ASSIGNMENT #08 CITY OR TOWN

ASSIGNMENT #08 CITY OR TOWN

(Due 11/8/10) -Photo essay on a selected place.

(Part 1 of a three week assignment)

PART 1.

READING:

History of Photojournalism; (see photographers bios or the Blog)

1. FSA

2. WEEGEE

3. LIFE MAGAZINE

PART 2

Log onto the National; Geographic website; "Places of a Lifetime."

Study some of the photo essays.

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/places-of-a-lifetime.html

PART 3

SHOOTING ASSIGNMENT

Select an interesting town, place, or neighborhood, and shoot a photo essay in the manner of a National Geographic photo essay, see the "places of a lifetime."

Be sure you select a location you can go back to the next 3-weeks, as this is a multiple-week assignment. Be sure you select a location that is visual and interesting. Explore the place, and produce a diverse set of images.

Research the town, learn what the town is known for, shoot photos relative to the town. Shoot photos at various times of the day and night. Use all the techniques and strategies we've discussed in class. Focus on the people, not just the places.

use your flash if necessary.

*FOR NEXT WEEK, students must submit:

1. Select (10-15) best photos.

2. Caption photos.

3. SLUG PHOTO AS FOLLOWS:

Last name_townname_01.jpg, Last name_townname_02.jpg

EXAMPLE: franklin_ hoboken.jpg

4. Place images in the “drop folder.”

FALL '10 FINAL PROJECT

FINAL PROJECT

Photo essay Soundslide (DUE 12/20/10) -no exceptions.

25pts

I. FINAL PROJECT

The Final Project is a 8-week project that requires each student to spend significant time with a chosen subject, to produce a well-crafted, in-depth photo essay in the form of a Soundslide. The Final Project is in lieu of a Final Exam, and should be treated as such.

The subject of this project should be a person who is interesting.

Each student must find and select a person who is multidimensional and lives life with a purpose and in a way that is interesting to others.

• This subject will be selected by the student, with careful thought to subject selection.

• Subject should be visual, must have various aspects of interest, must have good audio possibilities, and must be accessible to you.

• This person cannot be family or schoolmate. It must be someone outside your daily life.

• Each student must submit a well-written, thoroughly planned proposal of 250 words (3-4 paragraphs). The proposal must be an examined, well-planned, and strongly supported idea.

• The Final Project is NOT a single event or photo shoot. The essay should tell the story of the subject's life. Each student must develop their essay on a week-to-week basis, and bring photos in each week for critique.

• Each student will be graded on progression.
• The final essay will consist of 20-30 images, with audio, in a finished Soundslide.

II. GRADING

Each final project will be graded as follows:

1. (3pts) SUBJECT SELECTION & WRITTEN PROPOSAL (due November 8th)

• submittal of written proposal due November 8^th.
• suitability of subject for photo essay.
• degree of difficulty.

2. (7pts) WEEKLY PROGRESSION

Work should be completed as follows:

• #1 Proposal Due (November 8th)
• #2 Photos due (November 15th)
• #3 Photos due (November 22nd)
• #4 Photos due (November 29th)
• #5 Photos due, Audio edited (December 6th)
• #6 Soundslide roughly constructed (December 13); Audio, Photos, titles, opening, closing
• #7 Project due (December 20)

3. (3pts) AUDIO

• selection of types audio used.
• appropriateness of audio; music/natural sound/narration.
• overall use of audio.

4. (5pts) PHOTOGRAPHY

• overall quality of images; how well were the principles learned in this course used.
• quality of the editing; relativity of images selected, lack of repitition.
• variety of images; vertical, establishing shots, details, etc.
• preparation of images; cropping, toning, color, white balance, etc.
• caption completeness.

5. (7pts) FINISHED PRODUCT

• quality of the Soundslide presentation; titles, colors, opening, closing, ID's, etc.
• Sequencing of images.
• how well criteria was met, instructions followed.
• Length of Soundslide presentation; should be 2-3 minutes long.
• Strength of finished product; effectiveness as a story-telling piece

III. WHAT’S DUE

1. Rename the "publish to web folder" lastname_soundslide.
2. Submit this folder to the DROP. Do NOT submit the entire soundslide project.
3. Be sure you've tested your soundslide before you submit (play the INDEX file).

¨You will not receive credit for any projects that do not play.

4. Be sure each image has a caption.
5. Make sure all the info fields in Soundslides are filled in; Headline, caption, etc.
6. Give credit to any music you use.
7. Be sure to start with opening title slide. If necessary include a brief explanatory text page.
8. Check for typos and usage errors.
9. KEEP SOUNDLSIDE PRESENTATION UNDER 3 MINUTES.
10. Please follow instructions carefully.

FALL '10 Week 6

photo by THOMAS E. FRANKLIN / The Record
LOCATION LIGHTING. Was a camera flash used in this photo, in mid-day sun?

TODAY'S AGENDA

1. Photos of the Week; MSNBC
   
2. Let's look, ASSIGNMENT #5; Light
3. Due next week: ASSIGNMENT #6; Covering a Live Event
4. Lesson; LIGHT part II; Flash Use
5. History of Photojournalism; Jacob Riis & Lewis Hine
6. CROSSES; Carmine Galasso
7. Bring your camera to class next week, ready to use.
8. EXAM: November 29th -no make-ups.
   

ASSIGNMENT #07 FLASH USE/ALBUM COVER

(Due 11/1/10)
Flash Usage (2 parts) Rock Star

PART 1.
READING:
National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide
Read pages 25, 95-103, 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 2
History of Photojournalism; FSA ( see photographers bios or the Blog)

PART 3
SHOOTING ASSIGNMENT (3) PARTS
Create two album/cd covers

Find a musician(s) to photograph, or an actor(s) to play a musician, and make album/CD cover shots USING YOUR FLASH both indoors and outdoors. Also, add album title/artist text using Adobe photoshop. Plan your text placement before composing your images. Save image as Photoshop document.

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, personality-filled photos, that have impact. Composition, positioning, background, lighting, and lens selection should all be taken into consideration.

*Consider the various flash techniques, such as: bounce flash, fill-flash, diffused flash.
Study methods discussed in class and in reading material.

PART A
Photograph your musician indoors using a camera flash.
Be creative, and make personality driven images, highlighted by excellent lighting. Make well-composed and expressive photos of a person using your flash. Must be taken indoors.
***You will be graded on your creativity and use of flash.***
-Flash use should be executed perfectly.
-Set proper white balance setting be sure to have correct white balance usage.
-Use bounce flash whenever possible.
-AVOID: red eye, shadows behind heads, and other forms of sloppy flash use.

PART B
Photograph your musician outdoors using a camera flash. This should be a different set-up than the indoor images.
Can be taken during daytime, night-time, or twilight.
Be creative, and make personality driven images. Make well-composed and expressive photos of a person using your flash. Must be taken indoors.
***You will be graded on your creativity and use of flash.***
-Flash use should be executed perfectly.
-Set proper white balance setting, be sure to have correct white balance usage.
-Use bounce flash whenever possible.
-AVOID: red eye, shadows behind heads, and other forms of sloppy flash use.


PART C
Use the TEXT tool in Photoshop, and use your best design-judgment, and give your "album cover" a title and artist/musician name.


*Students must complete:

1. Select (1) best photo for each part.
2. Add text: album title and artist name
3. Save image as Photoshop document, NOT JPG.
4. SLUG PHOTO AS FOLLOWS:
Last name_flash00.jpg
EXAMPLE: franklin_ flash01.psd
franklin_ flash02.psd
5. Place images in the “drop folder.”

NO CLASS TOMORROW!

Class is canceled tomorrow 10/18.

ASSIGNMENT #05/Lighting remains due tomorrow 10/18, any work submitted after Monday will be marked late. Also, be sure to watch the video assigned last week, Eyes of the Storm.

ASSIGNMENT #6; Covering a Live Event is due next week 10/25.
Also, please use this time to work on your Photojournalist Paper, due next month.

Have a great week.
-TF

FALL '10 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

ASSIGNMENT #06 -Live Event

ASSIGNMENT #06

(Due Monday 10/25/10 (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 DOC’s:

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. Make the photos relevant, avoid repetition.

1. Select (5-8) different images must be submitted.
2. Be sure to include people in at least (4) photos.
3. Include (1) over-all, scene setter.
4. Include (1) detail or close up. Can be of a person. Make it relevant.
5. Do not select repetitive photos.
6. 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.
7. SLUG PHOTO AS FOLLOWS:

Last name_live event1.jpg Last name_ live event2.jpg

EXAMPLE: franklin_ live event1.jpg

franklin_ live event2.jpg

8. Place images in the “drop folder.”

FALL '10 ASSIGMENT Light

ASSIGNMENT #05
(Due 10/18/10)
Light

PART 1
History of Photojournalism; Jacob Riis & Lewis Hine
See PHOTOGRAPHER'S BIOS

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 documentary photo of some aspect of college life with strong sense of NATURAL 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 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.
SUGGESTION: Carry a camera with you whenever possible.

*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

3. Be sure to caption photos.

4. Submit to drop folder

FALL '10 WEEK 04

photo by Michael Cristantiello

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

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

COVERING A LIVE ASSIGNMENT

When covering a live assignment, there are three basic picture types:
1.MAIN SHOT(s) (usually the best photo, or the human interest)
2.OVERALL (scene setter)
3. DETAILS ( close up, descriptive)
You want to cover all angles, inside and out, up and down, lens variety,work it all.
OVERALL

MAIN SHOT

DETAIL


Covering Live Events, consider:
-get there early, get in front.
-scout it out, walk the route, know the landscape or the room.
-look for best vantage points, get set up.
-plan for more than one location, maybe one high, one low.
-get a printed program, get as much background info before.
-get names, get story, know who key people & issues are.
-focus on what story is about, pictures should tell the story.
-be prepared for any change in light, schedule, etc.
-think: inside & out, up & down, wide & tight, front & behind.
-think lens variety, work it all.
-work the crowd for candid moments.

Look for the right moment.
Search for the right expression.
Look closely at the details.
Don’t edit your self while shooting.
Shoot first, edit later.

Be PREPARED
For what may happen unexpectedly…

FIRE ESCAPE TRAGEDY; Stanley J. Forman

July 22, 1975.
Stanley J. Forman was working for the Boston Herald American newspaper when a police scanner picked up an emergency: Fire on Marlborough Street. Forman rushed to the scene, where multiple fire crews were battling an intense blaze. There was a distress call for a ladder team to the rear of the building to help a stranded woman and child. Forman followed.

Climbing atop the fire truck for a better view, Forman instinctively began covering the events before him. As firemen on the scene focused on their work, Forman's attention was directed to a young woman, Diana Bryant, and a very young girl, Tiare Jones. Both were seeking help from fireman, Bob O'Neil, located on the roof directly above them. O'Neil moved to the fire escape and motioned for the truck's ladder to be brought to them. The flames came closer and closer to the fire escape as Forman continued to shoot.

Then, at the very instant the ladder reached the trio, the fire escape gave way. O'Neil clung to the ladder, but Bryant and Jones fell helplessly. Forman snapped a last picture before turning away, knowing the bodies were falling to the ground. Diana Bryant was pronounced dead at the scene. The young girl lived.

Photo coverage from the tragic event garnered Stanley Forman a Pulitzer Prize. But more important, his work paved the way for Boston and other states to mandate tougher fire safety codes.

ASSIGNMENT #04 Composition

(Due 10/11/10)

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, 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)

Photojournalist Paper

Photojournalist Paper
Due 11/08/10

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.