Summer Shooting Assignments

photo by Evan La Londe

Even though you've worked very hard this school year, there are many opportunities to keep shooting pictures throughout the summer. Often times when students take pictures of things without over-thinking them, they have fantastic results.

Below is a list of summer shooting assignments and ideas. You are required to return to school this fall having shot at least six rolls of film, or its equivalent in digital exposures, (about 150 pictures). At least three rolls need to be black and white film, the rest are up to you. Consider digital cameras, polaroids, pinholes, etc.

Also, use Flickr as a resource for getting inspired this summer. There are hundred of groups that both professional and novice photographers join, ranging from different alternative processes, to polaroids, to specific subject matter. Join a group and connect with some amazing photographers.

Have fun this summer, but make sure to take your camera everywhere you go!

Summer Shooting Assignments

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Also, there are many competitions and scholarships that happen right away when you will return in the fall. If you plan for them now, you will be ahead of the game when you return! Visit the RHS art department home page and click "links," and then "competitions and scholarships" for a complete list of all them. Or, click here

All Photo 3 students are required to take the AP Exam for Studio Art. The exam requires a minimum of 24 exceptional, portfolio quality works, each of which must showcase your mastery of design and composition in photography. Click here to get more information about the exam, look at example portfolios, etc. Also look at the Photo 3 students from this past year to get a good idea of strong AP portfolios. Carolyn, Kyria, Krisy, and Passion each took the AP this year with exclusively photo portfolios.

Often, students in Photo 3 spend the majority of the year developing a concentration, or a thematic series of works. Click here for a list of concentration ideas and inspiring artists. Begin thinking about a concentration idea this summer.

Extending & Refining your Independent Series

I was really pleased and impressed with the independent series presentations last week, it seems like each of you are really excited about the direction of your work, and have ideas for new ones. Here's our plan for the rest of the school year:

Friday, June 12th: Final critique on two new independent works for your series. You will share these new works along with the ones you presented last week. These will be the last works for the year, and will count as a 100 point classwork grade.

Friday, June 5th: Independent in-progress critiques with me, (15 pt. critique grade). All contact sheets should be presented, and 2 final works should be at least 50% complete.

Thursday, May 28th: Proposal presentations to class. You may decide to complete the below assignment in your sketchbook, or create a presentation to be shared on the computer. This will count as a 30 point homework grade.

Independent Series Refinement)

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Final Exam presentations

Alright everyone, your last day of photo class is almost here! All of you have grown and developed a huge amount as photographers this year, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone's independent series.

Below you will find the list of presenters, along with your times. Next to each time, you will see two more names. The following names will be students who will need to critique that presenter, offering a comment of praise, a question, and a suggestion to help improve the work. If you look at the students work before the presentation, It will give you more time to think about what you'd like to say. Otherwise, you will need to respond on the spot.

At the end of the period you will need to make sure you've completed and submitted the following:

1) Reflective comments on your independent series work on Flickr. (see "verbal presentation" questions on handout or on the discussion page on Flickr)
2) Written evaluation on all parts of your independent series, (you will hand this to me before you present)
3) Cleaned out portfolio, binders, and sketchbooks from classroom.
4) Donated unwanted photo paper.

Presentation Schedule:
Each presenter is expected to present for about 6-7 minutes, use your reflection as a way to prepare your presentation!

1) Leslie B. (John & Lauren)
2) Megan C. (Gunter & Bianca)
3) John K. (Chris & Marian)
4) Tracy L. (Kate Y. & Michaela)
5) Jennifer L. (Jemini & Celene)
6) Katie L. (Tracy & Megan)
7) Bianca M. (Raissa & Amina)
8) Celene M. (Katie L. & Leslie)
9) Amina M. (Lauren & Marian)
10) Gunter O. (Jemini & Megan)
11) Jemini P. (Kate Y. & Jennifer)
12) Chris R. (Raissa & Bianca)
13) Kate Y. (Tracy & Katie L.)

If time, we'll have juniors present in the following order:

14) Marian
15) Lauren
16) Michaela
17) Raissa

Gum Bichromate Printing

gum bichromate prints

For our last alternative process, we will learn the technique of gum bichromate printing, or "gum" printing as it's often known. Gum printing is one the earliest color photographic process, invented by efforts of William Fox Talbot and Mongo Ponton. Essentially, when a metallic dichromate (such as potassium) is combined with a colloid (a large moleculed gel or emulsion) like gum arabic, it becomes UV light sensitive and hardens proportionally to the amount of light striking it.

Unlike any of the other alternative processes, gum printing can be any color, because the gum arabic that's mixed with the dichromate can be tinted with watercolor. Layering multiple hues of color can create an illusion of a full-color image.

While you are shooting your independent series, we will experiment with gum printing in class. To begin, create 2 new 5x7 ortho-litho negatives with which you can contact print with. You will need more than one to be able to layer imagery. Then, you can size and tone your paper with the dichromate solution to print with.

Here are two fantastic websites that explain the process and history of gum bichromate printing far better than I can:

Gum Bichromate Photography
Alternative Photography

Be sure to check out the Flickr group "Gum Bichromate" here to see a ton of examples of this printing process. You can also check out the simple slideshow below:

Independent Series & Final Performance Assessment

Photos by Aubrey Hopkins

Below is the evaluation that will be used to grade your independent series, and will also double as the remainder of your final exam. The evaluation questions must be finished prior to exam day on Monday, 5/18. You will not have class time to finish them during class.

It is highly encouraged that you download and print out this document before Monday!

Final Exam

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Guest Presenter: Gabriel DeLoach

Photos by Steve Winter and Gabe DeLoach




Gabriel DeLoach is an artist, photographer, film-maker, and traveler extraordinaire who has devoted both his artistic and professional practice to documenting the world he experiences, in both rural America to the wild jungles of Brazil. DeLoach will present his work as both an independent photographer and film-maker, as well as an assistant to Steve Winter, a renowned photographer for National Geographic magazine, in class this Thursday. DeLoach currently lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, but has recently traveled to Brazil and India to photograph wild cats, namely jaguars and tigers in an effort to help the organization Panthera protect and research these cats in the wild. Experts predict that there may only be 4,000 wild cats left in existence, making DeLoach's work critical for their survival.

Here are a couple of links to help you get a sense of his work. Take a look at his work, read about the stories on the blog, and come to class Thursday with questions!

Gabriel DeLoach's website
Steve Winter's blog

Cliché-Verre!

Cliché-Verre is a unique photograph that is made by using a printmaking process of "etching" into the surface of a dried emulsion upon a transparent material like glass or mylar. Using a variety of "printing-plates," normal black and white photographs can be transformed into fascinating abstract, textural shapes and patterns.

This week and next, while you are busily shooting your documentary film, we will be experimenting with cliché-verre prints in class. Bring your old photo binders, these prints can be made with old negatives. No new shooting is necessary! Check out the slideshow below for inspiring new ideas!

The Photographic Essay

photo by Lewis Hines
Photo Essay Presentations!

If presenting a powerpoint, save powerpoint to a thumbdrive to share during presentation. Use low resolution imagery only in presentation. Design the presentation well, elegantly combine image and text. Include your statement of purpose in the presentation!

If presenting the work as an art exhibit, post your final layouts/works to the Advanced Photo group pool. I will download them to my computer so that you can share them with the class. Be prepared! Have your statement of purpose typed and ready to turn in after your presentation!

Presentation order:

Thursday, April 16th: Marian, Jemini, Megan, Kate Y., Bianca, Lauren, Celene, Katie L.

Friday, April 17th: Jennifer, John, Tracy, Amina, Gunter, Leslie, Chris, Raissa, Michaela.

If you are not prepared to present, you will be penalized a letter grade for lateness. Make arrangements with other students if you'd like to switch days, and inform Mr. La Londe by the end of class today!


Below, you will also find links to several websites that show professional photo essays by photojournalists that work around the world:

The TIMES photographic essay website
Lauren Greenfield
Bruce Davidson
Jan Sochor
Peter Menzel
James Nachtwey
Joachim Ladefoged

Below, you will find a slideshow of documentary styled photographs by both photojournalists and artists. Look at the slideshow to get ideas about how a photo essay can be presented visually in an interesting way!



Here's the final photo essay print and presentation evaluation your grade will be based upon:

Photo Essay Present Criteria

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Super-Proud

Hey everyone, I just wanted to post this really quick:

I'm super-proud of each of you who decided to submit work for the Senior Show this year. Each of you have made fantastic works, and as I went through each of your submissions, I realized how truly unique, and authentic all of your work really is this year. You make me proud!

Best of luck!

Below is a slideshow I made of each of the final entries, enjoy!

2009 Howard County Senior/Junior Show

It's time to put your portfolio to use! You've uploaded your works, you've organized, titled, and described them. You wrote an artist statement. Now it's time to apply for an art show. The Annual Howard County Portfolio Development and Senior/Junior show is the biggest county show of the year, showing artwork from students all over the county. This year's exhibition will be juried, meaning that a panel of artists will choose the works to be included. To be included in the show is a huge honor for you as an artist, and for the school!

All Photo 2 students who apply for the senior/junior show will receive 3 extra points on their overall 3rd Quarter grade.
Photo 2 students who are selected for the show will receive 5 extra points on their overall 3rd quarter grade.

The online application deadline is: Thursday, Feb. 26th.
All work must be saved and formatted to Mr. La Londe's thumbdrive by the end of school: Feb. 26th. (Half-Day)

Here's what you need to do to apply:
1) Click on the Senior/Junior Show application link to the right.
2) Fill out all information on the online form. (Note, some of you may need to modify your artist statement for the show guidelines.)
3) Print a copy of your completed online application to give to Mr. La Londe.
4) Create a new folder in Mr. La Londe's thumbdrive. Inside this folder, save your four works you are submitting for the show.
Each file work should be formatted as a jpeg, and have a resolution of 72 DPI, 5 X 7, or approximately 360 X 504 pixels. Each file should be named in the following format: lastnameRHS# (example: LaLondeRHS01, LaLondeRHS02, etc.)
5) Celebrate your 3 point reward!

See Mr. La Londe if you have questions!

Ego|Alter-Ego Portraits

Below is the evaluation sheet for your final Ego and Alter Ego prints. Make sure to combine the two together in photoshop, (see Carolyn's example in the previous blog post) and upload them to the Flickr pool before class on Monday, March 2nd.

Ego|Alter Ego Print Eval. 2008-09

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Artist Statement

This week while you're shooting your ego portraits, you will write a first draft of an artist statement about your photography and your interests as a photographer. The artist statement is an important document for any artist. In order to help you put together your statement, you will follow the assignment sheet below. But first, I would like you to check out the statements written by our Photo 3 students, (Carolyn, Kyria, Krisy, Passion, and Amanda) that focus on their concentrations.

PART 1: For a 20 point homework grade, I would like you to choose a Photo 3 student and analyze their concentration works, and read their artist statements here. Then, in the corresponding discussion page, write a response to their work that addresses each of the questions on the Flickr discussion page. NO MORE THAN 5 STUDENTS CAN CRITIQUE ANY ONE PHOTO 3 PORTFOLIO CONCENTRATION. Decide and post by Fri. Feb 6th.

PART 2: Write a rough draft of your artist statement following the directions stated in the sheet below. Your rough draft of your artist statement will be due to me typed and double-spaced in size 12 Times font on Monbday Feb. 9th You are encouraged to use class time this week to write your statement!

Artist Statement Assignment

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Sketchbook Proposal: Ego

Using one page in your sketchbook, create a visual proposal that illustrates and explains the ego of your chosen person. Later, the facing page will be used to illustrate how you will present this person's "alter-ego," allowing you to brainstorm solutions before you photograph them.

The "Ego" page should illustrate/explain the following:
1) How would you describe this person as they naturally behave? What is their usual sense of self-esteem or self importance? List some adjectives that help explain their "ego."
2) Ideally, how will you compose a portrait of them to accomplish this? (Are there other master photograph/art examples that help illustrate this?)
3) How could this person use gesture and body language to express their ego?
4) How will you use lighting to further clarify this person's state-of-mind?

The sketchbook will be graded out of 40 pts. using similar criteria as a visual journal entry. How you use the page (design), neatness, and studio skills will all be evaluated

Shooting Assignment: Ego

Your next shooting assignment will focus upon one person as your subject. This person might be yourself, a close friend, or a family member. Choose someone you feel comfortable working with, and who feels comfortable being photographed. Try to work with someone outside of photo class.

Problem: Create a double portrait that presents two distinct sides/personalities of that person. One portrait will represent his/her ego, while the other portrait will represent an alter ego.

Part 1: The Ego
An ego can be defined as a person's sense of self-esteem or self importance. It should be candid, natural, and honest.

Shoot a roll of black and white film and a set of 24 digital exposures that captures the ego of this person as defined above. Your "ego" portrait must demonstrate the following:

-a composition that emphasizes the head for at least 50% of the composition.
-a composition that emphasizes a gesture that expresses this person's ego.
-a completely blank background (either white or black, your choice)
-effective lighting techniques (daylight, incandescent, diffused, direct, etc.) the intensity and type of lighting used in the portrait should be purposeful, it should help to further express this person's ego.
-appropriate depth of field and camera focus.

Tips for digital: Use your digital camera to help achieve correct lighting first. Remember to set your digital camera's white balance correctly. Remember to shoot at a high resolution.
Use a tripod! Use a vertical composition when framing the portrait.

Tips for black and white: Shoot film after achieving the right light quality.
Know your aperture! Compare a shallow to a deep depth of field. Use a tripod! Light meter for shadows, not for highlights! Bracket your exposures.

See the slideshow below for shooting ideas and considerations!

Recreate That Portrait!

Avedon at work on "American West"

This assignment will serve as a good review of different lighting techniques when creating a portrait.

Choose two classmates to work with to form a group of three.
Choose four portraits to "recreate" from the examples on the blog.
Your recreation must match the studio lighting as accurately as possible. Be sure to identify what the photographer is emphasizing with studio lighting in the example first, then identify how additional lighting, fills, etc. are being used to achieve additional lighting effects. Remember to use all lighting tricks you know, like direct light vs. diffused or reflected light. Use white sheets of paper as "fills."
You may photograph either inside or outside, you may use natural daylight (outside or through a window), or incandescent light. Remember to set the "white balance" of your camera to the appropriate kind of light you're using.
You must use a neutral tone background, (pure white or black) according to the portrait you're trying to recreate.
The pose & composition of the model should be identical, (or very similar) to your photo, even though the model will look different.
Upload your four best, one for each portrait onto flickr when finished!
Each person in your group must attempt to be the model, photographer, and lighting technician.

The group that best recreates a portrait, (as voted on by the class) will win a prize!

Recreate These Portraits

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Richard Avedon's "Borrowed Dogs"

Richard Avedon is perhaps the most prolific fashion and portrait photographers of the century. This article was written by Avedon in 1992, and accompanied a show of portraits exhibited in New York. Read the article, (print it and save it if you'd like) and then respond to the six questions on the assignment sheet.

Richard Avedon Borrowed Dogs

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Richard Avedon Borrowed Dogs Questions

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Updating Flickr Portfolios & Titling Artworks

For Friday, Jan. 16th, you must have at least 9 photographic works uploaded onto your Flickr online portfolio. Each image file that you upload should be at 72 dpi, and be downloadable at a decent viewing size, (5x7" - 8x10"). Each work should be titled thoughtfully, (see below), and include a brief description At least 6 of the works on your portfolio should be from this year in Photo 2. Your online portfolio will be used to complete a portion of your mid-term exam, so don't procrastinate!

Things to consider when titling a work of art:

1) How can the title function as an extension of the work's meaning?
2) Is the work more formal or conceptual? Remember, formal artworks are more concerned with the overall composition and design. Conceptual works are more concerned with an idea or message. How can the title help reinforce your intentions for making it?
3) What inspired this work? Could this inspiration be referred to somehow?
4) A title can be more than just one word. Sometimes artists title works using sentences if they feel that the sentence is more descriptive.
5) What information can be given to the person looking at the work that will help them interpret it? As the artist, you're responsible for this additional information!
6) Use meaningful, poignant, descriptive words. Use a thesaurus or dictionary!

Things to avoid when titling a work:

1) Never title the work the first thing that comes to your mind. Usually that title will be cliché and overused anyway. Think about several options before deciding.
2) Avoid titling your work "Untitled" whenever possible, it's a cop-out.
3) Don't be too literal. If the work is more formal, then a literal title is good. However, if the work aims to express something more, then the title should help this expression!

As well as titling the work, you must include a brief description of it. The description should include:

1) The medium. (Examples: black & white print made in darkroom=silver gelatin print. Digitally printed using a color printer=inkjet print. Collage=mixed media (you can be more specific if you'd like) Cyanotype, Liquid Emulsion, Gum-Bichromate, are other examples)
2) The size in inches when printed, (width x height) 5x7" and 8x10" are most common, however if the work is a presented as a series of matted images, the size should be of the entire matte board used. Digital works that have not been printed yet should still be treated as they are, and the size should be the same as the image exists on the computer.
3) The year it was made.