FPC1: Bull Pride
by Mrs. Hanks on Sep.03, 2010, under Friday Photo Challenge
CW4 Due Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Please upload your picture on to the correct Picasa album. If you have already done so, get started on the Friday Photo Challenge!
Friday Photo Challenge
This is an optional assignment for extra credit. Like the scavenger hunt, you must take a picture that best captures the assigned topic. However, you have only this period to find it, take it, and upload it. All entries posted after the end of the period will not count. On the spot, spontaneous creativity in composition is the emphasis.
Today’s topic is:
Bull Pride
Don’t forget the composition elements we’ve already learned, and make sure it’s uploaded by the end of the period!
Leave a comment on any picture that includes a compliment based on it having one of the vocab terms we’ve learned (e.g. “This picture is very graphic. Nice use of shape in the rain drops!” Saying “I love you, you rock” does not count.).
Have a great Labor Day weekend!
CW5: Picture Day
by Mrs. Hanks on Sep.02, 2010, under CW5: Underclass Picture Day
Today we’ll visit Underclass Picture Day in the auditorium, interview photographers involved in the event and shadow them for a period.
We’ll also get our badges today. See me Friday if you were absent to get yours.
Language of the Image: Part 2
by Mrs. Hanks on Sep.01, 2010, under 1st Nine Weeks
Homework Assignment: Language of the Image Part 1
Due Tuesday before 6 p.m.
Don’t forget that your image is due Tuesday! If you don’t remember your assigned topic, please see Tuesday’s blog.
Lecture: The Language of the Image Part 2
Relax today and absorb the presentation of some interesting images. Today, we’re spotlighting three kinds of images:
- Juxtaposition: Juxtaposition is one of the most effective and powerful story-telling devices available to photographers. It is the photographic presentation of opposing elements which often convey a sense of irony.
- Mood: A state of mind or feeling an image evokes from the reader.
- Sense of Place: That which allows the reader to quickly comprehend the setting of the image.
For today’s photo essay, we’re checking out the story of Marine funerals from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
CW4: Language of the Image
by Mrs. Hanks on Aug.31, 2010, under CW4: Language of the Image Part 1
Homework Assignment: Language of the Image Part 1
Post your assignment on the correct class Picasa album!
In the next week, we will be covering different vocabulary words to help us improve our composition techniques. Today and Thursday we will cover the following words. On Friday, you must upload a picture that reflects the qualities of that vocabulary term as we define it in class. All of the words will be discussed today and Wednesday.
You must demonstrate the term listed below:
Graphic (Last name A-C)
Quality of Light (Last name D-H)
Emotion (Last name I-M)
Juxtaposition (Last name N-R)
Mood (Last name S-T)
Sense of Place (Last name U-Z)
When you post your picture, caption it with your first name, last initial and photo period!
Lecture: The Language of the Image
Relax today and absorb the presentation of some interesting images. Today, we’re spotlighting three kinds of images:
- Graphic: The relationship between the lines, shapes and forms produces an aesthetically pleasing visual presentation
- Quality of Light: The use of natural and/or artificial light to enhance the subject and contribute to the story telling capabilities of the image
- Emotion: Human beings possess the widest range of emotions of all the planet’s inhabitants, and it is through these emotions that the photographer captures the human condition
For today’s photo essay, we’re checking out Katie’s story. Keep this in mind as we begin to discuss your project next week.
CW 3: Types of Photographs
by Mrs. Hanks on Aug.30, 2010, under CW3: Types of Photographs Worksheet
Lecture: Introduction to Photography
Today I will be lecturing as an introduction to photography. Please be ready and attentive when the bell rings. That means, turn off your monitors and face the front quietly.
You can watch the interactive presentation as a Quick Time movie here.
Refresh: Types of Photographs
There are three types of photographs:
- Informational
An informational photograph is little more than a visual record of a person, place, or event. It offers nothing more than identification value and has no redeeming story-telling qualities.
- Passive
These situations show people whose essential purpose is to have their photo taken for publication. In spite of its limitations, there are times when passive photography is all that is required of a situation. It is all that is possible when the event that makes up the action of the story is no longer taking place. This is best when the photographer makes the best possible environmental portrait. This is a legitimate and useful role for passive photography. - Active
- Situations that show real people involved in real events in real time
- Preferable to shooting portraits after the fact because it brings the insight of documentary photojournalism to the daily mix of newspapers and magazines.
- Allows photographers to produce images that tell readers about their community and the world in a way that informs, inspires and makes them happy, sad or concerned
- Needs to go beyond surface facts and should try to capture the essence of a situation or a personality
- We should always strive for active photography — the essence of good photojournalism!
Assignment: Categorization
You need to decide whether these photographs are informational, passive or active. Be sure to submit this worksheet before the end of class. No more than 2 people may work together on it. Any more will result in everyone getting a 0 on the assignment.
BE SURE TO SEND ME YOUR PICASA E-MAIL TODAY! LOOK AT THURSDAY’S BLOG FOR THE LINK!
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5

Picture 6
Picture 7
Picture 8
Picture 9
Picture 10
Personality Boards
by Mrs. Hanks on Aug.27, 2010, under 1st Nine Weeks
First things first: let’s vote for our favorite scavenger hunt pictures!
While that is going on, we’ll be using the dry-erase boards and markers to decorate a board with your short saying, a song lyric, a drawing, or a fun personal message. Decorate it to make it reflect your personality. Everyone will get a portrait taken with it for fun, so we can get to meet each other. There’s only four, so share and rotate so we can all finish today.
If you haven’t finished uploading the scavenger hunt pictures, please finish it up. When you come in on Monday, you’ll be picking your permanent seats for the nine weeks. This makes it easier when you upload your pictures, to always come to the same computer. Think about where you want to be and who you want to be neighbors with.
And don’t forget to fill out yesterday’s Picasa account form if you haven’t done so yet! If you’re not registered, then you won’t be able to turn in next week’s assignment.
CW2: Scavenger Hunt Upload
by Mrs. Hanks on Aug.26, 2010, under CW2: Scavenger Hunt
Today you will learn how to submit your pictures for an assignment.
We’re trying something different this year since the commenting system is blocked at school. This means you don’t need a bloomingdalephoto.com account, yay! You can do it all directly through your Picasa account.
First, you need to be able to log in to your Picasa account. Once you can do that, open this form and fill in the details I need to know about your account.
Now let’s go back to turning in the assignment. Basically, to submit an assignment, you are adding your picture to a group album. Each assignment will have its own album. Today, you are going to post your scavenger hunt pictures, each in a different album.
When a new assignment becomes available, you will receive an invitation to that album. Today, I’m going to invite one person in your group before we get started. Once they log in, in the lower right corner, they’ll see “Favorites Activity” with an invitation to view each of the albums. If you are at home, you can also click on the link in your email for this. Another way to do it is to go straight to http://picasaweb.google.com/bloomingdalephoto or follow the class Picasa link on the right.
You now need to put your picture in the album. There’s a tab at the top to “Add Photos.” Find your picture on the computer and upload it. That would be it for any normal assignment! This time, be sure to go back and comment with your team name so everyone gets credit.
For right now, this should be enough info once you fill out the form. In the future, I might ask you to always comment with your name. We’ll see how this system goes for now, but it seems to be simpler than what we’ve done in years past.
Do this for the other 9 pictures in each scavenger hunt album, and not only will you be a pro, but you will have a 100 for this assignment. When you finish, give everyone in your group a chance to log into Picasa and fill out the form at the beginning of this post.
Housekeeping issues: if you still haven’t turned in your small syllabus/camera checkout form, please put it on the corner of the table near the door (or just ask me)!
Homework for tomorrow: think of a small, short saying that represents you and your personality. Be prepared with it tomorrow!
Scavenger Hunt Intro
by Mrs. Hanks on Aug.25, 2010, under CW2: Scavenger Hunt
Today, you will get in groups of 4 and work on a scavenger hunt for photos on campus.
You may not enter a classroom with class in progress, must keep hall volume to a minimum, and must not interrupt the campus activities in any way. You may not go out to the parking lots, stadium, or driver’s ed lots. Teams must stick together and have the paper to use as their hall pass.
Come up with a group name, and register your group here before the teams are released.
When you get your paper, you may begin. First teams back are awarded points on a sliding scale. Be efficient while being creative.
When you return, upload your pictures to the computer, then to one of your team member’s Picasa accounts. On that account, create a new album called “1st Nine Weeks CW” and place your images in it. When finished, all team members should create a “1st Nine Weeks CW” folder for future use. Your individual assignments begin next week. Tomorrow you will learn how to submit the scavenger hunt pictures to be “graded.”
CW1: First Day/Syllabus
by Mrs. Hanks on Aug.24, 2010, under CW1: Syllabus
Welcome to Creative Photography! Please begin by taking this survey. Each person needs to complete it individually, so once you finish, please share the computer if someone else needs to take it.
When you finish, we’ll go through the syllabus, class procedures, and expectations.
Before you leave, you need to create a Picasa account. If you use Gmail, you already have one. If not, click this link to sign up. Please go home tonight and confirm your account through your email address. You won’t be able to post your pictures tomorrow if you don’t.
You also need to create an account on this website. Try to leave a comment on this. It’ll ask you to login, and then there will be a register link. You need to confirm this registration by checking your e-mail tonight too. Tomorrow I will tell you specifics on how to get this account perfectly posting.
You will begin taking pictures tomorrow! Please bring a camera. Your homework is to get the small version of the syllabus signed and returned, and to confirm your Picasa account. If you would like to check out a Rebel, please also have your parents sign the attached equipment check out form.
Due tomorrow: CW1 – Syllabus
Open House
by Mrs. Hanks on Aug.19, 2010, under CW1: Syllabus
Welcome to Creative Photography with Mrs. Hanks!
Please check in for open house here!
Become a fan on Facebook to get homework reminders, fun photography links, alerts on great camera deals and an easy way to connect with your classmates. Feel free to leave questions or comments on the wall, and I’ll respond to them there publicly.
Watch the presentation here:
Introduction to Creative Photography Class from Bloomingdale Photo on Vimeo.
View the syllabus here:
Cp1 Syllabus q1
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