Prepare for Your Presentation...A Formal Analysis of a Master's Work

photograph by Robert Parke Harrison

In order to prepare for your presentation, take some time to formally analyze a work by your master photographer. This will allow you to identify what ideas and concepts this photographer was really after in their work, and share them with the class.

In your sketchbook, write a four paragraph response on one page in which you analyze a favorite photograph by your master photographer.
Here's how to formally analyze an artwork:

1) Explain and describe the subject matter of the photo. Be specific and as descriptive as possible. What is the title of the work? When was it made? Any guesses as to who or what the subject matter is? Any personal connection to the photographer?

2) Identify a couple principles of composition that this photographer uses in this work. How does this use of composition effect how we look at the subject? How did he/she position the subject matter in the frame? What was included in the shot? What was cropped out? What type of point-of-view did the photographer use?

3) Make an interpretation about the reason why this photographer printed this image. What is he/she commenting on about the subject? What was the initial purpose of the photograph, (was it used in a magazine, advertisement?) Is it personal or public? What's the message? What might it mean metaphorically? What do you know about this photographer's interests already?

4) Make a judgment about his/her work. Why is this work masterful? What about this picture makes it powerful or meaningful? How does this work compare to other pictures this photographer has made?

Write out your response in your sketchbook. Use your response as a way to practice presenting your master photographer's work...

DUE: Monday, 12/15

Presentation Schedule below!

2008 Masters of Photography Presentation Schedule

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

Shooting Assignment #2: The Night

For your second shooting assignment, you will shoot a roll of film that documents what you find the most haunting, fascinating, unbelievable, or beautiful about the night, and about darkness. How do you photograph darkness? By using slow exposures and experimental lighting of course!

Below is a collection of photographers who embrace darkness, and take pictures of interesting phenomena they find at night. Some of them actually go out at night and photograph what they find. Some of them create interesting set-ups using light sources like TV screens, car headlights, and flashlights. Take a look at the slideshow below for inspiration:



The Night Prints Assessment Criteria

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

Create a Master Photographer Handout & Powerpoint Presentation

Your handout on your master photographer must include the following:

1) At least three examples of his/her work, with titles and dates of each work.
2) Title (name of photographer)
3) Responses to all questions on the assignment sheet below. Break up hand-out into three sections: "Major Contributions, Biographical Info, and Origins and Influences."
4) Three works cited sources, typed in the format specified in the assignment sheet below.
5) Your name.
6) Your handout should use two pages, using both the back and front of the paper.

The handout will be graded according to the following criteria:

1) Ability to research and translate information into your own words, (no plagiarism! use your own words and thoughts, this is not a cut-and-paste operation!)
2) Sufficient research and response to all questions, inclusion of three images, titles/dates, and works sited.
3) Clarity in layout. Organize the images, text, and categories neatly, (consider how newspapers are organized!)
4) Legibility- information has been typed, correct spelling and grammar.
5) 25 copies! Make your own, or submit handout Thursday for me to make copies for Friday!

Master Photo List 08-09

Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

Below is a student presentation on the photographer/artist Gabriel Orozco

Your powerpoint must include the following:
1) Title Page with your name & master photographer's name
2) Five works, each filling entire space of one slide, (low resolution imagery only please!) Include titles and dates of each work on the slide!
3) Simple notes or interesting quotes/fatcs, avoid too many words! We have a handout for the main info!

To turn in your powerpoint, you must email it to Mr. La Londe. Please make sure that you save it in the correct file format before attaching it to an email. Make sure it is a .ppt file and not a .pptx (or I won't be able to read it!)

Gabriel Orozco by Jemini Patel

Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

Homework: Choose a Master Photographer

Your next shooting assignment will be inspired by a master photographer. You will try to mimic that photographer's shooting style, work with similar subject matter, try similar compositional strategies, or even attempt to recreate his/her photographs.

First, you must choose a photographer you really like. It should be someone who photographs subjects that you like to photograph too, or has a style that you really like. Don't choose someone with a "cool" name or someone you haven't even looked at.

Choose your top three photographers from the list below. Take time to use the links below the list (in purple), or image browsers like google to really look at a lot of his/her work before making a final decision. No two people in class will be assigned the same photographer, so the earlier you tell me which photographers you like, the better your chances you'll get your first pick.

Tell me your top three picks, and I'll assign you one of them. Then, revisit the links below and print 5 or more examples of his/her work and store them in your sketchbook. You must also find the title of each photograph, and the date it was made.

Master Photo List 08-09

Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

Check out the following links for online sources for finding master photographers:

Photography NOW
Masters of Photography
ProFotos-Photography Masters
Photokaboom

Shooting Assignment #1: Ordinary to Extraordinary

For your first shooting assignment, you will transform an ordinary, everyday subject into something extraordinary by using a principle of composition.

Your subject should be large enough to photograph from many different angles and points of view, (DO NOT photograph small objects like we did in class). For example, you might photograph an old car parked on your street, or your deck, or the outside of your house, or even a favorite friend. Whatever you choose, you must follow these rules:

1) You must photograph outside, on a sunny day. Wait until noon when light casts interesting shadows and highlights. DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH INSIDE!
2) You must photograph your subject in a variety of ways, using the principles of composition to guide your approach, (see slideshow below).

When photographing, consider the following:
1) LIGHT METER! Read it correctly to avoid over or underexposure.
2) BRACKET your exposures! This means take a picture, than switch to a similar aperture by one stop and photograph it again.
3) Apertures of f5.6 or f8 at a shutter-speed of about 1/250th or 1/500th of a second typically work well for bright, daylight conditions.
4) Use your focusing prism to make sure your subject is in focus!
5) Load, advance,rewind, and unload film from your camera correctly. When in doubt bring your camera in to me, DO NOT OPEN IT!
6) Consider creative controls like depth-of-field and movement. Remember small apertures make deeper depths-of-field and slower shutter speeds will record movement as a blur.

Have fun! Your first roll of film should be shot entirely, (24 exposures), rewound, and ready to process by Friday, Oct. 31st. Don't procrastinate and don't rush!

Sketchbook Assignment: Principles of Composition Scavenger Hunt

To learn how to identify the principles of composition in photography, it's helpful to look for examples of how photographer's use them all over the world, everyday. Create a 2-3 page sketchbook entry in which you neatly cut out and paste clear, high-quality visual examples of each of these photographic principles. Here's what you must include for a 40 point grade!

1) You must include the entire image, no cutting into it or cropping.
2) You need to find two different examples of each principle of composition for a total of 16 images!
2) High quality images = no pixelation, and each must be larger than 3" in one direction.
3) Neatly cut out and carefully pasted/glued into your sketchbook. Label each principle of composition with it's name, (see examples above)and write the source from which you found the image, (artist's name, magazine title, etc.)
4) Explanation-identify what you see in the photograph that demonstrates this compositional principle.

Check out the following links for online sources for finding master photographers:

Photography NOW
Masters of Photography
ProFotos-Photography Masters
Photokaboom

See the principles of composition powerpoint lecture below to refresh your memory on how to find them!

Principles of Composition - Upload a Document to Scribd

Processing Film: A Troubleshooting Guide

This troubleshooting guide is included in the book, "Black and White Photography, A Basic Manual" by Henry Horenstein. It's a great book that explains shooting techniques, film processing, and other black-and-white photography ideas that you can use!

Below is a guide that can be used to identify problems you may have had loading, processing, and exposing your film. If you notice a defect or visible problem with your film, use this guide to identify the probable cause:

Film Processing Troubleshooting Guide - Upload a Document to Scribd

Light Metering reading

Here are the questions you need to respond to using complete sentences in your sketchbook. The reading assignment is worth a 20 point grade, and is due Thursday 10/16.

1)Explain the difference between an “incident” light meter and a “reflected” light meter.
2)Explain the difference between an “averaging” meter, and a “spot” meter.
3)Identify one advantage of using a hand-held light meter as opposed to a reflected light meter.
4)What is a gray card? What can you use as a substitute on your body, and how is it helpful?
5)Compare the picture on page 116 to the top picture on page 123 before answering the following question: When photographing someone against a bright background like the sky, explain how can light-metering correctly to avoid creating a “silhouette” effect (like picture on pg. 116).

6)Explain the process of bracketing. Why would you bracket your exposures?

Light Metering - Upload a Document to Scribd

Photograms! A Thematic Series

by megan mccollum

Photograms are negative-less photographs that are created by placing objects and found materials directly on top of photo paper. In class, we will experiment first with simple techniques for creating successful photograms, and then we'll begin to experiment with multiple exposures and actually moving the objects while exposing them!

During the week this week, create a series of 4 final photogram prints that you can use for a final series. Each of your photograms should demonstrate your ability to make a good exposure (contrast & detail), as well as create an interesting composition. Consider how you will use the space of your compositional format to evenly balance positive and negative space, overlap shapes, and create a visual pathway.

Use the criteria below to identify how your final series will be graded!

Photograms Print Evaluation 08-09 - Upload a Document to Scribd

Homework #2 Snapshot vs. Composed

There are two types of photographs that exist in the world: "Snapshots," the everyday picture taken without planning or consideration of the subject, and "Composed" photographs, pictures that demonstrate clear planning, thought, or consideration by the photographer. While snapshots merely capture a moment, a composed photograph aims to convey a message, or aspires to become a work of art.

In Photo class, we'll try to use our cameras as a tool for creating thoughtful images, and avoid "snapping" a photo off without thought or concern. After all, a photograph can explain to others what you are all about, your point of view, your ideas, your perspective, your personality as a photographer, not just your ability to press a button on your camera.

For Friday's class, bring in two examples of a "snapshot," and two examples of a "composed" photograph. You may bring images you've taken yourself, examples you find in magazines, or print examples from the internet, (larger, high quality print-outs only!). If using "found" imagery, do not cut into the photo, carefully include the entire image. Avoid advertisements! To make it easier to compare, choose examples with similar subject matter. Be prepared to defend your reason for choosing each based upon our discussion of the following comparisons:

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?

After we have looked at your examples together in class, you will choose one example of each to glue into your sketchbook, label as being a "snapshot" or "composed" photograph, and write a 7-8 sentence explanation of why you labeled each this way.

"Composed" photograph links:

Photography NOW
Masters of Photography
ProFotos-Photography Masters
Photokaboom

Due: Monday, 9/22.

Enlarger and Camera Diagrams

Below are the enlarger and camera diagrams for your notebook/sketchbook. Please copy or your notes as you wish!

Camera and Enlarger

Publish at Scribd or explore others:

Homework #2: "The Pinhole Point of View" by Doug Stewart

To get a little more appreciation and understanding of just how revolutionary pinhole photography really is, please read Doug Stewart's article, "The Pinhole Point of View," below. After reading, please respond to the following questions using complete sentences in your sketchbook. Be prepared to discuss and turn in your responses by: Friday, Sept. 12th

Questions:

1) "Because there is no viewfinder, it allows you to relinquish your soul to the camera." In your opinion, what does professor Daniel Kazimierski mean when he says this?
2) In professor Kazimierski's opinion, what are pinhole photographer's reacting against in the typical world of photography?
3) "Pinhole is not a point and shoot affair but an exploration." In your opinion, what does Eric Renner mean when he makes this statement about the process of using a pinhole camera?
4) Read the section, "Every Image is a Surprise," then, identify one artist and explain how this artist uses pinhole photography in an interesting way.

the pinhole point of view - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: the pinhole point of view

Classwork #1: Pinhole Negatives and Prints

Photos by: Jaxan and Magsya

This week in class you will be refining and perfecting your pinhole exposures. First concentrate on understanding your camera and learning how it works. Make adjustments to its aperture, structure, or other parts. As you create your first few pictures, document each and every one in your sketchbook by including the following:

1) Exposure Time
2) Quality of Light (Time of Day)
3) Any Problems
4) Possible Solutions to your problems

Once you have created a high quality, interesting negative, we will learn how to create a positive in the darkroom.

Refer to the slideshow below to see tips for troubleshooting and to get inspirational ideas for taking pictures. Remember, pinhole exposures are long, so take advantage of this by experimenting with:

Light amount and source
Movement contrasting w/stillness
Point of view (where you position the camera, on the ground, facing up, etc.)
Subject matter (first choose subject matter that is stationary and has a lot of light and shadows.

We will discuss due dates for your pinhole log, and final negative and positive in class!

Pinhole Cameras!

For tomorrow and the weekend, begin to think about objects that can be transformed into pinhole cameras! Look around your house, garage, basement, check out thrift stores, find objects that have the following qualities:

1) durable (no aluminum cans or plastic soda bottles, they crush and tear)
2) open easily (objects that have a natural way to open and close are best for this)
3) light-proof (no see-through materials, choose thick, dark, closed objects)
4) unique! (don't select the first thing you find, search around and find something unusual or unexpected that would be cool to transform!)

Take a look at the slideshow I've compiled to get excited about objects for pinholes, as well as different types of pinhole photographs!

Also, make sure to check due dates for all assignments on the due date list to the right!

Welcome to Photography!

Hello everyone,
Welcome to Reservoir High School's Photography 1 class blog! This blog will be a resource for both parents and students to contact me, keep track of assignments and due dates, as well as review the artworks and ideas we looked at and discuss in Photo 1.

It will also serve as an online calendar and blackboard, listing all homework and classwork assignments, as well as providing resources to help you generate ideas and help you along. Keep this site bookmarked in your web browser, and check in often to see what's going on in Photo 1!

This blog will also be connected to Reservoir's official Visual Art department's website, which you can access currently at: http://web.mac.com/gregenglish/RHS/RHS_Art_Dept..html (see link at right)
Please feel free to email me with any questions at evan_lalonde@hcpss.org

Homework #1: Syllabus and Contract

It's important to know the rules and rights you have as a student in my Photo 1 class. Below is an online copy of the Photo 1 syllabus that you can access at any point, just click on the iPaper icon to read, download, or print this document.

I will give you a copy of the syllabus in class so that we can read over it together, but your assignment is as follows:

1) Read over entire syllabus with your parent or guardian.
2) Fill in all required student information on contract, and sign.
3) Have parent/guardian sign contract on back, please note the "publication notice" on the bottom.
4) Tear off contract and turn in to me by Friday, August 29th.
5) Store syllabus in safe place.

Photo I syllabus 2007-08 - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: Photo I syllabus 2007-08