Introduction To Photography: Coursework Brief

Coursework

This module will be graded from the coursework carried out throughout this semester. It consists of 3 Exercises, 1 project, and a portfolio submission.

Exercise 1: Presentation of 10–15 of your best-liked pictures
In this exercise students will explain the reasons they like the chosen pictures, what they found interesting when taking/choosing or after taking/choosing the picture. By this process students exercise their ability to discern and reflect on what makes a good picture theoretically.

Exercise 2: Exposure
The second exercise is divided into 3 areas (Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO), all of which directly control the quality of an exposure. This exercise will give the student an understanding of how the 3 aspects work in combination to create an exposure.

Exercise 3: The Zone System & The Rule of Thirds
This exercise delves in more detail on exposure using the Zone System method developed by Ansel Adams. Having learnt the said system students will create exposures by pre visualizing the result. Aside from exposures students will have a better understanding of composition upon learning the two-thirds theory. Used in combination Exercise 3 will result in a visual of good exposure & composition. Exercise 3 is divided in 2 parts;
3a) Highlights, Middle Tones and Shadows
3b) An Ansel Adams like exposure

Project : Theme Based: Presentation of 5 images in printed form

Introduction

Students, you have by now completed various exercises on Exposure and composition. This would mean that by now you would be able to control your exposures after pre determining the desired result ala The Zone System (To be able to anticipate the final result before making the exposure)

The Rule of Thirds would have given you a simple formula to work with in regards to composition, which can serve as guide when composing pictures.

With all the above done and understood, it is now time to put your mettle to the test.

Your Task:

Choose a Subject of Interest, i.e.: Architecture, Landscape, Peoples, Person, Still Life, etc. and capture a series of 5 pictures and print them.

To elaborate further:

If the subject is Architecture and the topic is KLCC, you will shoot a series of 5 pictures on that topic only. This work will then be edited in Adobe Photoshop, printed and presented to the class. Of course to achieve a series of 5 pictures you will have to visit the topic several times before achieving pictures of good quality (Exposure and Composition). It is through this process that you will learn to plan your shots before actually shooting them.

A picture from a digital camera is only half baked if it has not been edited in a photo editing software. There are a few good photo editing softwares out there in the market and we shall be using one of the best, “Adobe Photoshop”. Demonstrations will be given during the course of Project.

When all your 5 pictures have been approved you shall then begin the final phase of the project, which is to print your pictures from a photo lab and then present it in class.

Portfolio
The portfolio is an edited document to include all the work produced in this module. Visual diary and process of work (packaged) are to be included as part of the portfolio submission. The portfolio should be an A4 bounded document and well-crafted. Images, drawings, text and so on must be well edited, legible and composed. Text should be kept at a minimal.

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Objectives of Project

·       To achieve a series of 5 well exposed and composed pictures

·       To develop an eye for a story / for a point of interest.

Learning Outcomes  of this Project 

·       Critically evaluate their photographic images.

·       Produce well exposed images using the manual functions of their camera

·       Produce well composed images using the Rule of Thirds.

·       Utilize the Zone System when exposing pictures.

·       Execute basic lighting formulas (Ambient)

·       Use Adobe Photoshop to edit pictures at a basic level.

·        

Presentation method

·       5 printed photographic prints, Full frame pictures with a white border around the image. Size 8×10” Matt or Glossy (your choice).

·        

Submission Requirement

·       Please Submit all 5 printed copies in an A4 Clear book (prints encased in a plastic sleave filed in a black/grey/etc File).

Assessment criteria

The assessment for this assignment will be based on

·       Whether you have successfully managed to make good exposures (Whether the images have a healthy tonal range)

·       Whether the images are well composed

·       Whether Adobe Photoshop has been successfully used to enhance the image.

Marking criteria

Marks shall be distributed as follows:

10% − Exercise 1 (Presentation)
10% − Exercise 2 (Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO)
20% − Exercise 3 (Zone System)

40% − Project: 5 Thematic Pictures
− Exposure
− Composition
− Editing (software manipulation)
− Consistency in the series

20% − Portfolio

100% − Total