Week 2 / Sept. 4

Reading light - various light metering modes, understanding histograms, colors of light and white balance, working space (Adobe RGB and sRGB)

Presentation: Looking at Light

In-class photo exercise: capture 5 different scenes shot with the same exposure but 4 different white balance settings (Auto WB, correct type of light, two at incorrect white balance settings for comparison).

Demonstration: Importing and basic overview of Adobe Bridge CC - converting and saving raw files, evaluating the histogram, adjusting white balance, adjusting and tonal and color values

Assignment #1: Light and Shadow
Light is an essential part of capturing an image.  As a photographer, it is important to consider the effects of light on your subject.  Light can create meaning and change the mood of a picture.  This assignment is designed for you to pay closer attention to the available lighting conditions around you, how it is constantly changing and how light plays a major role in how you see.

Please take at least thirty pictures at three distinctly different times of the day in the same environment such as sunrise or early morning, high noon or mid-day, and sunset or dusk. The setting will stay the same, but the lighting will change. Your exposures will change according to each light situation.

Pay attention to your light meter and histogram for accurate exposures.  Set your white balance for the appropriate color/quality of light.  Is the light warm or cool?  Look for shadows or reflections.  Longer shadows are cast in the morning and late afternoon.  All images should be shot in the manual mode if your camera has a manual option.

You will download these images in Bridge, make basic corrections to the files, and save the best one from each three different times of day as TIFFs.  Bring three TIFFs to class for critique on Wednesday, Sept. 11.   

Save your TIFFs like this: firstnamelastname_01.tiff or example: temastauffer_01.tiff

Put these three TIFFs in a folder with your name and assignment: firstnamelastname_lightandshadow or example: temastauffer_lightandshadow

Reading: Chapter 3 / The Shutter and Chapter 4 / Camera Exposure

Assignment #2: Please bring a found photograph that has some dusts, scratches, or other damage to class on Monday, Sept. 9.  It could be a snapshot, family photo, magazine page, etc. no larger than 8.5 x 11in.  You will scan this image (150 dpi) in or outside of class and save as a TIFF to practice retouching on Wednesday, Sept. 11.  

Handouts:
White Balance & Color Temperature
Histograms
Metering Modes 
Downloading, Viewing and Sorting with Bridge
RAW Conversion