To Turn in FRIDAY

In one folder please turn in the following to my classes folder on the Staff server:

• The folder should be named period_your name_12lanscapes
• Create a contact sheet of your 12 edited landscapes
• Include a full size version of your favorite landscape (save as .jpeg file)
• If you have yet to turn in your Contact Sheet of 60 pics include that as well
• Each of your 12 landscapes should look vivid and interesting, yet natural. 

Your grade on this assignment will be partially based on your ability to follow the above instructions.  15% of the Landscape grade is based solely on how you turn your work in, even if your pictures are terrible you can get full credit on this part!!!  

adjustment examples

Fill Adjustment Layers

Click here for a tutorial covering how fill adjustment layers work for landscapes...

High Pass Filter

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-editing/sharpen-high-pass

Make sure they are intentionally crooked or are very straight...

You can rotate you pic to help.  Sometimes it aids to view the grid as a reference point of what straight is too.

Mid-Winter Break Homework

Due on Monday the 27th of Feb:

• 60+ good landscapes
• from 3+ different locations
• all including F/M/B ground
• horizon lines NOT in the center
• avoid powerlines
• avoid treetops (whole trees are ok).
• try and show great vantage points, depth, and epic scenes.

In class shooting assignment

You will have the day Friday to take Landscapes.  You should use this period to find interesting, creative and unique landscapes which all contain for/mid/background and a horizon line.

These images may count towards your required 60 GOOD landscapes due at the start of class Monday Feb. 27th.

Examples of good landscapes may be seen here:


http://www.outdoor-photos.com/

Landscape & Composition Quiz:

http://learn.shorelineschools.org/shorecrest/bstory/index.php?section=discussion&threadID=32520

Shooting for today

We are looking for Landscapes.  You need to find 5 landscapes.  Each must include:

• a horizon line
• a foreground (most important, the anchor!), midground, and background
• follow the rule of thirds, nothing should be centered.
• be interesting!

When you return from shooting you will need to be able to identify each of the above elements.  We will be labeling them in Photoshop.

Landscapes v20

Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land, including physical elements such as landforms, living elements of flora and fauna, abstract elements like lighting and weather conditions, and human elements like human activity and the built environment.
















Please do not center the horizon line and try to show something in the foreground, mid-ground, and background.



The trick to landscapes is to show depth:

the secret to getting your images to show depth is to include for/middle/background all in the same image. Let it lead the viewer from something up close to things far away... similar to the leading lines we just shot.

epic examples:
http://www.outdoor-photos.com/

Landscape Tips

Here are some surefire tips to help our landscapes... please read these, pick a tip you think is most advantageous.

Photoshop

Today you are going to get an intro to photoshop.  You have 12 amazing pics from Wednesday.  Now it is time to start learning to edit them.

Steps for today:

• Open Photoshop
• Open one of your images from Wednesday
• Save as - image-name_EDIT.psd
• Crop image if needed (never crop more than 20% of your image away)
• Apply Image Adjustments (beyond just AUTO)
• At least 3 adjustments per image
• do not move any slider more than 20% to keep it realistic
• Save image
• You will be applying adjustments to ALL your 12 images from Wednesday.

Importing Pics

• Open IMAGE CAPTURE FROM YOUR APPLICATIONS FOLDER

• Plug in your camera and turn it on

• Select DOWNLOAD SOME.
• Choose a new folder to download into EVERY time you download.
• Next select the pictures you want to download and save them to your NEW folder.
• and oyu are DONE!

Contact Sheets

In CS5 we need to use another program to make a contact sheet.  We now use Adobe Bridge, its in your applications folder.

We then need to open the output window:

With the output window open you can select rows and columns and then find your pics.  Then choose save PDF and it will save a contact sheet to your desktop (or wherever you choose).  This is what you will turn in today!

Taking Pics

Today you will shoot pictures!!! We are seeking unique angles, creative compositions, & fantastic images. You will have a partner to share your camera with and each of you will take 3 unique images of the following:

• curb/cement/pavement
• tree/bush/plant
• trash/litter/junk
• person/people/animal

 

Keep the camera on auto today. 

Intro to Composition:

composition is a putting together of a whole, the make-up of anything and/or a mixture of substance. There are no rules to composition, only guides and extremely flexible principles that may help us to see more sensitively instead of in a hit or miss manner. The more aware we are of effective composition, the more satisfaction we may derive from photography. Learning to give form and balance by putting together the elements harmoniously can help us see a subject in the strongest way.   Position your subject

Photographing the woman slightly off-center creates a more interesting photo.

The perfect way to make photos more interesting is to use the rule of thirds: Pretend your camera frame is divided into three sections, from top to bottom and from side to side (like a tic-tac-toe game). If you position your subject away from the middle of the frame, the result will be a more artful and compelling photo. » Back to top

Get closer to your subject

Getting closer allows you to capture the details and expressions of your subject.

The simplest technique for getting better photos: Get closer to your subject. Before you take the shot, ask yourself, “Can I get closer?” If the answer is yes, then you should. Fill your camera’s frame with your subject; this adds intimacy and power to your photos, drawing the viewer in even more. » Back to top

Crop your photo

Cropping the legs from this photo instantly transforms it from a snapshot to a frameable portrait.

You won’t always get that perfect shot to begin with. Keeping the rule of thirds in mind, try cropping your photo after you’ve shot it, either in your camera or with photo-editing software. Cropping ensures that your photo has a clear focal point to draw in a viewer’s eye. Cropping is an easy way to fix photos where the main subject is overshadowed by distracting elements and background “noise.” Check out HP digital cameras. » Back to top

Choose better photo backgrounds

An intricate background works well for subjects with simple or no patterns.

Be sure the background of your photo doesn’t interfere with your subject and take attention away from the focal points. Avoid distracting elements in the background, such as bystanders or a multi-colored wall or background. Find a solid-color background. When photographing people indoors, look for a background like a solid-color wall. When outdoors, an expanse of blue sky or even a swath of green grass can better showcase your subject. Notice patterns. While simple backgrounds are best for subjects with busy patterns, conversely, simple patterns look best set against a detailed background. » Back to top

Pick the proper orientation

While both images showcase the reflection, the horizontal one also captures the river’s beautiful surroundings.

Your camera produces a rectangular image. This gives you two distinct orientations to work with—vertical or horizontal. Often, your subject will lend itself to one orientation or the other. For example, a horizontal orientation is not ideal for tall objects. On the other hand, vertical orientation might not lend itself best to a wide shot. Sometimes it’s not so obvious which orientation to choose. One sure way to know is simply to take your photo both ways and decide which looks best. » Back to top

Use point of view

Instead of a traditional, head-on portrait, try an over-the-shoulder shot.

Break from the habit of shooting everything from eye level. Experiment with high- and low-angle shots that show both scale and perspective. You can kneel down to capture subjects near the ground or photograph subjects above you. Consider creating a photo display in your home that shows one subject from several different angles. » Back to top

Frame your subject

An archway serves as a great natural frame for the subject—the building.

Framing is what draws the viewer’s eye to the main subject. Creative ways to frame your subject are everywhere! Take advantage of naturally occurring “frames”—or physical structures and patterns, like a footpath or a fence. Overhanging tree branches, a doorway, or an arch can give a picture the depth it needs to make it more than just another snapshot. Don’t forget, you can also use the foreground elements to frame your subject. » Back to top

Experiment with abstract photography

A close-up of beach pebbles is pleasantly punctuated by a seed pod’s shot of color.

A fun way to learn more about basic photo composition is to zoom in on abstract details. The purpose is to make a work of art rather than show the object in a realistic way. Focus on texture, perspective, and color. Fill your frame with a fantastic pattern (like ripples in a pond, or the checkerboard of a modern glass building). Abstract images are an ideal opportunity to experiment with black-and-white photography.