Mural Project Preview. Assigned 10/8, due 10/15 - Minor (Final grade of the 1st 9 weeks)

Mural Project Preview

It is time for our first group project of the year. For this project you will team up with a group of four people to create a photo mural. In the past we have created physical versions of this mural, but this year, you will create a digital version. We will use Canva to do this. While you will work with a team of people to come up with a theme and to generate images for the project, you will create your OWN mural. To do this you will need to meet with your team to come up with a theme, and to decide who will take what photos.

For years artists have used wheat paste to basically graffiti open spaces in urban settings. While the unauthorized use of wheat paste is illegal, many cities around the country have started designating places where artists can safely and legally produce wheat paste-based art. They appear in places like NYC, Seattle, Minneapolis and other places. Austin used to have its own version at Castle Hill downtown (perhaps some of you went there in the past). Here is a link to some images taken there:

Hope Outdoor Gallery

To prepare for this assignment I think we should look at wheat paste art, specifically with photography. To be clear, I am not endorsing doing this in a destructive way. It is just another way to take a digital idea and convert it into an analog product.

Please make a new Google Site subpage called Mural Project preview, and as you work your way down this assignment, answer the following questions:

Let's start here - make sure to look at the gallery at the top (there are 6 images): 

Watersville

1. Why did Watersville decide to commission this project?

2. What was 1 interesting thing you learned about wheat paste products?

3. Pick one quote from the story that you think really defined the project to the community or the artists. Share it with me.

Now go look at what is happening in Denver, CO, again make sure to click through the gallery at the top  AND READ THE CAPTIONS BELOW THE PHOTOS (there are 13 images in this slideshow):

Wheatpasting Denver

4. Why is Denver embracing this type of art?

5. What are three things on Mark Sink's "wishlist" (There is a photo gallery at the top of the page, you will need to click view slideshow and look through the captions to find this answer)?

Check out one of the Denver artist's here: Mark Sink - Denver

6. Screen shot 3 images from The Big Picture installation that you like and share them with me on your Google Site.

Here is another cool project that was done in Atlanta: Atlanta

7. What was the goal of the artists who created the Neighbors Connected?

8. Who did they take photos of?

Now it's your turn:

11. Think of at least three ideas you have about what your team could take photos of, that are in the same theme? Be creative, but be realistic. You will be shooting ON campus, and every member of your team will need to be able to take similar photos or whatever you decide to do as a group. Use some of the examples you found above to drive your concepts. I am very, very open to strange ideas and new things. Share them with me.

Our next assignments will be to get into groups and start planning this project. I will be assigning the groups. Your group will meet to talk about theme and plan the project. You will have to decide the format that you want this to take. How can we show off 30+ images in a digital fashion that still holds true to this project intentions?

SLO and Prompt Shoot #2. Assigned 10/6, due 10/6 - Minor, MAJOR, Minor

 SLO

When you walk in today, you will take the SLO for my class. Do the best you can and make sure you answer all 20 multiple choice questions AND you write a caption and headline. You have NO MORE than 35 minutes to complete this task. When you are done, move on to the assignment below.

Posting Prompt Shoot #2 and Post Shoot Reflection

Please make  a new Google Site subpage titled Prompt Shoot 2 and uploaded 4 images, 1 for each prompt. 

Please answer the following below your photos, once you have your 4 images on your Google Site:

Make sure you label each properly with the prompt name and explain the compositional rule evident in the photo. You should do this for ALL FOUR PHOTOS!

In a new text box, answer these questions: 

1. What challenges did you encounter while trying to shoot in Manual?

2. As you were shooting, explain how you exposed the photo properly?

3. Explain how you adjusted your position or how you thought about compositional rules as you were taking these photos. 

Remember - there are always THREE goals when you take photos:

1. Your subject is clear and in focus.

2. Your image is exposed properly.

3. That you have thought about and controlled for either movement, or depth of field. You have to be considering those two things every single time.

Prompt Shoot #2 (focus on exposure). Assigned 10/1, due 10/6 - MAJOR

Here is your next assignment: Prompt Shoot #2

You know what to do with these after the first shoot. But remember, you need to take more photos than you intent to turn in. I would shoot 1 photo for every minute you are out there. So today a good goal would be 45-50 photos.

You will, generally, be graded on the following:

Focus - is the picture in focus? If not, you will lose points

Subject - is the subject clear? 

Interest - how interesting is the subject

Composition - did you incorporate rules of photography

Uniqueness - is it something new, something I haven't seen before, were you creative?

Don't forget that you are thinking about composition AND the prompts. Today, you have the added layer of making sure your photos are EXPOSED properly. And then you can start thinking about depth of field and/or stopping action. YOU MUST SHOOT IN THE MANUAL SETTING!!

A good starting place today, since it is sunny; ISO 200-400, Aperture f8-f16. shutter speed around 350 or so. If you are inside, you might need to start with ISO 400-800, Aperture f4.5-f8, shutter speed 60-250 or so. But make sure you use the LIGHT METER. If you need help, come back to the classroom. If you can't get your photos to come out - COME BACK TO THE ROOM.

Here are your prompts today:

Metal

Bowie

Square

Gate

You will turn these images in labeled, and completing a post shoot reflection on Monday when I see you next.

Sim Cam. Assigned 9/29, due 9/29 - Minor (in-class only, absences with be excused)

Please go to this website and wait for instructions.

https://camerasim.com

Please do not set anything and do not take any photos until I direct you to do so!!

I will be handing out a guided response paper that you will turn in at the end of class for a grade.

If you miss class today, I will give you this paper when you return and you will need to complete the assignment before you can go take Prompt Shoot #2 (manual).

Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO. Assigned 9/26, due 9/29 - MAJOR

Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO

The next lesson in our use of the camera and how it works involves what is commonly referred to as the "three pillars of photography." They are Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO.

Today we are going to learn about all three and how they impact our photography.

Let's start with Aperture as it is probably the hardest of the three to full understand.

Go to this website and read about Aperture:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-aperture-in-photography

Once you are done reading - I want you to use google and find me an example of a photo taken at aperture setting F2.8 and an example of a photo taken at F16 or higher. DO NOT USE the photos on the website I sent you to, find different ones. Post those images on a new Google Site page called Aperture, SS and ISO and label them.

Then answer the following questions:

1. What part of the body should we closely relate aperture?
2. Finish this sentence - the smaller the Aperture _____________, the higher the Aperture ________________.
3. In your own words tell me how aperture impacts Depth of Field?

Now lets move on to Shutter Speed. This is a little easier to understand but we should read about it here:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-shutter-speed-in-photography

Once you are finished reading about Shutter Speed, I want you to use google and find me an example of a photo taken with a high shutter speed and one taken at a slow shutter speed (you do not have to show blur unless you want but I still need to see an example of a photo that COULD have been taken at a slow shutter speed). Post them both images on your Google Site page and label them.

Then answer the following questions:

1. If you were assigned to shoot at Bulldogs and Hotdogs night, what shutter speeds do you think you would have to shoot at the following events that night I would like you to answer the question for the following two situations: You can answer: Low, Medium or High.

At the beginning while the sun was still up and the courtyard had reasonable good light

a.) a booth in the middle of the yard near the Tree
b.) a food booth outside under one of the big red awnings
c.) the Stars performance inside the gym
d.) students dancing near the center of the courtyard
e.) people streaming in from the front doors
f.) the basketball booth where students are shooting basketballs at a hoop

Towards the end when there is no sun and has gotten dark enough that you can't see from one end of the courtyard to the other. Again you can answer: Low, Medium or High.

a.) a booth in the middle of the yard near the Tree

b.) a food booth outside under one of the big red awnings

c.) the Stars performance inside the gym

d.) students dancing near the center of the courtyard

e.) people streaming in from the front doors

f.) the basketball booth where students are shooting basketballs at a hoop

2. List the three settings your camera has regarding setting shutter speed (these are found at #5 on the Shutter Speed website). Explain how each works - DO NOT COPY AND PASTE, use your own words.

Now for the last of the pillars, ISO. Lets go read some more at this website:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-iso-in-photography

Once you are finished, please go to google and find me an example of a photo taken at ISO 200 and a photo taken at ISO 3200 or 6400. Post both images on your Google Site and label them.

Then answer the following questions:

1. What are the advantages of shoot at a higher ISO at a sporting event like basketball or a night football game?
2. What suggestions did the author make about using a low ISO?
3. What suggestions did the author make about using a high ISO?

Now that we have a basic understanding of the three pillars, let's look at some direct examples of what happens in when you mess with Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO. Go to the following website:

https://canon.ca/CanonOutsideOfAuto/play

This simulates a DSLR camera. Make sure you set the camera on MANUAL setting at the top.

List the aperture settings available on this camera starting with F2.8 and working up
List the shutter speed settings available on this camera starting with 4000 and working down to 1 second.
List the ISO settings available on this camera starting with 100 and working up.

Now have some fun and play with the settings. We will use a similar site next class to learn more about how to make adjustments in your camera for these 3 important adjustments.

Copyrights. Assigned 9/24, due 9/26 - Minor

 Review the below slides and watch the embedded videos using earbuds or CC. 

Create a new Google Site Subpage called Copyright. Answer the questions below using the resources provided.

Part 1 Questions - Reflect on the information in part 1 of the slides to answer the following: 

1. If you find a movie online at a site that encourages illegal sharing, why should you care about that? 
2. How would you feel if someone took something you made and put it online?
3. What would happen if everyone got music or movies from sites that give away copies without artist’s permission?

Think of a new recording artist or band you like

1. How do you think they make money?
2. How do they distribute their media to consumers like us?
3. How do you think copyright might relate to what they’re doing?
4. Could copyright be important to their current or future ability to make a living by making music?   

Part 2 Questions - Reflect on the information in part 2 of the slides and watch this video to answer the following: 

1. Have you heard of a site like this Napster before? 
2. What do you think about sites like that? 
3. Was it fair for millions of consumers to copy and give away songs to millions of other people?
4. How did Metallica figure out their new song had been distributed on Napster? 
5. Why did Metallica fight back? 
6. What do you think other artists at the time thought about it? 
7. What do you think consumers thought?
8. Do you think having music distributed for free through Napster devalued the music for listeners?
9. What do you think about unfinished drafts of songs being leaked to radio stations? How would you feel if that happened to your work? 

Part 3

Watch the following videos:

1. What do you do when you’re checking legal sources but still can’t find some of the songs, movies, or games you’re looking for? 
2. What if you want to find a newly released movie, but it is not available yet on Netflix or Hulu or another movie site? 
3. What does being an ethical and respectful digital citizen mean in this context?
   
4. How can you share a song you just discovered ethically?
5. What if the song has a Creative Commons license that allows sharing? What if the song is old enough to be in the public domain?

Key Words

Define the following key words, using your knowledge from this unit. If you need to look a definition up elsewhere please share the URL you found it. 

1. Consumer
2. Copyright
3. Copyright Infringement
4. Licensing Agreement
5. Media
6. Public Domain

Watch the 6 videos in this playlist. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm8a9mXz_9Y6XF5VCRqygelhf_5RkT5_T

Answer the following questions using information from the videos. If you do not recall the answer or are not sure, please use Google to find your answer. If you do this, please paste the URL of the site you found your answer next to your answer.

1. Review the Creative Commons, to learn about the initiative. Summarize the purpose the Creative Commons site, and other options for finding creative work with limited restrictions. 
2. What does it mean if work is part of Creative Commons?
3. Share an image from Creative Commons with its terms of use. Provide the source URL for the image. Briefly summarize its terms of use. 
4. What does it mean if work is part of the Public Domain? 
5. Share an image from the Public Domain. Provide the source URL for the image. 
6. Suggest a  good way to reference material you find online in the public domain?
7. What does 'Fair Use' mean?
8. What is direct permission? How can you get this?
9. Share one regularly copyrighted image with its source URL. Please note use of a copyrighted image for a classroom assignment constitutes fair use. 

Prompt Shoot, Post-Shoot Reflection and Sensory Overload. Assigned 9/17, due 9/24 - MAJOR, Minor, Minor

FIRST - post your "Prompt Shoot #1":

Please post your FIVE prompt shoot images on a new subpage on your Google Site called Prompt Shoot #1. One for each prompt. Please make sure to LABEL the images so viewers (ME) know which prompt they are looking at. While you are are posting the images, make sure to type a couple of sentences explaining what rule of composition evident in the image and explain the rule to me in your own words.

If you need to go take photos, please make sure to ask me ASAP.

SECOND - "Post Shoot Reflection":

At the bottom of your Prompt Shoot #1 subpage, make a new text box and answer the following questions:

1. What challenges did you encounter while trying to get the photos of your first 5 prompts (Dry, Purple, Electric, Book AND BONUS Happy)?

2. What technical aspects of photography or the assignment in general (focus, framing, holding the camera, etc.) did you find yourself thinking about the most? Provide a specific example of what you did to do this correctly.

3. Are you interested in shooting those same prompts again, why?

4. List FIVE prompts that you think would be fun to go take photos of.

THIRD - "Sensory Overload"

Check out this link:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/01/world/cnnphotos-commodity-city/index.html

After you read the story please answer the following questions on a NEW subpage on your Google Site called Sensory Overload.

1. The last sentence of the story says

"I believe that more and more, we are defining our environments not as the spaces themselves, in terms of the buildings or architecture, but rather by the objects and devices that we buy and surround ourselves with. ... I would like that message to carry through universally," Seymour said.

Please write at least 2-3 sentences on what you think about this statement, you should explain why you agree or disagree.

As an aspiring photographer how does this make you feel about your photography?

2. When you looked through the images, did you want to visit this place and take your camera?

3. What do you think it would be like to be the child of someone who worked at this place?

4. Please take a screen shot of your favorite image and tell me why it is your favorite.

To take a screen shot - hold down the SHIFT, COMMAND and the #4 key. This will then give you a new cursor that looks like a little target - you can then click and drag across any image to take a screen shot. That screen shot goes into your download folder and should be moved to your desktop folder, and then into your Google Drive to place on your Google Site page.