May 01, 2015
Friday 45 min
10:15 -11:00
Photography - the telephoto lens
Today Will connected the telephoto lens to his camera and we ventured to the parking lot to take some photos of objects from a distance. I placed a small plastic bird in various places around the rear parking lot and instructed Will to take photos of said bird. With trial and error, Will learned how to fill the frame with the subject of his photos, and to adjust the length of his lens to get the photo he desired. We found subjects around the area, for Will to photograph and to practice this skill. We had a lengthy discussion about finding the light and doing what you can to keep his subject in the light. He learned to watch for his shadow and keep it out of his photos. We also discussed taking photos of people, when they were not aware of your actions, which Will felt this was poor manners. I suggested that people often change their appearance when they know they are having their photo taken, and sometimes they look better when they are more natural. Also we strive to tell a story with our photos, and maybe it is necessary and even better to capture people in action.
Will’s homework is to take at least ten photos of objects using the telephoto lens. I want him to ‘fill the frame’ with the subject, which is to get the subject as large as possible in the picture.
April 24, 2015
Friday 45 min
10:15 -11:00
Photography - F-stop.
Will was tasked with downloading his photos, using iphoto and a USB cord, onto the computer. We examined his homework photos and discussed how the images differed, depending on the F-stop he used. He was able to see how the higher F-stop photos were ‘lighter and brighter’ than their lower F-stop counterparts. When we examined the photos a bit closer, I showed Will how the photos with a lower F-stop had a different field of focus. His photos of a bowl filled with apple and bananas demonstrated this effect brilliantly. The one with a higher F-stop was an excellent photo of a bowl of fruit, while the one with the lower F-stop was a great photo of the apples, and the bowl was slightly out of focus and therefore not drawn to the eye. We discussed how, if you want to take a picture of a person who happens to be standing in a group of other people, you should use a lower F-stop. If you want to take a picture of a group of people, use the higher F-stop. Finally, Will downloaded his photos, from the computer, to a thumb drive. Will as asked, for homework, to take five shots each of three subjects. Each image should be from a different angle, and he should bend his knees in at least one of each subject.
Assignment
take five photos, each a different angle, of three different subjects. Use your knees!
April 17, 2015
Friday 45 min
10:15 -11:00
Photography - F-stop.
Will was tasked with taking photos of a series of containers of different color paint. The containers were aligned on a table, and Will was asked to take photo’s of the center piece, with the F-stop at a high number, and one with the F-stop at a low number. We examined the photos, and discussed the differences. I showed Will how to clean his camera monitor, and we made sure he had packaged up his photo kit, including the battery charger. Will’s homework, for next Friday, is to take two photos (one at an F-stop at a high number, and one with the F-stop at a low number) of twelve different subjects. This is a total of 24 photos, and they should NOT all be of the same thing or from the same angle. I cautioned Will to remember to frame his subject and omit any excess space in and around his frame.
Assignment
take two photos (one at an F-stop at a high number, and one with the F-stop at a low number) of twelve different subjects.
Photography - portraits and timed release photography.
Lesson Outline
April 10, 2015
Friday 45 min
10:15 -11:00
Photography - portraits and timed release photography.
Will learned how to attach his camera to a tripod and use the different adjustment arms the tripod provides. He helped set up the lights and determine a suitable backdrop for a good photograph. Will then settled his camera in the proper position, and decided on the appropriate focus area and F-stop to get a good portrait photo. With that accomplished, I showed him how he can take his own photograph. By using the delayed shutter release button, Will was able to take several ‘selfie” portraits. Just before our class time was over, Will took several portrait photographs of Miss Katie, for the school yearbook.
March 31, 2015
Tuesday 45 min
10:15 - 11:00
Photography - portrait photography.
Will assisted with the school photo day, helping with the equipment set up. He learned how to attach a Nikon to a tripod, setting up lights, and examining a background. We determined how far the camera needed to be from the subject, and how far the subject needed to be from the background. We discussed the proper Area Focus and F-stop level to use when taking portrait photos of people. Will was tasked with taking portrait photos of a few teachers, including me We also had a conversation about getting a person to show their real smile as apposed to the posed ‘school photo day’ smile.
March 27, 2015
Friday 45 min
10:15 - 11:00
Photography class started with Will helping me set up a class photo stage. We talked about how a school photo is different than the other photographs we had been taking, and more like a portrait. For this kind of photography it is important to think about the frame and the stage. It is also important to think about how light falls on the face, and use a flash, and the ancillary lighting to get a proper image.
Once we had agreed to a suitable backdrop, and rigged up the proper lighting, we found our first subject. Will used his focus knowledge to take a portrait photo of Analise and Morgan. Will then watched a short video about F-stops and light. We used the remaining few minutes to experiment with F-stops.
March 13, 2015
Friday 45 min
10:15 - 11:00
We worked with the auto focus area mode, distinguishing what types of situations the different settings would be used. We worked in the front parking lot, using the different area modes, to get photos of a person off center as the subject. Will worked well, and was able to switch modes with ease. I gave him an assignment for the break; he is to tell a story with photographs. The subject is to be his dog or dogs, or Alex. The photos should depict different activities, over a period of time; a day in the life for instance. The photos need to be taken from different angles AND have the focus be varied from center to off center (area focus changed).
Assignment
create a photo essay; a day in the life for instance. see session notes.
March 06, 2015
Friday 45 min
10:15 -11:00
Photography class started with watching a video on how to use the AF-area mode focus settings. These settings allow you to choose the part of the frame you want to focus. Generally, in most cases the auto area / auto-focus setting is selected, but when you want to have your subject off center, you can choose the single point focus setting. This was the subject for today’s class. Will was tasked with taking photos of various subjects that were not in the center of the frame, and then re-taking the same photo with the auto-area setting. We discussed several scenarios where this distinction would occur. We reviewed the way to identify a subject in a photo - the area that the eye is drawn to by having open space around it, or making it the only thing that is in focus. Will did a great job with this class; the first using the menu settings. Will’s homework is to take photos of subjects that are not in the center frame, using the single point focus setting, and also with the auto area setting. We will review his homework on Tuesday.
Assignment
take photos of subjects that are not in the center frame, using the single point focus setting, and also with the auto area setting.
February 27, 2015
Friday 45 min
10:15 - 11:00
We had gone long with the previous class (catapults rule) so this class was short. First we downloaded Wills homeowork photos onto the comuter. I want Will to know how to retrieve his photos, without hesitation. We discussed the process of hooking up the camera, and using iPhoto to organize his photos. We reviewed his homework photos on subject and angle. He did very well. We had a discussion on what kind of photos he might want to take during different events, i.e. birthdays - cake, presents, guests, blowing of candles, opening of gifts, etc. The discussion included the thought process he might use to be prepared for an event. At the end of class, I explained I would give him a homework assignment (which he could do at school) next week.
