Thursday, February 10, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Feature Story E.C.
Chapter 4 is all about Feature Story photos.
Chance for some extra credit:
Shoot your own feature story photos.
You can submit two different feature shots. One can be friends and family, but the other should not be. Each should have a caption.
They can be cute and "awwww" inspiring.
Up to 10 points per photo (20 points total -- math is hard!)
Chance for some extra credit:
Shoot your own feature story photos.
You can submit two different feature shots. One can be friends and family, but the other should not be. Each should have a caption.
They can be cute and "awwww" inspiring.
Up to 10 points per photo (20 points total -- math is hard!)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Photo story 2 & 3
Photo Story #2 & 3
Photo Story #2 Due: February 22
Photo Story #3 Due: April 21
Specifics:
• 5-7 photos
• Captions for each
• Handed in via Flickr
This assignment is similar to your Family/Friends story but this time you'll tell the story of a stranger or acquaintance. Your task is to tell a story through photos. Again, you can tell the story with the best 5-7 photos. Use as many angles you can (literally and figuratively) for 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 half 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. The story might not be clear without good captions. 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.
Photo Story #2 Due: February 22
Photo Story #3 Due: April 21
Specifics:
• 5-7 photos
• Captions for each
• Handed in via Flickr
This assignment is similar to your Family/Friends story but this time you'll tell the story of a stranger or acquaintance. Your task is to tell a story through photos. Again, you can tell the story with the best 5-7 photos. Use as many angles you can (literally and figuratively) for 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 half 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. The story might not be clear without good captions. 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 assignments
Conceptual and Celebrity Photo Illustration Assignments
Both Due March 22 -- handed in via Flickr. Include a headline description, no caption needed.
Celebrity: Sometimes newspapers need "art" for a story about someone who has died. In this case, sometimes photojournalists will create a photo illustration using props and sometimes models.
Your assignment is to illustrate the last birthday of an iconic celebrity. For example: Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Jimi Hendrix, or Buddy Holly. Find some props that fit your subject and arrange them in a visually interesting way. Don't forget the birthday aspect -- a cake, cupcake, calendar date, etc.
Conceptual: 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
Cheating in college
Relationship blues
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.
Both Due March 22 -- handed in via Flickr. Include a headline description, no caption needed.
Celebrity: Sometimes newspapers need "art" for a story about someone who has died. In this case, sometimes photojournalists will create a photo illustration using props and sometimes models.
Your assignment is to illustrate the last birthday of an iconic celebrity. For example: Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Jimi Hendrix, or Buddy Holly. Find some props that fit your subject and arrange them in a visually interesting way. Don't forget the birthday aspect -- a cake, cupcake, calendar date, etc.
Conceptual: 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
Cheating in college
Relationship blues
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.
New portrait assignments
Candid & Studio Portrait assignments
Candid portrait due Feb 15
Studio portrait due March 8
These are similar to your family/friend portrait except this one should be of someone you don't know well. Friend of a friend perhaps. Part of the reason for this is to practice capturing the "story" of someone who you might not be comfortable with. Photojournalists have to do this every day.
One candid - this means NOT in the studio or in your back yard. It should be in an interesting location that means something to the subject. Your subject at work or home doing "what they do," in a candid, unrehearsed moment.
Make sure we can see their face.
One studio portrait - here is where you can show off your studio, posing, and lighting skills. Include props to help illustrate your subject's interests. (If you haven't used studio lights yet, Andy can give you a quick lesson)
You don't have to use the studio -- you can find an interesting location, but make sure you have "good" light -- sun low in the sky, overcast day, light coming in through a window. Use a fill flash outside if needed.
Unlike the candid shot, you have the ability to pose your subject.
Tips for the studio 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 -- see our website for a link to lighting examples.
• You can 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, 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.
Candid portrait due Feb 15
Studio portrait due March 8
These are similar to your family/friend portrait except this one should be of someone you don't know well. Friend of a friend perhaps. Part of the reason for this is to practice capturing the "story" of someone who you might not be comfortable with. Photojournalists have to do this every day.
One candid - this means NOT in the studio or in your back yard. It should be in an interesting location that means something to the subject. Your subject at work or home doing "what they do," in a candid, unrehearsed moment.
Make sure we can see their face.
One studio portrait - here is where you can show off your studio, posing, and lighting skills. Include props to help illustrate your subject's interests. (If you haven't used studio lights yet, Andy can give you a quick lesson)
You don't have to use the studio -- you can find an interesting location, but make sure you have "good" light -- sun low in the sky, overcast day, light coming in through a window. Use a fill flash outside if needed.
Unlike the candid shot, you have the ability to pose your subject.
Tips for the studio 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 -- see our website for a link to lighting examples.
• You can 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, 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.
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