Photography 1
Syllabus
Please sign and return it within the first two weeks so I can check out gear.
Throughout the semester you will learn about a wide variety of photographic techniques in class and then be assigned the following major "Photo Assignments". Each of these projects will require you to demonstrate your knowledge of both the technical aspects of using a camera and the artistic aspects of composition and lighting that we discuss in class. You will be given 1-3 weeks to complete the assignment. Since we are practicing what we learn in class, you will be expected to take the photographs for these assignments within the activity dates unless you get prior permission. For example, if you have the opportunity to take photographs on the sideline of the Super Bowl we could make an exception. Photo Assignment Handout (pdf)
Each time we complete an assignment you will need to complete two activities. Best Photo & a Google Drive folder of the best 20 photos from your session. Here are some directions for turning these in.
Plagiarism: Never turn in an image on a proof sheet or Best Photo that you didn't take. You should press the shutter on every image you turn in? If it is a self portrait then use the timer function on your camera to get in the photograph. At Mount Si, the first offense is a zero on the assignment. The second offense is a loss of credit in the course.
Please sign and return it within the first two weeks so I can check out gear.
Throughout the semester you will learn about a wide variety of photographic techniques in class and then be assigned the following major "Photo Assignments". Each of these projects will require you to demonstrate your knowledge of both the technical aspects of using a camera and the artistic aspects of composition and lighting that we discuss in class. You will be given 1-3 weeks to complete the assignment. Since we are practicing what we learn in class, you will be expected to take the photographs for these assignments within the activity dates unless you get prior permission. For example, if you have the opportunity to take photographs on the sideline of the Super Bowl we could make an exception. Photo Assignment Handout (pdf)
Each time we complete an assignment you will need to complete two activities. Best Photo & a Google Drive folder of the best 20 photos from your session. Here are some directions for turning these in.
Plagiarism: Never turn in an image on a proof sheet or Best Photo that you didn't take. You should press the shutter on every image you turn in? If it is a self portrait then use the timer function on your camera to get in the photograph. At Mount Si, the first offense is a zero on the assignment. The second offense is a loss of credit in the course.
35 Object
Shoot at least 35 different photos. Choose an object big enough (2 feet tall or larger) so you can easily fill the frame. Also, avoid shooting fast-moving objects like cats. The object can be a person or thing. Shoot the object from a wide variety of angles (from a ladder, shooting up from the ground, extreme-close-up, medium shot, etc.). Place the object in different backgrounds (Mount Si in the background, your house, downtown Seattle, etc.) Shoot your object with different light. Avoid falling into the trap of shooting all of your photos indoors – shoot most of them outdoors (the lighting is almost always better outside than inside). Use props, etc. If your object is not a person, include some people with that object in some of your photos. Above all, each photo (frame) should be different from each other—be creative. There will be two grades: one on your single best shot (print), and the other on the variety within your 35 photos (proof sheet.) Slideshow
Walk
“Walk” photos will be shot during class time (date to be announced soon). Freshman Photo I students will leave the classroom and go on a walk to the bridge; main campus Photo I students will go to the bridge and then proceed to the “dog walk” park across from Snoqualmie Elementary School. Remember to bring your camera to school. If you can’t bring your camera to school, communicate with a buddy in class and share the use of his or her camera. Camera phones are also allowed on this assignment.
Still Life
Photograph of an arrangement of objects, typically including fruit and flowers and objects contrasting with these in texture, such as bowls and glassware. Your assignment is to make an arrangement of objects that tell a story or clearly communicate a theme. Handout
Action
Shoot an action photo. Any Mount Si High School sport in a real game situation (or even on the practice field) will count as an action photo. Above all, these are not posed photos. Also, don’t forget those games your little brother or sister (parents?) play on the field. In addition, this assignment includes stopping the action of anything with fast movement (skateboarding, cheerleaders being flipped, an object being dropped from a four-story building, a leaping dog grabbing a Frisbee out of mid-air, etc). The degree of difficulty of your action is an important part of your photo and grade. Do not shoot your friends simply jumping up or running around the school. Slideshow
Animal
Shoot photos of animals. If you don’t have a pet at home, shoot your neighbor’s pet, go to the zoo or look out for a deer. Try to avoid “mug shot” type photos of animals. Usually, it is more interesting if the animals are doing something. Be creative. Slideshow
Portraits
Photograph a person, a group of people or even yourself in a creative way. Avoid mug shots (for example, your sophomore photo in the yearbook or driver license photo). The best portraits help get the subject’s personality across, or what the person likes (example--she plays the guitar, he likes to go climbing), or what they do on the job (she babysits and he works at Subway), etc. Self Evaluation Form
Professional Examples | Slideshow
Professional Examples | Slideshow
Tyler Austin Photography: Tyler has been generous enough to visit our classroom for the last couple year. This year he brought his wife and business partner, Rachel. She gave us a great workshop on glamour makeup while Tyler taught us about studio lighting. Here is Tyler's handout on posing techniques. Thanks to Rose for being brave enough to model for the session.
Abstracts
One way to think of abstracts are “What is it?” type photos. Often the subject matter is very simple (and often close-up), but the angle of the photo, shapes, etc. make it difficult to tell what the subject actually is.
Self Evaluation Form
Self Evaluation Form
Photo Essay
Projects in this category should be original photographs that tell a story, document or address critical issues and effect positive change, both locally and globally. They should be a series of images. Submissions should explore issues that are important to you and present potential solutions for real change in your community.
Architecture
Shoot photos of a building, house, church, structure, etc. [Note--It is not necessary to shoot the whole building. You may wish to only photograph the most interesting part of a house (inside or outside), building, church, etc.]
Slideshow
Slideshow
Landscape, Seascape or Cityscape
Photograph scenic shots of landscapes or seascapes (the seascape does not have to be shot at the ocean, any photo with water, lakes, rivers, etc. is fine). [Note--You may wish to show the scale of your image by including a person or something else (in the foreground?) to show how big your landscape is or the distance it is away from your camera.] Slideshow