COM2205 – Photography Composition
Photography Composition continues concepts learned in its prerequisite course, Photography Introduction. In this credit, you will expand your photography skills including composition, exposure, basic lighting, camera operation, image processing and proofing, and display.
Assessment breakdown:
#1. Theory = 20%
#2. Practice = 40%
#3. Final Project = 40%
REMINDER: Unless indicated otherwise, all assignments are to be turned in through the assignments tab in Microsoft Teams.
Theory
IN THIS SECTION WE WILL LEARN IMPORTANT CONCEPTS NEEDED TO DO THE PRACTICE. PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE REVIEWED THE MATERIALS BELOW BEFORE TAKING THE QUIZ ASSIGNED THROUGH TEAMS.
What makes a photograph, professional?
By now you have already separated yourself from the “pack” with what you learned in Photography–Introduction. You learned some basic rules that 99% of people don’t apply. In Photography–Composition, professional imagery is the aim. If you know how to technically utilize a camera, skillfully arrange a composition, and correctly enhance an image, you can produce masterpieces. Let’s learn how to improve in all three of these domains inside of Presentation 1.
Practice
IN THIS SECTION YOU WILL APPLY WHAT YOU LEARNED IN THE THEORY SECTION. THE AIM OF PRACTICING IS TO EQUIP YOU WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NEEDED TO CHOOSE AND CREATE YOUR OWN FINAL PROJECT. CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW TO DOWNLOAD A PRACTICE PORTFOLIO TEMPLATE (MOVE IT TO YOUR STUDENT FOLDER) AND CAREFULLY REVIEW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
> How to do Practice Portfolio in Multimedia (00:00)
> Student Example
Include the following challenges, plus pictures of any other in-class activities you completed (earn bonus marks), inside your practice portfolio:
#1 – Composition Studies
We can learn a lot about composition from cinematography. Cinematographers have the unique challenge of telling a narrative and have to make many decisions on how to compose a shot to add to the storytelling and mood. The practical advice and information shared in this video applies to photography.
For this challenge you will watch the video below while completing the following worksheet. In your practice portfolio upload a picture of the worksheet filled out and keep a copy of it on you while you complete the remaining practice challenges.
> Download E-Book on Compositional Studies
#2 – Photo Journal
On slides in your practice portfolio, add one unique image, that you took, to clearly demonstrate each of prompt below (These are taught inside of Presentation 1):
1) Simplicity
2) Camera Angle
3) Rule of Thirds
4) Backgrounds
5) Golden Triangle
6) Diagonals
7) Formal Balance
8) Informal Balance
Also include an explanation of how your photos demonstrate the prompt at hand.
#3 – Photo Retouch
For this challenge, choose ONE of your photo journal images to enhance. Consider applying one of the editing styles discussed in this article. In your practice portfolio, include a BEFORE and AFTER .jpeg of your chose image. Discuss how you enhanced the image to improve it’s aesthetic and/or composition.
Final Project
IN THIS SECTION, YOU WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO CHOOSE AND DESIGN A PROJECT THAT RELATES TO WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED IN THIS CREDIT (SEE FINAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION BELOW). PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE INSTRUCTIONS AND FOLLOW THEM CAREFULLY. PLEASE SEE ME IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO COME UP WITH A PROJECT IDEA OR NEXT ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE.
Final Project Description: For this final project, you will photograph and display a series of related images. Caption how good composition was achieved and the exposure settings used for each image.
> How to do Final Projects in Multimedia
> Final Project Ideas & Resources
> Student Example (Final Project)
RESOURCES:
> Slideshow Presentation Tips (PDF)
> Piximperfect (YouTube Channel)
> Phlearn (YouTube Channel)
> Photoshop Training C. (YouTube Channel)
> 30 Days of Photoshop (Website)
ACTIVITY FILES:
> Found Letters Scavenger Hunt (PDF)
> Light Painting (PDF)
SOFTWARE:
> Photopea.com (Free, Raster)
> GIMP (Free, Raster)
> Pixlr (Free, Photo)
ASSETS:
> Slidesgo.com (Free Ppwt. Templates)
> Dafont.com (Free Fonts)
> Google Fonts (Free Fonts)
> Unsplash.com (Free, Stock Images)
> Pexels.com (Free, Stock Images/Video)
> FreePik.com (Free Graphics)
> Blush.com (Free, Customizable Graphics)