Cropping Photographs

It is important to compose your photograph through the viewfinder when you shoot, but there may be instances when you will want to Crop a picture you take. to Crop means to cut or trim out the areas of a picture you do not want. it is used to help create a definite focal point, or point of interest, and can also be used to adjust your picture so that it complies with the Rule of Thirds.

Tools used:

Crop Tool
Ratio
View menu

I will give a demonstration of these tools in class, and you can find a detailed tutorial at the site below:

Photoshop Essentails  - Cropping Images in Photoshop CS6

Your task today is to select 1 photo you have taken and crop them according to the Rule of Thirds. 

You may choose the Ratio, but state which Ratio you have chosen in the blog post.

Include the original version of the Photograph.

Here is an example below.

Cropping Assignment

Original Uncropped

Cropped . Original Ratio, Rule of Thirds

Studio Lighting Portraits

Today we will go to the stage and set up studio lighting for portraits.

Use a large Aperture for Shallow Depth of Field.
Use a Shutter Speed of at least 1/60 to avoid motion blur.
You should use the lowest ISO possible.

The goal for this project is to capture both shadows and highlights in your portraits.

Extra credit will be given for modeling for the class.

We will download the photos today.

We will edit the Pictures Friday. 

Complete Written Critiques

Finish the critique of your photograph if you have not done so.
Next, look at your classmate's work. Find one photograph that you like. In a new blog post include the picture and use the critique guide to briefly explain what makes the photo stand out. 

 We will begin in-class critiques in 20 minutes.

Write 2 Critiques of the Hardware Store Pictures

Today you will write TWO thorough critiques using the Critique Guide.

1. the first will be a critique of one of your pictures from the field trip.
Include a copy of the picture with your critique.

2. The second will be a critique of one of your classmates pictures from the field trip. Include the picture.

Here is a good example of a written critique:
http://jessicamphoto13afall16.blogspot.com/2016/09/personal-critique-of-ozark-square.html

Edit and Post the Ozark Square Pictures

Download, Edit, and Post the Ozark Square Pictures from the field trip.

De-saturate and Adjust Levels to get the best possible  image. 

Your pictures should include:

4 City Scenes
4 Architectural Details - either Close ups or Textures
2-5 other Photos of your choice

10-15 photos total

If you have good shots of any of the following then you should post them also
Shadows
reflections
People - Environmental portraits
Animals
Plants or Nature

Add and Remove Things From a Picture You have Taken

Using the Clone/Stamp Tool, REMOVE at least 1 thing and ADD another. Use a picture that you have taken.

...look at the examples below


Original Photo

 Retouched Photo

Retouching Using the Clone-Stamp Tool

Today we will work with a couple of tools to help improve minor imperfections in our photos.
Download the 2 photos below, retouch them, and upload the before and after pictures to your blog.

Using the Dodge and Burn Tool in Photoshop

Today we will discuss the Burning and Dodging tools in Photoshop. 

The Burn Tool will darken an area, the Dodge Tool lightens an area.

I will give a demonstration of this in class.

After I show you how to use the tools you will post an example of your use of the tools. The instructions and examples are below:

Post a before and after picture demonstrating your use of the Burn and dodge tools in Photoshop.

The burn tool will darken areas of your image, and the Dodge tool will lighten areas of your image.

In a brief paragraph explain the areas that you burned and dodged.

Follow the example below:

Original Photograph

Dodged and Burned Photograph

I dodged the highlights on the bananas and in the blurry chair in the background. I felt like the picture would be stronger if you could better see the details in the distance.
I burned the details in the glass bowl as well as in the bananas because I felt that the bowl was too grayish and i wanted more contrast. Finally I burned the wall on the right of the bowl because it was hard to see where the bowl ended and the wall began.

Adjustment Layers - Levels

Most pictures will require an adjustment of Contrast, or the range of value in a picture.

The picture below is overall very flat. It is a low-image with no pure whites and no black and few dark grey values.

Today we will be using Adjustment Layers to change the Levels of Dark, Middle, and Light Values in a photograph.

We will use the Histogram in Photoshop to analyze the amount of Dark, Middle, and Light tones in a picture.

A Histogram is a graph that shows the Levels of Value in a picture.

We will upload 3 examples of the use of the Levels Adjustment Layer.

Include the picture and the Histogram.

here is an example ...

Change a Photo to Black and White Using Hue-Saturation Adjustment Layer

Change a color photo to black and white
Open a photograph you have taken
Using the Hue-Saturation Adjustment layer, convert the picture to black and white.
Post the original and De-Saturated (black and White) to your blog.

AP image critique

Today you will choose a photo from AP Images to critique. Follow the example below to do your critique.

1. Copy the Image (or use the Snipping tool) to upload the photo to your blog.



2. Add the link from the AP site to your blog.
https://apimagesblog.com/blog/2019/2/2/pictures-of-the-week

3. Paste the description of the photo from the AP site to your blog.
Girls play with live Teacup pigs, a rare pet in the country, at the start of celebrations leading to the Lunar New Year, Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 at Lucky Chinatown Plaza mall in Manila, Philippines. The upcoming Year of the Pig represents abundance, diligence and generosity. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

4. Answer the following:

• Who was the photographer?
• What country and city was the photo taken in?
• What event was photographed?
• Describe the event that was photographed.
• Why is the event newsworthy? Why is it important to us?

5. Write a Critique. Use the Critique Guide in the link above.

Here is a good example from a previous student:
https://annakphoto11bspring19.blogspot.com/2019/02/ap-image-critique.html