Terminology

= ﻿ Terminology = **Unit Overview:** Unit One is an introduction to the concepts and techniques of photography. You will explore the idea of "composition" and what makes a successful photographic composition. By the end of this unit you should be able to determine the difference between snapshots and photographs, and this should be demonstrated in your project. You should also understand and use the rule of thirds when taking your photographs. For this unit you will complete the following tasks:
 * 1) Read the terminology discussions, listen to audio discussions, and view voicethread videos on the terms.
 * 2) Read through composition tips and view examples & non-examples.
 * 3) Take an online Unit One practice quiz.
 * 4) Read through Project 1 requirements and begin the project activities.
 * 5) View Project 1 examples by the instructor and other students.


 * Terminology & Discussions: **

//(instructor's commentary on composition)//
 * == Term == || == Definition == || == Example == ||
 * ** Composition ** || // media type="file" key="composition.mp3" width="240" height="20" .//

//Taken from dictionary.com:// The organization or grouping of the different parts of a work of art so as to achieve a unified whole.

//Discussion about composition, taken from photoinf.com:// Organizing the various elements within the frame of the viewfinder in order to create an effective design is more challenging than it might seem at first. A painter can position the elements where they want, whereas a photographer must search, find and organize visual elements within the camera viewfinder. Although a photographer can sometimes "arrange" objects in a natural environment such as leaves, this often results in a contrived looking picture. Nature is not perfect and variation within organization leads to greater interest. Effective composition of natural images is always a balance between arranging elements within the view finder and allowing a certain amount of disorder.

The decision-making processes we make when taking a photograph starts first with being able to see possibilities. What we see depends on what we are interested in, what we are looking for and what our minds are prepared to show us. Seeing, in short, involves the mind and our memory as much as it does our eyes. Improving our visual sensitivity requires quieting our minds, relaxing, and preparing by learning as much as we can about our preferred subjects. Once we see things that are of interest, then we need to isolate parts of the scene, and organize the important visual elements within our viewfinder to effectively convey how we feel about them' || media type="file" key="composition2.mp3" align="center" width="240" height="20"



|| The **rule of thirds** is a compositional rule of thumb in visual art such as painting, photography and design. The rule states that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Proponents of the technique claim that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would. || media type="custom" key="9680374" ||
 * ** Rule of Thirds ** || //Taken from wikipedia.org://
 * ** Snapshot ** || **Definition:** A casual record of person, place, event or object that is captured with a camera.
 * Purpose:** To capture a memory of the person, place, event or object.
 * Characteristics:** Body parts are often cut off, such as feet or the tops of a person's head; too much negative space; normal angles or views of the object; many distractions; no use of the elements or principles of design. || media type="custom" key="8342156" ||
 * ** Photograph ** || **Definition:** An artistic interpretation of a person, place, event or object, that is captured with a camera.
 * Purpose:** To tell the viewer something about the person, place, event or object through the arrangement of the elements and principles of design.
 * Characteristics:** Utilizes the elements of art (line color, texture, value, space, shape, form) and principles of design (balance, emphasis, contrast, unity, movement, rhythm, pattern); unique angles or views; unique arrangement of objects within the frame; no distractions; use of rule of thirds; result is pleasing to the eye, regardless of the subject matter. || (See the video discussion above). ||
 * **Dead space** || Empty space in the photograph that serves no purpose and has no interest. Dead space will often reduce the effectiveness of a photography drastically. It is best to crop out any deadspace when possible.
 * Note:** Do not confuse deadspace with negative space. Negative space is the area around the subject, but it is intersting and effective. Deadspace is the area around the subject but it is NOT interesting nor effective. || [[image:deadspace.jpg width="239" height="177" align="center" caption="There is way too much dead space in this photo."]]

||
 * Photographic Composition Tips **
 * Tip || Explanation || Example || Non-Example ||
 * Get in Close || Zoom in on your subject. See how close you can get until you cannot tell what the subject is anymore. By zooming in, you can crop out any distractions in the background and capture interesting details as well. Be sure not to include too much dead space. || [[image:giraffe2.jpg width="180" height="240" align="center" caption="This is a great example of getting in close. Zoom in on your subject so the viewer can see the details."]] || [[image:giraffe3.jpg width="180" height="240" align="center" caption="The viewer cannot see the details of the giraffes in this photo."]] ||
 * Edit Your Image || This does not mean edit your image using Adobe Photoshop. This means, before you snap the picture, take a look at what is in your frame. Edit the image by trying different angles. Try to avoid major distractions. Also, try to capture the best angle, the one that is the most interesting. || [[image:zoom.jpg width="270" height="199" caption="This angle eliminates most of the background distractions."]] || [[image:nonzoom.jpg width="258" height="178" caption="This image has too many distractions in the backgrround and it is hard to see the subject."]] ||
 * Watch Your Edges || Similar to editing your image, take a special effort to make sure there are no distractions in the corners and very edges of the frame. These distractions will draw the viewer's attention out of the photograph. || [[image:noedges.jpg width="260" height="167" caption="Good example of watching the edges."]] || [[image:edges.jpg width="255" height="169" caption="This photo has a major distraction on the left edge of the photo."]] ||
 * Keep Horizontals Horizontal and Verticals Vertical || Try not to tilt your camera in a way that makes it look like the world is swinging out of control. This will only upset the viewer. When you are taking a photo of a landscape, make sure your horizon line is horizontal. If you have a tree in your photo, make sure it is vertical. || [[image:notangled.jpg width="194" height="246" align="center" caption="The horizon line is straight in the this photo, which is good."]] || [[image:angled.jpg width="186" height="249" align="center" caption="The world looks like it is tilting in the this photo, which is not good."]] ||
 * Include an Environment || While your first tip was to get in close, make sure you don't get in so close that the viewer cannot determine the environment of the photo. Includes only minor parts of the environment will give enough information for the viewer to decipher the photo. || [[image:canon10tn.jpg width="270" height="202" caption="Giving a little bit of the environment can be effective."]] || [[image:cattn.jpg width="196" height="240" align="center" caption="Zooming in too close may make a photo ineffective."]] ||
 * Pay Attention to Negative Space || Try to eliminate extra negative space (background). Too much negative space will often create dead space. Often too much negative space will include distractions as well. || [[image:birdofpara.jpg width="265" height="196" caption="By eliminating the extra negative space, you can actually make the negative shapes more evident."]] || [[image:birdofpara2.jpg width="262" height="196" caption="The subject can get lost if there is too much negative space."]] ||

Unit One Practice Quiz
(opens in new window) proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=beginning-photography-composition

Project 1

 * **Project 1 Overview** || Your first project has two steps. First, you will take photographs that describe who you are which also demonstrate the terms and tips discussed above (which were also in the chapter reading). You will edit your photographs using Adobe Photoshop. Your editing should show understanding of basic Adobe Photoshop processes. Second, you will create a presentation of your best photos using Microsoft PowerPoint. This is your only PowerPoint for the year, so make sure it is your best. In your presentation, you should try to create a PowerPoint that is successful in capturing your audience as well as presenting your photos. Remember, you do not want to take away from your photography. ||  ||
 * ** Project Requirements: ** || # Complete the brainstorming worksheet.
 * 1) Create a collage using magazine pictures or pictures from the internet that describes you.
 * 2) Take at least 20 photographs that illustrate who you are. ***Only 2 photos can be photographs of you.
 * 3) Edit at least 20 photographs using Adobe Photoshop.
 * 4) Create a power point presentation using at least 10 of your photographs. The power point presentation should include:
 * 5) A title slide
 * 6) At least 10 slides, with ONE PHOTO on each slide.
 * 7) Written words narrating the photographs.
 * 8) Slide transitions.
 * 9) Slide designs (theme).
 * 10) Animation that captures that audience.
 * 11) Present the power point to the class. || Handouts









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 * ** Project Examples: ** || [[image:whoamiss.png width="320" height="266" caption="Teacher Example" link="PowerPoint Student Examples"]] || [[image:waimb.png width="327" height="267" caption="Student Examples" link="PowerPoint Student Examples"]] ||
 * ** Demonstration Videos: ** || [[image:powerpointicon.jpg width="162" height="150" caption="PowerPoint Demonstrations & Tutorials" link="PowerPoint"]] || [[image:photoshop.png caption="Adobe Photoshop Demonstrations & Tutorials" link="Adobe Photoshop"]] ||