Assignment #2b Motion & Shutter speed

The camera has the unique ability to freeze motion or to show an entire motion to the point where it is only a blur.  Both of these qualities can be used in a photograph in interpret movement as you would like it to be shown.

A few things to remember are:

1.  A higher shutter speed will be required to freeze motion when the motion is parallel to the film than when motion is toward the camera.

2.  If you are using a slow shutter speed, those less than 1/30 of a second, you should use a camera support.  A tripod is best, however you can brace the camera on a bench, a wall, or place it on the ground.

3.  Panning means to move the camera with the subject in motion.  This will allow you to freeze motion which is faster than your fastest shutter speed.  Panning requires practice, so try this a number of times.

 1. Make a series of exposures that show the effects of freezing motion with a high shutter speed.

 2. A series of exposures to imply motion using slow shutter speeds.

 3. Finally  a series of exposures that  demonstrate the use of panning technique.

 Remember that you must adjust the f stop to match the shutter speed you have selected to get a correct exposure.  You may find that you can not use a low or slow shutter speed in the bright sun, as there is too much light present.  In that case, you must go someplace where there is less light or wait till dusk.  The same is true of high shutter speeds, which often require you to open the lens to get enough light to make a correct exposure, this may not be possible indoors, for example.

Assignment #2a Depth of Field and Focus

Depth of Field and Focus 

As you have learned in your lecture, depth of field is the area, from the near point to the far point, which will be in focus in your photograph.  This can be used in many ways to make your photograph have more impact, to isolate the subject from a distracting background or to give a photograph more apparent depth.  Just to review:

1.  Depth of field is directly related to the f stop which you use.  A small f stop like f 16 will give greater depth of field (more in focus), and a smaller f stop (like f 2.8) will make the depth of field shallower.

2.  When you want fairly accurate indications of depth of field, you should use the depth of field scale on you lens.

3.  Focusing on a subject close to the camera will give less depth of field than focusing on a subject farther away.

 Assignment:

1.  Make at least 2 photographs which show shallow depth of field.  Remember to use a wide f stop (like f 2.8).

2.  Make at least 2 photographs to show great depth of field.  Use a smaller

f stop (like f 16)

3.  Use the remaining images to show subjects in background out of focus,

objects in foreground out of focus, and other variations of use of limited and expanded focus.

DUE January 30

 Don’t forget, as you change the f stop, you must compensate the exposure by also changing the shutter speed.  In some cases, it will be too bright to use a open apeture like f 2.8, or too dark to use f 16.

by J.H. Lartigue

Welcome to Digital Photo I sec 01

Here is the class outline & fine print for this Spring's class:

01/14/14          Class intro; exposure and camera set up; assignment #1-(over under)       

01/16/14          Photoshop Bridge orientation/downloading images/basic adjustments

01/20/14          No WU classes MLK day

01/21/14          Critique assignment #1-over under exposure & ISO test

01/23/14          Lecture for assignment #2-Motion and Focus

01/28/14          Lecture: Preparing files for output and printing

01/30/14          Critique for assignment #2 Motion and Focus

02/04/14          Lecture for assignment #3 Decisive Moment and the street

02/06/14          Lecture and demo on additional Photoshop tools

02/11/14          No Stan: burning and dodging with TA

02/13/14          Lecture: Assignment #4 Environmental Portrait

02/18/14          Critique for #3  Street Photography/Decisive Moment assignment

02/20/14          Critique for #4 Environmental portrait

02/25/14          Lecture: Electronic flash and Assignment #9 Night Photography

02/27/-03/06    No Stan

03/10 & 14      WU Spring Break, no classes, lab closed 

03/18/14          Lecture for #5 TBA

03/20/14          Lecture for studio assignment  #8-studio portrait (J. Karsh; R. Avedon)

03/25/14          Lecture - Presentation-mounting & matting

03/27/14          Slides for Self portrait #9

04/01/14          Critique for #5 TBA

04/03/14          Lecture for assignment #6 (TA)

04/08/14

04/10/14          Critique for assignment #7 Still Life

04/15/14          Critique for assignment # 8 Studio portrait

04/17/14          Critique for #6 (TA)

04/22/14          Critique for assignment #9-Night photography

04/24/14          Critique for # 10 Self Portrait

04/29/14          final portfolio due today

05/01/14          final exams begin                   

05/03/14          portfolios returned

 Assignments:

1. Exposure and development
2. Motion and focus
3. Street Photography-decisive moment
4. Environmental portrait
5. TBA
6. TBA-Mystery Assignment
7. Still life assignment
8. Studio portrait
9. Night photography
10. Self portrait

Final Portfolios:

You are expected to shoot images, perform all lab work, and final presentation. Students who use other students’ prints or files without attribution are guilty of cheating and will be referred to the Associate Dean for further action, and fail the class. Final portfolios consist of 5 matted or mounted prints, printed to your highest standards & 10-15 additional prints.  Portfolio may include assignments, may be thematic, or may just have 5 of your best images.  All prints should be ready for presentation.  All prints must be in something that resembles a folder or case.  No trash bags or loose prints please.  Label all mats on rear with your name and class. A CD with jpegs of all final images must also be included with your final portfolio as required by the School of Art as documentation for accreditation.

Grading:

Work will be graded in two parts, 1) craft and technique, which refer to camera handling skills, and print quality and 2) concept and creative solution to assignment problem.

Final grade comprised of the following guidelines:

                                                                        25% assignment

25% attendance and class participation

                                                                        50% final portfolio

Grade values

A+, A, A-: Superior work and effort. This grade level is for those who demonstrate and maintain strong, creative concepts, intellectual curiosity, focused work ethic, and courage to push beyond safe limits. They produce work consistently, and create technically and conceptually excellent work that is innovative and resolved. They actively participate in critiques, and show a high level of independence and motivation facilitating the studio community and their education.

            B+, B, B-: Very good work and effort. This grade implies above average work,

participation/citizenship and demonstrates an effort beyond expectations to discovery in the process of developing a solid studio practice. The B student works hard but struggles with technique and process; or has good conceptual goals but does not put forth substantial skill/effort to communicate them effectively.

The B range student may be doing minimal outside research to develop ideas but makes use of the faculty/peer suggestions and dialogue.

C+, C, C-: Average work and effort. This grade indicates good attendance, completion of ideas, and some extra work. Adequate time spent in studio. The C student struggles with resolving projects in a coherent manner, or may struggle with the development of a consistent and rigorous studio practice. Their participation and initiative in critique settings and seminar is minimal, and they often fail to initiate peer/faculty feedback.

D+, D, D-: Unsatisfactory work. Often, these grades are earned through poor attendance, late work or not following directions.

F: Failing work.

Attendance policy:

Students are expected to attend all classes, in case of medical excuse, students are responsible for supplying documentation to faculty.  Excessive absence  (five unexcused) will result in lowering of grade, one letter and seven unexcused, failure of class entirely.  Students should plan on arriving to class on time. Excessive tardiness will result in a lowering of the final grade.

Digital Etiquette:

This should go without saying, but let’s say it anyway: you should turn off your cell-phone and/or other devices (iPods, etc) before you enter the classroom. If your phone rings once during class this semester, we’ll all laugh and I’ll ask you to turn it off. If your phone rings again during class this semester, we’ll need to have a talk. I understand that your phones connect you with your friends and family, but the classroom should be a place apart, however briefly, from the outside world. You will learn more, in short, if you can concentrate on the class while you’re in class.

Stan’s office number/voice mail:  935 8406

Stan’s cell 314 440 2894

Stan’s E mail address:  Strembicki@samfox.wustl.edu

Assignment #1 Exposure Variation & ISO test

In this assignment you will shoot a series of exposures and iso settings on your digital camera as follows:

1.  Set Colorspace to Adobe RGB
2.  Set Quality to RAW & jpg-large
3.  Set Mode to manual
4.  Now set ISO and expose images as follows:

-Shoot one subject at iso setting 100; 400; 800; 1600
-Shoot same subject at each iso at normal exposure, the one over and one under exposure

This then is what you'll end up with, 12 shots of each scene, shoot a total of 4 scenes for a grand total of 48 exposures.

This assignment is pass/fail, bring in one set of jpg images on a jump drive for in class review. Select best image for shoot and post on class blog.

Your fearless leader hard at work at Mardi Gras.

Assignment work due for critique on January 21!