Waterford Photo 2011

Processing Film

2010-03-09T16:12:00.001-08:00

I processed 38 4x10 and 1 8x20 sheets of film today. You will learn how to do this. These are for printing in platinum & palladium. You might learn how to do that. Yes I had three JOBO's going all at once. You probably won't learn how to do that.

Don't You Dare Behave This Way

2010-03-04T14:29:00.000-08:00

Tell me why this photographer isn't a professional.

Camera Identification

2010-02-24T18:18:00.001-08:00

See how many different types of cameras you recognize from this video:

Yes, I know the song is corny...I like it anyway.

Studio Lighting Practice

2010-02-23T19:53:00.001-08:00

So I went to IKEA the other day and got some 'stuff'. I felt the need to do some practice in the studio. Here it is.

Twigs In Glass Vase, 2010

Salt Ramp and Salt Heap

2010-02-21T11:07:00.001-08:00

Went back out this morning for a few hours. I made two images. I think one is worth keeping. Here are some digital snapshots until I get the sheets of film processed and prints made.

Salt Ramp and Salt Heap, Broken Arrow Salt, Utah, 2010

Salt Berg, Broken Arrow Salt, Utah, 2010

Field Trip To Saltair

2010-02-14T08:18:00.000-08:00

Hey gang,

Thanks for coming out. We all learned a lot I think. We will do it again.

P H O T O Letters at Black Rock, Utah, 2010

"Genuine" Photography

2010-02-11T08:20:00.000-08:00

There are a few who are trying to define it. There are a few who have a problem with their definition.

I want you to read the discussion that is going on in THIS THREAD and comment on your own blog why you agree or disagree (or something else altogether).

You have had enough experience with film *and* digital by now to be able to make up your own minds as to the validity of this thesis statement. I want you to explore the ideas presented by the original poster and also those of follow up commentators.

I want you to start thinking about your photography and about photography in general in a different way. This is an exercise to get your brain in gear.

4x5 - First Time Out

2010-02-04T20:44:00.001-08:00

Just remember, I don't *try* to sabotage your efforts!

Steffie on the 4x5 Field Camera from Michael Slade on Vimeo.

View Camera Demo Pano

2010-01-26T11:20:00.000-08:00

Large Format Photography Forum

2010-01-26T10:28:00.001-08:00

Since I can't answer all of your questions all at once, here is a great forum for discovering stuff that you don't already know...

Large Format Photography Forum

Press Cameras

2010-01-26T05:54:00.000-08:00

Here is some sweet info on the Speed and Crown Graphic Cameras.

Graflex.org

4x5 - An Introduction

2009-12-27T13:18:00.000-08:00

Watch this. Absorb this. Be this. This is what you will be doing a LOT of this term.

Are you ready?

2009-09-01T21:21:00.001-07:00

You better be!

Fourth of July

2009-07-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July!

A Small-Town 4th from Michael Slade on Vimeo.

Pilings

2009-06-30T15:24:00.001-07:00

Here are some eroded pilings. I thought I needed to post something new, so here it is.

I shot this with the school's 4x10. Guess what? You get to use it next year IF YOU ARE GOOD!

Salt Mountain and Real Mountain

2009-06-12T21:30:00.000-07:00

So during the summer I'll just post random stuff.

I was going through some old images tonight and found this one that I like.

The salt pile is only about 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide. The water is only about 6 inches deep.

Salt Mountain and Stansbury Mountain, 2008

Analogy

2009-06-03T06:55:00.001-07:00

This is an analogy for what your photography will go through next year.

BTW...that big black thing is a 4x5 camera. You will use one a lot next year.

Kodachrome Project

2009-06-03T06:11:00.001-07:00

This is a cool project about the coolest film ever invented.

The Kodachrome Project

Paul Simon also has one of my favorite songs that just so happens to be about this film (and a Nikon camera...).

Amazing Work

2009-06-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

The following photo essay has the following characteristics:

amazing
unique
beautiful
sad
unbelievably difficult
challenging
enlightening
informative
amazing

You should look at it. CLICK HERE.

Adopting the persona of a Belgian chocolate magnate, complete with disguise and funny accent, Tomas van Houtryve made his second trip to North Korea in February 2008. Despite his credentials as a foreign businessman keen to invest in the country, he faced hours of interrogation, was threatened by apparatchiks, and at one point was almost exposed as a journalist. His bold tactics gave him access to factories, hospitals and government offices, some of which had never before been seen by a Western photographer. He was also able to catch a fleeting glimpse of the lives of ordinary people.

Cool Stuff

2009-05-31T06:30:00.001-07:00

Wanna see more cool stuff? Look at this blog.

Click Here.

Projects

2009-05-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

I applied to have my portfolio reviewed at the Center last year. I wasn't accepted.

Here is a list of photographers that were.

CLICK HERE.

Some are strong. Some are not. Some are crap.

Robert Frank

2009-05-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

This is a cool interview with Robert Frank done a couple of years ago.

CLICK HERE to listen to it.

AP Photo 2009-2010

2009-05-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

Mandatory meeting.
Tueseday at lunch.
Cameras and film will be assigned.
Summer assignment given.
Don't flake.

What is there matters...what is NOT there matters...

2009-05-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

So Mr. Patteson told me about John Cage and I had to do a little research. I of course turned to my favorite source for information, Wikipedia. Yes, it's not the greatest, most accurate or foolproof source, but I did glean some interesting information. You can read about Mr. Cage in his page HERE.

In particular I was fascinated by his piece titled 4'33" (Four Minutes, Thirty-Three Seconds). I watched it on YouTube and enjoyed it quite a bit.

I think you will get it when you watch and listen.

What Makes A Great Image? - ANSWER

2009-05-20T05:22:00.001-07:00

All of you have offered up some insightful and well thought out answers to the question. I thought I'd let you see how others answered the question.

The Analog Photography Users Group answers the question here.

Shuttle

2009-05-19T05:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a sweet shot of the Space Shuttle as it passes in front of the sun (a transit). The guy that shot this image has a pretty interesting web site with more photos of the shuttle and sun. You can even see a shot of his telescope. LINK HERE.

STS-125 Atlantis Solar Transit (200905120002HQ), NASA/Thierry Legault, 2009

Window Seat...an interview with Julianne Kost

2009-05-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

Julianne Kost is a friend of mine who works for Adobe. She goes around the world doing training in Photoshop and Lightroom.

This is a neat interview with her. She talks about her editing process, the creative process, etc...

Read it. You might learn something.

I have a copy of her book if you'd like to look and see how it all fit together.

Photography Should Be Fun

2009-05-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

Your photography should be fun. If it's not you're doing something wrong.

Zel With Rosey Boa, 11x14 Paper Negative, 2009

Zel With Rosey Boa, 11x14 Paper Negative - Inverted, 2009

Open Lab Day

2009-05-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

Not here? Not coming in?

RECONSIDER!

Final Project

2009-05-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

You should have a good idea what you are going to do and should have started shooting by now. These are due on the last day of classes.

Requirements:

12 images - all 12 posted to the blog
8 printed - 9 inches long dimension on 8.5 x 11 inch paper
Write something that tells me what you learned

GOOD LUCK!

Extra Credit - Portraits

2009-05-04T20:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, so for some extra credit (I'm cutting you some serious slack here...), you can do what I was *going* to give you for your #5 assignment.

Shoot some portraits. Pay attention to where they are in relation to the background. Remember the whole figure/ground thing? Well, you ought to be realizing that it *does* matter. Get close. Be focused on their eyes. Get a real expression. Don't just take one...take a LOT.

Now that you have your portraits, you can come back to the studio and do some greyscale conversions. Make the contrast perfect via the color sliders. Add some sharpness. Make sure the blacks are rich. Make them right.

Print a few out, blog a few. Give them to your models. Make them happy they modeled for you and got something out of it. Don't be a cheap photographer and don't be lazy.

Interesting exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery.

Chief Joseph, 1903 - Edward S. Curtis

The Past Is Our Future

2009-05-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

Read this. Yep, more reading assignments. Don't like 'em? Too bad. Read it anyway. We will discuss this in class.

LINKY

Color Temperature

2009-05-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

Temperature Typical Sources

1000K Candles; oil lamps
2000K Very early sunrise; low effect tungsten lamps
2500K Household light bulbs
3000K Studio lights, photo floods
4000K Clear flashbulbs
5000K Typical daylight; electronic flash
5500K The sun at noon near Kodak's offices :-)
6000K Bright sunshine with clear sky
7000K Slightly overcast sky
8000K Hazy sky
9000K Open shade on clear day
10,000K Heavily overcast sky
11,000K Sunless blue skies
20,000+K Open shade in mountains on a really clear day

Mexican Suitcase - Please Read This

2009-04-29T15:12:00.001-07:00

My favorite all time photographer, Robert Capa, his colleague Toro, and another photographer friend, Chim have had a large portion of their work rediscovered recently. Missing for over 50 years, it resurfaced in the 90's and is just now coming into the public's view.

Read about it.

LINKY

A shot of a woman and child at a Spanish refugee camp in France, taken by Robert Capa in March 1939.

Required Essay

2009-04-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

I want you to write a blog post this week and answer this question:

"What makes a great image?"

Take this seriously...it'll be part of your grade.

And no, there is no 'trick' answer like, "a great photographer" or "a great camera".

A bad time to fall asleep

2009-04-23T12:35:00.001-07:00

WASHINGTON - APRIL 23: (AFP OUT) White House National Economic Council Director Larry Summers (L) nods off while U.S. President Barack Obama talks to the press.

BLOGS

2009-04-21T20:36:00.001-07:00

Guys, seriously, the blogs are getting out of hand.

I went to do grades today and it was nearly impossible to navigate through the various configurations each of you have adopted.

It makes it very difficult to find and grade your assignments when the blog posts aren't titled with the assignment # and the name of the assignment. It also makes it nearly impossible when there are no images in the same post. It also makes it impossible (again!), when there are images posted w/no text, no title and nothing to interpret what the image goes to. If you are blogging about photographers you have looked out, and don't put a title or a name of the photographer on that post, I can't scan your blog roll quickly and see that you've actually done it. In other words, it's invisible, and I don't know that you did anything.

Those of you who had CLEARLY labeled assignments, posts with images, comments about those images, etc... Those students were actually graded HIGHER than those of you who are not making it clear for me what these posts are.

Those of you who CONTINUE to have sloppy, unmarked, unclear or ambiguous posts will be graded lower than your detail-oriented colleagues.

This was made clear to you at the beginning of this term, so this should not come as a surprise. It should also be something that you WANT TO FIX so that I don't have to grumble and struggle to find your images on your blog.

Consider this fair warning to those who are being sloppy. Also, consider this a sincere 'Thank-You' to those who are making my life a little easier.

AP Portfolio Requirements

2009-04-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

AP 2-D Design Portfolio

Section I – Quality

Quality refers to the total work of art. Mastery of design should be apparent in the composition, concept and execution of the works, wether they are simple or complex.

Five actual works, no larger than 18”x24”, no smaller than 8”x10”
Mounted and Matted

The works submitted may come from the Concentration and/or Breadth section, but they don't have to. They may be a group of related works, unrelated works, or a combination.

Section II – Concentration

A concentration is a body of related works describing an in-depth exploration of a particular artistic concern.

Twelve slides must be submitted (this will change this year I believe to a digital submission), some of which may be details. The works should be unified by an underlying idea that has visual and/or conceptual coherence.

Students are asked to respond to the following questions:
1.What is the central idea of your concentration?
2.How does the work in your concentration demonstrate the exploration of your idea?
(Responses are not graded as pieces of writing, but they provide critical information for evaluating the artwork. Responses should be concise.)

Students MAY NOT submit slides of the same work that they submit for Breadth.

Section III – Breadth

Twelve different slides of twelve different works. These submissions should demonstrate understanding of the principals of design. They are: unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion/scale and figure/ground relationship. The elements of design are the primary focus. This is your chance to demonstrate that you understand them and can execute them while composing your images. Don't be afraid to show experimentation and a conceptual approach to your work.

These images must be different work than submitted for your Concentration portion of the portfolio.

Panoramas #1

2009-04-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

Y Block - Due next Monday, April 20
Z Block - Due next Tuesday, April 21

Two panoramas, both posted to the blog. One horizontal panorama, one vertical panorama.

Y Block - Due two Mondays from now...on April 27
Z Block - Due two Tuesdays from now...on April 28

Two *more* panoramas, completely seperate from the previous two, completely new in all ways, both posted to the blog, both printed. One horizontal panorama, one vertical panorama.

All four panoramas should be printed by April 27th for Y block.

All four panoramas should be printed by April 28th for Z block.

Easter Morning At The Slade's, 2009

8x10

2009-04-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting piece on a man who is shooting a series of classical musicians using an 8x10 view camera. Next year you'll be able to use this type of camera if you go into AP.

WATCH HERE.

Skateboarding Project

2009-04-10T06:47:00.001-07:00

This is a former student of mine, Weston Colton. His BFA project to graduate this spring from BYU is about people that skateboard and the two sides to their personality. Check it out here:

The Moral Minority

Assignment 2 and 3 requirements

2009-04-07T21:39:00.001-07:00

Assignment 2 - Rhyming

I want 6 images to your blog. Retouched and ready to go. Out of those 6 I want you to pick the 4 that rhyme the best and print those. Print them 9 inches on the long dimension, 360ppi. Do you need a quick printing lesson? Thought so!

Assignment 3 - Time

I want you to upload 4 images and print the best 2.

Due Friday or Monday, whichever comes first for your block.

This term so far has been pretty lax, so we're going to kick it in the butt here and get going. Expect me to turn up the heat, because I'm feeling the need.

Bean Plants

2009-04-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

Here are our bean plants. I want to put them in the ground. It was a test to see how a close-up panorama would work. There are some problems, but I kind of like it anyway.

Bean Starts Panorama, 2009

Art Truck

2009-04-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here is the inside of the Art Truck.

Art Truck Pano, 2009

Photoshop could not render the panorama at all, so I had to do it with my fancy-schmancy software.

It is an interesting installation. I'm glad I went. I'm glad I had Mr. Brewer there to help interpret it for me.

Into The Sunset

2009-03-31T19:12:00.001-07:00

Read this article.

Into The Sunset.

We might actually talk about this in class...be prepared.

Panoramas

2009-03-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

Here's the site of the panoramic photography exhibit I curated. Enjoy it!

Wide Views Panorama Show

Start looking at the world like this. It will help you begin to understand how to shoot Assignment #4, P A N O R A M A S.

Also, something VERY cool to look at is the Gigapan image that was taken during the inaugeration this past January.

CHECK IT OUT HERE. This is the same technology (basically...), that we are using when we make our panoramas by doing image stitching. It is the same technology that the Mars Rover used also. We *might* be trying out a 10, 20, or 30 image panorama if we have time this term.

Wikipedia, the source we hate to love, has a pretty good entry on panoramic photography and stitching. READ IT HERE.

Assignment #2 - Rhyming

2009-03-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

I want you to shoot at least 12 photographs. They need to rhyme with each other. The subject, the emotion, the title, the pattern, whatever...you need to figure out what it is that rhymes within the photograph. It does not have to be literal, it can be figurative. USE YOUR IMAGINATION. Shapes can rhyme. Colors can rhyme. Patterns can rhyme. Get it?

Photos due to be uploaded THIS COMING FRIDAY.

Asssignment #3 - exploration of time

2009-03-27T08:30:00.001-07:00

I want you to shoot 6 six different times NEXT weekend. I want them to be spaced exactly 6 hours apart from each other. Don't spend more than 20 minutes shooting each time. I do not care what you photograph. I will be able to see when you took the photograph, so NO CHEATING.

The images are due the first period that we meet THE WEEK OF APRIL 6th. We will be making prints from these images. 6 prints, one from each of the times you shot, are due 2 class periods after the images are due. DO THE MATH.

Memory Card Error

2009-03-23T14:32:00.001-07:00

Hey gang,

The new 4gig white SD cards may have an error when used with the PowerShot A700. If it says 'memory card error' then bring in your camera and your card. There may be an issue with the card not being read by the camera, and it may not be compatible. If you have this problem bring it in QUICKLY. Part of the reason I give you the assignments early is so that you can TROUBLESHOOT problems before it gets to be too late. So far only one student has figured out the memory card problem.

test

2009-03-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

;alkdfj;alsdkfj;asldkfjas;ldfkjadfs
al;skdjf;aslj;lasdfjk;alkdfj;alsdkfj;asldkfjas;ldfkjadfs
al;skdjf;aslj;lasdfjk;alkdfj;alsdkfj;asldkfjas;ldfkjadfs
al;skdjf;aslj;lasdfjk;alkdfj;alsdkfj;asldkfjas;ldfkjadfs
al;skdjf;aslj;lasdfjk;alkdfj;alsdkfj;asldkfjas;ldfkjadfs
al;skdjf;aslj;lasdfjk;alkdfj;alsdkfj;asldkfjas;ldfkjadfs
al;skdjf;aslj;lasdfjk

Assignment #1 - Bracketing

2009-03-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

Images shot and due on Wednesday March, 25th 2009.

This assignment will teach you that the 'right' exposure is not necessarily the 'best' exposure.

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS SLOWLY AND COMPLETELY. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO DO IS IN THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Choose a static object that will not move (that's what static means right?) The object should be large enough to fill the frame. You will use this object for ALL of the next exposures. DO NOT RECOMPOSE. A tripod could be helpful.

2. Focus sharply. Use your manual focus. Get it sharp *before* you make any images.

3. Make a 'good' exposure. Use your histogram. Make sure you do not clip the shadows or the highlights. Your histogram for this 'good' exposure should look approximately like this:

4. Open up the lens aperture completely. Set it to it's lowest number...for some of you this will be 2.8, for some it will be 2.0.

5. DO NOT CHANGE THE SHUTTER SPEED.

6. Make an exposure.

7. Close down the aperture one stop (i.e. go from 2.8 to 3.2).

8. Make an exposure.

9. Close down the aperture one stop (i.e. go from 3.2 to 3.5).

10. Make an exposure.

11. Can you guess what comes next? Yep...close down aperture one stop.

12. Make an exposure.

13. Repeat until you have reached your smallest aperture (f/8).

14. DO NOT DELETE ANY EXPOSURES EVEN IF YOU THINK THEY LOOK BAD.

15. Choose a different static object. You will use this object for all of the remaining exposures.

16. Make a 'good' exposure with your aperture set to 5.6. Adjust the shutter speed as needed.

17. Adjust your shutter speed to 1/2000

18. Make exposure. (do not change aperture)

19. Adjust shutter to 1/1000

20. Make exposure.

21. You will continue the pattern using the following shutter speeds in this order: 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 0"5, 1", 2", 4", 8", 15". Make an exposure for EACH OF THE SHUTTER SPEEDS.

22. Choose another static object.

23. Repeat steps 2-13

24. Choose another static object.

25. Repeat steps 16-21

26. Have fun making 50 more GOOD exposures of WHATEVER YOU WANT!!!! Remember to consult your histogram. TRUST IT!

Images are due on the first class period of next week. We will upload them in class and discuss our results.

Remember...keep it SIMPLE. NOT like this:

Welcome Back

2009-03-16T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hey gang, it's time to break out the blog again! Woo-hoo!

I hope you've been busy shooting over the break. Here's what I shot yesterday, my last day of break.

Of course it's out on the lake...where else would I go?

Two Rusty Barges, Great Salt Lake, Utah, 2009

Two Weeks...

2009-03-02T06:36:00.000-08:00

Two weeks and you're mine...ALL MINE!!!!!! BWOOOHHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH~!!!!!!!

Are you ready? :)

Snow

2008-12-24T18:58:00.001-08:00

Snow from Michael Slade on Vimeo.

Hitler rants against Nikon

2008-12-09T20:20:00.000-08:00

This is pretty funny.

How to enter a contest

2008-12-05T20:20:00.000-08:00

A good interview with a photo editor you should read...if anyone still reads the blog or not...

How to enter a contest.

Always Be Ready

2008-11-29T20:30:00.000-08:00

Gang, it is terrible news about the deaths in Mumbai, but I wanted to share this interview with a news photographer who was able to take some pictures of the terrorists during the attatcks.

HERE IS THE STORY.

The Photographers Boss

2008-11-26T19:00:00.000-08:00

For funny comics that have both photography and ducks, go here to What The Duck.

Cameras

2008-11-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

Hey gang, I need you to turn in your cameras. Out of 16 students, two used their own camera, which leave a grand total of 14 cameras to be turned in. As you can see in the picture there are only 11 cameras that you checked out back in the locker. Three of you still need to turn them in. I think you know who you are. I need them ASAP...the 9th graders are going to use them next term. Their first class is next Monday.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Nice job

2008-11-19T16:51:00.000-08:00

Hey gang, both blocks did great work this term. I could write something long and eloquent, but instead I'll just post pics of how I feel about what you did this term.

Look for your images hanging in the hall downstairs soon.

Guaranteed A

2008-11-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

You guys missed several opportunities to get your guaranteed A in my class. Remember...take a photograph of Bigfoot?

Well, in the past two days I've seen Bigfoot twice. Here they are.

Here are some Bigfoot tracks I saw on campus.

The Oxford Project

2008-11-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

I saw a piece on this project on TV this morning. This is an amazing idea that turned out to be an amazing document. You never know where your small seemingly insignificant projects will go. Please watch this.

Choices

2008-11-14T12:44:00.001-08:00

So, we have a choice to make. Get Mac's for everyone in the digital lab, or get me a new camera.

Before you make your decision, take a look at the camera.

Compassion

2008-11-12T09:27:00.000-08:00

Yes, don't let it ever be said that I have no compassion. I am re-thinking the final project, and although I still want it to be important, I'm downsizing it a bit.

So...here are the new specs:

15 total images (if you already have 20, good for you, it will help your grade tremendously...). If you want to post 20, it will help your grade. Consider it some 'extra credit'.

6 of those images retouched and printed.

Due on the same day.

You're welcome.

Final Project

2008-11-11T07:05:00.000-08:00

Here it is! The end of the term! Wow, it has gone fast. Here's what I need from you guys for your final portfolio.

20 images, posted to your blog, commented on and in the sequence that makes the most sense.

8 images, the *best* ones, retouched and printed 8 inches long on 8.5x11 paper.

These are due on:

Y block - Monday, November 17

Z block - Tuesday, November 18

To make it fair for both blocks, I won't allow any printing past 2:20 on Monday, November 17. I will also be checking Z blocks blogs on Monday after school. I will be looking for last minute additions that you tried to sneak in on Monday night.

Remember, part of your blogging grade is commenting on your own blog and commenting on others. Also some good deep introspection about yourself and how photography fits into your life is a good way to raise that grade. You can still be bringing in examples of images that have influenced you. Re-do's and make-up assignments need to also be turned in by Wednesday, November 19th. No re-do's on the final project.

Kick some butt!

Color Checker

2008-11-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

This is an image I want you guys to click on and then save the large image to your computers. I then want you to print it out on Koudelka and see how well your monitor matches the print. The prints on the east wall are ones I printed out from the computer with the large Mitsubishi CRT monitor. If your colors don't look like the images on the east wall when you print it, come and find me. Remember, you have to have the printer and paper selected correctly at each step. I made a new profile for Koudelka today, and it's labeled 'KoudelkaPremiumGlossy_11-7-08'. Use that profile.

On this Epson Premium Glossy I did two prints, one with the document profile selected, and one with the document proof selected. It is interesting that with this particular paper it doesn't seem to make much difference. On some papers it will make a LOTS of difference.

One Shot

2008-11-03T20:19:00.001-08:00

Yup, you got it. One frame. That's all. Make it count. Due Thursday.

Advice to the next President

2008-11-02T15:26:00.001-08:00

From former White House Photographers.

This is a very interesting article. Kind of long, but there are good explanations of what the official White House photographer does, and how their job can be done better.

Thriller

2008-10-31T11:10:00.000-07:00

It's Halloween and I wanted to put Michael Jackson's classic 'Thriller' here...but YouTube has embedding blocked. ARGH!

You'll have to go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8

Joe Mcnalley

2008-10-30T21:28:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine...Joe never gives up.

James Nachtwey

2008-10-30T20:56:00.001-07:00

A fabulous speech by 2007 TED Award winner, James Nachtwey.

Prepare to be amazed by his images and the stories he wants to tell.

MySpace

2008-10-30T09:04:00.001-07:00

This is a funny parody of all the bad portraiture on MySpace.

The Raven

2008-10-29T21:56:00.000-07:00

Look for the various elements of design we have studied thus far in the term...in particular pay attention to leading lines, pattern, rhythm, figure/ground, perspective, (i.e. 'get on your belly...') and the various emotions that they help convey.

Enjoy!

via videosift.com

Special Effects

2008-10-29T21:47:00.001-07:00

My nieghbors wanted me to do something special for their Christmas Cards this year, so two separate families came over on Sunday afternoon for a photo session. Each member of each family dressed up as a Star Wars character and I shot individual shots for each of them. I am going to do a composite complete with special effects that will incorporate each of them into a grand battle out on the west desert of Utah.

I did a test tonight of knocking out a figure, adding a light-saber effect and dropping it into a background I'd shot during the summer. I also did a little reflection just to see how it would turn out.

Not perfect, but I'm pretty happy.

Spot the Idiot

2008-10-27T17:46:00.001-07:00

Yes I'm going to be in their film.

See...Think...Feel

2008-10-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

All too often I see photographers that follow this line of progression while practicing their photography. The pattern ends up being see, think and feel. There is a reason for this, and it will become apparent that it is basically a natural way to learn photography, and that there is nothing inherently wrong with this pattern, except when a student cannot progress from one stage to the next. Let's start with seeing.

SEE

When we start to photograph we are confronted with the daunting task of learning the machine. The camera is a very technical piece of equipment and requires a lot of energy to just learn how to operate the thing, much less actually go out and make photographs with it. Once we learn the mechanics and techniques of the camera we must go out and find something to photograph. Most of the time that is just practice and an exercise in learning how the thing actually works. What we put our camera in front of and what we aim it at is usually less important to us than getting the film loaded correctly, getting it focused and getting a good exposure. If those three things can happen successfully we usually are painfully unaware of what we have actually captured an image of, and are more often than not basking in the warm cuddly feeling of getting it 'right' with the machine. A beginning photographer will start to photograph those things that they initially see. Where they can go, how far they can walk from the car comfortably and what they might actually be able to focus on. It usually doesn't go much beyond that. Favorite subjects tend to be ducks in a park, a friend sitting at a table (usually another photo student) or the local large church. You will know that you are stuck in the seeing phase when your photographs look the same as everyone else's.

THINK

After we have learned the machine somewhat, we begin to realize that we can control how things look. Depth of field, shutter speeds, focus, lens selection, composition and a bunch of other stuff starts to become important. We feel comfortable with the control that we have and we start to experiment with what it will do to the images. It's not just 'good enough' to photograph what is in front of us, we actually begin to think about how the camera and our knowledge of the controls it has can start to manipulate an image. Do I use a narrow depth of field? Do I want to blur the motion? Do I want to choose a low vantage point? We go through the various technical exercises that those controls can do. Usually we can come up with something interesting because of the playful nature of this phase and the thrill of experimenting with new ideas. When you are showing me the various controls and the neat things they can do you are well beyond the seeing phase and firmly into the thinking phase.

During this phase some of the finer, more esoteric points of photography begin to become important to you. You gravitate towards photography, or even a certain photographer that you would like to emulate. Usually without much more thought than 'I like them' or 'wow that's cool'. This is not a bad thing, but hopefully you will experiment with the photographers you like in the same way you have experimented with the settings on the camera. Remember, variety is the spice of life. Mix it up with your photography, and mix it up with the photographers you look at and study.

FEEL

Going from the thinking phase of photography into the feeling phase of photography is sometimes the hardest of all. Yeah, you can evoke emotion oftentimes in much of your photography out of sheer luck, sometimes out of following proven design principals, playing with color, shape, contrast, etc... These are good things, and it's the beginning of learning how to communicate with feeling in your photography. Learning how to evoke feelings within your images using various techniques is the tip of the photographic iceberg and shows you that you are beginning to listen to your subjects and photograph them in a way that is evocative of what it was like to be there making the images.

When you begin to leave behind the idea that the technique is what is carrying the emotion of the image, and start to embrace the idea that YOU are what is carrying the emotion of the image, then you are going to make images that grab the viewer and speak to them with that same emotion you felt. When you start to make images that you personally care about, that you have something to say about and that you want people to understand and feel something about themselves, THAT is when you will quit worrying about the machine and start caring about the communication with the viewer.

Staying in the feeling portion of your art is very difficult, and nearly impossible to do all of the time. Editing your work, showing those images that you genuinely believe go into the feeling realm of this progression is your challenge. Don't show the weak work. Only show your strong work and people will think you are a great photographer. Only you know the dirty little secret that you have stacks and stacks of prints that didn't work hiding in the basement. I have those stacks of prints. I have those hard-drives crammed full of files that didn't work. But, I have learned to edit my work in a way that I show only those images that I myself feel something strongly about, and hopefully that feeling can move through the print and into the heart of the viewer.

When people see my images and come up to me and say “I can smell the salt of the lake when I look at your photographs”, that's when I know I have successfully communicated what I intended. It doesn't happen all the time, and you certainly don't get to meet all of the people who will view your images. However, there are those rare instances that you are able to speak with those who feel what you felt and they share that with you. That's when you know you have done something special.

Carnegie Hall

2008-10-26T15:26:00.001-07:00

Assignment #6 - Portraiture

2008-10-24T06:59:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia (yeah, a terrible source, but I liked the definition...)

Portrait:

"A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer."

Three rules to this assignment.

Rule #1: NO MYSPACE PHOTOS - I think you all know what this means. You've seen 'em, you've taken 'em, I don't want 'em.

Rule #2: You need to shoot at least three seperate people.

Rule #3: One of those three people MUST be yourself...but, you can't BE yourself...

Here is Cindy Sherman doing her version of Lucille Ball.

Here is a link to the National Portrait Gallery. You will get a lot of good ideas here from paintings, sculpture and photography.

National Portrait Gallery

Here is one of my favorite portrait photographers...Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon Portrait Gallery

Hiroshi Watanabe's gallery has a few sections of portraits that are interesting.

August Sander was a German photographer who made portraits of farmers and working class people near Cologne prior to World War II. After the Nazi's gained power, Sander continued to shoot the people in his city, many of them shown in Nazi military uniforms. Sander's portraits provide possibly the widest cross-section of Germans during that time.

Here is a self-portrait of me as Abraham Lincoln.

Critique

2008-10-22T14:13:00.001-07:00

Hopefully tomorrow I will see EVERYONE'S final images. Last week you left me feeling a little like this:

By the end of the critiques tomorrow I ought to feel a little more like this:

Peter Beste - Black Norwegian Metal

2008-10-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a short film about Peter Beste who spent seven years in Norway documenting the Black Norwegian Heavy Metal scene. It is in english, but starts out in Norwegian.

Even if you HATE the music, and you HATE the photography, listen to what he says about gaining his subjects trust. How did he do it? How did it pay off? You can learn a lot from him even if you don't respond to the images.

Watch this.

The Genius Of Photography

2008-10-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Assignment #5 - Light

2008-10-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I was going to have the next assignment be portraiture, but it's going to be light instead. Portraiture will be #6.

Light - What is it? Particle? Beam? Wave? Dunno? Neither do scientists, so it's alright if we don't know what it is.

From the United States Department of Energy:

Question: What is light? It has been described to me as radiant energy.
It would seem to me that light has to be some type of physical substance flowing
between the sources and wherever the light goes. What is it ?
------------------------------------------------
Answer: There are several ways to think of light. The classical description
says light is an electro-magnetic wave. This means that it is a varying
electric and magnetic field, which spreads out or propagates from one
place to another. It is not a physical substance. The modern quantum
mechanical description says that light can also be considered to be
particles called photons. These carry energy and momentum but have no mass.
In both descriptions, the light energy is carried by a very real and
observable mechanism. But I would not call it a physical substance.

So, there is some debate as to exactly what light 'is'. Not to worry, we don't have to completely understand what light is to observe what light *does*. What does light do? Well, it lands on objects and then bounces back to you in varying shades and/or colors that our eyes (and cameras) can recognize. Sound complicated? Yeah, kind of, so let's just simplify the assignment and say that we are not going to photograph the actual substance of light, but rather what light does. Don't take pictures of light, take pictures of what light does to objects that are placed in it.

Here are some good examples:

Here are some funny examples:

Ruth Bernhard

2008-10-15T10:13:00.001-07:00

"Light is my inspiration, my paint and brush. It is as vital as the model herself. Profoundly significant, it caresses the essential superlative curves and lines. Light I acknowledge as the energy upon which all life on this planet depends". Ruth Bernhard

Ruth Bernhard (1905~2006)
"Lifesavers, 1930"

Parent/Teacher Conferences

2008-10-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

I met a LOT of your parents and I was very excited to talk to them about the class, your performance and where to go from here. One thing I can tell from all of them is that they only want you to succeed. With that in mind, I want to share a few of their comments about you...anonymously. You will notice a pattern in what they have to say about you.

"Hold her feet to the fire"
"Take it up a notch"
"He's such a connundrum"
"Keep encouraging her"
"Engage her"
"Look for ways she can lead"
"Push her"
"Make her think conceptually"
"Make her connections with other classes"
"Find ways to engage her"
"This is her forte"
"Push hard"
"Engage her personally"
"He does really well that that kind of pressure"
"Thrives on individual attention"
"Don't let her get behind"

So, now it's my job to see how I can take their advice and implement it in class. Don't be surprized if I begin to 'push you'. (insert evil laugh here...)

The Cameraman Has Visited Our Town

2008-10-13T21:04:00.001-07:00

Critique

2008-10-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

Polla asked me to go and get a newspaper for her this afternoon. We don't get the paper during the week, but only get it on Sunday. We're not very loyal to either paper (maybe because I have friends that work at both...), so I asked her which one she wanted me to get. She said: "Whichever one has the best picture on the front". She appealed to my 'artistic' side.

So, I thought this would be an interesting exercise that I could blog about. I was going to go and photograph each paper in the newsstand, folded and stacked up. Alas, all of the Tribs were sold-out, and there were only about 4 Des News's there, but there were a handful of the 2-for-1's where you pay $2 and get both. What a deal! We occasionally do this anyway and give one of them away to a neighbor. Problem is, the papers are wrapped up in a promotional cover, so I cannot see the cover of either paper.

I head home excited to see what I will discover and plop them both open on the table.
So, let's analyze *JUST* the main images on each front page.

DESERET NEWS

THEY'RE BORING. Two full-body portraits, poorly lit, doesn't tell a story at all. Turn off the lights and put me to sleep. I could go on, but I'm running out of battery.

SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

Even though it's not my favorite photograph in the world, this one at least is telling a story. Story telling beats boring full body portrait. 'Nuff said.

James Nachtwey

2008-10-10T15:58:00.000-07:00

James Nachtwey (say: nahkt-way) is an incredible photographer.

I could go on and on and on and on and on about him and his career and how he has influenced me, but I'll save it for class.

Read this. It is very good. I will try to get a copy of his book for the library.

Salon interview with Nachtwey.

This is the first image that made me sit up and pay attention to him. I remember seeing it in 1987. I have been amazed by his photography since then.

A Cool Project

2008-10-08T19:51:00.000-07:00

Check out this guy's long-term project. Very cool idea.

Michael Hughes

Final Project Proposals

2008-10-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Remember kids, these are due *BEFORE* parent/teacher conferences...hopefully you give me some time to read and think about them before I actually see your parents. Having that 'zero' in your grades will totally mess up your averages, so get it in please!

If you can e-mail them to me when you post them to your blog, that would be great!

My e-mail is:

michaelslade@waterfordschool.org

Assignment #4 - Get On Your Belly!!!

2008-10-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

That's right, every and I mean EVERY shot done for this assignment will be shot from your belly...or your back. What I want you to do is to look at the world from a different point of view.

Ask yourself when you are making these images how they look different shot from the low point of view. Do they look any different? If they don't look different than if you shot them standing up, don't make the image.

Shooting from below your subject makes it look larger than life. In the 'biz' we call it the 'Hero Angle'. It makes everything look heroic, grand, powerful and large...even if it is none of those things.

Think about what you can shoot that might not be heroic, grand, powerful or large, and how this point of view can play with your perception of those things.

THIS ASSIGNMENT, AND ALL SUBSEQUENT ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE DUE ON THE THURSDAY OF THE WEEK. ASS. #4 WILL BE DUE ON OCTOBER 16TH.

duck a: "quack"

duck b: "quack quack"

John Chiara

2008-10-06T18:46:00.001-07:00

Color Matters

2008-09-30T12:47:00.001-07:00

Read through this website. It will explain more than I can in a class period.

Color Matters

Start seriously thinking how color affects your photography. How does it change the message? How can you work this to your advantage?

These things will make your photography stronger if you understand them and put them to use in your imagery.

Final Portfolio

2008-09-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

So...we talked about how this class was going to have NO printing, remember? Well guess what. I've changed my mind. We will do some printing, and the following paragraph will explain when and how. Don't ask me to repeat it because it will be spelled out below.

We will print the eight strongest images from our final projects and ONLY our final projects at the end of the term. Refresh your memory about the final project by reviewing your syllabus (which you all kept...right?). You will still have to turn in a body of work consisting of 20 prints (through your blog...), but out of those there will be eight prints that will be clearly superior (or at least there BETTER BE).

We will go over some basic printing concepts, a little 'stuff' in Photoshop (not a lot, remember...), and give you a taste of what will be happening next spring when I get you back into my clutches and can torture you further.

I am still requiring a written proposal about what you are going to photograph for your final project. DO NOT put this off until the last few days of the term. TRUST ME.

Today's lesson about storytelling is supposed to get you thinking about what kind of a project you would like to tackle. Remember, it doesn't have to be earth-shattering, it just has to be good.

S.I. - Swimsuit Edition Photographer

2008-09-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

Read this...pay particular attention to the last few paragraphs.

David Klutho - Sports Illustrated

Assignment #3 - Emotion

2008-09-25T10:28:00.001-07:00

You will photograph an emotion. Think about how you can convey an emotion in a still image. What techniques do you know that can help the viewer understand the emotion that you are trying to communicate? Are some emotions easier to communicate than others? You do not necessarily have to photograph a person to convey emotion. You have a lot of tricks up your sleeves to do this...think and use them. They will change depending on the emotion you are trying to relate.

Think about the following before shooting:

How does color convey emotion?
How can composition convey emotion?
How can focus convey emotion?
How can everything else convey emotion?

I don't want to put a number on the amount of images you need to shoot, but no deleting and shoot a LOT. Only through practice will you get to the good images.

I also don't want to tell you how many different emotions you have to photograph. You will be the judge of that. I will offer a suggestion to not try to shoot a dozen emotions. Keep the number low...way low...hopefully somewhere lower than two and higher than zero. You will over-complicate the assignment the more emotions you try to shoot.

5 images to be posted on the blog by Thursday of next week. Tillman Crane will be here to visit and critique and I want to have these first three assignment ready to be looked at and commented on by him.

Do good work. You know you can. Trust yourself and relax and don't over-think this stuff.

It is easy to make it too hard. Don't.

Story Telling

2008-09-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

Watch these. Click link to watch.

Andy & Tata
Chernobyl
AIDS
Congo

Ask yourself these questions:

What are the photographers doing?
How are they doing it?
How do the stories differ depending on who is doing the story telling?
Photographer?
Subject?
No narration...only images.
How does the music and the pacing of the images set the mood in the
piece by Doug Menuez?

And the biggie...

What tools does the photographer use to manipulate emotion?

Understanding and answering this will help you shoot your next assignment...

Assignment #2 - High Key / Low Key

2008-09-17T18:41:00.001-07:00

We'll back off a bit in terms of quantity of images...but we're going to ratchet up what I am expecting in terms of *quality*.

Shoot 20 images. 10 of them will be high-key, 10 of them will be low-key. For the low-key images I want you to shoot black/dark objects on a dark background, for high-key, I want you to shoot white/light objects on a white background.

Here are some examples:

HERE IS A SLIDESHOW of student work.

Yes, this is an assignment that I even give to my basic black and white film class. Here's the proof...

Things you will definitely want to be paying attention to:

White Balance - if you have the wrong white-balance selected, your images won't be white and/or black

Focus - make 'em sharp

Light - will make or break the entire assignment. Move the light around the objects if you are shooting indoors...more the objects around into different light if you are shooting outdoors. Remember to reset your white balance when changing the light.

Congrats!

2008-09-17T18:41:00.000-07:00

Hey, nice work on the first assignment. I was amazed at the creativity and problem solving shown. I will be printing up the best 10 prints from *both* blocks and showing them on one panel in the hall during the course of the term. 10 prints from each assignment, to be rotated as we move through each one.

Watch for your image to make the wall of fame!

Dedication

2008-09-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

Please read this article. We will talk about it in class sometime soon.

Debbie Fleming Caffery

What makes a good photograph?

2008-09-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

Here is the criteria that you decided would make a good photograph. These are the characteristics we will look for in critique, these are the things we will use to determine weather your image fails or succeeds. Here they are. Memorize them. Print them out. Tattoo them to your brain.

Good images have control of:
Composition
Contrast
Light
Color
Shutter Speed
Timing

Good photographs also have a good:

Subject Matter
Concept
Focal Point
Unique
Tells a Story
Personality
Meaning
Creativity

Most important, and this is something NO ONE got out of either class, is that what seperates a good photograph from a great one is...WAIT FOR IT...

Emotion

If you can convey emotion through your images, through control of the above listed criteria, you will succeed as a photographer.

I will lecture about many, if not all of the things we listed.