Photoshop Assignment this week - Comm Tech

Watch the video on 10 Tips for Beginners in Photoshop and take notes if you need to. In particular pay attention towards the end where he removes the subject from the background and replaces the background.

Then go to the RICK MERCER PHOTO CHALLENGE and see what you can do with the photo you can download of our new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.  Have some fun with it,  but your Justin Trudeau mash-up exercise MUST have the following elements in the PSD file:

You MUST use a mask to reveal Justin Trudeau and HIDE the background
You MUST use a New Layer Via Copy (Command J) to create a copy of the new background in the shape of the Justin Trudeau cut out.
This layer should go on the top layer and use blending modes (colour) and low opacity to reveal a hint of the background colouring.
Also try to match the contrast, lighting and colour to your background by adjusting the Justin Trudeau layer's levels or contrast.

When you are finished, submit the photo to the Comm Tech folder (your own folder) in the Yearbook folder. Write your procedure down in a word document and submit this as well.

Title your finished work with your name and the technique
ie. Name_MaskExercise_Trudeau.psd

Due: Before the break!

You are striving for an image that looks realistic (even though it couldn't be)
Remember to keep it appropriate for school and no offensive. i.e. Be funny without offending anyone.

10 Photoshop Tips in One Video

CLICK HERE to watch it.

Storyboard and other pre-production planning

Now that you have a rough plan for your video, the next steps are as follows:

1. Storyboard - take a look HERE to see what should be in a typical storyboard. I have left copies of a storyboard template for you to use. You can begin planning each shot and the dialogue/narration/text/sound that would accompany that shot. As well as a written description of any visual fx and the type of shot. I've also left a sample storyboard from a student video.

2. Talent - decide who your "actors" will be and the roles they will play. Make that list and also make sure they are available when you need them.

3. Schedule - When can you shoot? During class, lunchtime, after school. Prepare ahead of time so you know you have everything you need including any props or costumes.

4. Locations - Find appropriate locations for your shoot. For each shot. Write this down. You will end up creating a shot list that will allow your shooting schedule to be more efficient because you can shoot everything you need in a specific location.

5. Equipment/prop list - Make a list of all equipment you will need and any props you will need.

Type up all of these with a cover page and be ready to submit this at the end of the class on Friday. You can divide up these tasks to make it more efficient.

Good luck.

Persuasion in PSAs

• Some things worth noting: 

Persuasion can be visually created through:

•  powerful images – video, photographs, artwork
•  expressions on people’s faces
•  use of color vs. black and white
•  use of celebrities
•  use of regular people
•  clear calls to action

Persuasion can be created through sound via:

• play on words
• repetition
• humor
• imperative commands
• music to create tone
• lyrics that add to meaning and/or tone
• tone of actor/narrator’s voices
• silence

Example Plan
We see	We hear
Text: Imagine your life without an education	No audio
Door slamming shut Text: Your career	Start of “Better Days” by The Goo Goo Dolls
Text: You’d have no chance.	Song continues
Another door slamming shut. Text: Your future	Song continues
Text: But everyone deserves a chance.	Song continues
Another door slamming shut Text: Your life	Song continues
Statistic or fact	Song continues
More doors slamming	Song continues
Text: They need your help.	Song continues
Info about The Inter-Country People’s Aid	Song continues
End with text: It’s so simple.  It’s so SMART.	Song continues

Public Service Announcements

Yesterday we established that some key characteristics of PSAs worth noting are:

Typically, PSAs:

• are short (usually 60 seconds or less)
• present one single issue
• inform the viewer of key, relevant facts
• have a clear call to action (usually indicated through text on screen)
• might or might not include people
• might or might not use music
• sometimes use voice-overs
• sometimes use special effects (like black and white)
• might use transitions/editing to enhance the video
• aim to leave a lasting impact

Today's task:

Get into groups for this activity

Ms. Silverman's suggestion (unless Magnus or Lance are away - then Cindy, you should go with whoever is present)

Group 1:  Cindy, Beau and Kidus

Group 2: Magnus and Lance

Please go to the following link and view the videos we watched in class PLUS the remainder of the videos on the list.
PSA list (find the videos here if the links do not work below)

While viewing the PSAs consider the following questions in your group. 

1. Where do I see examples of persuasion?
2. How is sound used as a persuasion technique?
3. What specific visual techniques are being used to persuade the viewer?

Appoint one person the secretary and as you discuss your answers, create a comprehensive list to share in a class discussion tomorrow.

Make sure you see the following PSAs - you should be able to click on the links below

Global Warming Tick

Almost Give 1 

Almost Give 2

Red Video 

Invisible Children 100% 

Words Hurt 

Environmental Defense Fund 

We Can Help Us 

I am the Country 

Girl Up 1

Girl Up 2

Girl Up 3  

Invisible Children TRI 

One Campaign 1

One Campaign 2  

Video Editing Theory - Comm Tech Gr. 10

Go to Digital Overdrive to the chapter on Video Editing.

Read both sections from Chapter 7
Structure of a Scene and Editing Methods. Take the tests at the end of each section and email your results to yourself, then forward them to me at lisa.silverman@tdsb.on.ca.

When you have read and understand both sections, complete the review questions.

Due: Monday November 16.

This is due Monday, so you could do it from home, or the public library. If you need to finish your composition assignment (with your own photos) then finish that first.

Composition in Photography - Assignment #2 Submission (Thursday) (+CATCHING UP!!)

Let's get back to those photos you took that represent 10 different composition techniques.

1. Select the best photos to represent each of the 10 composition techniques you were aiming for.

2. Edit them enough to enhance them using Photoshop (elements if necessary) - levels, colour balance, contrast etc.

3. Save them as psd files with the composition name in the title as well as your name, AND as jpg files as well.

e.g. Shape_Magnus.psd AND Shape_Magnus.jpg

Make one folder in your Comm Tech folder for Final Composition Photos.
Make one folder called PSD and another called JPG and put your saved photos in the appropriate folder. I'll be marking them from there.

4. Write about your choices. Please check my notes from your powerpoint to see if I gave you feedback. Remember to justify your choices so that you are a) indicating YOUR knowledge and understanding of the composition technique AND b) indicating why that particular photo is a great example of that particular technique.

Note: If you can't remember how to describe the technique, look them up. There's a ton of information on the internet -as well as in the powerpoint you saw (In PickUp folder)

Please complete this today!!

When you are finished, you can go back to sorting through video clips.

SOME OF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE PAST QUIZZES AND REVIEW QUESTIONS!!

Ch. 14 Digital Photography. Ch. 6 Shooting Style and Rules of Cinematography


Next week we will be moving onto video editing (hopefully our software will have arrived by then)

Intro to Cinematography: Rules

Go to Digital Overdrive and log in.

Read through Chapter 6 Intro to Cinematography: Rules of Cinematography.
Take the test at the end of the chapter and email the results to me.

When you have finished this you can go back to viewing the video clips we have for either Halloween or Camp Olympia.

I'd like you to identify some clips that you think would be good to use in a 1 minute long video that would be a good compilation video for our yearbook that covers either event.

When viewing the clips, write down the clip number and then the timecode for the parts you think are effective.

Keep in mind the rules of cinematography as you're viewing them this time.
You can continue this work on Wednesday as you'll probably need more time. We'll move on to editing from here and you will ultimately shoot your own videos on a specific topic. We'll discuss this further on Wednesday.

Write down the clips numbers - the folders they can be found in and the timecodes for each corresponding clip that you think demonstrates a rule of cinematography, or is just something that we could use. Put this list into a word document and place it into the corresponding folder (Olympia or Halloween)
Your word doc should be named BestVidClips_Halloween(orOlympia)_YourName.doc
Saved into either the Halloween or Camp Olympia folders.

At the very least - we're looking for shots that are not shaky, are in focus and decently exposed. If there is camera movement it should be smooth.

Assignment for Friday October 23 - Gr. 10 Comm Tech

Finish working on your video in Adobe Premiere Pro.

If you are able to find a piece of music that you can download and/or add (you can use anything - including adding sound effects, music, voiceover). You may need to convert the music to an aiff or wav file. Google it if you have to and figure it out on your own!

Your video must have all 9 of your clips in it. They can be in any order, and any length you choose. You can also repeat clips. Have fun with the process and get to know the program.

You can also add titles to the beginning and end (again, explore the program and see if you can figure this out on your own). Title slide could be a title for your 369 video. End credits would be camera and editing credits.

Once you're finished - here is your homework:
Ch. 6 - Shooting Style
Go to Digital Overdrive (link in the last blog posting).

Find the chapter called Intro to Cinematography - Chapter 6.
Go to the section called Shooting Style.
Read through it and view the videos.

Take the test and SUBMIT to Ms. Silverman  - put lisa.silverman@tdsb.on.ca in the email box.
Test Due by Monday October 26 (before class begins)

Also, fill in the handout on shot types and angles.

Handout Due: Monday October 26

Assignment for Thursday October 15th - Photography

We have an online text book that you will have access to by going to the following link:

http://clouddoi8.com/

Click on Existing User and find Lakeshore Collegiate from the list of schools

Your username: lakeshore
Your password: lci2016!

Go to the second page (click on the middle yellow dot at the bottom of the page) and select Chapter 14. Traditional and Digital Photography. Choose Digital Photography and read through the chapter. Be sure to click on any of the interactive links. Fill in the worksheet provided (printed handout with resolution chart and memory card fill in the blanks) and hand it in at the end of the period. Also, please take the test provided. For email, put in my email address (lisa.silverman@tdsb.on.ca) so the results will be sent to me.

If you don't finish the test this period, then submit via email by the end of the day.

When you are finished check out THIS LINK on the 24 best photo essays of 2014. Enjoy! And get inspired.

Using Composition in Photography - Assignment #2 (TGJ 2O1)

You've now researched 5 different compositional tools. Your next assignment is to take photos that strongly express 10 different compositional tools that you learned about in the powerpoint.

Here is a list of compositional tools in photography to get you started.

5 of your photos MUST use the 5 tools you researched in YOUR powerpoint that you submitted.
The other 5 can be any of the others from the list (or Composition Powerpoint)

Rule of Thirds
Leading Lines or Dominant Lines
Shape
Form
Pattern and Repetition (also breaking pattern)
Texture 
Colour
Rhythm
Depth (overlap, linear perspective, aerial or atmospheric perspective, selective focus)
Balance (symmetrical or asymmetrical)
Framing
Timing/Decisive Moment
Dominant Foreground/Contributing Background
Panning, Zooming, Blur
Light and Shadow

Composition in Photography Research - Assignment # 1 (TGJ 2O1)

1. Go to the pickup folder (Lakeshore CI - PickUp - Ms. Silverman PickUp - Comm Tech TGJ 2O1 - 2015-16) to find the Compositional Tools powerpoint presentation.

2. View the powerpoint  and CHOOSE 5 of the compositional tools that intrigue you to research further.

3. Go to Google Images and search for each of the 5 compositional tools. Look for a strong example of each of the 5 tools that you have chosen. Try to find photographs that take your breath away, are visually impactful and interesting and BEST DEMONSTRATE THAT COMPOSITIONAL TOOL!!

4. SAVE these images in a folder on your home drive (Make a new folder called TGJ 2O1).

5.  Create a powerpoint presentation entitled COMPOSITION IN PHOTOGRAPHY.

5. Each photograph MUST be labelled with a subtitle of the appropriate compositional tool.

6. Write a brief sentence or two that justifies why you chose that photo and why it's a great example of that compositional tool. (Your sentence should indicate that you understand the compositional tool and can explain it)

Due: End of the period!

We will begin shooting tomorrow.

Please return your forms by the end of the week!!!

List of compositional tools from the powerpoint and others:

Rule of Thirds
Leading Lines or Dominant Lines
Shape
Form
Pattern and Repetition (also breaking pattern)
Texture
Rhythm
Depth (overlap, linear perspective, aerial or atmospheric perspective, selective focus)
Balance (symmetrical or asymmetrical)
Framing
Timing/Decisive Moment
Dominant Foreground/Contributing Background
Panning, Zooming, Blur
Light and Shadow

Welcome to Yearbook!

 Our Yearbook Spread To-Do List

 Yearbook Skills