Tuesday, May 24, 2016

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.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

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.

Sunday, May 1, 2016

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: