Goodbye, team!

Thanks for a wonderful time at ACSS, ladies and gentlemen! I hope you have a wonderful time with your new teacher and wish you all much success. If any of you would like to follow my teaching Insta you can find me under the name: 

mrs.sutlow

I don't post much but I'd love to share my teaching pics with you.

See you all around - 

Mrs. Sutlow

Assignments 7 and 8

Hello everyone -

It looks as though I'm with you for a few more days! On Thursday and Friday we will be doing a few assignments that will be taken from Mr. Omorean's book so I won't be able to load them on to the blog. They are copies from his overhead transparencies and you will be able to get extras from me or your new teacher. I've made several copies.

Thursday's class: Photo Identification Assignment

You will be given TEN different types of photographs that you will have to hunt for in the magazines. They are Portrait, wildlife, scenic landscape, urban landscape, architecture, eye level viewpoint, high viewpoint, low viewpoint, shapes and forms, and finally texture. You'll be given all class to find an example of each of these in the magazines (yes - you can finish this at home, but class time is ample) and you will have to write 3 sentences for each photo. Why did you pick the photo? What about it is interesting? What elements of photography stand out?

Friday's class: The Artistic Statement Questionnaire 

This will be a set of 8 personal questions about photography and YOU. Why did you enroll in the class? What about photography interests you? Etc. Eventually this set of questions will become your artistic statement and will go into your journal like everything else we've done in the two weeks we've had together.

Big hugs,
Mrs. Sutlow

PHOTO JOURNAL CHECKLIST

Hey ladies and gentlemen, below you will find everything you've worked on with me. I assure you your new teacher will be checking your journals to make sure they are up to date and your marks will reflect the work you've done this week (and a couple days) with me.

• FORCED PERSPECTIVE (1 PAGE)
• THE BEST PART OF ME (IMAGE AND WRITTEN, 2 PAGES)
• COLLAGE ON PERSONAL IDENTITY (1 PAGE)
• GEORGE EASTMAN BIOGRAPHY (WRITTEN, 1 PAGE)
• CAMERA PARTS/SKETCHES (1 PAGE, OR 2 IF NEEDED)

I will be giving your teacher the information about who is missing what and it's your responsibility to get the mark. 

Cheers - 

Mrs. Sutlow

Parts of the Camera: Sketches and Labeling

On Wednesday we will be taking some class time to sketch our Pentax cameras and label the various parts on it. You'll need to know the following parts and their functions:

The Outside Parts and Functions

-lens (forms image/allows light to pass through)
-focusing ring (focuses image)
-aperture settings (f-stops; regulates amount of light through the lens)
-shutter release (opens the shutter)
-shutter speed dial (sets shutter speed)
-film speed dial (indicates film speed used (100/400 ASA))
-film advance lever (advances the film)
-film rewind crank (rewinds the film)
-film release catch (releases film for rewind)
-view finder (allows you to view the image)
-hot shoe contact (adapter for flash)
-camera back release (opens the back of the camera)
-camera strap (holds camera around neck or hand)

The Inside Parts and Functions

-shutter (opens to let light expose the film)
-film take up spool (attaches the leader of the film)
-sprocket roller (attaches to the film sprocket)
-film cassette holder (holds film cassette or canister)

Your jobs:

1) Sketch camera (at least 2 perspectives, top/front and open back)
2) Label parts of the camera

George Eastman Biography

In Tuesday's class we will be watching a DVD called The Wizard of Photography. I will be handing out a worksheet to fill in while you watch. There is an assignment on the back which you will have to do a good copy of, print, and put into your journal. If you'd like to print out some photographs of Eastman to add to your biography you can!

Here are the points:

-Who is George Eastman? (Where and when was he born, what was his education, how did he get a start in his life?)
-What were his accomplishments? (What did he do for photography?)
-What was his revolutionary idea?
-Why is he considered "The Wizard of Photography"?
-What name is associated with George Eastman?
-What other interesting things did you find out about George Eastman?

Assignment:
Using the above questions, write a one page biography in your photography journal about George Eastman and the Kodak camera.

Note that this assignment is a part of the history component for photography and has the same value as any other photo assignment.

Assignment #4: Personal Identity Collage

Assignment #4: Personal Identity Collage

·         A collage is a work of art that combines various materials to create a composition with visual unity.

·         You may use a variety of materials from magazine cut outs to old pictures. Magazines, newspapers, and photographs are commonly used, but the more creatively you use mixed media, the more inventive and intriguing your collage tends to be.

·         Remember that art is the playground of free expression.

·         Artists are trying to exhibit some idea or communicate certain feelings. Your work of art is the vehicle for this idea or concept, insight or emotion.

·         Be conscious of the overall effect you hope to achieve and the dominant impression you wish to impart.  Emphasis is important and can be expressed in a variety of ways using a variety of techniques. Think elements of composition and design here. How might color or size or juxtaposition or repetition emphasize an idea or theme?

·         Ultimately, only you can tell how to best express your concept.

·         Visual art is music to the eyes, so make it dance.  Use positive and negative space as well as size and color.  How do the lines work?  What shapes are created?  How does one thing interrelate with another?  How have you organized the overall composition?

·         Make your collage dance to the beat of your own drum and reflect your own personal identity/worldview. Think deeply about who you are and how you got to be the way you are.  Think about how you go about being in the world and of the people, places, things, and ideas that have influenced you.

Ask yourself:

• What is it that makes me a unique individual?
• What do I like to do?
• What are my core values and goals?
• What words and images reflect my views on life and the things I care deeply about?
• What is the central focus of my life?
• Who am I?
• How have people, experiences, and places shaped me?
• What/Who are the threads that weave the fabric of your life?
• What symbols best represent my true self?

Planning the composition:

• Collect objects, images, and text.
• Apply composition and design principles.
• Unity:  does everything work together?
• Color:  dominance, balance, blending, contrast, complementary, etc.
• Texture: mixing media adds texture
• Line:  typically, a grid provides stability whereas a diagonal line implies slippage or uncertainty; a spiral intimates dynamic flow and seems to move both inward and outward simultaneously
• Rhythm:  established through patterns and the interplay of compositional elements.
• Positive/Negative space:  Does the background provide context or contrast?  What is emphasized as the subject matter of the work?

Written Component : When you finish your collage, please also submit to me a short paragraph describing your concept and explaining the images and their placement with respects to your personal identity

NOTE: Please type the written component on a separate sheet of paper (& don't affix it to the project itself). Chances are your photography instructor is going to get you to start a photography journal and this collage and write up, along with the assignments we’ve done together this week will be added to your journals.

1.      Include a discussion of what you are trying to express.

2.      Explain which elements of your collage represent what part of your life.

3.      Explain what you hope the viewer will come to understand about you by looking at your creation.

Examples:

 

Assignment #3: A Part of Me

Assignment #3: A Part of Me

This assignment is going to blend the themes of perspective and discovery, two things we’ve been discussing, and two integral parts of photography as well as photographic history. This will take maturity and introspection. Perspective is different for everyone; it is interesting because we all have our own point of view, but we cannot share that of another. This assignment will allow us to share our perspectives and allow your classmates (and future teacher) to discover parts of you that were previously unknown. Anyone who cannot handle this assignment with maturity will go straight to the admin team.

This assignment allows us a moment to admire something about ourselves, and is to be treated as art. It is not an opportunity to be inappropriate or rude.

Your task is this:

1) Think about either what you believe is your best physical feature, or your most treasured possession. The feature can be anything from your eyes, your nose, your toes, your fingers, to your leg, and your precious possession can be an heirloom, something connected to a powerful memory, or something else you consider very important. Please run your selection by me before taking a photograph or starting your write up.

2) Take a photograph of your selection if you can. If it's difficult, you're welcome to ask a friend to help you. If you’ve chosen a possession, you can take the photo Thursday and send it to me via e-mail from home.

3) Choose between a poem or a short write up (8-10 sentences or lines) which will explain why you believe this is your best and most unique feature, or why you’ve chosen your possession. Please focus heavily on descriptive language and use vivid verbs; this writing exercise will prepare you for reviews you will have to eventually do on various photographic works of art or videos. You will have all Thursday to take the perfect photo and complete a draft of your written piece. I am happy to help you edit your write ups for the final draft.

4) On Friday I will bring printouts of your images and you will create an A4 paper sized poster which will include your image and your write up. You will have all class Thursday to work on it, and I will try to procure as many supplies as possible for you to make them beautiful.

This activity will teach us so many things, the most important being that we must celebrate our differences. It is due Friday February 5, 2016 at the end of class.

This assignment will be graded with the following aspects in mind:

1)     Effort

2)     Descriptive vocabulary

3)     Visual presentation

4)     Photograph clarity/quality

Examples:

Assignment #2: Photo Scavenger Hunt

Guys and dolls-

I am LOVING all of your photographs! Keep them coming - I'm happy to receive them until school is out Friday!

Our assignment for today has been changed. I was going to do something different with you but since we have a shorter day, I'm going to send you all on a photo scavenger hunt!

First person back to class with ALL the photos (they have to be seen and approved by me) will get a prize on Friday.

See you all soon!

Classroom Expectations!

While I am with you, I wanted to share with you my list of classroom expectations. It is short and sweet, and therefore VERY simple to follow. In our class:

• WE RESPECT EACH OTHER
• WE ONLY SUBMIT OUR BEST WORK
• WE WORK AS A TEAM
• WE LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES
• WE CREATE
• WE CELEBRATE EACH OTHER'S SUCCESS

That's all it is! 

One special request I have is that while it's a period of transition for the class, and you are awaiting your permanent teacher, you regard me with the same respect with which I regard you. 

You are all intelligent, capable people and I will admire your efforts in this class. If you are willing to put the work in, I am willing to help you succeed. Photography is art, and sometimes it takes several times to get to the final copy. I am here to support your journey and to teach you while I have you sat before me. 

Good luck!

-Mrs. Sutlow

Assignment #1: Forced Perspective

"The forced perspective technique manipulates our human perception with the use of optical illusions to make objects appear larger, smaller, farther, or closer than they actually are. I once screamed like a little girl at a scary movie in a packed theater, only to find out later that the gigantic monster on the screen was only a little model. The movie makers had used forced perspective to turn a plastic toy into something frightening to the audience. The use of digital effects today still incorporates this popular way of portraying scenes or objects."

Photographers also use Forced Perspective to manipulate images and make the audience believe something is happening when it is really not. Below are some image examples of forced perspective. 

Your jobs this class are the following:

1) Create a group of 2 or 3 students
2) Take some class time to brainstorm some ideas based on the examples handed out in class
3) Use the school grounds to create a Forced Perspective photograph to hand in to me via e-mail (see the first post for my email address)
4) Please also screenshot your brainstorming session and email it to me in the same attachment

How will you be marked?

Each of the following categories is going to be marked out of 5 (5 being the highest achievable):

1) Creativity: how interesting is your photograph? If it's a direct re-make of one of the examples, you will likely score quite low. If it's something unique, you will score higher.
2) Does your brainstorming show effort was made? If you are done this assignment with plenty of time to spare, perhaps you did not attempt to play with aspects like light and props.
3) Is it believable? If there is, say, a gap between a hand and what it is supposed to be supporting, perhaps you didn't take enough time or enough shot to ensure that it is a believable forced perspective. Many of the photographs are achieved after 20-30 tries. Remember: it's about creating an optical illusion for your audience. If a gap is visible, the illusion is destroyed. 
4) How is the quality of your image? Have you taken into consideration the lighting? If it is too dark to decipher what the illusion actually is, the mark will reflect that. We will not be going into photo editing in our time together, so basic adjustments on the device will suffice. Check for overexposure as well. 

This assignment is worth a total of 20 marks, and the percentage will be decided by your regular classroom teacher when they join you this semester. Your teacher will be forwarded all the work we do together this week, so yes! Everything we do together COUNTS. 

-Mrs. S

Welcome!

Welcome everyone to the ACSS Photography 2016 S2 blog!

This is where you can view your assignments during week 1 of semester 2 while Mrs. Sutlow is teaching you. Depending on how your full term teacher decides to continue the class and assessment, this might only be a temporary place to view your assignments. If your teacher sees fit, he/she will be granted access and will use the blog as an assessment tool. I will ask you to e-mail me your photographs for this week to my district e-mail.

jsutlow@sd35.bc.ca >> This is the e-mail address where you will be sending me photographs to mark this week. 

This week, we will try a variety of small photography-related assignments, as well as indulge in some classroom games for community building, and take part in a daily word reflection. The sentence we will complete every day with a sticky note is:

"When I close my eyes and think of __________, I see _____________."

I will give you the first word (it will be related to our classroom assignment that day) and you will fill out the second word and contribute to our board for the class to see. This is a shorter alternative to journaling to practice reflection; being reflective is an integral part of being an artist. Actually, being reflective is the most important part of growing up, I'd say.

I hope we have a wonderful week together, and I hope you can learn some fun things you can take with you in your educational journey after me.

All the best -
Mrs. Sutlow