First Semester Portfolio...Enjoy!

Cover Picture

Title Page: Welcome...to Mission Photography!

Photo Autobiography

Sunprint Before

Sunprint After

Line/Shape/Form

Principles/Elements

Photo Quiz

Mercy Week

Photo Essay

Investigating a Space

Fall Sports

Portraits

Self-Portraits

1-Shot

Food Photography

Final Shot

Proportion...

Jordan makes the mansion look very small.

Thanksgiving!

Dinner before I got a hold of it.

Dinner after I got a hold of it.

The Turkey!

Stuffing...

APPLE PIE!!! :)

"The Movie has NO dialogue..."

When I first heard the above line out of Mr. Currier's mouth I wanted to close my eyes and sleep for the next couple days of photography class. However, I gave the movie a chance and to my surprise it turned out to be pretty good. Even though there wasn't any talking, some of the images and scenes from the movie conveyed a message that was way more powerful than anything words could have said. To me, the movie really emphasized the idea of how photography can tell a story. The images from the movie and the images that we take all tell a story. Even though there's no talking involved, the pictures do the talking.

I really liked the part that showed the huge crowds of people crossing the street in the city. After watching the hundreds of taxis go up and down the streets it was an interesting transition to see the hundreds of people hurry to cross with every chance they got. I also liked the scene that showed the night sky and how the time-lapse photography worked to show the transition from nighttime to early morning. Although I enjoyed most of the movie, there was of course two parts that were a little creepy: the crazy guy with big white eyes and the pile of human skulls. Those two scenes made sleeping the next night a little harder than usual. Luckily, however, I have fully recovered.

Shadow...Post

This is the picture I took for our assignment on walking around and taking pictures of shadows.

Dear Abby...Facebook Edition

Dear Itzel,

It was really great to look at your pictures. Thank you for allowing me access to your profile. Looking at the album you selected, it is clear that you have a passion for Usher and Trey Songz. I learned that you like concerts and enjoy taking pictures at them. In the future it would be cool to see you take more concert shots. They allow for a lot of emotion in the pictures while also taking into account the rule-of-thirds and emphasis.

Sincerely,

Matt

1 Shot

During our "1 Shot" assignment, this is the photo that I selected from my camera.

Sports Photography

Selected as Photo of the Day: Serra's special teams crew jump to block a point after try.

Quarterback Andy MacAlindon steps back for a pass.

Runningback Alex Bravo takes the ball from MacAlindon.

Runningback Erich Wilson breaks a tackle and heads towards the endzone.

Alex Bravo takes the shot from the "Wild Cat" formation.

American Photography

• "pictures are more important that all the other stuff"
• some pics are great emotional memories, others are proof of records - that someone did something
• photos are the periphery of our lives that we take for granted
• Brownie Cameras - sold for $1; over a quarter million sold in the first year
• postcards were a way of covering virtually everything because people could send them to people
• National Geographic began color photography
• Edward Curtis - 20 books of native Americans
• people asked: Where is the art in pressing a button?
• they said it should be recognized as another branch of art
• people altered their photos to make them look like real art; "brush strokes"
• people were moved and outraged by child labor photos
• straight photography - faced reality; didn't manipulate shots in the dark room
• WWI - camera became an important weapon of war for propaganda
• Interstated Daily News - sold itself on the basis of pictures

Reading Notes-pg. 114-119: Portraits

How to shoot a formal portrait:

1. place the background for the photograph close to a wall
1. 10-20 feet of clear space in front of the background, plus some room to the sides
2. place the light about 45 degrees to the right side of the subject
3. set the camera directly in front of the subject, anywhere from 6-10 feet away, depending on what kind of lens you are using

Camera Settings

• formal portrait - wide-open aperture to make the background out of focus 
• 50mm lens - f/2 or f/2.8
• zoom lens - f/3.5 or f/4.5
• shutter speed no slower than 1/60 of a second
• faster that you subject's eyes can blink

Lighting for Formal Portraits

• Indoors
• place one light at approximately a 45 degree angle on one side or the other of your subject (use a reflector on the opposite side)
• Outdoors
• direct sunlight isn't the best lighting (harsh and squinting occurs)
• shoot in open shade (from building or tree)
• cloudy days are great for photographing

The Candid Portrait

• candid portraits
• capture a person going about everyday life and activities, whether it's playing basketball, singing in a choir, watching TV, or talking with friends
• Camera Settings
• 1/250 shutter speed - will freeze the action
• if you use a flash, get close

Homework: 5 Photos

I took the following pictures during Open House at Santa Clara University on Saturday, October 16th.

Reading Notes-pg. 108-113: Portraits

• Working with People
• photographer must gain the subject's trust and cooperation
• a successful photographer learns to work with both known people and strangers
• a good portrait involves building a relationship with your subject, even if it's only temporary
• Camera Formats
• many professional photographers go with medium format cameras , because of their bigger negatives and their ease and speed of operation
• Film Choices for Portraits
• Films Speed
• Slow Films (50 to 100 ISO)-usually mean slower shutter speeds
• Fast Films (400 to 3200 ISO)-more sensitive to light and are ideally suited to available-light photography; candid and environmental portraits
• Black and White or Color?
• black and white-focuses the viewer's attention on the subject
• color-can carry feelings and impressions
• Equipment Choices: Lenses for Portraits
• 24mm-too close; distortion is obvious
• 50mm-shows the face as less rounded and broad
• 100mm-gives you the most flattering image
• Camera Accessories
• tripod-three-legged metal stand on which you can mount your camera
• cable release-a flexible wire, one end of which attaches to the camera's shutter release
• reflector-anything that will reflect light into shadows to lighten them for a flattering and three-dimensional portrait
• The Formal Portrait
• the formal portrait is the simplest portrait and should emphasize the person and nothing else
• Julia Margaret Cameron (England, 1815-1879)
• Victorian photographer
• her photographs had a lasting effect on the history of photography
• inspired and influenced Alfred Stieglitz and the Pictorialist photographers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries

Reading Notes-pg. 102-107: Portraits

• Chapter 5 Portraits
• people are, by far, the most popular subject for photography
• portraits demonstrate the similarities and differences between the subject and us, the viewer
• self-portraits can be a way to explore who we are to ourselves and to other people, and who we want to be
• different types of portraits:
• formal portraits-emphasize only the person who is the subject of the photograph
• candid portraits-capture a person going about everyday activities
• environmental portraits-place the person in a setting that says something about him or her
• self-portraits-feature you, the photographer, as your own subject
• Early Portrait Photography:
• shortly after photography was invented, people became popular subjects for photographs
• Gaspard-Felix Tournachon (France, 1820-1910)-the first great portrait photographer
• August Sander (Germany, 1876-1964)-created some of the first environmental portraits
• Creating Portrait Photos
• Thinking Artistically
• value is an important design element to consider when creating a portrait
• the range of light and dark areas
• the lightest and darkest areas of an image attract our attention and help to move our eyes through an image

Photo Essay: "A Week in the Life of a Varsity Football Player"

The team analyzes their upcoming opponent during "Films" at lunch.

Prior to the first practice, the team takes a knee and listens as the coaches discuss the upcoming week.

During practice, the team works to fine-tune ever play in the play-book.

At the end of the week, the team and coaches come together in the Chapel and strengthen their brotherhood and unity.

Led by the team captains, the team stretches as they prepare for pre-game drills.

The offensive and defensive lines taking reps before the game.

Father Joe Bradley leads the team in prayer before every game.

All the hard work and practice gets put to the test, because it's...Game Time!

Sports Photography: Example & Notes

 

I found this photo at the following website:

http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/baseball/pitching/pitcherprofiles/TimLincecum.html

Notes on Sports Photography:

• the closer you are to the subject, the better
• timing and reacting are very important
• you must anticipate the action
• noise/movement in the background means you need a new angle
• most pictures should be taken vertically
• should use the rule of thirds more often than not
• baseball is the hardest sport to shoot
• a lot of movement involved 
• pitcher, catcher, coach = easiest to shoot
• football is an easy sport to shoot
• with motor sports, it's hard  to get good shots because you are generally far from the track

Event Photographer: Jeff Spirer

Jeff Spirer is an event photographer that is based in San Francisco, California. He specializes in shooting performances, portraits, and fights. He publishes his work in various newspapers, magazines, advrtisements, and books. He began his work as a photographer at the age of 12 and worked with his father in darkroom work. He taught himself how to use Photoshop and originally worked with web site desgin and some scan management. Spirer ahs been working with post-processing work for about six years now.
You can can view some of his work by clicking on the following link:
http://photo.net/photos/Spearhead

5 Photos_9/24

The president of the Big Brothers Club leads the weekly meeting.

Students enjoy a quick card game during their free time.

While waiting for his teacher to open the door, Spencer Hall stands around on his crutches.

Bo Hall playing chess on his laptop.

One of the Serra Counselors helps a senior plan his college list.