Caption Writing Suggestions and Photo Essay Submission Directions

Directions:

Formal Assignment:

Do some research to find an interesting event that will soon take place somewhere near you. Then find an existing publication that publishes photo essays. You will refer to it for cover design and inside layout. 

Imagine that you are being hired by the magazine to cover the event you have researched. The photo-editor at the newspaper has agreed to give your story a photo spread if you can take a compelling photograph that draws an audience!

Create a set of 4-6 images using a mixture of wide, medium and close-up shots illustrating different aspects of salient characteristics of your story… The photos must be strategically relevant to the storytelling, and not just random details. Be sure to think of a likely approach to telling your story before heading out to take pictures.

One of your images should be an eye-catching “grabber” image that will be used as the dominant artwork for the page. This image will be worth more than the others in terms of grading percentages. You must also think of a headline for your story and write captions for each image.

Submit…

Using Adobe InDesign create PDF with a layout of 5-6 images for a newspaper photo essay. You will incorporate a variety of aspect ratios, focal lengths, camera distances, and/or camera angles to create an interesting and coherent story. You will write captions to go with each of your photos.

In addition to the PDF, you will also be required to submit all of the related images to your blog in a post titled Photojournalism Photography.

See link below to online full version of directions

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1UFIVJD2sBzR21ZWXE2YnJaRnc/view?usp=sharing


Submission: E-mail your finished PDF to david.doerr@austinisd.org


Caption Writing Guidelines:

1. Headline: Headline includes a noun and a verb -- is brief (no longer than 8 words -- is accurate -- uses present-tense active verbs (usually in “s” when singular subject) -- eliminates the word “is” if this is the verb used in sentence and contains no punctuation at the end of sentence. The headline is clever and sparks interest in subject of the photo.

Ex.: Akins wins game after embarrassing mishap on court

2. First Sentence: Uses present tense action verb. Describes what is happening in photo.

Ex.: Johnny Tovar runs down the court on a fast break with the ball to score in the game against Bowie High School.

3. Second Sentence: Past tense verb. Provide background information. Describe something you can’t see in photo.

Ex.: Tovar stole the ball from an opponent who lost his balance after his pants fell down in the middle of the game.

Rubric for Final Exam for 1st Year Students

Overview: For your final exam, you will submit your updated online portfolio that will demonstrate your best work that you have done this year.

See the link below to preview the criteria that I will use to evaluate your your online portfolio.

For First Year Students

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1UFIVJD2sBzOThST0pZQWJJb1k/edit?usp=sharing


Directions: Beging reviewing your best photos on your Lightroom catalog and start marking the photos you want to add to your Folio HD account.

Advanced Students: Résumé Draft Due

Overview: Turn in a draft of your resume today to Mr. Doerr. He will offer feedback to help you improve your resume.

Directions: Résumé should include the following elements:

• Education attainment and background information (name of high school, any ACC course work, plans to attend college)
• Work Experience (This should include employment information of all types with special emphasis on photography paid work. List of major shoots or projects accomplished.)
• List of skills (software you have learned like Lightroom or InDesign, equipment you have used like photo or poster printers)
• List of honors (any awards or recognition you have earned with your photography)
• List of references from teachers, clients, administrators and mentors.

Steps: 

1. Download a PDF version

If you are using Google Docs to make your résumé, then you should click on File, Download as... and select PDF when you are done.

2. E-mail a link

E-mail a link to your Google Doc to Mr. Doerr and make sure you have turned on the "Commenting" feature so he can offer feedback.

3. Upload PDF to your Folio HD account

Upload the PDF to your Folio HD account. Click on Settings and scroll down until you see resume listed.

Online Portfolio Checklist for Advanced Commercial Photography Students

Overview: Review the required elements of your end of the year Online Portfolio. This will be your final exam grade for the end of the year.

Required items for Online Portfolio: 

• Multiple Categories (at least 4)
• Images with logo or stylized text watermark
• Cover Images
• Descriptive information for each photo with reflections on purpose or feeling of images.
• Bio page filled out with Artistic Statement
• Résumé Linked on bio page
• Contact info
• Professional Social Media account linked

Résumé should include the following elements: 

• Résumé uploaded to Folio HD account.
• Education attainment and background information (name of high school, any ACC course work, plans to attend college)
• Work Experience (This should include employment information of all types with special emphasis on photography paid work. List of major shoots or projects accomplished.)
• List of skills (software you have learned like Lightroom or InDesign, equipment you have used like photo or poster printers)
• List of honors (any awards or recognition you have earned with your photography)
• List of references from teachers, clients, administrators and mentors

Content and Compilation (30 points)

Photo selection shows excellent breadth of variety of type and mastery of form. Portfolio includes multiple (4 or more) categories that are clearly labeled and professionally assembled. Includes multiple attention grabbing cover images.

Professionalism and Artistic Composition (20 points)

Photos have assembled elements well. Good camera angle and choice of vantage point, good selection between vertical or horizontal orientation, close enough to subject to include only necessary elements, cropped if necessary, good use of frame, placement of center of interest. Attention to detail is obvious with few distractions from center of interest seen in photo.

Message and Center of Interest (20 points)
Photos have clear message and communicates well. Shows emotion or tells a story or draws you into it in a way you enjoy looking at it. Photos attract your attention. If you walk by it you will stop.

Résumé, Reflection and Description (20 points)
The student has uploaded a PDF version of a complete résumé that includes the following information: educational attainment, work experience, list of skills, honors and achievements as well as references. It is attractively designed.

Photographer has clearly written artistic statement on bio page. Photos accompanied by fully developed descriptions and reflections from photographer.

Branding (10 points)

Student uses portfolio to present their unique brand using biography, images and social media accounts that demonstrate their areas of interest and special skills they have developed.

Link to PDF version of Rubric: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1UFIVJD2sBzc3VQVEVDLWlhZlk/view?usp=sharing

Focus Stacking Introduction

Overview: Focus stacking requires precision and technical skill, but it can have a big pay off if you can follow the steps.

Directions: Read the articles below regarding the steps to successfully complete a "Focus Stacked" photo.

http://digital-photography-school.com/an-introduction-to-focus-stacking/

One note, we do not have a focusing screen to do the careful manual focusing. That means that you will have to use a VERY DELICATE TOUCH to refocus your camera so you can pull this off.

Also read the following article, especially the part about breaking the focus into three different areas:

• Near Focus
• Middle Focus
• Far Focus

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/focus-stacking.htm

HOMEWORK: Find a small and highly detailed object that you can bring to class that either I can lock-up for you or you can leave in your backpack so you will have it ready for the Focus Stacking and Black Acrylic shoots.

Extreme Focus Stacking:
http://www.vox.com/2016/5/3/11577338/microsculpture-levon-biss


Step-by-Step Directions on Focus Stacking in Photoshop:

1. Find your set of images to combine.
2. Open one of the images in Photoshop.
3. Add additional blank layers for each of the images you are going to combine together. You must select the layer and then you can drag and drop the photo into Photoshop from the folder with your images.
4. After all of your images are in separate layers, they must be "Rastereized" so they are not "Smart Objects." To do this, click on "Layers" on the top Menu bar and then click on "Rasterize" and then "All Layers."
5. Then select all of the layers by holding the shift key while you click on the layers. You must then align all of the layers. To do this, click on "Edit" on the top Menu bar, and then click on "Auto Align Layers." Then select the "Collage" option.
6. With all of your layers selected, you must blend the images. To do this, click on "Edit" on the top Menu bar and then click on "Auto Blend Layers." Then select the "Stacked" option.
7. Watch the magic happen and then crop out unwanted empty portions of the image.
8. Save the image as a JPG and post the final version to your blog in a post titled "Focus Stacking."

Stations Shoot Directions

Overview: We will begin to do our station shoot today. It is a chance for you to do some experimental photography that requires certain materials to produce. It will test your skill as a photographer to pull off these shots.

Directions: Open the Google doc at the link below and begin reading the directions for the various stations. Select the type of photography you want to begin with and set up your station.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1UFIVJD2sBzSlR5ZHJMT0FJc28/edit?usp=sharing

You may use tables and I will help you find other materials.

You must complete all 6 stations by the end of the six weeks.

Posting: You should post your best shot from each station on your blog in a post titled "Stations Shoot" by the end of the six weeks.

You may also include your best of these photos into your Folio HD portfolio.

Stations Shoot Examples: 

Either Wednesday or Friday we will be doing an in-class 4 station shoot. Just to give you a little teaser of what we will be doing. Here are some examples of what we will be experimenting:

Water drops

Black Acrylic Glass

Spinning lights

Bubbles

Focus Stacking

Major Event/Portrait Shoot

Overview: As a professional Commercial Photographer, one of your major sources of income will likely be event and portrait photography. Let's review some of the types of events and portraits that we can do on campus and begin figuring out what you will do as a project.

Upcoming Events:
Military Ball
Spring Show
Prom (Photo Booth with Ms. Alaniz. She needs on-site photographers and people to process green screen photos at school after the event.)
5K is scheduled for May 21

Possibilities:
Athletics banquets (baseball, softball, etc.)
Fine Arts banquets (band, theater, Diamonds, etc.)
Other club banquets
Seniors wanting senior portraits

Directions: 

Step 1: Begin contacting groups on campus that need an event photographed.

Step 2: Interview the client and ask them what they need.

What time is the event?
Where is the event?
What kinds of photos do they want?
Do they need anything special?
Make clear to the client that you will not be providing prints on-site.

Step 3: Make a price list of the client.
Make a price list for the client. Use the InDesign Files on Trello to make a discount and a regular price list for the client.

Preparation Assignment: 

On your student blog, make a new blog post and provide the following information:

1. What is the most likely scenario for what you will do for your Event/Portrait photography assignment.

2. Who is the primary contact?

3. When is the event?

4. Where is the event?

5. What kinds of photos do they want?