SP '09 WEEK #05

photo by THOMAS E. FRANKLIN / The Record
LOCATION LIGHTING. How was this photo lit and made to look like this?

TODAY'S AGENDA
1. Photos of the week, MSNBC
2. Let's look, ASSIGNMENT #4, Composition
3. History of Photojournalism: Mathew Brady
4. Lesson; Covering a live assignment
5. Lesson; LIGHT part I
6. ASSIGNMENT #5; Lighting
7. ASSIGNMENT #6; Covering a Live Event
8. Photo essay; Eye of the Storm; Times-Picayune - NOLA.com

SP '10 ASSIGMENT Light

ASSIGNMENT #05
(Due 3/08/10)
Light

PART 1
History of Photojournalism; Jacob Riis & Lewis Hine

PART 2
READING:
National Geographic Field Guide
Read pages 103-117

Guide to Photojournalism
By Brian Horton
Read pages 79-101“Features and Portraits; Seeing the World Around Us.”

Visual Journalism
By Christopher R. Harris & Paul Martin Lester
Read pages 63-86“Technical Considerations.”

PART 3
Light

Lighting MUST be the key element in these photos.
DO NOT USE A FLASH!

Photo 1: A documentary photo of some aspect of college life with strong sense of ARTIFICIAL light:

1. Make well-composed and expressive photo using one of the lighting techniques discussed in class. Photo should have exceptionally strong quality of light.
2. Lighting technique should be very obvious.
3. This must be a documentary-style photo, do not manipulate the image in Photoshop.
4. Do NOT USE A CAMERA FLASH!!!!!!!!!
5. Lighting must be from an artificial light, such as a lamp or bulb. Can be indoors or outdoors, day or night.
6. Keep in mind some of the elements of good composition, avoiding; cluttered and distracting backgrounds, objects appearing behind heads, dead space, etc. Fill the frame, making interesting photos that have impact.
7. Composition, perspective, background, and lens selection should all be taken into consideration. Consider the various lighting techniques discussed in class; directional light, soft light, window light, back light, etc.


Photo 2: A photo of some aspect of college life with strong sense of NATURAL light,
this does NOT need to be documentary, can be passive:

1. Make well-composed and expressive photo using one of the lighting techniques discussed in class. Photo should have exceptionally strong quality of light.
2. Lighting technique should be very obvious.
3. This must be a documentary-style photo, do not manipulate the image in Photoshop.
4. Do NOT USE A CAMERA FLASH!!!!!!!!!
5. Lighting must be natural; sun, or cloudy day. Can be indoors or outdoors.
6. Keep in mind some of the elements of good composition, avoiding; cluttered and distracting backgrounds, objects appearing behind heads, dead space, etc. Fill the frame, making interesting photos that have impact.
7. Composition, perspective, background, and lens selection should all be taken into consideration. Consider the various lighting techniques discussed in class; directional light, soft light, window light, back light, etc.


Review examples showed in class and Power Point Presentation.


*Students must complete:
1. Select best photo from each part, submit (2) photos.
2. SLUG PHOTO AS FOLLOWS:
Last name_natural.jpg
Last name_artificial.jpg
EXAMPLE:
franklin_natural.jpg
franklin_artificial.jpg

NO CLASS

As I announced last week, there will be NO CLASS held this week 2/22.However, there is new lesson to be studied, and additional assignments. See below. Be sure to bring all assignments due, and to complete all the reading portions; there will be questions about the reading next week. Have a good week.
-TF

LESSON:
Covering a Live Event
ASSIGNMENT #6; Covering a Live Event

SPRING '10 ASSIGMENT #06; Live Event

ASSIGNMENT #06
(Due Monday MARCH 8TH –two weeks)
Live Event (Multiple Pictures)
PART 1
READING:

Guide to Photojournalism
By Brian Horton
Read pages 54-77
“News: Sensitivity, Thinking, Instinct and Curiosity”
Read pages 131-152
“Lessons; Horst Faas, J.Pat Carter, Alan Diaz”

PART 2

HISTORY OF PHOTOJOURNALISM

Please read the following in the PHOTOGRAPHERS BIO's FOLDER:

1. DOROTHEA LANGE
2. FSA PHOTOGRAPHERS
3. JACOB RIIS & LEWIS HINE

PART 3
Come up with a short list of subjects for consideration for your final project. Be ready to discuss in class.

PART 4
Cover a Live Event / Multiple Pictures
Select a scheduled public event and photograph all aspects of the event in the form of a photo essay. Be sure to shoot various scenes, including overalls and details, and illustrate what the event is about. Get photos of all the important people and subject matter.
Select a carefully chosen event to shoot, thus you have two weeks to plan.

Suggestions; news event, parade, protest, performance, etc.

Do not shoot a sporting event, a press conference, fair, etc.. Check newspaper, campus fliers, and magazine listings for a schedule of events in your area.

Select an event that will be visual, not something static like someone standing at a podium talking. Think of some of the work reviewed in class. Your event selection is key, give it some thought and planning.

Be prepared to use your flash if necessary. Keep in mind some of the elements of good composition, avoiding; cluttered and distracting backgrounds, objects appearing behind heads, dead space, etc. Fill the frame, making interesting photographs that have impact. Composition, positioning, background, and lens selection should all be taken into consideration.
Photos as a collection should illustrate what the event is about.

1.PUT ALL YOUR PHOTOS IN YOUR PUBLIC FOLDER
2. Select (5-8) different images must be submitted. Be sure to include:
-people in at least (4) photos.
-(1) over-all, scene setter.
-(1) detail or close up. Can be of a person. Make it relevant.
Do not select repetitive photos.

-CAPTION: be sure to get subject’s names and brief description of what they are doing,; who, what, when, where, why. Missing names will hurt your grade.

*Students must complete:

1. Select (5-8) best photos, including; an overall & detail. Do not select repetitive photos.
2. SLUG PHOTO AS FOLLOWS:
Last name_live event1.jpg Last name_ live event2.jpg
EXAMPLE: franklin_ live event1.jpg
franklin_ live event2.jpg
3. Place images in the “drop folder.”

SP '10 WEEK 4

photo by Marc Schauer

By now, we should be well aware of the technical considerations that determine a photograph, such as aperture, shutter speed, lens selection, and camera types. You should also be familiar with the categories of the "Visual language."

So, what can your determine in looking at these three iconic images?


Jerome Delay's iconic image from Iraq, as hundreds of Iraqis storm the Abu Ghraib jail Oct. 20, 2002 following the announcement by President Saddam Hussein that most of Iraq's prisoners would be freed. Tens of thousands of prisoners were greeted by their relatives and friends upon their release.

Charles Moore's photo from the Civil Rights movement in the 1960's.

Eddie Adams won the Pulitzer Prize for for his picture of a Viet Cong lieutenant being executed at close range on a Saigon street by a South Vietnamese general.

How about this Diane Arbus image?


Misc.

Could it be...that some submitted photos are not slugged correctly or contain proper captions....
Be sure caption explains which assignment it is.

Be sure to review the Powerpoint Presentations, they contain material not always covered in class, due to time restriction.

Agenda for today's class.

1.Photos of the week; MSNBC
2. Let's look, ASSIGNMENT #3, SELECTIVE FOCUS
3. Lesson; Composition
4. ASSIGNMENT #4, Composition
5. ASSIGNMENT, Photojournalist Paper
6. Photo essay; “"Bound to El Norte: Immigrant Stowaways on the Freight Trains of Mexico," by Don Bartletti

ASSIGNMENT #4 Composition

(Due 02/22/10)

Composition

PART 1

READING:

National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide

Read pages 82-95, 160-165

Guide to Photojournalism

By Brian Horton

Read pages 79-101“Features and Portraits; Seeing the World Around Us.”

PART 2

HISTORY OF PHOTOJOURNALISM

(1) Mathew Brady (see Photographer’s Bio’s)

PART 3

Composition (2) photos

PHOTO 1:

Make an environmental portrait of a person using “Rule of Thirds.

Subject: Make well-composed, expressive environmental portraits of a person in their place of work environment. Photo should give insight into what the person does. The environment should be obvious and explanatory. Make photos of subject in different positions, locations, with special emphasis on positioning.

Keep in mind:

YOU ARE IN CONTROL, this is a passive assignment.

There should be obvious foreground & background.

PHOTO 2:

Make well-composed action photos of a person at work in their place of work environment using one of these compositional techniques: Framing, Leading Lines, Juxtaposition, or Silhouette.

This should be a Graphic Photograph. One that is visual and emphasizes the relationship between the lines, shapes and forms produces an aesthetically pleasing visual presentation.

Graphic elements are as important as the story-telling content with this assignment.

Keep in mind:

This is NOT a passive assignment, this is an active photo, and should be documentary.

*Students must complete:
1. Select (1) best photo of each. (2) total.

2. Follow “Basic Photoshop”, use outline provided if needed.

3. Type complete caption in FILE INFO field in Photoshop, see instructions.

****CAPTION MUST STATE WHICH TECHNIQUE YOU ARE USING!

4.SLUG PHOTO AS FOLLOWS:

Last name_ composition1.jpg, Last name_ composition2.jpg

5. Place image in the “drop folder”

(remember to save a copy for yourself to you folder)

SP '10 Photojournalist Paper

Photojournalist Paper
Due 03/29/10

Each student will be required to select and contact a working photojournalist of choice, accompany them on an assignment, conduct an interview and write a paper on the experience.
The project will require research and preparation, and the ability to contact and meet with the photojournalist. Every effort should be made to try and accompany the photojournalist on an assignment. This will require planning and coordination.

***WEDDING & COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE NOT PERMITTED. WORKING PHOTOJOURNALISTS & NEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY!

SELECT SOMEONE WITH REAL EXERIENCE –at least 5 years.

The goal of this presentation is for students to learn something about the field of photojournalism, which is undergoing cataclysmic changes, from a working professional who can offer insight. In addition to the list of questions below, students should prepare their own set of questions. Research on photographer’s background should be completed BEFORE interview session.
Be inquisitive. Get their advice. Get a sense of the photographer’s attitude, style, and perspective. This is a unique opportunity to get some real career insight, even in photojournalism is not in your future. There is much that can be learned from professionals in related fields. Make the most of the opportunity.

1. The written paper should be minimum 2000 words (2-3 pages, no more), and written in the student’s own words... DO NOT PLAGIARIZE.
The written report must be a WORD document.
-12pt font, single-space, and submitted to the DROP FOLDER.
2. Shoot your own photo of the photojournalist, hopefully in action.
-Copy and paste 1-2 photos of photographers work into WORD document.
-Copy and paste 1-2 of your photos into WORD document.

3. The paper MUST follow this outline:
I.BACKGROUND
-Why was photographer selected?
-What is the photographer’s background?
-How did they get interested and started?
-Etc.
II. PHOTOGRAPHY WORK
-What type of work or projects is the photographer known for?
-List examples, and gives description.
-Copy and paste at least 2 photos into WORD document.
-Who do they work for now, in the past?
-Describe their job/assignments.
Etc.
III. JOB
-Describe their job/assignments.
-What aspects of their jobs are most satisfying? Least satisfying?
- What aspects of their jobs are most difficult?
-What advice do they have for young journalists?cont>
-What are the most important skills to have to be a successful photojournalist?
-What changes in the business have they experienced?
-What does the future hold for photojournalists?

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE FOLLOWING PHOTOGRAPHERS:
-Chris Pedota / The Record
-Carmine Galasso / The Record
-Tyson Trish / The Record
-Matt Rainey / Star-Ledger
-Tony Kurdzuk / Star-Ledger

DO’s AND DON’Ts:
-Do not wait until the last minute to contact the photographer. DO IT NOW!
-Do not expect the photographer to get back to you immediately, if at all.
-Be persistent and assertive, and don’t wait for returned calls. Be proactive.
-Do research BEFORE contacting them. Impress them with what you already know about them. This will most likely lead to a better interview, and will show respect for their time.
-Ask for help in making initial contact.
-Make every opportunity to accompany them on an assignment.

Where to find a photojournalist?
-Get in the habit of looking for credits under published photos.
-your local newspaper
-Visit photojournalism web sites:
www.njppa.org (New Jersey Press Photogs Association)
www.nppa.org (National Press Photogs Association)
www.digitaljournalist.org Dirck Halstead (very important site!)
www.sportshooter.com (not just sports)
http://www.aphotoaday.org/ (a photo a day web site & blog)

-The Star-Ledger
-The Record
-The Asbury Park Press
-The Herald News
-The NY Times

-Review the PPP’s.
-Ask me.

MONDAY FEB 15

CLASS IS ON !!!!
spread the word.
Class will not be canceled. Thanks.

Sp 2010 WEEK #03

Photo by Rob DiMarzo

Welcome to Week 3.
Wow, I was very impressed with the photos from Week 1, we saw some really nice self-portraits with self-expression. Let's keep up the good work.

Housekeeping:
-when reviewing the Powerpoint presentation, copy the PPP file to your HD then open from there. (Opening a large file like that across the server will put a drain on server, and in some cases -crash)
-do NOT put folders in the DROP folder, just drag and drop the images solo. Thank you.
-be sure to slug each photo correctly, otherwise 1pt will subtracted from each assignment.
-check the Graded Assignments Folder.-if you miss and assignment be sure to make it up and submit to drop ASAP.

Agenda for today's class.Let's look, ASSIGNMENT #2, Depth-of-field & Motion.The Visual Language, also see PPP
History of Photography TimelinePhoto Basics PART II; Cameras, also see PPP.
Photo Basics PART III; Lenses, also see PPP.
ASSIGNMENT #3, Selective FocusMatt Rainey's, "After the Fire" photo essay.

ASSIGNMENT #03; Selective Focus

ASSIGNMENT #03
(Due 2/15/10)
Selective Focus

PART 1
READING:
National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide, pages 44-82
1. Focus; 76-82

PART 2
Photographer’s Bio’s:
2. History of Photography Timeline
3. History of Photojournalism; Roger Fenton

PART 3
SELECTIVE FOCUS is a technique in which one portion of a photograph is in focus, while other elements are blurred out-of-focus. The photographer makes the choice. Remember, the viewer's eye is naturally drawn toward the part of the photo that is in sharp focus. This is achieved by careful focus and employing shallow depth of field through the use of a wide aperture. The subject is isolated from its surroundings, through focus and depth-of-field.

SHOOTING ASSIGNMENT:
Find any subject that is red, can be person or object.
Make two separate photos focused on just the red subject/object. Only the red subject should be in focus. The background and other object should not be in focus.
1. In the first photo, use your wide-angle lens (zoomed wide –wide angle).
2. In the second, use your telephoto (zoomed out all the way -telephoto).

Using depth-of-field and selective focus, try to isolate the subject from its surroundings to create a clean, sharp image. Be mindful of the technical issues we’ve discussed in class; such as DOF, movement. Review examples shown in class.

This is a creative and technical assignment. Make strong expressive photos!
Shoot different angles, work the subject.

*Students must complete:
1. Select (1) best photo one of each.
2. use Photoshop to edit images.
3. Be sure to include a caption.
4.SLUG PHOTO AS FOLLOWS:
EXAMPLES:
franklin_ focus_wide.JPG,
franklin_ focus_tele.JPG
5. Place images in the “drop folder”
(remember to save a copy for yourself to you folder)