The "Less Seen" side of Mahopac

Holga Project

The Holga is a cheap, plastic camera that is produced in China.  It is the stepsister of the Diana Camera which was used extensively by photographers in the 1970’s . Poor quality control, a plastic lens and light leaks are the hallmarks of these cameras.

After the Crash, Manny Boccini 

Given their shortcomings, “toy cameras” can take some evocative imagery. The image is usually sharper in the center and quickly goes out of focus in the corners of the square image. Sometimes the corners are darker as well, creating a vignette effect. 

Saugerties Lighthouse

The grity, semi-focused look is perfect for our next assignment, The "Less Seen" side of Mahopac. Look for the junk, old cars, run-down buildings etc. This isn't about the lake front homes and tidy shops, it's about the dark underbelly of Mahopac. Look for dumpsters, old pallets, loading docks. There is alot out there if you start to look!

Process:

Shooting a Holga is extremely easy, but you must follow these basic steps. I'll load it and tape it for light leaks. You will take 3 exposures and pass the camera on to the next person in your group. (4 people)

1.  Try to shoot in Bright Sunshine or Cloudy Bright situations.
2. Guess the focus distance and turn the focus ring to the appropriate icon.
3. 3. Set the aperture to the Sun (F11) or Partial Sun(F8) setting.
4.  Frame your image.
5. Hold the camera steady and press the shutter release. Do not shake, the shutter speed is only 1/60 of a second.
6. Your group will develop it's film. (I’ll load the 120mm film for you.)
7. Make an 8x8" enlargement. 
8. Dry mount your image.

Focus Ring estimated distances.

• Head and Shoulders: about 4-5 feet.
• 3 People holding hands: about 9 feet.
• 7 People: about 18 feet.
• Mountain: 30 feet to infinity.

Letter Photos

This is an observation project. We “look” at the world around us but don’t often “see” the interesting detail. This assignment will force you to see the everyday and mundane in a different light.

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1. Using a digital camera and take photographs of the “letters” that make up your name. Each photo should be recognizable as a particular letter (see the photo above.)

2. You may choose to use a word that represents a strong feeling or emotion like love. (no fewer then 4 letters. You may not use your name)

3. A cell phone camera is satisfactory if the resolution is high enough.

4. The images will need to be scaled in Photoshop (Image/Image Size). The size will be determined by the length of the word.

5. Print image and dry mount on matte board. We will use a 2 inch border. “Gang up” as many images as you can on each piece of mounting tissue. 

Sunset or Sunrise and Image and Digital Edge Effects

Some of the best lighting for photographs is the period at sunrise and sunset. The golden glow and side lighting seems to make everything look more beautiful. 

The Assignment - Take photographs of sunsets or sunrises.

1. Find out the time for sunset or sunrise. 
2. Pre-select the location you plan on taking your photo. 
3. Arrive 15 minutes before sunrise or sunset and start snapping photos. Take plenty, because the sky will continue to change over a very short period of time.
4. Select the best image and post it. Write a short description about of  the location and the time you made the photograph.
5. Create a custom border effect for your image. (Photoshop)

This is a shot I took just before sunset on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. As time passed the colors continued to change. Make sure you shoot more than just the sky. The trees in the foreground "frame" the canyon behind and add perspective. Below is the same image with a border effect added.

Photostory 3

Telling a Story in Photostory 3

They say a photo is worth a thousand words and it's true. Often one photo can communicate a tremendous amount to the viewer. Sometimes it takes a series of photos to communicate our "story".

Photostory 3 is a simple Windows application that lets you link a series of images in a slide show format. You can add motion effects like those used by documentary film photographer Ken Burns. Different transitions between images can add interest. Words can be added to give extra information on  each of  the photos. Finally you can add music to your production.

Your Assignment

Tell a story or create a "How To" using digital  images. Place them into Photostory 3 and create a continuous slide show.

• Start with a "Title Page". This page must include an image that has been filter manipulated. (in Photostory 3 or Photoshop).
• Use a minimum of 10 slides to tell your "story".
• Use "text" slides (with appropriate background art) to add specific information.
• Add transitions to each slide.
• Use motion effects on at least one image. (more is better)
• Generate music that reflects your story.
• End with a credit page. Include your name and thanks to those who helped (models) and inspired your project.

Custom 3D Glasses

3D Photography

Most of us have had the opportunity to watch a movie in 3D. Perhaps you had the opportunity to take a 3D thrill ride at Bush Gardens. Some people play 3D video games. Long before 3D movies, photographers made stereo pairs with special cameras with two lens. These "pairs" were viewed with a special Stereoscope. 

We will be making basic 3D images called "Anaglyphs". 

In order to view our images we must make 3D glasses. Here is an unusual example:

Mr. Boccini 3D Glasses.

Assignment

Due Date: 4/5/13

Using "chip board" and acrylic paint make a "custom" pair of Stereo Glasses.

• Be creative, anything from super hero's to cartoon characters make good glasses.
• Make sure to use the template so the spacing between the eyes is correct.
• Think about adding three dimensional elements. (ie. hair made of yarn)
• If you need something special, ask! You never know what kind of junk I have collected.
• The glasses may be attached to a dowel or be worn in the traditional manner. (stems over the ears)
• Consider working with other people to create a theme. (ie the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs.
• Blog a picture of you wearing your glasses.
• Blog your anaglyph.

School Lunch

Assignment (Due: 4/5/13)

School Lunch, you love it or hate it. Bag lunch or cafeteria food? Are your friends in your lunch period? Is it crowded? Show me how you see "school lunch". (minimum 2 photographs.)

Recently a lot of people are talking about school lunch. Mrs. Obama's Hunger-Free Kids Act has limited high school lunches to 850 calories.

• Do you feel that school lunch is adequate? Are you hungry? Do you supplement your lunch by buying another lunch? Buying chips from the machine?
• Is lunch too long? Would 20 minutes be long enough? 
• Do you study or work on homework during lunch?
• Would you skip lunch if you could leave school 42 minutes early?

Write a paragraph describing your views on school lunch.

I took a few minutes out of my "lunch duty" to take a closer look at school lunch. I push the garbage can around and encourage the kids to recycle. Occasionally I come upon something like this.....YUK!

Ketchup Art?

Look at the lunch room in a different way. Try different points of views! There is a lot going on there!



The "regular" UNO game.



Photoshop Filter Project

Assignment

1. Duplicate your colorized pinhole image 25-30 times on a 8.5x11" Photoshop document.
2. Manipulate each small image with a different "Filter" effect. 
3. Center on the page.
4. Save as a jpeg file and post to your blog.
5. Add the caption: Photoshop Filter Project.

Due 3/16/13.

Photoshop Filter Project