Lighting Techniques

Lighting Styles
http://www.fodors.com/focus/focselect.cfm?catid=7

• Creating Killer Headshots: The Cheap Way! - David Griffin
• A quick start guide to the one light setup - David Griffin
  
• Back Lighting - Studio Lighting Setup - StudioLighting.net
  
• Paramount (Butterfly) Lighting - Studio Lighting Setup - StudioLighting.net
  
• Multiple Light Portrait Setup Hints - David E. Price
  
• Short Lighting - Studio Lighting Setup - StudioLighting.net
  
• Broad Lighting - Studio Lighting Setup - StudioLighting.net

Portraits (not studio/in class)

1. Find an interesting human subject. The person you choose should WANT to be in the picture and they should be willing to cooperate.

2. Talk to your subject. You are the director of this adventure, make it what you want. Use colors or lighting to create a concept for your portrait. Costumes or uniforms work great. Imaginary ideas are OK. Choose an interesting setting based on your concept.

3. Change angles between shots. Shoot at least 25 pictures of your ONE subject.

5. Change your lighting; Use filters, flashlights, lamps, or multiple lights to enhance your picture.

6. Remember you are the boss, make them change their expression. Pretend it is high fashion and they have to create the next great "look" like blue steel (Zoolander).

7. Most importantly for this assignment don't forget your composition rules. Use framing, leading lines, rule of thirds, color contrast etc. to enhance your photo. Fill the frame!!!!

HAVE FUN & BE CREATIVE!!!! try to think out of the norm to come up with a creative setting, pose, expression, outfit, etc to make an amazing portrait!!!!

Studio Lighting...

Studio Lighting!!!
Your task this week is to shoot some interesting , creative and unique portraits using the studio lights. Remember the different lighting techniques demonstrated in class. Use the lights to add emotion, feeling, or interesting shadows to your images. Try to think out of the box, manipulate the image with Manual settings on the camera, blur motion, stop action, take tons of pics, and have FUN! Shoot for 1/2 the period in groups of 3 to 6 per light station. Everyone should shoot their own photo session. Take turns as each others subjects. Shoot a minimum of 12 pictures per photographer. We will then edit them and make one fantastic
using your photoshop skills.

Self Portrait Extra Credit...

If you are done editing and have turned in your self portraits take some time today to earn some extra credit! Create a comic of yourself. Be creative and turn one of your self portrait images into a cartoon or comic, add text or thought bubbles, make it funny, have a social commentary, tell a story, use a bunch of pics and make a whole comic strip etc.



tutorials for help:

turning your pic into a comic style:

• http://psd.tutsplus.com/web/20-insane-comic-book-style-photoshop-effects/
• http://www.tutorialized.com/view/tutorial/Photo-to-Cartoon-Line-Art-Conversion/41947
• http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Photoshop-blog/2007/09/13/give-your-photos-a-retro-comic-book-effect/

adding text bubbles:

• http://www.tutorialized.com/view/tutorial/Cartoon-Speech-Balloon/33061

tutorials

here are a couple tutorials to follow for light sabers:

http://www.tutorialized.com/view/tutorial/Lightsaber-Glow/6554
http://www.empiredezign.com/version2/portfolio/pages/tutorials/lightsaber.htm
http://www.bluesfear.com/tutorials/Lightsaber.php
http://www.users.on.net/~george/lightsabers_101/
http://r2.robotbuilders.net/cgi/DaiBuckley/index.htm

and some for zombies:
http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Photoshop-blog/2008/01/16/70-horror-blood-and-gore-photoshop-effects-and-brushes/

http://www.designtutorials.info/texturing-basics/

Ligh Saber or Zombie for Thursday...

All self photos will be due at the end of the period Thursday:

• contact sheet with 40+ GOOD images
• 8 edited images from 4 themes
• one self P edited as zombie or light saber...

EDIT 8 Self Portraits

Edit 2 images for EACH of the 4 categories you chose.

notes from self portrait adjustments

RED EYE:
Channel Mixer Adjustment Layer
Set the red to 0 blue to 50 green to 50

Set my color to black

press alt & delete (paint bucket)

use a paint brush... white
paint over eyes

REMOVE BLEMISHES:
use the healing brush

SMOOTH SKIN:

Select the face (lasso tool - feather set to 10px)

copy selection to a new layer (command J)

Filter > Blur > G. Blur > .8

erase the eyes, mouth, nose,


CHANGE HAIR COLOR:

Lasso - select the face

Select Inverse

Command J

Erased everything not hair

Img Adjust > Color Balance

Hair layer opacity to 50%

still use all the general image adjustments we have learned up to this point. photo filters, image adjustments, layer masks etc.

To Turn in Today

Your 4 Merges! Turn them in full size, cropped, in one folder, and label one as your favorite to print!

Turkey Day Assignment!!!!

self portraits!!!

The Art of Constructing a Self-Portrait

A self-portrait comes from within. Injecting 'those we love' into the portrait steers one away from the harder task to trying to reveal self without adornment.

If you eat, sleep, and live for speed then your self-portrait should reflect motion and movement as one of its cornerstones.

If you are a reflective type, then reflections and patterns and their intersections should occupy a primary space.

If overall you feel more flawed then whole, then you wouldn't want to go about photographing the most pristine parts of yourself; you would want, instead, to capture your essence in a manner that describes and defines you without complaining. I say that because the essence of self-discovery requires you to be a benign observer of self so as not to hone in too closely on this or that part.

A sense of 'wholeness' is difficult to capture at best. Indeed, wholeness is almost impossible for some people to even understand -- let alone capture in themselves -- because their persons and their lives are so fragmented, so disorganized in general.

But that is what self-portraiture is all about, capturing the whole -- the whole of who you are as a person.

Try to be unforgiving in a benign and neutral way. Study yourself in the mirror and photograph what you see there. Then go inside yourself and photograph what you see there.

You will shoot four different good self-portraits over break (it will take LOTS of images to achieve 4 good photos). You need to pick four photo types from the following six categories.

1. A self-portrait where color is emphasized. Color may include wardrobe, location, props, or natural objects. Think of your picture as a one or two color concept picture.

2. A picture that emphasizes lighting and shadows. This will be a grayscale self-portrait.

3. A self-portrait that showcases your interests and hobbies. In this picture we learn what you like to do away from school. Think about what interests you and transfer that into a photo.

4. A fantasy self-portrait. Dress up and use costumes. In this self-portrait you can use Photoshop to enhance your picture in any way, shape, or form. Transfer yourself to Hawaii or become a Viking like you have always wanted.

5. The Supermodel self-portrait. Dress up like a GQ or Cosmopolitan magazine model. This can be a grayscale or color picture. You will use Photoshop to airbrush and enhance this photo.

6. An abstract self portrait that focuses on textures, shapes, and interesting lines and patterns. You must be the subject of this image, but represent yourself in a creative, abstract and unique way where you are only partially recognizable...

First of all, I want you to look at the photos on the following websites for self-portrait ideas and then complete the following exercise:

• http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGall2.asp?catID=441

• http://www.teachingphoto.com/school_work.html

Also, go to Getty Images and do a portraits search (self-portraits on getty show people taking pictures of themselves. We do not need to see the camera)

• What four categories do you think you will pick?
• Sketch 4 thumbnail images, one for each category, showing your ideas
• Consider costumes or props and locations that you can use for the self-portraits... depict these in your thumbnails.

Hints for self-portraits:

Use colors or lighting to create a concept.

Costumes or uniforms work great.

Change angles.

Use props.

Vary the lighting.

Try different emotional looks.

Pose in action.

Most importantly for this assignment don't forget your composition rules. Use framing, leading lines, rule of thirds, color contrast etc. to enhance your photo. Fill the frame.

PM & Sequence Timeline

You will have Tuesday to shoot for this assignment, that will be our only out of class shooting day. You will have Thursday to edit, then the weekend to continue to shoot, we will then have Tuesday 11-24 to further edit and turn in our PM and sequences. A minimum of 4 images of interesting, unique, creative, and well composed scenes, each from different locations, settings, times of day.

Due Monday 11-16

Please turn in a contact sheet with your 4 combined images from last week (2 action sequences, and 2 photomerges, one vertical and one horizontal). Put this contact sheet (as a .jpg) into the classes folder on the server following the naming convention.

Tutorials...

to make an action sequence:
http://vodpod.com/watch/1228735-how-to-make-a-sequence-in-photoshop-

to make a photomerge:
http://photoshop.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=377580

http://www.creativepro.com/article/auto-stitch-with-photoshop-cs3

PHOTOMERGES!

Your assignment over the next eight days:

You will create Photomerge pictures. These are 3-5 pictures that overlap to show a wide landscape or cityscape or an action sequence or ??? be creative! (one big picture).

Your four final Photomerges should be taken at four different locations at different times of day: sunrise, afternoon, sunset, dusk, etc.

Use a tripod if possible. Remember to manual adjust white balance or select something like "cloudy" or "sunny" on your camera.

Summary

• Four locations
• One Photomerge from each location
• make sure each Photomerge is taken at a different time
• At least one sequence and or at least one panoramic merge... (AKA not all of one type)
  

Schedule: Starting 11-9


Mon: MOP presentations (C day) and Photomerge Basics
Tue: Photomerge shooting day
Thurs: At least 2 photomerges due from this week
Mon: Sequenced Shooting
Tue: Shooting Day
Thurs: In Class editing

**All four final locations are due next Friday

NEW TIMELINE & DUE DATES...

MOP:
Due Thursday 11-5-09

• your emulation image and an image of your photog's
• your 1pg written assignment
• contact sheet with 24 good pics
  

"Beauty is..."
Due Tuesday 11-3-09

• one amazing beautiful image... Thursday we will matte these images and fill out entry forms.
• contact sheet with 24 good pics
  

Due today

your second contact sheet of 15 more edited images (from either MOP or "Beauty is...").

remember you will need 24 images for each by next Tuesday, Nov 3.

Tattoo

Today, your task is to select your BEST pics from the year for Tattoo Magazine. Remember Tattoo is published in B&W, so convert your image first using image > adjustment > B&W, play with the color sliders to assure a good mix of tones. When you have your image selected and converted please submit it to:

www.sc-tattoo.com (preferred)
OR tattoo.magazine@gmail.com.

There is no limit to the number of submissions per student, submit as many images as you like.

plan your shooting for Tuesday 10-27

Tuesday 10-27 will be an all day shooting day for both the Masters of Photography assignment as well as the Reflections ("Beauty is...") assignment. As such, come with a plan of what to photograph, can you bring in objects? Should you make a plan to go and shoot? Have a parent drive you? Consult the bus schedule? Bring your bicycle and ride to a great location? Invite a friend(s) in to take a portrait? Everyone has a different topic for the MOP and everyone has a different idea of "Beauty is..." so come with a plan to shoot YOURS. Everyone should be shooting on Tuesday.

MAKE A PLAN!

Timeline

We will have 2 weeks for these 3 assignments: MOP written, shooting, & Reflections "Beauty Is..."

Tuesday 10/20: work day -- research & writing
Thursday 10/22: work day -- shooting
Monday 10/26: editing, contact sheet of 15 images due
Tuesday 10/27: work day
Thursday 10/29: work day
Monday 11/2: EVERYTHING IS DUE

MOP

• 1pg written
• Full size image of yours and one of your photog's
• contact sheet with 20+ images

Reflections:

• one+ full size image for "Beauty is..."
• contact sheet with 24 beauty pics
  

MOP Examples:

Eadweard Muybridge:

His Pic:

Student Example:

Guy Bourdin:

His pic:

Students pic:

MOP Shooting Assignment

Once you have selected the photographer of your choice from the list, please determine an image(s) or technique of theirs you would like to try and emulate. Your task is to mimic their photographic style and aesthetic principles with your own photograph. Imitation is the best form of flattery, and this is your task.

Example:

Herman Leonard: known for photographing jazz legends both in portraits and in jazz clubs. Images were black and white with stark contrast and vivid lighting. To mimic his style you could shoot images of an indie band at a show with similar conditions (intense lighting, black and white, high contrast, etc.)

You will be printing out one image of your photographer and one of your own creation in line with their style, subject matter and technique...

MOP written assignment

Masters of Photo Written Assignment

In no LESS than one page (double spaces 12pt font) please explain:

• Who you selected and who they are (i.e. when, where, what etc)

• Describe their photography (what is unique about her/his style and technique), what do the photograph, how, why?

• Explain how he/she (or something they did, used, invented or created) has impacted or changed the world of photography.

• Why did you choose this photographer? What do you like about their work/style?

PTSA Reflections

In addition to the MOP assignment below we will be shooting images for the PTSA reflections contest which are due Nov 6th.

The 2009-2010 Reflections theme is “Beauty Is...” which can be interpreted in your own unique way. Decide what the phrase means to you and how you can explain, depict or portray in a photographic form what the concept of beauty is. Interpretation of the theme, artistic merit and creativity are the criteria by which each entry is judged. If you are chosen as a finalist for Shorecrest, your artistic work will go on to the Shoreline Council level, then possibly to State and National levels. This is a great way to be recognized for your artistic talents and ability to express a theme in a creative way.

What do you think “Beauty Is...”? Think out of the box, get creative, remember the compositional techniques we have studied and remember for every image you take, try to make it unique, creative, and something you are proud of...

Click here for more information.

Click here for entry form.

MAsters of Photography...

Today we will be selecting a photographer which you would like to study and emulate. Here is a list of potential photographers, but please feel free to branch out and find someone not on the list, the only requirement is that they have impacted the world of photography in some form...

when choosing a photographer consider their images, style, technique, subject matter etc. Find someone that interests you and you will be interested in studying.

• Abbott, Berenice
• Adams, Ansel
• Adams, Robert
• Alvarez Bravo
• Arbus, Diane
• Atget, Eugene
• Bellocq, E.J.
• Blossfeldt, Karl
• Brandt, Bill
• Brassai
• Callahan, Harry
• Cameron, Julia M.
• Coburn, Alvin L.
• Cunningham,Imogen
• DeCarava, Roy
• Doisneau, Robert
• Eggleston, William
• Evans, Walker
• Friedlander, Lee
• Gutmann, John
• Hine, Lewis
• Kertesz, Andre
• Klein, William
• Koudelka, Josef
• Lange, Dorothea
• Lartigue,Jacques H.
• Laughlin,Clarence J.
• Levitt, Helen
• Mapplethorpe,Robert
• Modotti, Tina
• Muybridge,Eadweard
• Nadar, Felix
• O'Sullivan, Timothy
• Outerbridge, Paul
• Porter,Eliot
• Riis, Jacob
• Rodchenko,Alexander
• Salgado,Sebastio
• Sherman, Cindy
• Smith, W. Eugene
• Sommer, Frederick
• Steichen, Edward
• Stieglitz, Alfred
• Strand, Paul
• Talbot,William H. Fox
• Uelsmann, Jerry
• Weegeehttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
• Weston, Edward
• White, Minor
• Winogrand, Garry
Guy Bourdin
Cartier Bresson
Andreas Gursky
Annie Leibowitz

MORE HERE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_photographers

Click here to view some of these photographers images


And here for even more


Make sure you like the images of whomever you select, we will have two assignments around the topic of your MOP.

TURN IN FALL PICS!

You should have a large variety of fall images. Today you will have time to edit these, then turn them in at the end of the period.

To turn in:

• 2 contact sheets (40+ good edited images)
• your best image
• all as .jpeg files to the classes folder on the staff server!
  

Photoshop Editing...

3 different edited versions of the same pic, notice which colors are vivid in each version:





Vivid Color:

http://photoshoptutorials.ws/photoshop-tutorials/photo-effects/vivid-glow.html

Enhance Saturation:

http://www.tutorialized.com/view/tutorial/The-Best-Technique-to-Enhance-Saturation/33311

More Vivid Colors, that look natural:

http://www.tutorialized.com/view/tutorial/Naturally-Vivid-Colors/32530