Week 10 Wrap-Up

Mike Brodie, from the series A Period of Juvenile Prosperity

Hi Everybody,

Wow, it's hard to believe that we're almost done!

Thanks for a fantastic second crit and for all the hard work you put in this semester. It's been a strange one and you all rose to the challenge.

Next week will be our final class. We'll be meeting at the usual time in our Zoom Classroom.

We'll have a final critique, looking at your complete series and discussing next steps for the future. We will also discuss details about the Virtual Open Studios coming up soon

On to this week's homework!:

1- You should be shooting to wrap up any loose ends with your series. Take into account the feedback that you got from your classmates. If you want any feedback about your photos before Saturday, reach out and let me know. I'm happy to help with editing, sequencing, or anything else.

2- Submit your revised Artist Statement to me by Thursday at the latest. The statement is a requirement for the final and I want to make sure we have a chance to revise the first draft.

3-Upload all of your final work to the class Google Drive folder before next class. 
*If you don't turn it in before next class, you won't receive credit for the semester.*

Check your email for the link to the Google Drive

You will be uploading the following:
-1 folder containing your final series photographs (20 minimum)
-1 folder containing all of the homework assignments
-1 folder with your self portrait
-1 folder with your 3 best photos from the fashion collaboration.
I've organized the folders for you already--you just need to add your photos to the right place.

I want the highest quality files that you have. This means that I want PSDs or TIFs with the layers intact if you worked in Photoshop. If you worked only in Camera Raw or Lightroom, I want the XMP or DNG files as well. If you aren't sure what I mean by this, please contact me.

That's all for now! Please be in touch with ANY questions you have ASAP--next class is it!

Week 9 Wrap-Up

Luca Locatelli

Hi Everybody,

I was really glad to see everyone today and to know that you're all holding up despite the extraordinariness of our current situation.

To recap some of what we discussed:

•  For most of you, your photo series topics will have changed. For some of you, this means adapting your topic to the objects or people in your home. For others, you may now be doing a Before/After series, using your original series a s a starting point to show how life has changed since social distancing. Some of you might be starting something entirely new.
• Use this week to keep shooting and to work through what your new series will look like. Shoot everyday. If you are staying indoors, I recommend getting up before everyone else in your household, at a time of day you normally aren't awake. This can help you see your surroundings with fresh eyes and may help give you some new ideas.
• We will be meeting (via Zoom) during our regular class time next week to look at what you shot and to give you some suggestions and direction for how to continue and complete your series over the next two weeks.
• Before next Saturday: Upload your photos to the Google Drive 2nd Critique folder (I'll send the link to you in an email). 20+ Photos. This should be a combination of your new photos along with any Pre-Quarantine series photos we haven't seen 
• Start working on a self-portrait. There are a lot of ways to approach this, and not every portrait is a portrait of a face. 

That's it for classwork--I'm here if you have any questions or if you want to touch base about how to proceed with your series. Just drop me an email.

In the meantime, National Geographic posted an essay about what some of their photographers who are stuck in quarantine are working on. Take a look here:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/2020/03/these-photos-capture-a-world-paused-by-coronavirus/#close

See you next week!

Class Update - Please Read

Gary He

Hi Everybody,

I've been sharing information and updates with you about class via email. If you haven't received anything from me, please reach out to me via email at dyerj at newschool dot edu.

Class is resuming (in a virtual setting) on Saturday, March 28th and I will be sharing a link for access via email later this week.

Please be in touch ASAP if you haven't received anything from me. In the meantime, please check out this photo essay by Gary He documenting the effects of the pandemic on the restaurant scene in NYC:
https://ny.eater.com/2020/3/20/21187881/coronavirus-nyc-restaurant-bars-photos

"See" you all soon.

Week 7 Wrap-Up

Aida Muluneh, Strength in Honor, 2016

Hi Everyone,

Today, we dug deeper into the Photoshop workflow, looking at basic adjustments and simple retouching. Please click on the "How-To" tab to find more information and options for retouching your photos outside of class.

Next week is our second critique. You will be showing 20 new images related to your series. We will have a little bit of time at the start of class to organize images and to revisit Photoshop. Please be sure to bring all of your files (as well as a hard drive or USB drive).

On to this week's homework:

• Firstly (and most importantly), concentrate on shooting for your project and next week's critique.
• Secondly, use this week to complete and post any homework assignments you may have missed. I will be getting in touch before next class with a short midterm review. If you have any questions about the homework, or aren't sure of how to complete an assignment related to a class you may have missed, email me and we'll sort it out. Not sure if you missed an assignment? Click on the homework tab to see all of the weekly assignments or click on your label to se everything you've posted.
• Finally, email me a preliminary artist Statement, roughly 1 paragraph. Keep in mind this is a first draft and isn't expected to be perfect or anywhere near resolved.

That's all for this week. Please let me know if you have any questions, and see you next Saturday!

Week 6 Wrap-Up

Tim Walker, from the W Magazine Editiorial Stranger Than Paradise

Hello everyone!

Today, we worked collaboratively with the Fashion Styling class, with each of you partnering with a stylist and a model to produce a look and a series of photographs.

You all did a fantastic job--working collaboratively can be a real challenge (never mind with incredibly tight time and location constraints), but you all nailed it.

We'll debrief a bit about this assignment next class, but in the meantime your homework is to post your favorite and best images from the shoot and to complete any past work you may have missed. Over the next two weeks I will be sending out mid-term reviews, so now is your last chance to get caught up.

That's all for the moment--see you next week!

Fashion Photography: An Intro

David LaChappelle, This is My House, 1997

Hi Everybody!

In preparation for this coming weekend's collaborative shoot with the Fashion Styling class, I wanted to share some resources with you. These are all fairly quick reads, so please take a look before Saturday so that you come to class ready to go!

The History of Fashion Photography (this is a longer read, but will give you a great overview of the history of fashion photography, along with some inspiring images)

5 Quick Tips (this really sums up the key parts of what you'll be doing on Saturday-- collaborating with a stylist, developing the look, scouting a location and shooting

Everything You Need to know for a Successful Fashion Shoot This has great ideas for how to take the next step after Saturday's class. There is also a helpful list that I'll include at the end of this post.

10 Composition Tips This covers most of the same compositional techniques that we've discussed, but puts them into a specifically fashion context.

7 Lessons Learned on My First Fashion Shoot This has some great insights from a photographer after his first fashion job.

From the "Everything You Need to Know..." article, here is a list of things that you'll want to discuss with your partner stylist before shooting:

subject matter

location

mood

lighting

aesthetic

styling

hair

make-up

any references for theme or time period, if applicable

This should get you started! If you have any questions or want to share some of your favorite fashion photos or inspirations, please feel free to post them to the blog.

Week 5 Wrap-Up

Hi Everybody!

Our first crit went great! You all did great job and I can't wait to see what you do next.

Next week those who weren't in class may have a chance to share their work--please come prepared.

For those who weren't here, post 20 images from your series to the blog before next week so that we can give you some feedback before next class.

Next week we will be working with the Fashion Design class on a collaborative project. Bring your cameras, cards, and fully-charged batteries and don't be late!

On to this week's homework:

1. Post 5 images from the crit that you feel are your best or most successful
2. If you weren't in class, post the 20 images you would have shown and please bring them with you to class next week--we'll take a look at them as a group then.
3. Post one new image from your series that responds to the feedback you received in class.
4. If you weren't in class, keep working on your images and be sure to leave comments on your classmate's work.
5. Look at the How-To section of the blog to find a couple articles about fashion photography. please read these before next class.

That's it for now! As always, please be in touch with any questions, and see you next week!

Week 4 Wrap-Up

Olivia Bee, Untitled

Hi Everybody!

I hope you are having fantastic weekend!

This week we continued to work with manual exposure and refining our metering skills while shooting at the Oculus in lower Manhattan.

Keep track of any questions or difficulties that come up while working this way and bring them with you to class or feel free to email me.

Now on to this week's homework:

— Complete and post any homework you may have missed.
--We revisited our manual exposure assignments from last week. Please post three stranger portraits from this weekend.

Don't forget to include your exposure (ISO, shutter speed, aperture) for each. 

--Next week is our first crit. For next class, bring 20 images from your series. During class, we will have a little time to separate the 20 images into a folder with your name. We will have a very little bit of time at the start of class if you need a little help getting your images sorted, but please come as prepared as possible.

-If you won't be in class next week, post your ten images to the class blog by FRIDAY night at the latest.

Also, for those that need it, my email address is dyerj at gmail dot com.

That's it for now! Contact me if you have any questions about your series or next week's class.

Week 3 Wrap-Up

Hiroshi Sugimoto, Union City Drive-In, 1993

Hi Everybody!

I hope you are having fantastic weekend!

We covered a lot this week--thanks for being up for the challenge!

This week we concentrated on manual exposure and refining our metering skills. If you aren't already, please shoot in full manual mode for the rest of the semester. It may feel clunky now, but I promise that it will get much faster and feel more intuitive very quickly, as long as you put in the time now.

We will revisit manual exposure throughout the semester, so don't worry if it feels a little unclear right now.

Keep track of any questions or difficulties that come up while working this way and bring them with you to class.

Now on to this week's homework:

-If you haven't already, post last week's assignment to the blog.

-Please shoot and post the following images, shot entirely in manual mode:

1. Maximum depth of field (as much in focus as possible)

2. Minimum depth of field (as little in focus, besides your subject, as possible)

3. Blurred Motion

4. Frozen Motion

5. Formal Portrait of a stranger

6. Candid Portrait of a stranger

7. Long Exposure at Night

If possible, please include your exposure (ISO, shutter speed, aperture) for each. If you aren't sure how to find this info, I will show you in more detail next week--we can always add this info to your post later.

That's it for now! Contact me if you have any questions.

Week 2 Wrap-Up

W. Eugene Smith, Dance of the Flaming Coke, 1955

Hi Everybody,

It was great to meet you all finally! This is going to be a great semester.

We covered a lot today--thanks for your attention and patience.

Now,  on to this week's homework:

1- Shoot and post a photograph of something "invisible". How you interpret this is entirely open and up to you. 

2- Shoot an example of each of the compositional rules we discussed. The pictures can be something you shoot at home. It can be multiple subjects or as simple as one set up ( a still life on your desk, for example) shot 10 different ways utilizing each rule of composition (one photograph for each rule). Post it to the blog, with the rule labeled beneath.

Here is the breakdown:

• 1. Rule of Thirds
• 2. Balancing Elements
• 3. Leading Lines
• 4. Viewpoint
• 5. Background
• 6. Symmetry & Pattern
• 7. Depth
• 8. Framing
• 9. Cropping/Get Closer
• 10. Experiment. 

Be sure to caption each photo so we know which technique you are using. Please post these images as a single blog post.

3- If you haven't already, please bring your lab fee with you next week. Scholars, this has already been taken care of.

4- Start shooting for your semester series. Be sure to pick up your camera and shoot something--anything--every day. If you aren't sure what your theme may be or where to start, just start shooting and pay attention to what catches your eye or gets you excited.

Get used to taking your camera with you everyday. Don’t self-edit right now—just shoot as much as possible.

5- Complete the survey, found here.

That's it for now--as always, please be sure to email me if you have any questions or if anything is unclear.

Week 1 Wrap-Up

Eliott Erwitt. 'Felix, Gladys and Rover' New York City, 1974

Hey Everybody!

I hope you all had a great first class! I'm looking forward to meeting everyone in person next week.

You should be all set to post to the blog. I've posted a tutorial on the blog to show you how to make a post and upload videos, just in case you run in to trouble. If you have any problems logging in or uploading images, let me know.

On to this week's homework. I know it may sound like a lot, but please give it your best effort:

1- Choose a photograph that has meaning for you--it could be a photograph that you like or something that you've shot yourself in the past. Please write a quick paragraph to tell us why you chose this image and to introduce yourself.

2- Complete the survey, found here.

3- Begin shooting as much as possible over the coming week. I recommend taking some time ever day to "wander" someplace new or unfamiliar. Pay attention to the things and moments that interest you and photograph them with intention.

4- Get used to taking your camera with you everyday. Don’t self-edit right now—just shoot as much as possible. 

5- Read through your camera's manual. If you don't have your manual, you may be able to find it online here:

http://camera.manualsonline.com/manuals/device/digital_camera.html

That’s it! If you have any difficulty accessing the blog, or if you just have any questions about the supply list or anything that we covered in the syllabus today (or if there is anything in particular you'd like to make sure we cover), please let me know.

I’m looking forward to next week!

Welcome to Parsons Pre-College Academy Digital Photography Spring 2020!

Helen Levitt, New York, 1978

Welcome to Parsons Pre-College Academy Digital Photography Spring 2020!

This is the class blog which will serve as the central information hub for homework assignments, helpful tutorials, daily class outlines, reading materials/downloads, and more. You will be referencing the site daily and will post your homework and all final projects here.

To start, please click on this link to fill out a short survey.

Looking forward to a great Spring session!

Week 10 Wrap-Up

Sally Mann, from At Twelve

Hi Everybody,

Wow, it's hard to believe that we're almost done!

Thanks for a fantastic final crit and for all the hard work you put in this semester--it really shows in your prints.

This coming Saturday there is NO CLASS. Stay home, sleep in, enjoy the sunshine and get ready for our final exhibition which is...

December 7th!! We will be meeting in our normal classroom. Be on time, since we won't be staying there very long. Feel free to bring any snacks or refreshments you'd like to have during the exhibition. I'll be bringing a few little things myself.

The exhibition is open to friends and family from 12:00 to 1:00, Room TBA.
On to this week's homework!:

1-You will be turning in all of your final work next class on a DVD or USB drive which you will not be getting back. If you don't turn it in next class, you won't receive credit for the semester.

Your DVD/USB Drive needs to have the following:
-1 folder containing your final series photographs (20 minimum)
-1 folder containing all of the homework assignments
* Make sure your USB drive or folders are labelled with your FIRST and LAST name *

I want the highest quality files that you have. This means that I want PSDs or TIFs with the layers intact if you worked in Photoshop. If you worked only in Camera Raw or Lightroom, I want the XMP or DNG files as well. If you aren't sure what I mean by this, please contact me.

2- Before next class, post your full series to the blog. Label the post with your name. The blog will be projected during the exhibition.

3- Send me the latest revision of your Artist Statements THIS WEEKEND.  I will be in touch re: the final draft of your artist statements later this weekend.

That's all for now! Please be in touch with ANY questions you have ASAP--next class is it!

Final Exhibition & Portfolio Details

Mike Brodie, from the series A Period of Juvenile Prosperity

Here is a break down of what is due over the next few weeks and how to turn it in:

Due 11/23 (this coming Saturday!):

• 20 new images from your series for in-class critique (our final!)
• 2nd draft of your artist statement
• A self-portrait
• Your 13 best images for the exhibition:
• Can be any 13 images from this semester, as long as they are part of your series.
• 10 images will be printed 11x17", 3 will be printed much larger. Be sure to indicate which 3 should be printed big.
• Should be highest-quality versions of these images, ideally saved as processed TIFs.
• Will turn in at start of class. I will save them to my hard drive.

If I don't have these by the end of next class, you will not be included in the exhibition.

Due by 12/7 (last day of class!):

• A USB drive or DVD labelled with your first and last name, containing the following:
• A folder containing the 20+ final images of your series. 
• Should be highest-quality versions of these images, ideally saved as processed TIFs
• A folder containing all of your homework assignments, separated by week. 
• These should be your original files or processed TIFs, and not images you copied off the blog.

If I don't have these by the end of class you will not receive credit for the semester.

The final USB can be turned in next class if you have everything ready early.

Week 9 Wrap-Up

László Moholy-Nagy: The Olly and Dolly sisters, around 1925

I can't believe next class is our final critique!

This week we had an open lab session to work on our final edits for the exhibition.

Here is what you need to have with you for next class:

For the critique:

-20 new images from your series. If possible, please have these separated into their own folder before you come to class

For the exhibition:

-13 images from your series (choose your best 13--10 will be printed 11x17", 3 will be printed much larger. Be sure to let me know which 3 are for the large prints), highest quality version possible (if you've done any image processing in Camera Raw, Lightroom, Photoshop, or any other photo editing software, make sure you give me the edited file)
-Your self portrait

-Final draft of your artist statement 

If you do not give me these by the end of class* YOU WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE EXHIBITION. My only opportunity to print will be right after class on Saturday.

*If you will miss class for some reason, I will need you to send me your files and statement. CONTACT ME FIRST--your files will be too big to email and I will give you instructions on how to get them to me.

That's it! Your homework for the week is the following:

-Send me the latest draft of your artist statement, before the end of this weekend.
-Get everything prepped and separated for next class.
-Keep shooting, and please get in touch with any questions.

 If you would like feedback on an edit for the show or on any specific images, either email me or upload them to the blog.

See you next week!

Week 8 Wrap-Up

Jon Henry, Nefertit from the series “Stranger Fruit.”

Hi everybody!

Thanks for a great second critique!

Next week will be an open lab session, so be sure to bring EVERYTHING with you to class. We will use this time to work on organizing your final series and making initial selections for the final exhibition.

On to this week's homework:

Due by end of day Sunday, November 10th:

• If you haven't already, shoot and post your Aperture Foundation response photograph.
• Send me a preliminary artist Statement, roughly 1 paragraph. Keep in mind this is a first draft and isn't expected to be perfect or anywhere near resolved.

Due before next week's class:

• Keep shooting for your series!
• This is your absolute last chance to post any homework you may have missed.
• Post your 20 images for the 2nd critique (even especially if you weren't in class)
• Start working on your self-portrait for the exhibition. As a reminder, how you interpret "self portrait" is wide open.

Our next class will be an open session to prepare your files for the exhibition and for turning in the final. Please bring ALL of your files with you. 

Please be in touch with any questions at all—we are getting down to the wire!

That's all for now. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Week 7 Wrap-Up

Aida Muluneh, Strength in Honor, 2016

Hi Everyone,

Today, we visited the Aperture Foundation to view the exhibition The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion. We also discussed their internship program (more info here!).

Next week is our second critique. You will be showing 20 new images related to your series. We will have some time at the start of class to organize images and to take a closer look at Camera raw and Photoshop. Please be sure to bring all of your files (as well as a hard drive or USB drive).

On to this week's homework:

• Firstly (and most importantly), concentrate on shooting for your project and next week's critique.
• Secondly, use this week to complete and post any homework assignments you may have missed. I will be getting in touch before next class with a short midterm review. If you have any questions about the homework, or aren't sure of how to complete an assignment related to a class you may have missed, email me and we'll sort it out. Not sure if you missed an assignment? Click on the homework tab to see all of the weekly assignments or click on your label to se everything you've posted.
• Finally, choose one image from the Aperture exhibition and create a response image. How you interpret this is up tp you, but you might choose to: recreate the subject or pose, use the same or a similar technique, create an image that responds to or engages with a photo for the exhibition, just to name a few ideas. Be sure to post the photograph you are referencing as well.

That's all for this week. Please let me know if you have any questions, and see you next Saturday!

Week 6 Wrap-Up

E. Buguet, Psychic Levitating a Chair

Hi Everybody!

I hope you all had a great week. Scholars, I hope that the portfolio review was fantastic. I'm looking forward to hearing about it.

It's hard to believe that we are at the halfway point already! I will be checking in and sending out midterm reviews in the next few days, so please keep an eye out for that.

On to this weeks homework:

Photography has a history of "proving" (or disproving) the mysterious, the pseudoscientific, and the fantastic--everything from bigfoot sightings to ghosts, psychic phenomena to flying saucers and everything in-between. With the Halloween season upon us, I'd like you to create and post a photograph that documents or captures whatever "strange phenomena" you'd like. Try to make it as convincing as possible. We'll take a look at everyone's photo at the start of class next week.

Next week, we will be taking a field trip, so please be on time, come with your cameras charged and Metrocard fare ready.

In the meantime, please be in touch with any questions!

Week 5 Wrap-Up

Hi Everybody!

Our first crit went great! You all did great job and I can't wait to see what you do next.

Next week those who weren't in class may have a chance to share their work--please come prepared.

For those who weren't here, post 20 images from your series to the blog before next week.

We will also be taking a field trip next week--please come with a metro card with at least two rides on it, and be sure to pack lightly (camera, notebook, writing utensil). Don't be late!

On to this week's homework:

1. Post the images that you showed in class to the blog. If you weren't in class, post the 20 images you would have shown and please bring them with you to class next week--we'll take a look at them as a group then.
2. Post one new image from your series that responds to the feedback you received in class.
3. If you weren't in class, keep working on your images and be sure to leave comments on your classmate's work.

That's it for now! As always, please be in touch with any questions, and see you next week!

Week 4 Wrap-Up

Olivia Bee, Untitled

Hi Everybody!

I hope you are having fantastic weekend!

This week we continued to work with manual exposure and refining our metering skills while shooting in DUMBO at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Keep track of any questions or difficulties that come up while working this way and bring them with you to class or feel free to email me.

Now on to this week's homework:

--We revisited our manual exposure assignments from last week with an emphasis on Street Photography. Please post one image for each of the following (in a "Street Photography" style:

• Frozen Motion
• Blurred Motion
• Shallow Depth of Field
• Deep Depth of Field
• Best portrait of a stranger from today's class
• Best candid portrait of a stranger from today's class
• Long exposure at night

Don't forget to include your exposure (ISO, shutter speed, aperture) for each. 

--Next week is our first crit. For next class, bring 20 images from your series. During class, we will have time to separate the 20 images into a folder with your name. We will have a very little bit of time at the start of class if you need a little help getting your images sorted, but please come as prepared as possible.

-If you won't be in class next week, post your ten images to the class blog by FRIDAY night at the latest.

Also, for those that need it, my email address is dyerj at gmail dot com.

That's it for now! Contact me if you have any questions about your series or next week's class.