Visual Journal 3: Contemporary Photography

For your assignment today and monday, you will look at various images on the TIME magazine photo site. You will need to find an image that visually stands out to you in terms of composition and concept. First go to the class website to read instructions. You will need to create a visual journal entry based on a single image from Students should partner up to view images online. Your sketchbook and binders and in a box on the counter by the door. On Monday, when you are done, turn in your work in the same box.

1. Go to the Time website from the classroom links to the right
2. Find an image from the categories "today in pictures, pictures of the week, or pictures of the year" that stands out to you.
3. Print the image out (hold the control key and click the mouse => save image as. Open up the image and print it in Photoshop.
--- only print 1 image. You and your partner can print your image from Photoshop.
4. Create a visual journal based on the image you selected
5. Answer the following questions within your visual journal. These should be higher level thinking answers.

Name of photographer and title
Year it was taken
Location of photograph

What principles of composition does the photographer utilize.
Why do you think the photographer took this image (what is the meaning of it)?
What group of people do you think this subject could affect?
Why is this image meaningful enough to put on TIME?

If the printer is not working, please print your image at home, or sketch your image as best you can into your visual journal.
This will be a 40 point grade and most likely your last grade for the 1st quarter

Ordinary to Extraordinary: Contact Sheet Evaluation

o2e - CS EVAL

Ordinary to Extraordinary

For your first shooting problem, you will need to figure out how to transform an ordinary object into an extraordinary photograph. You will do this by utilizing the principles of composition we learned in class the other day.

1. Think about the lighting. Shoot in an area with strong lighting. Indoor shots are very difficult to do because you need a lot more light. Do not shoot at noon. Think about shooting during the early morning or later in the afternoon.

2. Your subject should be something that is an everyday object. It must be large enough for you to be able to compose your image. Earrings, watches, fruit etc. tend to be hard to photograph because of the lenses that we use.

3. Do not go below 125 on your shutter speed, you can use 60 if you position your camera on a steady surface or use a wall / solid object to brace yourself

4. Bracket your exposures. 3 different light settings for the same composition. 1 over exposed, 1 under and 1 normal. 1 aperture click above or 1 shutter speed is plenty.

5. Do not open your camera to take film out until Monday.

6. Remember the depth of field (small opening, larger number) will create a larger depth of field.

7. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS

8. Shoot the entire roll

Camera Parts

Camera Parts

Visual Journal #2: Principles of Composition

For your second visual journal, you will be creating a visual reference for the principles of composition. You will need to find 2 examples for each principle (8 principles, 2 images, total of 16 images). Remember that I want you to find photographers that you can relate to, so use the links on the sides of the blog to find images. You will have a limited amount of class time complete this. Take a look at the grading criteria below and the slide presentation of work that is exemplar, average and poor.

Grading criteria:

Objectives:
Each section is separate and clearly labeled
You have 2 exemplar images for each principle
You have clearly labeled:
- Artist name
- Title of work
- If it is a questionable selection, brief explanation on your reasoning

Design:
I have designed my page in an artistic way.
- Consider the principles of design (balance, unity, contrast etc.)
I have addressed the background in an artistic way.
You have considered spacial issues (usually 1 principle / page works well)
Images are at least 3 inches in the smallest dimension
You have utilized the entire image (not cropping or overlapping images)

Craftsmanship:
My pages are free of creases, folds, tears etc.
You have used sketchbook / journal paper
Images are completely secure to the page

Do not:
Use google images
Use your own photographs
Use pixelated images
Use my images
Use images from the slide presentations

Visual Journal 1: Snapshot vs. Photograph

In photo 1, you will use your binder / sketchbook to create visual journals. Visual journals are a way that artists brainstorm ideas, take notes and map out artworks. Your first journal assignment is titled "snapshot vs. photograph." For this visual journal you will need to select an example of a photograph and another image of a snapshot. You will display these images side by side to create a visual comparison.

Often times photographs are confused with snapshots. A snapshot involves just pushing a button to capture an image of a subject. Often times, especially in a digital era, these pictures are of friends and family. A photograph is a composed image. It is an image that has been thought about in terms of concept and composition. Photographs have the ability to communicate thoughts, perspectives, point of view and your personality as a photographer.

Specifications for Visual Journal (40 points)

Objectives:
I have created a visual journal that showcases a snapshot and photograph of a similar subject matter
I have written a brief (2-3 sentences) explanation that describes why you are using that image for a photograph or snapshot (refer the the questions below)

1) Is there visual evidence of the photographer thinking/planning when taking the picture? Why or why not?
2) Is the sole focus of the image centered in the middle, or are there many focal points throughout?
3) What is the photographer's intent when taking this image? Is it merely to document a moment, or is there a deeper meaning? What might this meaning be?
4) Is there evidence of technical planning in the exposure, or does it appear rushed or unconsidered? How?

Design:
I have designed my page in an artistic way.
- Consider the principles of design (balance, unity, contrast etc.)
I have addressed the background in an artistic way.
I have clearly labeled which image is the snapshot and photograph.
I have the artist name (if no name, location of where image was found).
My visual journal is on 1 -2 full pages in my sketchbook / binder.

Craftsmanship:
My pages are free of creases, folds, tears etc.
My images of are high quality and at least 3 inches in smallest length
I have used my sketchbook or journal paper to complete the assignment (not notebook paper).

Principles of Composition Slides

In class, we went over 8 different principles of composition for photography. The slide show below shows all of the images we talked about during class as well as a few others. Use this as a reference while completing your visual journal.

Blog Slides