DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY II
Digital Photography II
Digital Photography 2 students build upon concepts covered in Digital Photography 1 using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom software. Students examine and practice the art of photography, furthering their understanding of the technical and stylistic aspects of digital photography making. Students will also work with traditional darkroom techniques by shooting and developing their own film and prints. Using Adobe software, students work with their own photographs in the digital and analog realm applying what they learn to select, manipulate, display, and print their work. This course has a culminating and comprehensive portfolio website.
Overview
Students delve deeper into the world of digital photography, honing their skills using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom software. They explore both the technical and stylistic aspects of digital photography, gaining a more nuanced understanding of the art form.
Additionally, students have the opportunity to work with traditional darkroom techniques, gaining hands-on experience in shooting and developing their own film and prints. By incorporating Adobe software, students seamlessly integrate their work in both digital and analog formats, applying their newfound knowledge to select, manipulate, display, and print their photographs.
Through this class, students not only refine their technical abilities but also develop a distinct artistic voice in the realm of photography.
Student work
Pin Hole Cameras
Students convert an empty aluminum can into a functional camera without the need for a lens. Instead, a tiny pinhole is created in one end of the can, allowing light to enter and form an image on light-sensitive material inside.
To use this homemade pinhole camera, students place photosensitive film inside the can opposite the pinhole. The pinhole acts as the camera's aperture, allowing a controlled amount of light to enter and expose the photosensitive material. The result is a rudimentary, but often fascinating, photographic image with a characteristic soft focus and wide depth of field.
Creating a pinhole camera from an aluminum can is a fun DIY project that demonstrates the basic principles of photography and encourages creativity through experimentation.
Mood Portraits
Students are tasked with capturing a diverse array of emotions, from joy and contentment to introspection and melancholy. This variety encourages students to explore the depth and complexity of human emotions.
The assignment stipulates the use of black and white photography, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow to convey mood. This restriction encourages students to focus on tonal contrasts and textures in their compositions.
Students are instructed to shoot against a plain, solid backdrop, ensuring that the subject remains the focal point. Additionally, even lighting on the subject's face is crucial for maintaining visual consistency across the series.
Students have the option to feature different individuals for each photograph or use the same person throughout the series. This decision allows for exploration of how different faces and expressions contribute to the overall mood conveyed.
By executing this assignment, students will develop a keen awareness of how composition, lighting, and expression combine to convey specific emotions in a black and white photographic context. This exercise not only hones technical skills but also encourages a deeper understanding of the power of visual storytelling through mood.
STUDENT VOICE
"I feel converting the photos to black and white affects the mood by giving off a more dramatic sense/feeling to whatever mood is being portrayed in the images. The black and white also gives off a sense of simplicity for the photo because rather than focusing on color you are simply just focusing on the mood which is being portrayed/the facial expressions".
"I feel that some of the emotions and moods shown in the photos are difficult to define, however moods are not easily definable in general. In particular I really like how I made the dramatic shots more dramatic by using lighting and editing".
Double Color Exposure
Students will be introduced to the concept of double color exposure, where two different color tones are layered on top of each other to create a harmonious blend. They will learn how to manipulate exposure settings to achieve the desired effect.
Students will choose subjects where the interplay of colors adds depth and emotion to the composition. Emphasis will also be placed on composition principles, such as balance and focal points.
Students will need to demonstrate a mastery of camera settings, including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, to control exposure and achieve the desired color balance. They will experiment with different combinations to achieve the most visually appealing results.
In addition to in-camera techniques, students will utilize software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom to refine and fine-tune their double color exposures.
35mm Film - Darkroom
In this introductory darkroom photography unit, students will delve into the fascinating world of analog photography. From capturing images on 35mm film, to developing and printing their own photographs in a traditional darkroom setting, this unit aims to foster creativity, attention to detail, and a deeper understanding of the art and science of photography.
Through the darkroom process, students should have gained a deep appreciation for the art of photography and developed practical skills that can serve as a foundation for further exploration in the world of analog and digital photography.
