearly.
Your background will also add to the mood of the scene. You can use a simple backdrop or even use a composition in Photoshop. Remember, if you use Photoshop, don't incorporate someone else's work.
Picking the right model and props will also be key. Make sure your props are accurate enough (if you need to fake it, that's fine if we don't notice!). Like a good actor in a movie, your model should make sense in the role.
See p. 345 for thinking creatively. Brainstorm with a friend or classmate. Play with words and puns. Don't rely on overdone cliches. Try to put a new spin on them.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Assignment.. due 9/23
Spot News/Celebrity Birthday Assignment
If you happen upon some spot news -- an accident, fire, crime scene, cat being rescued in tree -- anything unpredictable an "on the scene" as it happens or right afterward, your task is to cover the scene as a photojournalist. Snap lots of photos.
You'll hand in your best two electronically.
Get enough information from the police or whoever else is on the scene to write your captions. Sometimes you'll need to ask who is in charge to get the relevant info.
If you happen to cover more than one spot news event, use your best one for this assignment and anything else you can use for your six News Event assignments.
- - - -
Since coming across a piece of spot news isn't guaranteed, you'll have the option to create a photo illustration (this is separate from our illustration assignment that we'll have later).
Your newspaper is doing a story about the birthday of a celebrity. Actually, a dead celebrity. Your task is to illustrate their last birthday. You'll want to recreate the scene as it might look in your head and what would make sense to the reader; it doesn't have to be historically accurate.
You could use a celebrity or politician/leader from any era, but you'll want to pick one that people will immediately recognize based on what props you include in the scene. Maybe the person has a memorable silhouette you could try to recreate on a wall.
Some ideas:
Charlie Chaplin
Marilyn Monroe
James Dean
Jimi Hendrix
Marlon Brando
Princess Di
Napoleon
Elvis
Einstein
Lincoln
Shakespeare
Mr. Rogers
You don't have to include someone in the shot, but if you do, use lighting, composition, or selective focus to obscure the person's face. Since it's a photo illustration, you can use whatever effects you need to in photoshop. Using the studio is optional, but you need to reserve an hour for it if you do.
Grading breakdown (25 points)
Technical proficiency (focus, exposure, composition): 10 points
Newsworthiness (for spot news) or creativity (celebrity birthday): 10 points
Caption(s): 5 points
If you happen upon some spot news -- an accident, fire, crime scene, cat being rescued in tree -- anything unpredictable an "on the scene" as it happens or right afterward, your task is to cover the scene as a photojournalist. Snap lots of photos.
You'll hand in your best two electronically.
Get enough information from the police or whoever else is on the scene to write your captions. Sometimes you'll need to ask who is in charge to get the relevant info.
If you happen to cover more than one spot news event, use your best one for this assignment and anything else you can use for your six News Event assignments.
- - - -
Since coming across a piece of spot news isn't guaranteed, you'll have the option to create a photo illustration (this is separate from our illustration assignment that we'll have later).
Your newspaper is doing a story about the birthday of a celebrity. Actually, a dead celebrity. Your task is to illustrate their last birthday. You'll want to recreate the scene as it might look in your head and what would make sense to the reader; it doesn't have to be historically accurate.
You could use a celebrity or politician/leader from any era, but you'll want to pick one that people will immediately recognize based on what props you include in the scene. Maybe the person has a memorable silhouette you could try to recreate on a wall.
Some ideas:
Charlie Chaplin
Marilyn Monroe
James Dean
Jimi Hendrix
Marlon Brando
Princess Di
Napoleon
Elvis
Einstein
Lincoln
Shakespeare
Mr. Rogers
You don't have to include someone in the shot, but if you do, use lighting, composition, or selective focus to obscure the person's face. Since it's a photo illustration, you can use whatever effects you need to in photoshop. Using the studio is optional, but you need to reserve an hour for it if you do.
Grading breakdown (25 points)
Technical proficiency (focus, exposure, composition): 10 points
Newsworthiness (for spot news) or creativity (celebrity birthday): 10 points
Caption(s): 5 points
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Just a note
A student posed a couple good questions so I wanted everyone to make sure they knew:
You should shoot everything in Camera RAW format...
...and use only photos you take this semester, nothing from past events.
Andy
You should shoot everything in Camera RAW format...
...and use only photos you take this semester, nothing from past events.
Andy
Thursday, August 26, 2010
News Events
News Event Assignments
General description:
Throughout the semester you will hand in six News Event Assignments. Each one will be of a news event of your choice (examples below). For each event, you will hand in:
• Your five best photos from the event
• Captions for each photo
Some of these events will overlap with other assignments (like your sports photo assignment). However, a news event must be different than your other assignments. For example, you can shoot a basketball game, but you can only use it for your sports assignment or your news event. You can shoot two games and use one for sports and one for a news event.
Examples:
DMACC Bears baseball or basketball game
State wrestling events (in the Spring)
High school games
Drake basketball or football
iCubs (Spring)
Media events like press conferences, speeches or unveilings/groundbreakings
Spot news like fire, accidents, etc.
Special campus activities
Concerts or plays (talk to whoever is in charge of media)
Special conventions or shows, like the Home and Garden Show
Special events for kids like KidsFest
Where to find ideas:
Des Moines Juice newspaper
DMACC website
KCCI community calendar
Des Moines Register events
For some of these you will need to speak to the media relations person to get a media pass or just to make sure it is okay to come and take photos. You can say you are a photojournalism student and inquire about a media pass or you're a freelance photojournalist or that you're shooting for the DMACC Campus Chronicle (especially for DMACC events, the Chronicle is always in need of photos).
Due dates:
News Event 1: Sept 23
News Event 2: Oct 12
News Event 3 & 4: Nov. 4
News Event 5 & 6: Nov. 30
The main purpose of the one-on-one meetings is to discuss the photos you take at these news events.
Handing in assignments:
The assignments will be handed in electronically on the web via Flickr. Creating an account is free (or you can use a Yahoo! email account if you already have one).
Remember to include a caption for each photo you upload to Flickr. (we'll talk more about writing captions)
Grading:
News events are worth 20 points:
10 points for technical quality (proper focus, exposure, cropping, and Photoshop work)
5 points for newsworthiness
5 points for captions
General description:
Throughout the semester you will hand in six News Event Assignments. Each one will be of a news event of your choice (examples below). For each event, you will hand in:
• Your five best photos from the event
• Captions for each photo
Some of these events will overlap with other assignments (like your sports photo assignment). However, a news event must be different than your other assignments. For example, you can shoot a basketball game, but you can only use it for your sports assignment or your news event. You can shoot two games and use one for sports and one for a news event.
Examples:
DMACC Bears baseball or basketball game
State wrestling events (in the Spring)
High school games
Drake basketball or football
iCubs (Spring)
Media events like press conferences, speeches or unveilings/groundbreakings
Spot news like fire, accidents, etc.
Special campus activities
Concerts or plays (talk to whoever is in charge of media)
Special conventions or shows, like the Home and Garden Show
Special events for kids like KidsFest
Where to find ideas:
Des Moines Juice newspaper
DMACC website
KCCI community calendar
Des Moines Register events
For some of these you will need to speak to the media relations person to get a media pass or just to make sure it is okay to come and take photos. You can say you are a photojournalism student and inquire about a media pass or you're a freelance photojournalist or that you're shooting for the DMACC Campus Chronicle (especially for DMACC events, the Chronicle is always in need of photos).
Due dates:
News Event 1: Sept 23
News Event 2: Oct 12
News Event 3 & 4: Nov. 4
News Event 5 & 6: Nov. 30
The main purpose of the one-on-one meetings is to discuss the photos you take at these news events.
Handing in assignments:
The assignments will be handed in electronically on the web via Flickr. Creating an account is free (or you can use a Yahoo! email account if you already have one).
Remember to include a caption for each photo you upload to Flickr. (we'll talk more about writing captions)
Grading:
News events are worth 20 points:
10 points for technical quality (proper focus, exposure, cropping, and Photoshop work)
5 points for newsworthiness
5 points for captions
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Syllabus
Photojournalism
Syllabus • ART 289 • Fall 2010
Instructor: Andy Langager
Email: andylangager@gmail.com
Cell: 319-290-8229
Office: 3W Room 02 (the office on the left inside)
Class meeting: TR 12:20-2:10p.m.
Text: Kobre, Kennth. Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach (6th Ed.)
Website: http://photo289.blogspot.com
Course Objectives:
Students will learn basic visual and technical aspects of photojournalism, using a digital camera, while photographing a series of general news, feature, performing arts, sports and community events.
Equipment:
Required:
• DSLR Camera that can shoot RAW
• 2 gig memory card (at least)
• Reporter's notebook (notebook you can fit in your back pocket)
• USB drive or portable hard drive (at least 4 gig recommended)
Optional
• Cleaning supplies: lens tissue and fluid, Q-tips, Rocket
• Extra memory cards
• Travel bag
• External flash
• Tripod or monopod
• Small tripod or beanbag
• UV filter (to protect lens)
• Wide angle lens
• Telephoto lens (200mm or longer)
• Battery grip and/or extra battery
• Point and shoot camera (as a backup)
Attendance:
Attendance is required for "lecture" days. Please try to make it on time to class. If you cannot make it, please try to email or call me to let me know ahead of time. If you have an excuse (note from doctor, etc.) please bring me a copy.
If there is a news assignment opportunity during class time, please just let me know ahead of time.
Class and computer etiquette:
Please only use the digital darkroom computers for work related to our class. Checking your school email and uploading assignments to Flickr is fine, but please no Facebook in this lab during class time.
Also, no texting during lecture, please. If you need to use your phone, please leave the room.
Grade breakdown:
6 Project Assignments 25 points each 150 points
6 News Events 25 points each 150
2 Quizes 50
Clip book (50 items) or Paper 50
5 One-on-one meetings 20 points each 100
Attendance 50
Final Portfolio ____ 50
Total 600 points
Grade descriptions: Want an "A" in the class? Read on to see what I'm looking for.
"A" work: Deadlines met regularly for assignments; student has gone above and beyond to demonstrate he or she understands the concepts of the assignment. Shows time and effort put into every assignment. Overall work is excellent.
"B" work: Deadlines met for nearly every assignment; student has shown he or she has a strong understanding of the concepts of the assignments. The basic requirements of the assignments are fulfilled with good, solid work. Overall work is above average.
"C" work: Most deadlines met, but some missed. Not all assignments fulfilled to specifications. Student shows some understanding for the concepts at hand, but some of the work could have benefited from more time or effort put into it. Overall work is average.
"D" work: Deadlines missed regularly. More than one or two assignments missed. Student does not fully demonstrate an understanding of the concepts. Not much effort put into work. Overall work is below average.
"F" work: Deadlines missed regularly. Assignments left incomplete. Student shows distinct lack of effort towards the class. No demonstration of learning the concepts at hand. Overall work is far below average.
Grading scale:
95-100% A
90-94 A-
87-89 B+
84-86 B
80-83 B-
77-79 C+
74-76 C
70-73 C-
67-69 D+
64-66 D
60-63 D-
59 and lower F
Late assignments: Journalists work on a deadline. If a deadline is missed, they miss the window of opportunity for their photo to be printed. Late assignments will not be accepted.
However, I understand that conflicts can come up at the last minute. If you miss an assignment you will have an extra credit opportunity later in the semester (but it will only be enough to make up one assignment).
Final Portfolio: At the end of the semester you'll hand in an electronic portfolio (website gallery or PowerPoint presentation) of your Project Assignments and your best shots from your News Events.
Project Assignments (25 points each):
• Photo story
• "Scoop"
• Conceptual Illustration
• Candid Portrait
• Studio Portrait
• Sports (DMACC Bears, I-Cubs, or other)
News Event Assignments (20 points each):
In addition to our six project assignments, you will be responsible for 6 other News Event assignments of your choice throughout the semester. You can shoot:
• Sporting events (basketball, volleyball, baseball, wrestling)
• Concerts
• Performances
• Media events like press conferences, ground breaking, etc.
• Speeches or appearances
• Spot news like fire, accidents, anything you come across
• Protests
• Or anything else newsworthy.
For every news event, you'll turn in your 5 best shots with captions on each one. We'll talk more about captions later.
What is newsworthy? Newsworthiness is made up of such factors as importance, impact, human interest, celebrity, proximity and timeliness. One test is, ask yourself: Can I imagine this photo the local paper? If yes, then it is probably newsworthy.
Your news assignments must be handed in to me (or posted on Flickr) on time or they won't be accepted. See dates below:
Due dates for News Events:
News Event 1: Sept 23
News Event 2: Oct 12
News Event 3 & 4: Nov. 4
News Event 5 & 6: Nov. 30
Clip book or Paper (50 points):
At the end of the semester, you'll hand in either a "clip" book or a short paper.
Clip book: To keep up with what local photojournalists are doing, I'd like you to clip photos, along with their captions (cut lines), and paste/insert them into an album to hand in at the end of the semester. You'll need a 3-ring album or scrapbook that has enough pages to fit 50 clips (usually 1 clip per page). You can find clips in the Des Moines Register (you can get a free paper with a gas refill at Kum and Go!), Des Moines Juice (free), CityView (free), Datebook (free),or any other local paper.
Paper: I'd like you to write a 1000-word paper on one of these four topics:
• A famous photojournalist (Margaret Bourke-White, Weegie, Dorothea Lange, Robert Capa, Roger Fenton, Eddie Adams, etc.)
• The history of photojournalism
• Photojournalism ethics (for example, dealing with Photoshop)
• Take a single issue of The Des Moines Register and critique all the photos chosen for that issue. What works? What doesn't? How are the captions? How would you improve the photos? Do they tell a story? Does it match the copy (words) of the story?
Flickr:
I'd like you to turn in your six News Event assignments in via Flickr. If you already have an account, great. If not, it's free to sign up. The free account is limited to 100 MB per month, but that should be enough (just make sure to shrink/compress your photos after you edit them).
Add me as a contact or send me the link to your profile so I can bookmark you. Then, all you have to do is upload your weekly assignments and add a slug for each event (one or two word descriptive title of the story you covered) and caption. If you don't want your photos public, you can set the privacy level, just make sure to add me as a contact so I can see them.
One-on-one meetings:
When we don't have lecture, we will be doing one-on-one meetings to talk about your work. Always bring your latest photos, edited, with you on a USB drive. We'll discuss your News Events photos or Project Assignment photos.
I will make a schedule for our meetings. We'll have 5 meetings total. (These are very informal, it's just a chance to chat about your work)
Expectations:
Come to lectures and one-on-one meetings or reschedule if you can't make it. Meet deadlines for assignments. Please let me know if you are struggling with the assignments. I try to be flexible and fair to all students.
Calendar:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 1
Thursday, August 26
Introduction/syllabus
Chapter 8: Camera bag
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 2
Tuesday, August 30
Assign: "Scoop" / due September 16
Lecture #1
Chapter 1: Assignment
Chapter 2: Spot News
Chapter 3: General News
Thursday, September 2 Meeting I - Talk about assignment ideas/cameras/Photoshop
One-on-one meetings
12:20: Ashley
12:40: Matthew
1:00: Amy
1:20: Austin
1:40: Nicollette
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 3
Tuesday, September 7 Meeting I - Talk about assignment ideas/cameras/Photoshop
12:20: Stephen
12:40: Amber
1:00: Larry
1:20: Tiffany
1:40: Brianne
Thursday, September 9 Meeting I - Talk about assignment ideas/cameras/Photoshop
12:20: Laura
12:40: Kimberly
1:00: Jessica
1:20: Joseph
1:40
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 4
Tuesday, September 14
Catch-up/work day
Thursday, September 16
Due: Scoop assignment
Lecture #2
Chapter 4: Features
Chapter 10: Covering the Issues
Chapter 14: Illustration
Assign: Illustration due October 5
Assign: Photo Story due November 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 5
Tuesday, September 21
Catch-up/work day
Thursday, September 23 - Meeting II - Bring one news event and "Scoop" assignment
12:20: Amy
12:40: Austin
1:00: Nicollette
1:20: Ashley
1:40: Matthew
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 6
Tuesday, September 28 - Meeting II - Bring one news event and "Scoop" assignment
12:20: Larry
12:40: Tiffany
1:00: Brianne
1:20: Stephen
1:40: Amber
Thursday, September 30 - Meeting II - Bring one news event and "Scoop" assignment
12:20: Jessica
12:40: Joseph
1:00: Laura
1:20: Kimberly
1:40
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 7
Tuesday, October 5
Due: Illustration
Lecture #3
Quiz (Chapters 5, 7, 14)
Chapter 5: Portraits
Chapter 6: Sports
Chapter 7: Photo editing
Assign: Sports, due November 16
Assign: Portrait due November 2
Thursday, October 7 -
Make-up meetings if needed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 8
Tuesday, October 12 - Meeting III - Bring 2nd news event and Photo Story
12:20: Nicollette
12:40: Ashley
1:00: Matthew
1:20: Amy
1:40: Austin
Thursday, October 14 - Meeting III - Bring 2nd news event and Photo Story
12:20: Brianne
12:40: Stephen
1:00: Amber
1:20: Larry
1:40: Tiffany
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 9
Tuesday, October 19 - Meeting III - Bring 2nd news event and Photo Story
12:20: Laura
12:40: Kimberly
1:00: Jessica
1:20: Joseph
1:40
Thursday, October 21
Catch-up
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 10
Tuesday, October 26
Work Day
Thursday, October 28
Work Day
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 11
Tuesday, November 2
Due: Portrait
Assign: Photo Story Due November 30
Lecture #4
Chapter 11: Photo Story
Chapter 15: Ethics
Chapter 16: Law
Thursday, November 4 - Meeting IV - Bring 3rd & 4th news event, Portrait assignment
12:20: Ashley
12:40: Matthew
1:00: Amy
1:20: Austin
1:40: Nicollette
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 12
Tuesday, November 9 - Bring 3rd & 4th news event, Portrait assignment
12:20: Stephen
12:40: Amber
1:00: Larry
1:20: Tiffany
1:40: Brianne
Thursday, November 11 - Bring 3rd & 4th news event, Portrait assignment
12:20: Laura
12:40: Kimberly
1:00: Jessica
1:20: Joseph
1:40
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 13
Tuesday, November 16
Due: Sports
Quiz (Mostly Chapter 15 & 16)
Lecture #5
Chapter 12: Multimedia
Chapter 13: Video
Chapter 17: History
Chapter 18: Turning Pro
Thursday, November 18
Work day
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 14
Tuesday, November 23
Out of class Work day
Thursday November 25 - Thanksgiving Break -- No Class
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 15 - Final Meetings
Due: Photo Story
Tuesday, November 30 - Bring 5th & 6th news event, Sports and Photo Story
12:20: Amy
12:40: Austin
1:00: Nicollette
1:20: Ashley
1:40: Matthew
Thursday, December 2 - Bring 5th & 6th news event, Sports and Photo Story
12:20: Larry
12:40: Tiffany
1:00: Brianne
1:20: Stephen
1:40: Amber
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 15
Tuesday, December 7 - Bring 5th & 6th news event Sports and Photo Story
12:20: Jessica
12:40: Joseph
1:00: Laura
1:20: Kimberly
1:40
Thursday, December 9
Make-up meetings
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Finals Week December 13-16] -- Portfolio due
Syllabus • ART 289 • Fall 2010
Instructor: Andy Langager
Email: andylangager@gmail.com
Cell: 319-290-8229
Office: 3W Room 02 (the office on the left inside)
Class meeting: TR 12:20-2:10p.m.
Text: Kobre, Kennth. Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach (6th Ed.)
Website: http://photo289.blogspot.com
Course Objectives:
Students will learn basic visual and technical aspects of photojournalism, using a digital camera, while photographing a series of general news, feature, performing arts, sports and community events.
Equipment:
Required:
• DSLR Camera that can shoot RAW
• 2 gig memory card (at least)
• Reporter's notebook (notebook you can fit in your back pocket)
• USB drive or portable hard drive (at least 4 gig recommended)
Optional
• Cleaning supplies: lens tissue and fluid, Q-tips, Rocket
• Extra memory cards
• Travel bag
• External flash
• Tripod or monopod
• Small tripod or beanbag
• UV filter (to protect lens)
• Wide angle lens
• Telephoto lens (200mm or longer)
• Battery grip and/or extra battery
• Point and shoot camera (as a backup)
Attendance:
Attendance is required for "lecture" days. Please try to make it on time to class. If you cannot make it, please try to email or call me to let me know ahead of time. If you have an excuse (note from doctor, etc.) please bring me a copy.
If there is a news assignment opportunity during class time, please just let me know ahead of time.
Class and computer etiquette:
Please only use the digital darkroom computers for work related to our class. Checking your school email and uploading assignments to Flickr is fine, but please no Facebook in this lab during class time.
Also, no texting during lecture, please. If you need to use your phone, please leave the room.
Grade breakdown:
6 Project Assignments 25 points each 150 points
6 News Events 25 points each 150
2 Quizes 50
Clip book (50 items) or Paper 50
5 One-on-one meetings 20 points each 100
Attendance 50
Final Portfolio ____ 50
Total 600 points
Grade descriptions: Want an "A" in the class? Read on to see what I'm looking for.
"A" work: Deadlines met regularly for assignments; student has gone above and beyond to demonstrate he or she understands the concepts of the assignment. Shows time and effort put into every assignment. Overall work is excellent.
"B" work: Deadlines met for nearly every assignment; student has shown he or she has a strong understanding of the concepts of the assignments. The basic requirements of the assignments are fulfilled with good, solid work. Overall work is above average.
"C" work: Most deadlines met, but some missed. Not all assignments fulfilled to specifications. Student shows some understanding for the concepts at hand, but some of the work could have benefited from more time or effort put into it. Overall work is average.
"D" work: Deadlines missed regularly. More than one or two assignments missed. Student does not fully demonstrate an understanding of the concepts. Not much effort put into work. Overall work is below average.
"F" work: Deadlines missed regularly. Assignments left incomplete. Student shows distinct lack of effort towards the class. No demonstration of learning the concepts at hand. Overall work is far below average.
Grading scale:
95-100% A
90-94 A-
87-89 B+
84-86 B
80-83 B-
77-79 C+
74-76 C
70-73 C-
67-69 D+
64-66 D
60-63 D-
59 and lower F
Late assignments: Journalists work on a deadline. If a deadline is missed, they miss the window of opportunity for their photo to be printed. Late assignments will not be accepted.
However, I understand that conflicts can come up at the last minute. If you miss an assignment you will have an extra credit opportunity later in the semester (but it will only be enough to make up one assignment).
Final Portfolio: At the end of the semester you'll hand in an electronic portfolio (website gallery or PowerPoint presentation) of your Project Assignments and your best shots from your News Events.
Project Assignments (25 points each):
• Photo story
• "Scoop"
• Conceptual Illustration
• Candid Portrait
• Studio Portrait
• Sports (DMACC Bears, I-Cubs, or other)
News Event Assignments (20 points each):
In addition to our six project assignments, you will be responsible for 6 other News Event assignments of your choice throughout the semester. You can shoot:
• Sporting events (basketball, volleyball, baseball, wrestling)
• Concerts
• Performances
• Media events like press conferences, ground breaking, etc.
• Speeches or appearances
• Spot news like fire, accidents, anything you come across
• Protests
• Or anything else newsworthy.
For every news event, you'll turn in your 5 best shots with captions on each one. We'll talk more about captions later.
What is newsworthy? Newsworthiness is made up of such factors as importance, impact, human interest, celebrity, proximity and timeliness. One test is, ask yourself: Can I imagine this photo the local paper? If yes, then it is probably newsworthy.
Your news assignments must be handed in to me (or posted on Flickr) on time or they won't be accepted. See dates below:
Due dates for News Events:
News Event 1: Sept 23
News Event 2: Oct 12
News Event 3 & 4: Nov. 4
News Event 5 & 6: Nov. 30
Clip book or Paper (50 points):
At the end of the semester, you'll hand in either a "clip" book or a short paper.
Clip book: To keep up with what local photojournalists are doing, I'd like you to clip photos, along with their captions (cut lines), and paste/insert them into an album to hand in at the end of the semester. You'll need a 3-ring album or scrapbook that has enough pages to fit 50 clips (usually 1 clip per page). You can find clips in the Des Moines Register (you can get a free paper with a gas refill at Kum and Go!), Des Moines Juice (free), CityView (free), Datebook (free),or any other local paper.
Paper: I'd like you to write a 1000-word paper on one of these four topics:
• A famous photojournalist (Margaret Bourke-White, Weegie, Dorothea Lange, Robert Capa, Roger Fenton, Eddie Adams, etc.)
• The history of photojournalism
• Photojournalism ethics (for example, dealing with Photoshop)
• Take a single issue of The Des Moines Register and critique all the photos chosen for that issue. What works? What doesn't? How are the captions? How would you improve the photos? Do they tell a story? Does it match the copy (words) of the story?
Flickr:
I'd like you to turn in your six News Event assignments in via Flickr. If you already have an account, great. If not, it's free to sign up. The free account is limited to 100 MB per month, but that should be enough (just make sure to shrink/compress your photos after you edit them).
Add me as a contact or send me the link to your profile so I can bookmark you. Then, all you have to do is upload your weekly assignments and add a slug for each event (one or two word descriptive title of the story you covered) and caption. If you don't want your photos public, you can set the privacy level, just make sure to add me as a contact so I can see them.
One-on-one meetings:
When we don't have lecture, we will be doing one-on-one meetings to talk about your work. Always bring your latest photos, edited, with you on a USB drive. We'll discuss your News Events photos or Project Assignment photos.
I will make a schedule for our meetings. We'll have 5 meetings total. (These are very informal, it's just a chance to chat about your work)
Expectations:
Come to lectures and one-on-one meetings or reschedule if you can't make it. Meet deadlines for assignments. Please let me know if you are struggling with the assignments. I try to be flexible and fair to all students.
Calendar:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 1
Thursday, August 26
Introduction/syllabus
Chapter 8: Camera bag
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 2
Tuesday, August 30
Assign: "Scoop" / due September 16
Lecture #1
Chapter 1: Assignment
Chapter 2: Spot News
Chapter 3: General News
Thursday, September 2 Meeting I - Talk about assignment ideas/cameras/Photoshop
One-on-one meetings
12:20: Ashley
12:40: Matthew
1:00: Amy
1:20: Austin
1:40: Nicollette
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 3
Tuesday, September 7 Meeting I - Talk about assignment ideas/cameras/Photoshop
12:20: Stephen
12:40: Amber
1:00: Larry
1:20: Tiffany
1:40: Brianne
Thursday, September 9 Meeting I - Talk about assignment ideas/cameras/Photoshop
12:20: Laura
12:40: Kimberly
1:00: Jessica
1:20: Joseph
1:40
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 4
Tuesday, September 14
Catch-up/work day
Thursday, September 16
Due: Scoop assignment
Lecture #2
Chapter 4: Features
Chapter 10: Covering the Issues
Chapter 14: Illustration
Assign: Illustration due October 5
Assign: Photo Story due November 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 5
Tuesday, September 21
Catch-up/work day
Thursday, September 23 - Meeting II - Bring one news event and "Scoop" assignment
12:20: Amy
12:40: Austin
1:00: Nicollette
1:20: Ashley
1:40: Matthew
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 6
Tuesday, September 28 - Meeting II - Bring one news event and "Scoop" assignment
12:20: Larry
12:40: Tiffany
1:00: Brianne
1:20: Stephen
1:40: Amber
Thursday, September 30 - Meeting II - Bring one news event and "Scoop" assignment
12:20: Jessica
12:40: Joseph
1:00: Laura
1:20: Kimberly
1:40
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 7
Tuesday, October 5
Due: Illustration
Lecture #3
Quiz (Chapters 5, 7, 14)
Chapter 5: Portraits
Chapter 6: Sports
Chapter 7: Photo editing
Assign: Sports, due November 16
Assign: Portrait due November 2
Thursday, October 7 -
Make-up meetings if needed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 8
Tuesday, October 12 - Meeting III - Bring 2nd news event and Photo Story
12:20: Nicollette
12:40: Ashley
1:00: Matthew
1:20: Amy
1:40: Austin
Thursday, October 14 - Meeting III - Bring 2nd news event and Photo Story
12:20: Brianne
12:40: Stephen
1:00: Amber
1:20: Larry
1:40: Tiffany
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 9
Tuesday, October 19 - Meeting III - Bring 2nd news event and Photo Story
12:20: Laura
12:40: Kimberly
1:00: Jessica
1:20: Joseph
1:40
Thursday, October 21
Catch-up
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 10
Tuesday, October 26
Work Day
Thursday, October 28
Work Day
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 11
Tuesday, November 2
Due: Portrait
Assign: Photo Story Due November 30
Lecture #4
Chapter 11: Photo Story
Chapter 15: Ethics
Chapter 16: Law
Thursday, November 4 - Meeting IV - Bring 3rd & 4th news event, Portrait assignment
12:20: Ashley
12:40: Matthew
1:00: Amy
1:20: Austin
1:40: Nicollette
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 12
Tuesday, November 9 - Bring 3rd & 4th news event, Portrait assignment
12:20: Stephen
12:40: Amber
1:00: Larry
1:20: Tiffany
1:40: Brianne
Thursday, November 11 - Bring 3rd & 4th news event, Portrait assignment
12:20: Laura
12:40: Kimberly
1:00: Jessica
1:20: Joseph
1:40
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 13
Tuesday, November 16
Due: Sports
Quiz (Mostly Chapter 15 & 16)
Lecture #5
Chapter 12: Multimedia
Chapter 13: Video
Chapter 17: History
Chapter 18: Turning Pro
Thursday, November 18
Work day
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 14
Tuesday, November 23
Out of class Work day
Thursday November 25 - Thanksgiving Break -- No Class
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 15 - Final Meetings
Due: Photo Story
Tuesday, November 30 - Bring 5th & 6th news event, Sports and Photo Story
12:20: Amy
12:40: Austin
1:00: Nicollette
1:20: Ashley
1:40: Matthew
Thursday, December 2 - Bring 5th & 6th news event, Sports and Photo Story
12:20: Larry
12:40: Tiffany
1:00: Brianne
1:20: Stephen
1:40: Amber
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 15
Tuesday, December 7 - Bring 5th & 6th news event Sports and Photo Story
12:20: Jessica
12:40: Joseph
1:00: Laura
1:20: Kimberly
1:40
Thursday, December 9
Make-up meetings
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Finals Week December 13-16] -- Portfolio due
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Portrait assignment
Portrait assignment
Due March 25 -- handed in digitally. Include a short caption describing who your subject is.
One candid - this means NOT in the studio or in your back yard. It should be in a place that means something to the subject. Your subject at work or home doing "what they do," in a candid, unrehearsed moment.
One studio/posed portrait - here is where you can show off your studio, posing, and lighting skills. Feel free to include props to help illustrate your subject's interests.
Tips for the studio/posed shot
• Use small talk or music to put the subjects at ease.
• Try using a remote shutter release or cable release to maintain a connection (and eye contact) with the subject.
• Lighting is key: Think about if you want high key (few shadows) or low key (moody, dark lighting), or something in between (maybe using some kind of pattern).
• If you're setting up lighting, remember the standard three point lighting setup (key-fill-backlight). The key and fill should be at about a 45 degree angle off the camera. The fill should be about 1/3-1/2 the power the key. The backlight adds a halo affect around their head.
• You can also use "glamour" or "butterfly" lighting with the light in direct line of sight of the subject and camera, raised slightly above eye level (this really only works with soft light, hard light with this method won't be flattering).
• Usually soft light is best (especially for the fill light), but also consider hard light.
• Be on the lookout for locations that have interesting lighting without having to do any setup
• Sometimes a reflector is called for to add some fill light. You can use anything from a white sheet of paper, foam core, aluminum foil, or a (real) store-bought reflector. Attach to a stand for added control.
• Avoid busy backgrounds; Use open apertures and/or telephoto lenses to blur the background (a 50mm f1.8 is a nice portrait lens)
• To make your background more out of focus, pull your subject away from it.
Due March 25 -- handed in digitally. Include a short caption describing who your subject is.
One candid - this means NOT in the studio or in your back yard. It should be in a place that means something to the subject. Your subject at work or home doing "what they do," in a candid, unrehearsed moment.
One studio/posed portrait - here is where you can show off your studio, posing, and lighting skills. Feel free to include props to help illustrate your subject's interests.
Tips for the studio/posed shot
• Use small talk or music to put the subjects at ease.
• Try using a remote shutter release or cable release to maintain a connection (and eye contact) with the subject.
• Lighting is key: Think about if you want high key (few shadows) or low key (moody, dark lighting), or something in between (maybe using some kind of pattern).
• If you're setting up lighting, remember the standard three point lighting setup (key-fill-backlight). The key and fill should be at about a 45 degree angle off the camera. The fill should be about 1/3-1/2 the power the key. The backlight adds a halo affect around their head.
• You can also use "glamour" or "butterfly" lighting with the light in direct line of sight of the subject and camera, raised slightly above eye level (this really only works with soft light, hard light with this method won't be flattering).
• Usually soft light is best (especially for the fill light), but also consider hard light.
• Be on the lookout for locations that have interesting lighting without having to do any setup
• Sometimes a reflector is called for to add some fill light. You can use anything from a white sheet of paper, foam core, aluminum foil, or a (real) store-bought reflector. Attach to a stand for added control.
• Avoid busy backgrounds; Use open apertures and/or telephoto lenses to blur the background (a 50mm f1.8 is a nice portrait lens)
• To make your background more out of focus, pull your subject away from it.
Illustration assignment
Photo Illustration Assignment
Due April 15 -- handed in digitally. Include just a headline.
Your task is to illustrate a concept through photography, and, if you want, Photoshop.
Here are some ideas:
Crime on college campuses
College students trying to live on a small budget
Computer frustration
Avoiding the flu
Anger management
The stress of parenting
Kids playing too many video games
The challenge of dieting
Living environmentally conscious
You can take a concept and go to the next level: for example, with "Computer frustration," you could illustrate too much email spam and someone being frustrated by it (maybe someone buried under a pile of letters?). Then you could have a headline like, "How to keep from being buried in spam."
Think about these ideas from different angles and use wordplay. For example, for living on a budget, you could try to convey the concept of literally "pinching pennies." You get the idea. Use a visual metaphor (see p. 342 in the book) or an archetype (e.g., Mother Nature, knight in shining armor) as a visual shortcut.
Focus on not only your subject but also what colors and lighting you use. Does it call for high key light? Moody shadows? A backlit alley? You'll have to say a lot about an abstract concept for the reader very quickly and clearly.
Your background will also add to the mood of the scene. You can use a simple backdrop or even use a composition in Photoshop. Remember, if you use Photoshop, don't incorporate someone else's work.
Picking the right model and props will also be key. Make sure your props are accurate enough (if you need to fake it, that's fine if we don't notice!). Like a good actor in a movie, your model should make sense in the role.
See p. 345 for thinking creatively. Brainstorm with a friend or classmate. Play with words and puns. Don't rely on overdone cliches. Try to put a new spin on them.
Due April 15 -- handed in digitally. Include just a headline.
Your task is to illustrate a concept through photography, and, if you want, Photoshop.
Here are some ideas:
Crime on college campuses
College students trying to live on a small budget
Computer frustration
Avoiding the flu
Anger management
The stress of parenting
Kids playing too many video games
The challenge of dieting
Living environmentally conscious
You can take a concept and go to the next level: for example, with "Computer frustration," you could illustrate too much email spam and someone being frustrated by it (maybe someone buried under a pile of letters?). Then you could have a headline like, "How to keep from being buried in spam."
Think about these ideas from different angles and use wordplay. For example, for living on a budget, you could try to convey the concept of literally "pinching pennies." You get the idea. Use a visual metaphor (see p. 342 in the book) or an archetype (e.g., Mother Nature, knight in shining armor) as a visual shortcut.
Focus on not only your subject but also what colors and lighting you use. Does it call for high key light? Moody shadows? A backlit alley? You'll have to say a lot about an abstract concept for the reader very quickly and clearly.
Your background will also add to the mood of the scene. You can use a simple backdrop or even use a composition in Photoshop. Remember, if you use Photoshop, don't incorporate someone else's work.
Picking the right model and props will also be key. Make sure your props are accurate enough (if you need to fake it, that's fine if we don't notice!). Like a good actor in a movie, your model should make sense in the role.
See p. 345 for thinking creatively. Brainstorm with a friend or classmate. Play with words and puns. Don't rely on overdone cliches. Try to put a new spin on them.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sports assignment
Sports Assignment
Due: Finals week (or, for extra credit, hand in at last one-on-one meeting)
Specifics:
• Five of your best shots from one sporting event
• Captions for each
• Handed in digitally (USB drive, CD, Flickr, etc.)
You can shoot sports for your News Event assignments, but use your best for this one.
Ideas:
DMACC Bears basketball (they play in Boone)
Iowa Energy
Des Moines Buccaneers
Drake or ISU basketball
iCubs (there is a nice string of home games April 8-15)
State wrestling tournament
You'll need to get a media pass for all of these except the DMACC Bears. How to get a media pass:
Call the media relations office for the team.
You can either say you are a freelance photojournalist or a photojournalism student and you're interested in a media pass. They will take your name and usually just leave the pass at the ticket window. I hope to arrange passes for the iCubs.. when we get closer I will take names for that.
Other tips:
• Try to figure out if there are any stars on the team and try to focus on them throughout the game. Watch for interesting interactions with the referees or the bench, or any interesting characters in the crowd.
• Put your camera in aperture priority -- if you don't have a lot of light, set it to the smallest f-stop number. This will automatically give you the fastest shutter speed available.
• If you can help it, avoid going over 800 ISO, but pick a higher ISO and faster shutter speed over slower shutter speed and lower ISO.
• Flashes are usually prohibited, although if they are allowed (ask media relations) you can dial down the power to add some fill light.
• For all games… STAY SAFE! This means for the iCubs, always stay down in the media dugout during the pitch. There will be at least one foul ball per game that will zoom straight at you. For basketball games, if you are under the basket, just be aware that players might come crashing in to you.
Due: Finals week (or, for extra credit, hand in at last one-on-one meeting)
Specifics:
• Five of your best shots from one sporting event
• Captions for each
• Handed in digitally (USB drive, CD, Flickr, etc.)
You can shoot sports for your News Event assignments, but use your best for this one.
Ideas:
DMACC Bears basketball (they play in Boone)
Iowa Energy
Des Moines Buccaneers
Drake or ISU basketball
iCubs (there is a nice string of home games April 8-15)
State wrestling tournament
You'll need to get a media pass for all of these except the DMACC Bears. How to get a media pass:
Call the media relations office for the team.
You can either say you are a freelance photojournalist or a photojournalism student and you're interested in a media pass. They will take your name and usually just leave the pass at the ticket window. I hope to arrange passes for the iCubs.. when we get closer I will take names for that.
Other tips:
• Try to figure out if there are any stars on the team and try to focus on them throughout the game. Watch for interesting interactions with the referees or the bench, or any interesting characters in the crowd.
• Put your camera in aperture priority -- if you don't have a lot of light, set it to the smallest f-stop number. This will automatically give you the fastest shutter speed available.
• If you can help it, avoid going over 800 ISO, but pick a higher ISO and faster shutter speed over slower shutter speed and lower ISO.
• Flashes are usually prohibited, although if they are allowed (ask media relations) you can dial down the power to add some fill light.
• For all games… STAY SAFE! This means for the iCubs, always stay down in the media dugout during the pitch. There will be at least one foul ball per game that will zoom straight at you. For basketball games, if you are under the basket, just be aware that players might come crashing in to you.
Photo story assignment
Photo Story assignment
Due: March 24, bring to our fourth one-on-one meeting
Specifics:
• Six or seven photos
• Captions for each
• Handed in digitally (USB drive, CD, Flickr, etc.)
Your task is to tell a story through photos. Much of the time, photojournalists have to try to capture the story in just one image. For this one, you can tell the story with the best six or seven photos to bring as many angles you can (literally and figuratively) to the reader.
Find someone with a story. Maybe you know someone with an unusual (and photogenic) job. Maybe it's someone who faces an everyday struggle. Maybe it's someone who is trying to make a difference. Think human interest. Conflict. Complication.Inspirational. Struggle. Unusualness. Humor.
Coordinate a shooting schedule once you find someone. Maybe you will follow them around for a day. Maybe you'll stop by over the period of a week or a couple weeks. It depends on the timeline of your subject story.
You don't have to follow a single subject, either. Your story could be a certain issue or problem that affects different people. Keep an eye out for stories about trends in the paper, maybe you shoot one person as an example of a trend.
Do whatever research you can to plan how much equipment you'll need with you (a flash? telephoto lens? tripod?)
Remember to include descriptive captions for each image. Feel free to break the typical 2-sentence length.
Each photo should be of a different "event" or "moment." For example, you wouldn't include a photo and then another one taken a few seconds later from a slightly different angle. Pick the best one to represent that moment. Think of each photograph as a different chapter of a book.
Use a mix of close-ups, medium shots and wide shots. Get different perspectives.
Arrange the shots in the sequence that makes the most sense. It's not always chronologically how they were shot.
If it's between the less perfect shot that better tells the story or a nice shot with less story, pick the one that best tells the story.
Try be as honest and objective as you can. Be a fly on the wall. Don't manipulate the subject.
Remember to title your photo story.
And remember to edit and crop all images as needed.
Due: March 24, bring to our fourth one-on-one meeting
Specifics:
• Six or seven photos
• Captions for each
• Handed in digitally (USB drive, CD, Flickr, etc.)
Your task is to tell a story through photos. Much of the time, photojournalists have to try to capture the story in just one image. For this one, you can tell the story with the best six or seven photos to bring as many angles you can (literally and figuratively) to the reader.
Find someone with a story. Maybe you know someone with an unusual (and photogenic) job. Maybe it's someone who faces an everyday struggle. Maybe it's someone who is trying to make a difference. Think human interest. Conflict. Complication.Inspirational. Struggle. Unusualness. Humor.
Coordinate a shooting schedule once you find someone. Maybe you will follow them around for a day. Maybe you'll stop by over the period of a week or a couple weeks. It depends on the timeline of your subject story.
You don't have to follow a single subject, either. Your story could be a certain issue or problem that affects different people. Keep an eye out for stories about trends in the paper, maybe you shoot one person as an example of a trend.
Do whatever research you can to plan how much equipment you'll need with you (a flash? telephoto lens? tripod?)
Remember to include descriptive captions for each image. Feel free to break the typical 2-sentence length.
Each photo should be of a different "event" or "moment." For example, you wouldn't include a photo and then another one taken a few seconds later from a slightly different angle. Pick the best one to represent that moment. Think of each photograph as a different chapter of a book.
Use a mix of close-ups, medium shots and wide shots. Get different perspectives.
Arrange the shots in the sequence that makes the most sense. It's not always chronologically how they were shot.
If it's between the less perfect shot that better tells the story or a nice shot with less story, pick the one that best tells the story.
Try be as honest and objective as you can. Be a fly on the wall. Don't manipulate the subject.
Remember to title your photo story.
And remember to edit and crop all images as needed.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Spot news/celebrity birthday
Spot News/Celebrity Birthday Assignment
If you happen upon some spot news -- an accident, fire, crime scene, cat being rescued in tree -- anything unpredictable an "on the scene" as it happens or right afterward, your task is to cover the scene as a photojournalist. Snap lots of photos.
You'll hand in your best two electronically.
Get enough information from the police or whoever else is on the scene to write your captions. Sometimes you'll need to ask who is in charge to get the relevant info.
If you happen to cover more than one spot news event, use your best one for this assignment and anything else you can use for your five News Event assignments.
- - - -
Since coming across a piece of spot news isn't guaranteed, you'll have the option to create a photo illustration (this is separate from our illustration assignment that we'll have later).
Your newspaper is doing a story about the birthday of a celebrity. Actually, a dead celebrity. Your task is to illustrate their last birthday. You'll want to recreate the scene as it might look in your head and what would make sense to the reader; it doesn't have to be historically accurate.
You could use a celebrity or politician/leader from any era, but you'll want to pick one that people will immediately recognize based on what props you include in the scene. Maybe the person has a memorable silhouette you could try to recreate on a wall.
Some ideas:
Charlie Chaplin
Marilyn Monroe
James Dean
Jimi Hendrix
Marlon Brando
Princess Di
Napoleon
Elvis
Einstein
Lincoln
Shakespeare
Mr. Rogers
You don't have to include someone in the shot, but if you do, use lighting, composition, or selective focus to obscure the person's face. Since it's a photo illustration, you can use whatever effects you need to in photoshop. Using the studio is optional, but you need to reserve an hour for it if you do.
Grading breakdown (25 points)
Technical proficiency (focus, exposure, composition): 10 points
Newsworthiness (for spot news) or creativity (celebrity birthday): 10 points
Caption(s): 5 points
- - - -
For our first one-on-one meeting in the next week or two, please bring either your first News Event photos (or ideas for what you might want to do) and ideas for this assignment. Also, bring any photography or photoshop questions you might have!
If you'd like a refresher for using Bridge or Photoshop, you can also bring some photos on a memory card or USB stick (RAW format is best) and we'll do a quick tutorial.
If you happen upon some spot news -- an accident, fire, crime scene, cat being rescued in tree -- anything unpredictable an "on the scene" as it happens or right afterward, your task is to cover the scene as a photojournalist. Snap lots of photos.
You'll hand in your best two electronically.
Get enough information from the police or whoever else is on the scene to write your captions. Sometimes you'll need to ask who is in charge to get the relevant info.
If you happen to cover more than one spot news event, use your best one for this assignment and anything else you can use for your five News Event assignments.
- - - -
Since coming across a piece of spot news isn't guaranteed, you'll have the option to create a photo illustration (this is separate from our illustration assignment that we'll have later).
Your newspaper is doing a story about the birthday of a celebrity. Actually, a dead celebrity. Your task is to illustrate their last birthday. You'll want to recreate the scene as it might look in your head and what would make sense to the reader; it doesn't have to be historically accurate.
You could use a celebrity or politician/leader from any era, but you'll want to pick one that people will immediately recognize based on what props you include in the scene. Maybe the person has a memorable silhouette you could try to recreate on a wall.
Some ideas:
Charlie Chaplin
Marilyn Monroe
James Dean
Jimi Hendrix
Marlon Brando
Princess Di
Napoleon
Elvis
Einstein
Lincoln
Shakespeare
Mr. Rogers
You don't have to include someone in the shot, but if you do, use lighting, composition, or selective focus to obscure the person's face. Since it's a photo illustration, you can use whatever effects you need to in photoshop. Using the studio is optional, but you need to reserve an hour for it if you do.
Grading breakdown (25 points)
Technical proficiency (focus, exposure, composition): 10 points
Newsworthiness (for spot news) or creativity (celebrity birthday): 10 points
Caption(s): 5 points
- - - -
For our first one-on-one meeting in the next week or two, please bring either your first News Event photos (or ideas for what you might want to do) and ideas for this assignment. Also, bring any photography or photoshop questions you might have!
If you'd like a refresher for using Bridge or Photoshop, you can also bring some photos on a memory card or USB stick (RAW format is best) and we'll do a quick tutorial.
News event assignments
News Event Assignments
General description:
Throughout the semester you will hand in five News Event Assignments. Each one will be of a news event of your choice (examples below). For each event, you will hand in:
• Your five best photos from the event
• Captions for each photo
Some of these events will overlap with other assignments (like your sports photo assignment). However, a news event must be different than your other assignments. For example, you can shoot a basketball game, but you can only use it for your sports assignment or your news event. You can shoot two games and use one for sports and one for this.
Examples:
DMACC Bears basketball game
State wrestling events (in the spring)
High school games
Drake basketball
iCubs
Media events like press conferences, speeches or unveilings/groundbreakings
Spot news like fire, accidents, etc.
Special campus activities
Concerts or plays (talk to whoever is in charge of media)
Special conventions or shows, like the Home and Garden Show
Special events for kids like KidsFest
Where to find ideas:
Des Moines Juice newspaper
DMACC website
KCCI community calendar
Des Moines Register events
For some of these you will need to speak to the media relations person to get a media pass or just to make sure it is okay to come and take photos. You can say you are a photojournalism student and inquire about a media pass or you're a freelance photojournalist or that you're shooting for the DMACC Campus Chronicle (especially for DMACC events, the Chronicle is always in need of photos).
Due dates:
First event should be done by our second on-on-one meeting
Events 2 and 3 by our third one-on-one meeting
Events 4 and 5 by our fourth one-on-one-meeting.
The main purpose of the one-on-one meetings is to discuss the photos you take at these news events.
Handing in assignments:
You can either hand in your assignments a few different ways:
• Burn files on to a CD
• Put the files in a folder on a USB drive and we can put it on my computer during a meeting
• Put your photos on Flickr and send me the link
Remember, captions should either be in a word document in the same folder or in the photo description (I can show you how to do this in Photoshop).
Grading:
News events are worth 20 points:
10 points for technical quality (proper focus, exposure, cropping, and Photoshop work)
5 points for newsworthiness
5 points for captions
General description:
Throughout the semester you will hand in five News Event Assignments. Each one will be of a news event of your choice (examples below). For each event, you will hand in:
• Your five best photos from the event
• Captions for each photo
Some of these events will overlap with other assignments (like your sports photo assignment). However, a news event must be different than your other assignments. For example, you can shoot a basketball game, but you can only use it for your sports assignment or your news event. You can shoot two games and use one for sports and one for this.
Examples:
DMACC Bears basketball game
State wrestling events (in the spring)
High school games
Drake basketball
iCubs
Media events like press conferences, speeches or unveilings/groundbreakings
Spot news like fire, accidents, etc.
Special campus activities
Concerts or plays (talk to whoever is in charge of media)
Special conventions or shows, like the Home and Garden Show
Special events for kids like KidsFest
Where to find ideas:
Des Moines Juice newspaper
DMACC website
KCCI community calendar
Des Moines Register events
For some of these you will need to speak to the media relations person to get a media pass or just to make sure it is okay to come and take photos. You can say you are a photojournalism student and inquire about a media pass or you're a freelance photojournalist or that you're shooting for the DMACC Campus Chronicle (especially for DMACC events, the Chronicle is always in need of photos).
Due dates:
First event should be done by our second on-on-one meeting
Events 2 and 3 by our third one-on-one meeting
Events 4 and 5 by our fourth one-on-one-meeting.
The main purpose of the one-on-one meetings is to discuss the photos you take at these news events.
Handing in assignments:
You can either hand in your assignments a few different ways:
• Burn files on to a CD
• Put the files in a folder on a USB drive and we can put it on my computer during a meeting
• Put your photos on Flickr and send me the link
Remember, captions should either be in a word document in the same folder or in the photo description (I can show you how to do this in Photoshop).
Grading:
News events are worth 20 points:
10 points for technical quality (proper focus, exposure, cropping, and Photoshop work)
5 points for newsworthiness
5 points for captions
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