Category: Advanced Photo Assignments

Adv Photo Tues 2/13/24: Intro to flash photography

Today’s Agenda:

  • Article with Questions
  • EdPuzzle Video on soft portrait lighting

Click here to open a beginner’s guide to flash photography:  https://www.slrlounge.com/beginners-guide-to-flash-photography-tips-tricks-and-lessons/

1.Create a new blog post titled, “Beginner’s Guide to Flash Photography”. Answer the following questions:

  1. Why is it emphasized that even photographers with a natural light style should have a strong understanding of flash photography?
  2. What are the top five reasons given in the article for using flash in photography?
  3. How does flash photography offer control over the direction of light, especially in challenging shooting conditions?
  4. What is the difference between TTL and Manual Flash, and why does the article prefer manually controlling the flash?
  5. Can you name and describe the five most common light patterns discussed in the article?
  6. What are the four qualities of light mentioned in the article, and how do they affect the artistic outcome of a photograph?
  7. Explain the balancing act between flash and ambient light, and how it contributes to achieving a natural or dramatic look in photos.
  8. What is the Inverse Square Law in flash photography, and how does it affect the intensity of light based on the distance from the light source?
  9. Describe the purposes and differences between bounce flash and direct flash as discussed in the article.
  10. In the context of flash photography modifiers, explain the purpose of a shoot-through umbrella and why it is considered a valuable modifier.

2.Now click this link to watch a 1 minute video on Edpuzzle:

Creating Soft Portrait Lighting with On-Camera Flash

On the same blog post as above, explain what was demonstrated in the video.

Mon 2/5/24: Ethics of Street Photography + Rain Photography

Today’s Agenda:

  • Rain Photography
  • Street Photography Video
  • Street Photography Reaction Blog Post

Is Street Photography Wrong? The Ethics and Rules of Street Photography. Due Tuesday 2/6/24

We will watch the video together, but it is also available on Ed Puzzle (link is on Teams assignment) in case you need to rewatch to answer the following questions on your blog. Include the questions with your answers.

  1. Is taking photos of people in public legal?
  2. What are some reasons for claiming that street photography is wrong, according to the video?
  3. What are some arguments in favor of street photography, according to the video?
  4. Can you think of other arguments for or against street photography that weren’t stated in the video? Any other concerns or issues with this style of photography?
  5. Would you mind if a stranger took a photo of you in public? Why or why not? If it depends, what does it depend on?

Rain photography this week:

Post your best 5-8 edited photos with camera settings in the caption by Thursday 2/8/24.

Here are some examples, first 8 photos are from past students…

Friday 2/2/24: Post your Remakes & Watching “Finding Vivian Maier”

Today’s Agenda:

  • Finish presentations
  • Post your remakes and PPT
  • Watch Finding Vivian Maier

Create a new post with your photographer’s full name. Click Add Media to add a 2 column gallery with your photographer’s photo + your remake. Choose Link to Media File and Full Size. Then add a link to your Photographer PowerPoint.

No need to turn this in. We’ll use the post for a gallery walk sometime next week.

1/29-2/2: Famous Photographer Presentations

This week’s agenda:

  • Presentations
  • Bingo Cards

Today we begin the presentations!  The line-up is located in the miscellaneous channel on Teams (but it’s subject to change based on volunteers who go first and absences).

Please try to not just read from your slideshow. You should familiarize yourself with your photographer and info so you can speak about them more naturally.

It’s okay to present without your photo recreation. 🙂

Audience members will be filling out a Bingo handout with photographer facts.  Fill these in the corresponding photographers. Eventually, only one photographer per square is required to win. All Bingo cards will be collected for points regardless of how many you were able to fill out.

Storytelling Through Photography: Photo Exhibit Submissions!

Below is a message from one of the workshop coordinators. If you plan to submit, please let me know. I will collect your photos, worksheet, and permission form from you to submit on your behalf.

The deadline to submit student photographs for the Storytelling Through Photography: IE Students Inspired by Jon Henry is January 31. Whether your entire class wants to submit photographs or just one interested student, please follow the steps below for submission. We look forward to seeing your students work!

How to submit:

Please gather the photographs from students, ensure that they meet the requirements for standard dimensions (on Brainstorming Worksheet) and submit the photographs electronically as a group to UCR ARTS. A google folder is preferred, if possible. Along with the photographs we will need these items from each student (found in the Google Folder):

  1. UCR ARTS Student Waivers
  2. Worksheet_Guidelines – Storytelling Through Photography (it includes a section for the artist statement)

Final deadline January 31, 2024. UCR ARTS will notify teachers of the selections by February 29. The exhibition is scheduled to be on view in March 30-June 9, 2024 with the reception on Saturday, April 13 from 3-6pm.

1/22/24-FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHER PROJECT: Pacing for this week…

Today’s Agenda:

  • Continue working on your photographer research PPT and aim to get through slide 8 today. Check the pacing for the rest of the week below.
  • Choose a photo by your photographer to replicate/re-make.  Let me know which photo by tomorrow 1/23/24!
  • You can check out a DSLR camera any day after school unless you want to use your smartphone camera.

***Note: Do not simply cut & paste information into your PowerPoint presentation. Simplify your information and type it in your own words. You won’t be allowed to read from your slides during your presentation.***

Famous Photographer Project Instructions

Pace for the rest of the week: (Take your photo recreation sometime this week!)

  • Tuesday: Slides 9 & 10, post the photo you want to re-make on the Padlet gallery wall (link in Teams!), put your name in the subject heading.
  • Wednesday: Slides 11 & 13 (I will be here after school on Wednesday if you need to use the classroom computers or camera equipment.)
  • Thursday: Edit your best photo re-make for slide 12. Include the original so we can see them side-by-side.
  • Friday: Look over all your slides and fix any mistakes. Make sure all info is in your own words!! Turn in your PowerPoint presentation on Teams.

1/19/24: Famous Photographer Project-Slides 4&5

Today’s Agenda:

  • Continue working on Famous Photographer Research PPT. Try to complete up to slide 5 today.
  • I will be checking out cameras after school if you want to get ahead on your photo recreation this weekend (you can also use your smartphone for this).

Famous Photographer Project Instructions

1/17/23: Famous Photographer Research Project-Part 1

Today’s Agenda

If you’re finished with your New Year Collage post and turned it in:

Open the word document link below for a list of some famous photographers.  You will need to choose one for an upcoming research project that includes not only learning about that photographer to present to the class, but also recreating one of their photos!

Take some time doing a Google search of the ones you may be interested in. Let me know when you decide on a photographer so I can reserve it for you because a photographer can only be claimed by one person in each class!

(The names with stars are just some of my faves that I hope some of you will pick) 🙂

Famous Photographers List for Research Project

In the Miscellaneous channel on Teams I provided the same list where I will highlight the photographers as they’re claimed.

Tomorrow we will go over the details of the project!

Welcome to Second Semester!

Today’s Agenda:

  • Winter Break Photo Dump
  • New Year Handout
  • New Year Collage Instructions

Winter Break Photo Dump

I would love to see some of the photos you took during break!  If you’re willing to share, upload to our class Padlet Gallery! (Might be easier to upload from your phone at home.) Include your name in the subject field and you can type something about the photo if you’d like… or leave us guessing! We’ll take a look at the photos together on Friday. I’ll be adding some of mine throughout the week.


New Year Handout and Photoshop Collage

Objective: Reflecting on the year behind us and setting goals for the future are both valuable endeavors. Here is your chance to take some time to think about where you’ve been and where you’re going. With this digital collage, you will refresh your memory on some Photoshop techniques as well as learn some new ones. In addition, you’re continuing to develop your ability to communicate ideas visually.

Step 1: Complete this step today!

Fill in your responses to the prompts below. Pay attention to the number of responses required for each one. Use a Word Document to type your responses and then save to your One Drive.  Here’s one you can download: New Year Handout Responses

Step 2: Complete this step by the end of the class period on Wednesday (1/10/24).

Next, search for images online or for photos on your phone to represent EACH of your responses-THAT’S 18 IMAGES TOTAL! Save to your OneDrive as JPEG files. (If they don’t save as JPEG, take a screenshot using the Snip Tool instead.)

The images don’t have to literally illustrate your response, it can be symbolic. Ex: a red rose can represent your hopes of talking to your secret crush this year. 😉 Use images that inspire you and reflect your personality, aesthetic, or style.

Step 3: The collage should be finished by the end of the period on Friday.

Open this PowerPoint for collage instructions, criteria, and video tutorials before you begin: New Year Digital Collage PPT

Posting Instructions will be posted later this week.