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Graceland University Winter Term Winter Intensive Photography Class
INFORMATION You Will:
Required Text: Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies by Jim Doty, Jr. Buy this prior to class at the Graceland student bookstore or online. Feel free to browse through the book ahead of time, especially chapters 2 – 4. A summary of the contents is in this article.
Create your Photobucket or Flickr account now! (See below)
Required Equipment: 1. An "18% gray card". Buy this prior to class. You can find 18% gray cards online or at well stocked camera stores for about $12 - $14 for a pair of 8x10 inch gray cards, or about $6 - $7 for an individual 8x10 inch gray card. Many photographers cut them in half to make two 5x8 cards. Don't get the small, credit card size. The minimum useful size is 4x6 or 5x7 inches. If you are having a hard time finding an 18% gray card, go here. 2. A digital camera that allows full manual control of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Your camera will need the following exposure modes:
You camera should allow you to focus the lens manually. A DSLR (digital single lens reflex) is highly recommended. Almost any recent DSLR will be suitable. Most ILC (interchangeable lens compacts) cameras have the necessary exposure modes and make them convenient to use. Several examples of ILC cameras with the necessary exposure modes are:
A few high-end, fixed lens, Point and Shoot (P&S) cameras have the necessary exposure modes and allow you to use full manual exposure. A few examples of P&S cameras with the necessary exposure modes are:
One inexpensive, recently available camera model that has the PASM exposure modes is the Canon PowerShot SX150 IS. Keep in mind that a lot of P&S cameras will not allow manual control of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO setting, Many of those that DO allow manual exposure control make it so inconvenient that it becomes an exercise in frustration. It is usually the better, high-end P&S cameras make it convenient and practical. 3. The manual for your camera 4. A way to download and post your class photo projects to a Photobucket or Flickr.com account. Create a Photobucket or Flickr account prior to class (if you don't already have one), post a few photos to get acquainted with how the account works, and send me the link. Photobucket will allow you to post more photos, so a Photobucket account is preferable unless you already have an account at Flickr.
Recommended Equipment: 1. A tripod. Don't buy an expensive tripod just for this class. If you don't have a tripod already, see if you can borrow someone's second hand tripod. Don't buy a cheap flimsy tripod either. If you WANT to have your own tripod for future use, I recommend some of the better quality tripods in the tripod article at Blog.JimDoty.com. A commercial or home made bean bag is a good substitute if you don't have a tripod. Just sew two pieces of sturdy cloth together (about 6x8 inches in size), add a bunch of dry lima beans and sew up the last seam. 2. An auxiliary flash unit that fits in the hot shoe of your camera. 3. Image editing software for your computer. Examples would be Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Lightroom, and Adobe Photoshop. 4. A simple close-up filter in a size that fits your favorite lens. Information is here.
Bring to class:
Class Sessions will include:
Class Announcements will be posted at Blog.JimDoty.com. Note: Registration in this course is limited to students enrolled at Graceland University.
SYLLABUS
Digital Photography: Basic and Intermediate Techniques
Instructor: Jim Doty, Jr. www.JimDoty.com Course Description: An introduction to basic and intermediate techniques in digital photography, including the technical and artistic aspects of exposure, metering, depth of field, composition, perspective, and subject motion. Techniques will be presented that make the difference between snapshots and compelling images in portrait, landscape, wildlife, flower, sports, close-up, and low-light photography.
Required Textbook: Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies by Jim Doty, Jr. ISBN: 978-0-470-64762-2.
Required Equipment: 1. A digital camera that permits manual control of aperture, shutter speed and ISO (look for the PASM exposure modes, see the INFORMATION section above), and a lens or lenses that allow for manual focus. A digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera is preferred. A high end point & shoot camera that allows for manual control is acceptable, but will be more frustrating to work with. Bring the instruction manual for your camera. 2. An 18% gray card (available at camera stores an online for about $12 per pair) 3. A laptop computer for downloading, viewing, working on your photos, and uploading assignements to Flickr. 4. A notebook, paper, and pen or pencil.
Recommended Equipment: 1. A basic tripod. Some recommendations are here: http://www.blog.jimdoty.com/?p=1873 2. An auxiliary flash unit that fits in the hot shoe of your camera. 3. Image editing software for your computer. One example would be Adobe Photoshop Elements. 4. A simple, inexpensive, single-element close-up filter in a size that fits your favorite lens. Information is here: http://jimdoty.com/learn/Tips/Closeup/closeup.html
Course Objectives: Students will understand and be able to use the basic principles and techniques of digital photography. They will be comfortable making decisions relative to choosing apertures, shutter speeds and ISOs, and understand the artistic implications of those choices. Students will experiment with several ways to control depth of field in an image. Students will become acquainted with the basic and intermediate skills to create images in several major fields of photography. The course will involve class instruction, photo demonstrations, in class exercises, photo assignments, short quizzes covering essential photographic concepts, and a final portfolio of student work.
Course Content and Schedule: Session 1: Overview, and Ten Digital Mistakes to Avoid . DPED chapters 1 and 19. Session 2: The Language of Exposure and Metering Essentials. DPED chapters 2 and 3. Session 3: Using Reflected and Incident Light Meters. DPED chapters 3 and 4. Session 4: Working with the Light. DPED chapter 5. Session 5: Basic Depth of Field Techniques. DPED chapter 6. Session 6: Advanced Depth of Field Techniques. DEPD chapter 7. Session 7: Shutter Speeds and Subject Motion, DPED chapter 8. Working with ISO settings. DPED chapter 9. Session 8: Understanding Flash Photography. DPED, chapter 10. Session 9: Making the Most of People Photography. DPED, chapter 11. Event Photography. Material to be provided. Session 10: Landscape and Flower Photography. DPED, chapters 13 and 14. Session 11: Wildlife Photography, DPED, chapter 12. Sports Photography. DPED, chapter 15. Session 12: Close-up Photography, DPED, chapter 16. Student portfolios are due. Session 13: Low-Light Photography. DPED, chapter 17. Session 14: Special Photo Challenges. Review. This is a preliminary schedule. An updated schedule will be posted here.
Course Requirements This is a pass/fail class. In order to pass, you must: Attend and participate in a minimum of 12 out of the 14 class sessions. Complete all of the photo assignments and post them to your Photobucket or Flickr acount. Uploaded images should be no larger than 1000 pixels on the longest side. Missed assignments must be made up. Complete all of the class quizzes (alternate quizzes will be given if you miss a class session). Prepare a portfolio of 10 images of your work to include the following: 3 portraits, 1 event photograph, 2 landscapes, and 4 additional images in the field/s of your choosing. Post to your Photobucket or Flickr account no later than January 24. Uploaded images should be no larger than 1000 pixels on the longest side. Metadata must be included in the image files.
ASSIGNMENTS
Digital Photography: Basic and Intermediate Techniques This is a preliminary assignment list! An updated list will be posted here. Create an account at Photobucket or Flickr and send me an e-mail with your account URL. Photobucket will allow you to post more photos, so a Photobucket account is preferable unless you already have an account at Flickr. Upload all assignments to your account and group photos by assignment number. Resize all photo so they are no larger than 1000 pixels on the longest side. Metadata must be included in the image files. We will do some of these assignments in class. DPED = Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies Assignment 1 (2 parts) Assignment 2 Assignment 3 (3 parts) Assignment 4 Assignment 5 (2 parts) Assignment 6 Assignment 7 (2 parts) Assignment 9 Assignment 10 Assignment 11 Assignment 12 .Assignment 13 Assignment 14
December 16, 2011 |
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Copyright © Jim Doty, Jr. All rights reserved. |
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