Thursday, May 5, 2011

Final exam next week.

Time for your ALP2 final exam!
As mentioned at our last shoot, the final exam will be worth 20% of your final grade for this course.
On the night of the exam you will be asked to shoot your partner at a specific location and leave the final retouched portrait in my electronic drop box the night of the exam.
I'm not looking for perfect skin retouching but I am looking for perfect exposure and color balance as well as an attractive light on the subject and a natural light on the environment. You must include a grey card in your final photograph.

You will be told where to shoot the night of the exam but each group will need to sign out one Profoto kit and a grey card. Any other gear you want is up to you. There are 5 radio slaves on reserve each night for our 2 groups.

Sign out your gear and meet me by the small studio on the night indicated in the list below. Get in touch with your shooting partner to confirm their presence for the exam.

Group 1, Monday May 9th
Eric & Thomas
Julie & Nina
Crissy & Guz
Kirsten & Georgina

Group 2 Tuesday May 10th
Mathieu & Dar
Audry & Cristina
Adriano & Orchedia
Neil & Svetla

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Assignment 4 Environmental Portrait Indoors (20% of final grade)




The purpose of this assignment is to fulfill program competencies:


· BW55: to create photographs outside the studio


· BW56: To photograph people.


To fulfill course objectives:


· Create photographs of people in the work environment.


· Adapt to mixed light situations.


This assignment simulates a professional industrial photography assignment.



This portrait will be photographed in Dawson’s Mec Tech Department located in the H wing at the -2 Level. You must photograph a person executing an industrial process. This is not a smiley portrait but an image of someone at work. Models will be provided the night of the shoot.


You will be required to hand in 2 prints and a JPG for the Mec Tech department to use for their own promotion.


There are 4 components to this assignment as listed below. Each of the 4 components is worth 25% of the total grade for this assignment.



See samples of Industrial Photography here.


Shooting schedule:

Workshop April 4th, we will meet at the small studio @ 6:30

Group A: April 12

Eric & Thomas

Julie & Nina

Crissy & Guz

Kirsten & Georgina

Group B: April 14th

Neil & Svetla

Adriano & Orchedia

Audry & Christina

Matthieu & Dar











1. Pre-light polaroid & diagram (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog (large enough for viewing please) by Wednesday April 6th.


Diagram is detailed and clearly labeled with all following information:


1. Camera position relative to subject (include distance and height).


2. Subject position relative to background elements.


3. Focal length of lens.


4. Available light reading in various parts of the scene.


5. Additional lighting information including type of additional lights (strobe, tungsten, etc..) lighting accessories (soft box, grid, umbrella etc..), CC gels, approx. desired power from each source.



2. Pre-light report and analysis (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog in the same post as the diagram and polaroid (Wednesday April 6th).


A detailed report (in point form) answering all of the following:


1. What is your intention in terms of how you plan to use the available light (as your main, your fill or even a hair light)?


2. What is the reason for your lens choice (do you want the compression of a long lens or the exaggerated perspective of a wide angle)?


3. What aperture do you plan to use and why?


4. What shutter speed to you plan to use and why?


5. Do you have enough available light to achieve these camera settings?


6. Do you have enough strobe to achieve these settings?


7. Do you have too much light to achieve these settings?


8. Are there any technical problems with your test shot that will need to be addressed at the shoot or in post-production?


9. How will you be addressing color balance?


10. What is the equipment you will need for the shoot?


Are there any other special requirements or preparation (ie: permits, models, crew, research etc..)?


Final Photo-shoot report and analysis (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog including the final photograph Due Wednesday April 20th.


The purpose of this report is to reflect on what worked well for you on this assignment and what you would change if you had the opportunity to go back and do it again. Be specific about the 10 items listed in the pre-light report and if you made changes to your original plan and why. You may upload a new revised lighting diagram to help illustrate your final shoot if you wish, but it is not mandatory.



Final Photograph (25% of grade) submitted to my electronic drop box & 2 8x10 prints left in my physical drop box by Wednesday April 20th .


Your final photograph should be approximately 8x10 inches @ 300 dpi.


The image should be retouched including any color and contrast adjustments you feel necessary.


It should be a PSD document and should include all layers including the lay-out on it’s own layer.


Your final photograph will be graded on:


1. Technical expertise (lighting, color balance, retouching, focus, etc.)


2. Creativity (both in concept and in problem solving)


3. Appropriateness to the assignment (Does your image fulfill the client’s request for a cover image of a business man in his environment?)


4. Overall impact (Does the concept, composition, styling and expression make the image memorable?)



Be sure to save the document as “ass.1_YourName” before leaving it my electronic drop box.








Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Comments for Outdoor Portrait Pre-light Workshop.

The links to the comments from from your pre-light workshop are below.
So far the weather for Sunday is showing a mix of sun and cloud on both on-line weather resources. Of course this could change so be prepared.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Assignment 3 Environmental Portrait Outdoors (20% of final grade

FINAL REPORT& ANALYSIS AND FINAL PHOTOGRAPH DEADLINE IS EXTENDED TO MARCH 28TH. NO EXTENSIONS AFTER THAT DATE.

The purpose of this assignment is to fulfill program competencies:

· BW55: to create photographs outside the studio

· BW56: To photograph people.

To fulfill course objectives:

· Adapt to mixed light situations.

Your outdoor environmental portrait must be photographed by the Lachine Canal in Côte St. Paul. For Google map, street view and photos click here.

The pre-light for this assignment will take place on Saturday March 5th from 1:00-5pm.

The Final Shoot will take place on Sunday March 13th: group A from 8:30-12:30, group B from 1:00-5:00.

group A: (Thomas & Eric), (Julie,-Georgina,-Nina)(Adriano & Orquidea)

Group B: (Neil & Svetla) (Audrey & Cristina)(Guzzo & Crissy)(Dar & Mat)

Reserve your equipment now!

For this assignment you will choose a photograph that inspires you and you will attempt to emulate that photograph’s light and style as best you can. Bring your inspirational shot to both the workshop (prelight) and the final photo shoot.

As usual you will work in partners but the difference this time is you will each work on your own individual photographs.

There are 4 components to this assignment as listed below. Each of the 4 components is worth 25% of the total grade for this assignment.

1. Pre-light polaroid & diagram (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog (large enough for viewing please) by Tuesday March 8th.

Diagram is detailed and clearly labeled with all following information:

1. Camera position relative to subject (include distance and height).

2. Subject position relative to background elements.

3. Focal length of lens.

4. Available light reading in various parts of the scene.

5. Additional lighting information including type of additional lights (strobe, tungsten, etc..) lighting accessories (soft box, grid, umbrella etc..), CC gels, approx. desired power from each source.

6. Include both your inspirational photo and a digi polaroid from your light test.

2. Pre-light report and analysis (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog in the same post as the diagram and polaroid (Tuesday March 8th).

A detailed report (in point form) answering all of the following:

1. What is your intention in terms of how you plan to use the available light (as your main, your fill or even a hair light)?

2. What is the reason for your lens choice (do you want the compression of a long lens or the exaggerated perspective of a wide angle)?

3. What aperture do you plan to use and why?

4. What shutter speed to you plan to use and why?

5. Do you have enough available light to achieve these camera settings?

6. Do you have enough strobe to achieve these settings?

7. Do you have too much light to achieve these settings?

8. Are there any technical problems with your test shot that will need to be addressed at the shoot or in post-production?

9. How will you be addressing color balance?

10. What is the equipment you will need for the shoot?

Are there any other special requirements or preparation (ie: permits, models, crew, research etc..)?

Final Photo-shoot report and analysis (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog including the final photograph. Due Thursday March 17th: EXTENDED TO MARCH 28th: NO EXTENSIONS AFTER THAT DATE.

The purpose of this report is to reflect on what worked well for you on this assignment and what you would change if you had the opportunity to go back and do it again. Be specific about the 10 items listed in the pre-light report and if you made changes to your original plan and why. You may upload a new revised lighting diagram to help illustrate your final shoot if you wish, but it is not mandatory.

Final Photograph (25% of grade) submitted to my electronic drop box by Thursday March 17th. EXTENDED TO MARCH 28th: NO EXTENSIONS AFTER THAT DATE.

Your final photograph should be approximately 8x10 inches @ 300 dpi.

The image should be retouched including any color and contrast adjustments you feel necessary.

It should be a PSD or TIFF and should include all layers.

Your final photograph will be graded on:

1. Technical expertise (lighting, color balance, retouching, focus, etc.)

2. Creativity (both in concept and in problem solving)

3. Appropriateness to the assignment (Does your image emulate the light and style of your inspirational photo?)

4. Overall impact (Does the concept, composition, styling and expression make the image memorable?)

Friday, February 18, 2011

Things to consider for your food location assignment.

Here are links to my comments on each of the pre-light tests for group A.
I'll post group B comments before the group B shoot on February 25.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Assignment 2 Product on Location (20% of final grade)

These two images were taken by past students: Charles Lanteigne and Grace Agoustino.


The purpose of this assignment is to fulfill program competencies:

· BW55: to create photographs outside the studio

· BW57: To photograph products.

To fulfill course objectives:

· Create small product photographs on location.

· Adapt to mixed light situations.

This assignment simulates a professional editorial food photography assignment.

This product photograph will be taken in one of the restaurants at the Pepsi Forum. The photograph should meet these three main objectives:

1. The food should be presented and lit to look appetizing.

2. The background of the photograph should suggest the ambiance of the location.

3. The composition of the photograph should fit into the lay-out; the cover of Gourmet magazine.

There are 4 components to this assignment as listed below. Each of the 4 components is worth 25% of the total grade for this assignment.

1. Pre-light polaroid & diagram (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog (large enough for viewing please) by Tuesday February 15th.

Diagram is detailed and clearly labeled with all following information:

1. Camera position relative to subject (include distance and height).

2. Subject position relative to background elements.

3. Focal length of lens.

4. Available light reading in various parts of the scene.

5. Additional lighting information including type of additional lights (strobe, tungsten, etc..) lighting accessories (soft box, grid, umbrella etc..), CC gels, approx. desired power from each source.

2. Pre-light report and analysis (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog in the same post as the diagram and polaroid (Tuesday February 15th).

A detailed report (in point form) answering all of the following:

1. What is your intention in terms of how you plan to use the available light (as your main, your fill or even a hair light)?

2. What is the reason for your lens choice (do you want the compression of a long lens or the exaggerated perspective of a wide angle)?

3. What aperture do you plan to use and why?

4. What shutter speed to you plan to use and why?

5. Do you have enough available light to achieve these camera settings?

6. Do you have enough strobe to achieve these settings?

7. Do you have too much light to achieve these settings?

8. Are there any technical problems with your test shot that will need to be addressed at the shoot or in post-production?

9. How will you be addressing color balance?

10. What is the equipment you will need for the shoot?

Are there any other special requirements or preparation (ie: permits, models, crew, research etc..)?

Final Photo-shoot report and analysis (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog including the final photograph. Group A is due Tuesday February 22nd and Group B is due Tuesday March 1st.

The purpose of this report is to reflect on what worked well for you on this assignment and what you would change if you had the opportunity to go back and do it again. Be specific about the 10 items listed in the pre-light report and if you made changes to your original plan and why. You may upload a new revised lighting diagram to help illustrate your final shoot if you wish, but it is not mandatory.

Final Photograph (25% of grade) submitted to my electronic drop box by Tuesday February 22nd for group A, and Tuesday March 1st for group B.

Your final photograph should be approximately 8x10 inches @ 300 dpi.

The image should be retouched including any color and contrast adjustments you feel necessary.

It should be a PSD or TIFF and should include all layers including the lay-out on it’s own layer.

Your final photograph will be graded on:

1. Technical expertise (lighting, color balance, retouching, focus, etc.)

2. Creativity (both in concept and in problem solving)

3. Appropriateness to the assignment (Does your image fulfill the client’s request for a cover image of a business man in his environment?)

4. Overall impact (Does the concept, composition, styling and expression make the image memorable?)

This electronic document will be given to the Pepsi Forum in exchange for using their facilities and food. Please include your copyright and contact info in the metadata (File>file info in photoshop).

Be sure to save the document as “©FirstName_LastName” before leaving it my electronic drop box.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Location 1: indoor environmental portrait

We are shooting our final indoor portrait Saturday February 5th at 1 Place Alexis Nihon.
FYI: Parking in the building is $5 for the day. You would enter the building parking, go through the mall and the entrance to the office tower in near the Bank of Montreal on the upper level (not the second cup level).
Due to the falling light at the end of the day I am scheduling the two groups as follows:
morning group from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
afternoon group from 12:30pm - 4:30pm
You must be packed and ready to leave at the end of your 4 hour time slot.
What you will need to hand in is the following (keep in mind you will have up to a 20% grade deduction for late assignments)

Final Photo-shoot report and analysis (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog including the final photograph Due Wednesday February 9th.

The purpose of this report is to reflect on what worked well for you on this assignment and what you would change if you had the opportunity to go back and do it again. Be specific about the 10 items listed in the pre-light report and if you made changes to your original plan and why. You may upload a new revised lighting diagram to help illustrate your final shoot if you wish, but it is not mandatory.

Final Photograph (25% of grade) submitted to my electronic drop box by Wednesday February 9th.

Your final photograph should be approximately 8x10 inches @ 300 dpi.

The image should be retouched including any color and contrast adjustments you feel necessary.

It should be a PDF document and should include all layers including the lay-out on it’s own layer.

Your final photograph will be graded on:

1. Technical expertise (lighting, color balance, retouching, focus, etc.)

2. Creativity (both in concept and in problem solving)

3. Appropriateness to the assignment (Does your image fulfill the client’s request for a cover image of a business man in his environment?)

4. Overall impact (Does the concept, composition, styling and expression make the image memorable?)

Be sure to save the document as “ass.1_YourName” before leaving it my electronic drop box.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Assignment 1: Environmental Portrait indoors

The purpose of this assignment is to fulfill program competencies:

· BW55: to create photographs outside the studio

· BW56: To photograph people.

To fulfill course objectives:

· Create photographs of people in the work environment.

· Adapt to mixed light situations.

This assignment simulates a professional corporate photography assignment.

This portrait will be photographed at 1 Place Alexis Nihon and should illustrate both the person being photographed and the environment.

There are 4 components to this assignment as listed below. Each of the 4 components is worth 25% of the total grade for this assignment.

1. Pre-light polaroid & diagram (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog (large enough for viewing please) by Wednesday January 26th.

Diagram is detailed and clearly labeled with all following information:

1. Camera position relative to subject (include distance and height).

2. Subject position relative to background elements.

3. Focal length of lens.

4. Available light reading in various parts of the scene.

5. Additional lighting information including type of additional lights (strobe, tungsten, etc..) lighting accessories (soft box, grid, umbrella etc..), CC gels, approx. desired power from each source.

2. Pre-light report and analysis (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog in the same post as the diagram and polaroid (Wednesday January 26th).

A detailed report (in point form) answering all of the following:

1. What is your intention in terms of how you plan to use the available light (as your main, your fill or even a hair light)?

2. What is the reason for your lens choice (do you want the compression of a long lens or the exaggerated perspective of a wide angle)?

3. What aperture do you plan to use and why?

4. What shutter speed to you plan to use and why?

5. Do you have enough available light to achieve these camera settings?

6. Do you have enough strobe to achieve these settings?

7. Do you have too much light to achieve these settings?

8. Are there any technical problems with your test shot that will need to be addressed at the shoot or in post-production?

9. How will you be addressing color balance?

10. What is the equipment you will need for the shoot?

Are there any other special requirements or preparation (ie: permits, models, crew, research etc..)?

3. Final Photo-shoot report and analysis (25% of grade) uploaded to your blog including the final photograph Due Wednesday February 9th.

The purpose of this report is to reflect on what worked well for you on this assignment and what you would change if you had the opportunity to go back and do it again. Be specific about the 10 items listed in the pre-light report and if you made changes to your original plan and why. You may upload a new revised lighting diagram to help illustrate your final shoot if you wish, but it is not mandatory.

4. Final Photograph (25% of grade) submitted to my electronic drop box by Wednesday February 9th.

Your final photograph should be approximately 8x10 inches @ 300 dpi.

The image should be retouched including any color and contrast adjustments you feel necessary.

It should be a PDF document and should include all layers including the lay-out on it’s own layer.

Your final photograph will be graded on:

1. Technical expertise (lighting, color balance, retouching, focus, etc.)

2. Creativity (both in concept and in problem solving)

3. Appropriateness to the assignment (Does your image fulfill the client’s request for a cover image of a business man in his environment?)

4. Overall impact (Does the concept, composition, styling and expression make the image memorable?)

Be sure to save the document as “ass.1_YourName” before leaving it my electronic drop box.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Workshop 1

Purpose of this workshop:
This is a location scouting and pre-light workshop. You will choose the area where you will shoot assignment one and do a preliminary lighting test.
Location:
We will meet in the lobby of 1 Place Alexis Nihon located on the south west corner of de Maisonneuve at Atwater (beside the Second Cup).
Date & Time:
Saturday, January 22nd at 1pm
What to bring:
  1. Camera and lenses
  2. Tripod
  3. lighting (Profotos) and stands
  4. Grey card or color chart
  5. light meter
  6. radio slaves or sync cords
  7. gels
  8. lap top
  9. Time Cover layout available in my electronic public folder
  10. extension cords
  11. anything else you can think of.
What you will need to hand in after this workshop:
  1. Upload a detailed lighting diagram to your blog.
  2. Upload a digital polaroid of your test shot to your blog (including the Time Cover layout).
  3. Upload a written report to your blog including what went well, what you will need to change for the shoot, a list of equipment you will require the day of the shoot, any post production you will require (for things like chromatic aberation or slight color casts etc.)
  4. Make sure I am able to comment on your blog.
More details about the assignment will be available to you on Saturday.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Welcome to Applied Location Photography 2

Hello and welcome to Applied Location photography 2.
All of the information you will need for our 4 locations together will be found on this blog including:
assignment requirements.
workshop and location addresses.
workshop and location call times.
links and information for location photography.

For each of our 4 locations you have an assignment with two parts:
1. A workshop where you will be required to do a tech scouting and/or pre-light test and hand in a lighting diagram as well as a digi polaroid.
2. The location shoot where you will shoot your final image, retouch it, and hand it in with a written report.

Your pre-light polaroid and lighting diagrams must be posted to a blog you create for this class. The polaroid and pre-light diagram will always be due on your blog well before the location.
Your final shots from each location must also be posted to your blog along with a written report on your shoot. A high res. digital version of your final shots should also be handed in to my drop box.

Read postings to this blog carefully! Criteria for each assignment may be slightly different!

Location photography is challenging but it can be a blast if you are prepared!
Enjoy the course.