"Digital Photography" Unit Assignments

CLASS PERIOD ONE: We will start out with learning some of the basic principles of D-SLR Camera Photography: Aperture and Shutter Speed and their influences on the pictures that you take. I will show you how to adjust both of these factors with the camera and show you online at the website eirikso.com the effect of these adjustments:

In addition, I have put together a slide show of pictures that demonstrate the effect of different Apertures and Shutter Speeds on the final photograph:

"Depth of Field and Motion in Photographs"

Once you get the hang of what aperture and shutter speed do to a picture and how to adjust this on the camera, I want you to head out and take some pictures, create for me a little portfolio that includes the following pictures:

  • A series of shots, all taken from the exact same vantage point, that shows varying apertures from F2.8 to F8. This shot should show something in the foreground and have an expansive background, as well, to show depth of field.
  • A series of shots, all taken from the exact same vantage point, that shows varying shutter speeds from 1/60th of a second up to 15 seconds. This shot will be most effective if there is something moving in the shot, like cars on a road, people shooting baskets, etc.
  • 25-50 pictures (or more) of varying subjects, just taken to get the feeling of the camera.

CLASS PERIOD TWO: Last class period, we talked about varying the aperture and the shutter speed to create varied depth of field and motion blur. Today, we talk a little about the importance of Light, The Rule of Thirds and Triangles and how to recompose your shots. For today, create me a small portfolio of photographs that do the following (Please use a tripod for best picture results!):

  • 5-10 photographs that show shallow depth of field (f2.8) and use the rule of thirds. Focus on something close up that will show a shallow depth of field, then recompose your shot, so that the object shows up in one of the Rule of Thirds quadrant hotspots.
  • 5-10 photographs that demonstrate maximum depth of field (f8). Focus on the closeup object and recompose, showing the length of an object in perspective. Make sure to use the rule of triangles to create an interesting path for the eye to follow
  • 25-50 photographs of varying subjects, just to continue to practice using the camera.

CLASS PERIOD THREE: So far, we have talked about taking "Normal" pictures, varying Aperture and Shutter Speed and recomposing pictures to change the focal point of the piece, as well as the importance of the Rule of Thirds and Triangles.

Today, we talk a little bit about Macro Photography and we discuss the "Photo Composite" and a little about "Post Production" of digital photographs. Macro has its own equipment and rules, but the Aperture, Shutter speed and Rules of Thirds all still applies, but the subjects of Macro photography can be a little more widely varied and abstract: Slideshow of Macro Photography.

Regarding the "Photo Composite" and a little about "Post Production" of digital photographs.

  • Slideshow of Photo Composites.
  • How to hook the camera to a computer using the USB.
  • Importing and saving your photographs.
  • Using Adobe Bridge.
  • Video Tutorial regarding the following:
    • Changing photo sizes using Bridge (for the Photo Composite)
    • Opening photos in Photoshop.
    • Creating the Photo Composite.
  • For Regular Photographs-  Basic Image Adjustment:
    • Image>Adjustments>Exposure
    • Image>Adjustments>Brightness/Contrast
    • Cropping and Rotating Images.
    • Saving Images.

For Today:

  • At least 10 Macro photographs. Try to get some "Everday Objects" and some "Abstracts."
  • 25-50 photographs of varying subjects, normal or macro, that attempt to capture just LIGHT!
  • Try photographing an interesting space or large object for your Composite.

CLASS PERIOD FOUR: Today, work on putting together your "Photo Composite" and working on the "Post Production" of your photographs. Start deciding which pictures you have taken are your "Best", your "Macro" shots, etc.

Video Tutorials for this Unit:

Using Photoshop and Bridge to create a Photo Composite.

Digital Photography Unit Deliverables:

At the completion of the unit, each student studying Digital Photography will be responsible for submitting the following for grading:

A folder, called "lastname_digital_photography", which includes ALL of the items below, copied into the V: DRIVE dropbox:

    Deliverable
    Point Value
    The Box: This is my label for your "box" of pictures that you have taken during your Digital Photography Unit. You will turn in a "box" of AT LEAST 250 different pictures taken during the 2-3 week time that you were working with the digital cameras. 25 points : one point for each set of 10 cards
    Photo Composite: Photograph an object or scene in at least 5 sections, then use these photo sections to create your Photo Composite in Photoshop.  Save as "Composite.jpg" 10 points: 2 point for each photograph in your composite.
    YOUR VERY BEST: AT LEAST THREE (or more, if you wish) polished photographs that demonstrate your understanding of the camera and post production editing. These are your absolute best pictures! 30 points: 10 points each.
    "MACRO" and "LIGHT" Shots: Please include a small set that includes ONE MACRO shot and ONE SHOT that shows the beauty of LIGHT. Your macro shots can be either close-ups demonstrating pattern, texture and detail or they can be abstracts. You LIGHT shot should be a shot in which LIGHT is the primary subject of your photograph. Your pictures should demonstrate an understanding of the Rule of Thirds and Depth of Field. 14 points: 7 pts. each.

    DEPTH OF FIELD/MOTION SHOTS: I would like at least ONE of each of the following types of Depth of Field Shots:

    • A "Focusing" Shot, using a small f-stop number, such as f2-f3, that is focussed in on an object, with the balance of the picture being blurry.
    • A "Storytelling" Shot, using a large f-stop number, such as f7-f8, that shows everything in the frame in focus.
    • A "Motion Shot": Likely recorded at 1/30th of a second shutter speed or slower, that demonstrates MOVEMENT in an interesting way in the picture.

    All shots should be demonstrating your knowledge of the Rule of Thirds and Building Triangles wherever possible.

    		21 points: 7 points each.
    Post production: I strongly advise you to take any of your final photographs into Photoshop RAW editor and perfect them as best you can. Do not be afraid to crop a shot, if necessary, to improve the look of the picture. Professionals do it all the time!