Author: Mr. Fitz

Posted on

Portraits

We took photos against the white screen so that we could edit them to be black and white easily. We were easily able to take the pictures(once my group finally agreed to participate) because we didn’t see any need for the light, because the settings we used for the camera made it just bright enough, which made it easier to take a picture without someone obstructing the view, trying to hold up a light. There wasn’t much that didn’t work, other than some technical difficulties with my computer.

See the photos here

Posted on

Catch the Action

For the most part, our subjects haven’t been in motion.  Well, we don’t just want motion for this project we want action!  With cameras getting smaller and more powerful (like a GoPro) it is easier to get great action shots.  Your goal is to photograph your classmates in action.  This will take planning an multiple tries to get the shot.  Do NOT settle.  Things to think about….. your backgrounds, camera angles, composition (rule of 3rds), lighting, and creativity.  So whether you are kicking, throwing, swimming, catching, or jumping, just catch the action.

Tips from the pros:

10 Tips for Stunning Action Photography

Beginner Tips for Shooting Action Photography

Project: 

+ 10 single action photos with at least 3 non-human subjects (variety of people and actions).

+ 1 photo in your post with logo

+ Explain the project.

+ What did you do, either with settings or set up, that helped capture good images?

+ Using the tips we looked at at this beginning of this project, which tips do you think are the most important and explain why.  Include the link in your post to give the original author credit. Link: https://improvephotography.com/736/10-tips-for-capturing-action-packed-moments/

+ What sport or action would you want to photograph if money, time, and travel distance wasn’t an issue? Why?

+ Active link to your Google Drive album

 

 

Posted on

Getting Close

We have been taking a lot of pictures that have shown large subjects or landscapes.  Well, it’s time to get a little closer.  This project will challenge to really focus on small objects.  These smaller objects will now take up your shot.  We will be using new settings on our cameras (Macro) and this is a good time to explore some actually photography settings in apps like

Look for this icon on our cameras.

VSCO to take these photos.  There are links below that will give you some ideas of photos to take.

Links: 

+Nikon Gallery and Tips

+Macro Gallery of 50 Pictures

+ Macro Tips for iPhone Users

You will need:

+ 10 edited and published photos in a Google Drive album

+  Your favorite image in your post

+ Review of the task for new visitors to your website.

+ What worked well for this project? Did you try something new?

+ What were your challenges? Was it difficult to find subjects? Any issues with the cameras?

+ If you had the equipment, time, and ability to get there, what would you like to photograph close up?

+ Post in the “Up Close” category and your class period category.

 

Posted on

1 Object, 5 Shots

After having a class go through the entire semester of this class, I

Anyone with a sister or daughter (in my case) can understand this guys day…..

realized that I needed an assignment that makes you, the photographer, move.  My goal for this course is to help you create great shots through composition, camera position, and color.  Camera position seems to be something that is a challenge.  In this project I want you to pick 3 objects, 1 must be a person, and take 5 photos of the same object without moving it.  Before you take your first picture plan out all 5 pictures.  Each photo should be taken from a different camera angle (perspective). You can shoot up, down, from the right, from the side, from the back, and from any other angle you can pull off.  Be thoughtful about what is in your background as well.  This is a chance for you to be creative and look for interesting angles that will get people want to look at your work.

Your post should include:

  • An overview of the assignment (what you had to do)
  • What was a  challenge during this project?
  • Which object was the hardest to photograph? Why?
  • What did this project help you do?
  • An active link to all 15 of your photos.
  • Your favorite photo of the 15(with your logo)

Check out the shots created by your classmates by clicking here.

Posted on

The Newseum- Fall 2017

Last year I was invited to be part of the trip the Newseum1  in downtown DC.  The Newseum is a museum that is dedicated the history of the news and the freedom of the press.  The museum, like other DC museums, has rotating exhibits as well as permanent features.  On this trip the Kennedys2 and the history of the Civil Rights movement3 were the highlighted visiting exhibits.  As someone who tries to stay up-to-date on current events this museum is amazing, and while amazing, the displays leave me with a feeling that lasts a couple of days. 

I took my 8th grade photography students along with two other 7th grade digital communications classes.  My students were asked to visit the Pulitzer Prize gallery on the main floor.  This gallery is full of award winning  photographs, many happy, but more not so happy.  There are images of war, tragedy, and famine that are hung next to photos of soldiers coming home, Babe Ruth, and President Obama.  My students were asked to collect the information about the photos and to share their thoughts on their own webpages.  The serious attitude that they displayed when looking at the images impressed me.  They were thoughtful, questioning, and respectful of the photographers and the subjects in the photos.  To see photos from Columbine, Oklahoma City, September 11th, and Katrina all bring back a flood of memories and emotion.  With each photograph comes the back story.  You find out what happened before and after the photo.  Many of the results are heartbreaking.  My students said while some of the photos were very intense, it was worth seeing.  

There are two other places I wanted to check out, for a second time on this trip.  The 9/11 display as well as the FBI exhibit.   As a kid that grew up traveling to every historical landmark and site growing up, I love primary sources.  The FBI exhibit is full of primary sources from some of the biggest investigations that I have been alive for.  There is landing gear from 9/11, DC Sniper artifacts, and even the Unabombers cabin just sitting there for you to look at.  

The 9/11 display is a powerful one for me because I can remember just about everything from that day.  I remember where I was standing and the 4th graders that were in my classroom when the 2nd plane hit.  The wall are covered with the front pages of newspapers from around the world.  On the backside of one of the walls there are 2 TV’s that show the story of a photographer that lost his life documenting that day from ground level.  His friend would find his body and cameras in the rubble of the WTC.  His cameras were destroyed but his film was still intact.  The photos on the rolls were developed and displayed around the screens.  The photos show the scene as he gets closer and closer to ground zero.  His last photo shows the building collapsing on top of him.  I am not sure if I would have done the same thing.  I don’t think I would have walked towards the building in the first place.  I have asked my students to answer that same question “Could you have taken the picture?”.  Without his work, there are moments from that day that would never been seen.  

Below are other shots taken on the trip.  It’s a great trip that can work for photography classes like mine, as well as journalism and history.  I recommend it, and my students do as well.

I immediately saw this photo and was joyful. ~Bella

There is no gallery selected or the gallery was deleted.

Posted on

Last Project!

First, I have enjoyed reading your posts and looking at your photos.  You have come a long way from our first project of photographing crayons.  🙂

It’s time to put it all together in our last project for this semester.  I have created a scavenger hunt for you.  The finals shots should be creative or “artsy”, and follow the rules from our other projects about color, composition, framing, and lighting.  Your photos will need to be shared in camera dump folder called “Final Project”.  Each photo will need to be placed in the correct folder. Also, complete the Google Form that can be found in the same folder.

  • Stairs
  • Classroom
  • Athletics (equipment or game)
  • Classmate/Family Member
  • Hallway
  • Shoes
  • Selfie (of course a selfie)(Doesn’t have to be a one hander)
Posted on

Then I Asked Them to Smile

The next project is simple in context. The project is based on the work of Jay Weinstein, a photographer currently living in India. You can find out about his project, how it got started, and see examples of his work at http://www.soiaskedthemtosmile.com/ .  Our goal is to create a collection of “smiles” from inside and outside our building. We are nearing the end of this class (insert tear drop here), so I want to see your skills used. Think back to our portrait, rule of thirds, and even the crayon project. Use lighting, composition, and color to make your photos the best possible products.Your collection of photos should comprise of 15 different people (no one from this class). I want to see a diverse collection of people represented in your photos. Part of of the final discussion will be to look at the photos for stereotypes and initial feelings brought by a non smiling face.  Thoughts on stereotypes and the job of a photographer to give their subjects a fair chance at being portrayed need to be included in your post as well. 

See this video as an example: 

First thoughts??

  • Final Products:
  • 15 people collected – 2 for each person, 1 smile, 1 no smile 
  • pairs of photos will be displayed on a single image built in Fireworks, Google Slides, or a GIF
  • What was difficult?  
  • What changes do you see?
  • How could bias affect your job as a photographer?
  • When hired, what questions should you ask your client/subject to give you the best chance of taking “fair” photos?
  • Collect photos through next Friday, April 27th.
  • Post category will be “Smile”
Posted on

Newseum

Newseum Post:
2 Seperate sections:

Photographs:

For each photo– Which photo (use info from capture sheet), find the originals online if possible, feelings for you from photo, what drew you to the photo.

After both photos– If you were taking the image, could you separate your job as a photographer/journalist from being human? Can you identify struggles of being a photojournalist?  What are the rewards if any? I am looking for a thoughtful paragraph, don’t rush this section.

Link to the Pulitzer Prize can be found here.

2nd exhibit:

Name of exhibit, what made you like it, favorite piece or artifact in it, how did it fit into the overall Newseum?  This should be written in a way to convince people to go see this exhibit.

Please use the post category “Newseum” when publishing.

Posted on

7 Days (Sort of)

This class has been designed around “viral” photo projects.  One of the most popular to hit the web was the “7 Days of Black and White”.  The “rules” are no people, no explanation, regular life, has to B&W, and then tag a friend.  For me personally, my social media feeds are now filled with interesting (some better than others) black and white photos. Even if the pictures that are on my feed aren’t great, it’s been a nice break from news from around the world that can easily get you down.  With the end of your middle school career coming in a few weeks  this seems like the perfect day to include a “7 day challenge”.  However, let’s break some of the “rules”.  Here’s what I would like to see, it’s ok to call this a little cheesy.

  • 7 photos that show what you are thankful for in your life.  This can be tricky, but I really want you to think about it.  There is so much negative around us, let’s try to think positively.
  • B&W is preferred, but you can use color
  • You can have people and pets in your photos.
  • A photo can be made up of more than one photo.
  • Explanation of each photo.  If you’re thankful for a person in your life, tell us (and them) why.  It might just be what they needed.
  • Be CREATIVE!
  • Use what we have practiced….. composition, color, backgrounds.
  • Write a better than “8th grade” quality post.
  • 7 Days is the number of days you have (including the weekend) to collect your photos.
  • Post it in the category “7 Days”.
Posted on

Rule of Thirds

The RULE OF THIRDS!  I’ll be honest, I thought I was

better at this than I actually am.  I have continued to work on this skill and I have found that I have to think about doing it less now..  I have made a video and included 2 other videos below that will help explain this using actually images.  

This week you need to submit 4 photos. At least one of the photos needs to use leading lines and at least one picture needs to have a person as the subject.

Examples:

https://creativemarket.com/blog/photography-15-great-examples-of-the-rule-of-thirds-in-action

https://gurushots.com/article/32-tantalizing-examples-of-why-the-rule-of-thirds-rules