universitysettlementphoto: 2011-09-04

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Early Fall classes at University Settlement:

11AM-1PM Photoshop CS5

SEPT 14 -CLASS AT UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT

1PM-3PM Digital Photography: Natural Light, Shadows and Reflections

SEPT 14 - VISIT TO METROPOLITAN MUSEUM

University Settlement Photoshop

University Settlement Photoshop:

The focus of this course will be improving straight images, particularly images you have already taken and have problems with that you would like to resolve.

This is a great course for orienting yourself with Photoshop and also if you want to improve on the skills you already have. It is highly recommended that you have access to a computer with Photoshop to practice.

There will be weekly lessons posted on the class blog, and I would like everyone to practice the lesson at home and bring in an example of their work each week.

Keyboard shortcuts will also be on the class blog.

Week 1 (September 7)

Introduction to Photoshop:

Tools Palette, Opening files, Undo (History), Cropping, Straighten, Rotate, Flip, Layers Palette

Save, Save As

Week 2 (September 14)

Brushes, Stamp Tool, Zoom, Hand Tool, Burn, Dodge, Sponge, Eraser

Week 3 (September 21)

Automatic Adjustments, Exposure, Saturation, Black & White, Contrast, Levels, Curves,

Week 4 - (September 28)

Marquee Tools, Magic Wand, Lasso, Feather Selection, Move, Blur, Sharpen, Smudge,

Week 5 (October 5)

Paint Brush, Paint Bucket, Eye Dropper, Default colors

Week 6 (October 12

Adjustments to selections, Copying selections, Merge Down, Flatten Image

Week 7 (October 19)

Masks and Channels, Free Transform

Week 8 (October 26)

Filters, Healing Brush, Patch Tool, Pen Tool

Preparing the image for print, Image Size, Border, Canvas

Natural Light, Shadows and Reflections in Photography

The University Settlement

Natural Light, Shadows and Reflections in Photography

This 8-week course will explore the use of natural light, shadows and reflections as essential compositional elements in photography. Slide presentations will be used for reference and inspiration. Some historical and contemporary photographers that will be discussed include Eugéne Atget, Lee Friedlander, Adré Kertész, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Andrzej Lachowicz, Jessica Todd Harper, Mikiko Hara, and Tierney Gearon. In addition to slide presentations, guest speakers and gallery visits will serve to further inspire student work.

Students will be asked to photograph on their own outside of class and present work in class for a group critique. It is suggested that students photograph in the early morning or late afternoon to make use of peak hours for beautiful natural light and dramatic shadows. Students may photograph any subject matter they choose, as long as natural light, shadows, or reflections are incorporated into the composition.

Note: Students may photograph in digital or analog. Students must either print work and bring it to class, or bring a CD of digital files to the class to be projected (recommended: 8x10 inches at 300 dpi). Students should have 7-10 images to share each week. Class is open to all levels.

Lesson Plans

Class #1 – September 7

1. Introduction to the course, student and instructor introductions. (10 minutes)

2. Slide presentation of early photographers working with natural light, shadow, and reflection. Focus on natural light. (20 minutes)

3. Review technical elements of student cameras, materials they plan to use, and technique. Instructor handout of recommended places to print work and purchase photographic materials. (15 minutes)

4. Practice shoot outside, focusing on natural light, with guidance from instructor. (1 hour)

5. Return to classroom for questions and comments. Brainstorm subject matter students would like to photograph over the week using natural light. (15 minutes)

Class #2 - September 14

1. Students present work for group critique on natural light. (1 hour, 15 min)

2. Slide presentation. (30 min)

3. Group discussion and brainstorming for the upcoming week’s project. (15 min)

Class #3 - September 21

1. Students present work for group critique on shadow. (1 hour, 15 min)

2. Slide presentation on photographers using reflection. (30 min)

3. Group discussion and brainstorming for the upcoming week’s project. (15 min)

Class #4 - September 28

1. Students present work for group critique on reflection. (1 hour, 15 min)

2. Slide presentation on all three topics (15 min)

3. Students select topic from the previous 3 weeks for final project. (30 min)