Friday, February 26, 2016

SMART Plans Submission for Advanced Students (Due Today!)

ADVANCED STUDENTS: 

Please begin work on your SMART Plans. They will be due on TODAY

The link to the form is here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Gfv1m2AiFUtiQ8W_A1E-8VGFxZy2Ay6MmHDN-wbyJO8/viewform

To see previous SMART plans, click the following link:

Military Ball Posing Prep

Overview: We need to start thinking about what we need to do shoot formal event portraits to prepare us for Military Ball. We will begin by looking at examples from posing guides and then move on to a practice exercise.

Directions: 

Let's get started with a little fun:

Check out these horrible prom photos here:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/whitneyjefferson/the-complete-guide-to-achieving-the-perfect-prom-p

Now lets check out the prom photos from last year here:

http://akinscphoto.smugmug.com/Events/Prom-2013

Planning the pose

To take the photos last year, students had to train to develop a menu of options for customers to choose from so they didn't spend a lot of time thinking about their poses. This included options for the following:
  • singles
  • opposite-sex friend couples
  • same-sex friend couples
  • funny couples
  • romantic couples
  • different heights
  • different backdrops
  • different color clothing
Check out the menu from last year here:


We are going to update this menu this year so we can get experience with different poses and lighting conditions. Before we begin this project, we will do some searching online for three poses that you want to try out.

Assignment: Review the posing guides below and search online for couples and individual posing suggestions. Your assignment is to create a new blog post, titled "Sample Poses."

Posing Guide for Couples
http://digital-photography-school.com/posing-guide-21-sample-poses-to-get-you-started-with-photographing-couples

Other Posing Guide Links
http://digital-photography-school.com/8-posing-guides-to-inspire-your-portraiture

Formal Couple Portraits
http://www.shutterstock.com/s/formal+couple/search.html

or
http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/young-couples-formal.html

or
http://www.canstockphoto.com/images-photos/formal-portrait.html

Select one of each of the following type of pose to try to emulate:
  • Pose for a single man.
  • Pose for a single female.
  • Pose for friends.
  • Pose for couple (romantic).
  • Pose for family of 3 to 5 people.
Requirements: 
  • Should be full body

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Pet Portraits Preview

Overview: People buy photos of their pets! It's a fun way to make money, but your subject is not always cooperative.

Check out the links below to plan ahead for your Pet Portrait

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-pets

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/08/01/pet-photography-tips-for-taking-portraits-that-burst-with-personality/

Have to login to Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/365636063467335810/

http://500px.com/blog/1091/the-secrets-to-taking-awesome-dog-portraits-by-elke-vogelsang?utm_source=500px&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=march272014digesttest10pm&utm_content=photo1

Assignment: Plan ahead for your pet portrait by answering the following questions.

1. What type of pet will you photography?


2. Where will you shoot?


3. What type of lighting will you use?


4. What equipment will you need?


5. What challenges will you encounter?


6. How will you overcome these challenges?


7. Post an example for inspiration for your shoot. Explain what you like about the photo and how you will attempt to emulate or use for inspiration.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Family Portraits Preview

Overview: Family Portraits are another money maker that have their own unique challenges. You have to deal with unique family dynamics and sometimes uncooperative children.

Check out the links below to get some ideas on how you can do your own family portrait.

http://digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-for-creating-great-family-portraits

http://digital-photography-school.com/family-portraits-dos-and-donts

http://digital-photography-school.com/unposed-posing-a-few-tried-and-true-tips-for-photographing-families-in-natural-and-fun-ways


Assignment: Plan ahead for your family portrait by answering the following questions.

1. Whose family will you photograph?


2. Where will you shoot?


3. What type of lighting will you use?


4. What equipment will you need?


5. What challenges will you encounter?


6. How will you deal with these challenges?


7. Post an example for inspiration for your shoot. Explain what you like about the photo and how you will attempt to emulate or use for inspiration.

MAJOR ASSIGNMENT:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1UFIVJD2sBzV0xOWHdaS1NkUXc/view?usp=sharing

Thursday, February 18, 2016

HDR Photo Project

Overview: To produce an HDR image, you must learn some technical aspects to using your camera and software. Follow the tutorials below to help you along.

Step 1: Set your camera to the right settings (Bracketing)

Auto Exposure Bracketing:
http://digital-photography-school.com/automatic-exposure-bracketing-aeb

Directions for setting Bracketing on a Canon T3:
http://kbsupport.cusa.canon.com/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1011&PARTITION_ID=1&secureFlag=false&TIMEZONE_OFFSET=&CMD=VIEW_ARTICLE&ARTICLE_ID=38381

Directions for setting Bracketing on a Canon T3i:
https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART111494


Step 2: Take your Photos

Set up the bracketing and go to Courtyard and practice taking an HDR photo.

SUGGESTIONS:

I suggest taking photos where you can see a large subject that fills most of the frame, but leaves some room to see the sky above. Metal subjects looks especially interesting in HDR mode because of the reflections of light they produce.

Step 3: Software Tutorials:

Automatic Method
Follow the tutorial below if you want to do this one in an Automatic Method that doesn't require manually combining the images. The resulting image will be a TIF file. Using the Preview program on the Mac, you can then convert that file to a JPEG that you post on your blog. Just go to File then Export and select the JPEG file format.
http://www.photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/HDR_ps/hdr-ps.htm

Manual Method
Follow the tutorial below if you want to do this one in an Manuel Method that requires you to manually combine the images. You will be using a PSD (Photoshop Document) file format to make this image. When you are done will save a separate version as a JPEG file that you will post on your blog.
http://digital-photography-school.com/hdr-style-results-using-layers-in-photoshop

Step 4: Post your work

Post the following in a post on your student blog.
  1. All of your Original Images that you took that were merged WITH appropriate labels (i.e. Over Exposed, Balanced Exposure, Under Exposed). 
  2. Your final Merged HDR enhanced photo.
  3. A brief explanation of the method you used to create the image.
  4. A brief reflection on how you successful you feel you were in creating the HDR image.

Friday, February 12, 2016

HDR Photography Exploration and Skills

Overview: HDR is a popular means to produce dramatic lighting in landscapes, cityscapes and outdoor still life. Having great lighting in your photos can make the difference in attracting customers to use you as their photographer.

Assignment:
Check out the examples, read the tutorials and answer the questions below.

Step 1: Look at Examples

Examples:
http://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-photography/

http://www.easyhdr.com/examples/

What is HDR Photography? Check out this tutorial. Answer the following questions.

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-hdr-photography

Step 2: Questions

Answer the questions below on your blog in a post titled "HDR Preview."

1. What does HDR stand for?

2. In your own words, explain what makes an HDR photo an HDR photo?

3. What is bracketing?

4. What software can you use to produce an HDR image?

5. When selecting layers, what do you have to be careful about when creating your HDR photos?

6. Save your favorite HDR photo on your blog.

Step 3: Practice

Read how you set your camera to take an HDR photo by turning on what is called "Bracketing" on a Canon DSLR.

https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/index?page=content&id=ART111494

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Landscape Preview

Overview: Your next major assignment will involve taking photos of Landscapes. It's time to begin thinking about what you will need to do to make this shoot successful.

STEP 1: Make a new blog post titled "Landscape Preview."

Check out this website for some great tips to help you start thinking about Landscapes.




Pick your favorite tip and repost it on your blog. Find a photo from Google Images that exhibits your tip best.

Then check this site out. It is 2 pages long:


STEP 2: 

Post THREE TIPS that you think are important for Landscape photography.

Tip 1:

Tip 2:

Tip 3:


STEP 3: 

Pick YOUR THREE FAVORITE photos. 

STEP 4: 

Make an equipment list.

Make a list of the equipment that is helpful to use to do landscape photography. Use the link below to help you get started. 


STEP 5: 

Scout your locations: 
  • Post the specific spot(s) where you want to take the photos.
  • Post an example of a photo from that location or a similar location.
Where can you go to take these kinds of photos here in the Austin area?

Make a list of places you could realistically take these types of photos.

You could do a Google Maps or Google Earth search maybe?


Landscape Assignment:
Check the link below to download a copy of the Landscape Assignment

Monday, February 8, 2016

SmugMug Design and Image Preparation

Overview: Before we begin uploading content to the class SmugMug account there are some questions to answer and some preparation to do.

Site Customization:

Check out this link and answer the questions below in a new blog post titled "SmugMug Preparation."

http://help.smugmug.com/customer/portal/articles/1210628-what-are-content-blocks-and-how-are-they-used-?b_id=1644&utm_campaign=NewCarousel&utm_medium=social&utm_source=SmugBlog&utm_content=ProductPromotion


1. Content Blocks
How do you add Content Blocks to your site?


2. Content Types
What are the eight different types of content you can add?


3. Photos
When you add photos to SmugMug, which are the FOUR different ways you can organize and display them? Briefly explain what each method does.


4. Navigation
What are the THREE different types of Navigation items you can add to your SmugMug account? Briefly explain what each does.


5. Design Elements
What are the THREE kinds of design elements can you add? What do they do?


Image Preparation:

Link to information for questions below: 

http://help.smugmug.com/customer/portal/articles/84518&utm_campaign=NewCarousel&utm_medium=social&utm_source=SmugBlog&utm_content=ProductPromotion

6. Colorspace
What "Colorspace" should your images be processed in to be uploaded to SmugMug?


7. Cropping
Should you crop your images before uploading to SmugMug? Why?


8. Resolution
What is the minimum resolution size for an 8" by 10" print?
http://help.smugmug.com/customer/portal/articles/93359#minprintres


Image Collection for SmugMug upload:

Step 1: Using Lightroom identify 3 images that you think people might be interested in buying from our SmugMug account.

Step 2: Following the guidelines from the SmugMug websites you have read, export three images from your catalog to be uploaded to SmugMug. Save these images to the SMUGMUG folder on the CPHOTO drive on the server. Make sure you put your name on the folder on the server so it is easy to see whose photos are whose.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Advanced Cameras Tutorials

Cool Video: Inside a DSLR at high speed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmjeCchGRQo

6D

Overview: Today we will do a little camera technology review so you understand the difference between full-frame and crop-sensor cameras.

Directions: Read the sites below and answer the questions.

Here is some basic information about the difference between these two types of cameras.

Full Frame versus Crop Sensor (Explanation)
http://easy-exposure.com/photography-lessons/lesson-21-full-frame-fx-vs-crop-sensor-dx-nikon-d7000-vs-d800/

Full Frame versus Crop Sensor (Camera purchasing advice)
http://digital-photography-school.com/full-frame-sensor-vs-crop-sensor-which-is-right-for-you

Canon 6D Review/Comparison with T3i
http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/10/canon-6d-review/

Features Side by Side Comparison
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-6D-vs-Canon-T3i

Camera Review of a Canon 5D Mark III versus the 6D
http://digital-photography-school.com/review-comparison-canon-5d-markiii-vs-the-canon-6d


After you have read the difference between these two cameras answer the questions below:

1. What is the difference between a Full Frame Camera and a Crop Sensor?

2. What are five advantages of the 6D compared to a T3i?

3. What makes the autofocus of the Canon 5D Mark III better than that of the 6D?

Once you have had a chance to answer these questions, you can have 10 minutes to take a few photos with the 6D.


7D Mark II

Overview: To take full advantage of the 7D Mark II, there is some review that needs to take place.

Directions: Review the links below to answer the following questions on the quiz linked below.


Canon 7D Feature Overview

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/news/unveiled-canon-eos-7d-mark-ii


Questions for this section: 

Is the 7D Mark II a Full Frame or a Crop Sensor camera?

How many frames per second for stills can the 7D Mark II take?

What is the ISO range on the 7D Mark II?

How many cross-type AF points are available on the 7D Mark II?

How many RAW images can the 7D Mark II capture in a single burst?



7D Mark II AutoFocus Setting Guidebook

See the PDF linked below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1UFIVJD2sBzTExjejRmWDY2MWM/view?usp=sharing

Questions for this section: 

How many AF Area Zones are available? (Page 2 of Guide)

How do you access the AF Configuration Tool? (Page 3 of Guide)

How many sub menu tabs (screens) are available for AF adjustments? (Page 3 of Guide)


Video for Taking advantage of the Broad AF Coverage in the Canon EOS 7D Mark II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u466WL71J1E

Questions for this section: 

What type of photography is it helpful to use "Broad AF Coverage"?

What type of focusing mode does your camera need to be in to use the "Broad AF Coverage" feature?

How many zones are available to select for Broad AF Coverage?

What control do you use to select different autofocus zones in the 65-point focusing array?

What control do you use to select different auto focus points around the 65-point focusing array?

True or False: It is possible to set your camera to automatically change the auto focus point based on the orientation (vertical or horizontal) of the camera?


Video for Controlling AI Servo AF to track your moving subjects with the Canon EOS 7D Mark II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sgRZBo-WKI

What does Tracking Sensitivity compensate for?
What does Acceleration/Deceleration Tracking compensate for?

What does "AF Point Auto Switching" compensate for?

Where do you go to adjust the AF Servo mode to select different presets based on different types of common motion situations?


Link to Quiz
Take the quiz linked below when you are done reading and watching videos.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BeFeOWQAZjJ5QHKS3pfdHPi8oW5lygPuOMrMvRvCPUo/viewform


Cannon's Flagship Camera the 1DX Mark II

Checkout the specs on Canon's latest camera release.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/news/unveiled-new-blazing-fast-4k-capable-canon-eos-1d-x-mark-ii?utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=NewAnnouncement&utm_source=CanonEOS1D%20160201&utm_content=Retail&utm_term=canon-eos1dx-mark2-dslr