Commercial Photography Assignments

Commercial Photography Assignments

2nd Six Weeks

Depth of Field with Books- DUE: Friday October 16th (Present on 19th/20th)

Formal Assignment:

Create a still-life composition of 3 objects placed on the pages of an open book, choose your objects and book with intention so that the objects somehow relate to the text in the book. Think creatively. This will configure in your grade.

               

·         Arrange the objects at varying distances from the camera.

·         Using a tripod and a normal focal length lens (about 40 mm), frame you image to get a tight composition with little or no background.

·         Make sure you can see some of the text in the composition

·         Light the still-life using window or artificial light; either way, use reflector cards to add fill light into the shadow areas.

·         Use manual focus

1.       Focusing consistently on the front object, make 3 correct exposures adjusting the f/stop from widest to middle to smallest. [total of 3 exposures]

2.       Focusing consistently on the middle object, make 3 correct exposures adjusting the f/stop from widest to middle to smallest. [total of 3 exposures]

3.       Focusing consistently on the far object, make 3 correct exposures adjusting the f/stop from widest to middle to smallest. [total of 3 exposures]

Creative Assignment:

Make a creative image using a shallow depth of field. Then, without moving the camera, take the same picture using a very small aperture to produce a longer depth of field. See if you can create a pair of images wherein the meaning has been dramatically changed with the changing of the depth of field. [total of 2 images]

Submit…

Formal assignment: A total of 9 images. You MUST post them on your blog before class on the 16th (B day still need to submit on the 16th).

Creative assignment: 2 additional images

Grading…

Will be based on following directions, use of a tripod, correct exposure determination, and overall effectiveness of your compositions. 

4 "Guess Where" Photos- DUE Tuesday October 20th (Present on the 20th/21st)

All 4 photos should be posted on the blog before class on the 20th (B day still needs to turn in on the 20th).

Motion- DUE Monday October 26 (Present on the 26th/27th)

Formal Assignment:

A. Pick a theme, then photograph a person engaged in each of the following motions within the theme you’ve selected (e: playgrounds, dance, jumping, etc.)

General movement [total of 3 images]

Moving across the camera plane [total of 3 images]

Moving toward the camera plane [total of 3 images]

For each activity, make your 3 exposures using radically different shutter speeds. Be sure you’ve produced good examples of both frozen action and blurred motion.

B. Make 3 exposures using the technique of panning. Be sure to select a shutter speed that allows you to streak the background while keep the main subject sharp. Pre-focus if necessary. [total of 3 images]

Creative Assignment 

Produce 2 photographs where blur is used to create an artistic, creative image. Break the rules. Plan your composition and think of how blur will affect the meaning of the photograph. Use blur poetically. Create an image… No passing cars or jogging people for this shot.

Shoot a lot. Edit. Show only your best.

Submit…

Formal assignment: A total of 12 images, 9 for motion and 3 for panning

Creative assignment: 2 additional images

Submit these on your blog before class on the 26th (B day still need to submit on the 26th)

Grading…

Will be based on following directions, the technical quality of your images, and the overall effectiveness of your compositions. 

Composition- DUE Tuesday November 3rd (Present on the 3rd/4th)

Formal Assignment:

Create 2 sets of photographs demonstrating each of the following compositional elements. Shoot the first set of images at any distance to subject. (Total of 10 images)

Shoot a second set of images; these can be completely different subject matter. Set your lens to manual focus. Move in as close to your subject as your lens will allow while retaining a sharp focus, then move towards and away from subject slightly and select the final focus area to get a closer-up image. Remember to keep important subject areas in focus and shoot a second set of composition examples. (Total of 10 images)

1.        Rule of thirds

2.        Leading line/Perspective/Diagonal lines

3.        Vertical lines

4.        S-curves

5.        Balance (both symmetrical and asymmetrical)

6.        Light as the subject (do not include the light source, but rather the effects of this light)

7.        Contrast of content (visual or cognitive tension)

8.        Circular composition

9.        Rhythm

1.     Frame in a frame

Strive to create interesting photographs. Compose these images carefully, paying close attention to camera angle, distance, and lighting. Simplify your designs when possible, and be sure watch the edges of the frame…  [total of 20 images]

Submit…

Submit all 20 photos on your blog before class on the 3rd (B day still need to submit on the 3rd)

Grading…will be based on following all directions and on the “5 C’s” of good photography – Color, Contrast, Composition, Content, and Credibility. 

The following are ALL DUE ON Monday Nov. 5th (Present Nov. 9th/10th)

Student READ Poster (1 image)

Event Shoot (5 images)

Free Shoot (5 images)