Spring 2019 -- That's It!

William Wegman, Camofleur, 1992

It's hard to believe the semester is over!

Thanks again everyone for such a great class. Today's exhibition looked incredible -- you should be proud of all your hard work.

I can't wait to see what you do next. Please keep in touch!

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 is our final exhibition! We will be meeting in our normal classroom. Be on time, since we won't be staying there vey 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-I will be in touch re: the late 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 two weeks and how to turn it in:

Due 4/6 (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 20 best images for the exhibition:
• Can be any 20 images from this semester, as long as they are part of your series.
• 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 4/13 (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. Please have these separated into their own folder before you come to class

For the exhibition:

-20 images from your series (choose your best 20), 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, once you have received feedback to your first draft.
-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!

Artist Statements: Helpful Resources

Pierre Louis Pierson, Portrait of Comtesse de Castiglone, c. 1863/66

Feeling stumped about how to write your artist statement? Here are some helpful resources:

• How to Write the Perfect Artists Statement
• On Statements
• How to Write About Your Photographs

Trying to Write an Artist Statement...

Week 8 Wrap-Up

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

Hi everybody!

Thanks for a great second critique!

Don't forget that due to Spring Break we do not have class next Saturday.
Class will resume March 30th, which will be our last in-class work session, so be sure to bring all of your project photos with you.

For those of you who were't in class this week, please post your 20 images before the end of the weekend. This will give your classmates a chance to give you some feedback that you can put to use over the holiday.

When we return in two weeks, be sure to bring your 2nd critique images so we can share feedback with you formally. Come prepared since we will jump right in at the start of class.

For those who were in class, post the 20 images you shoed during class and be sure to leave comments on your classmate's posts.

On to this week's homework, which we're keeping light due to Spring Break:

• 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)
• Submit the first draft of your artist statement. I will post some resources to the blog (found by clicking the How-To tab along the top) that will help get you started. Keep in mind this is a first draft and isn't expected to be perfect or anywhere near resolved.
• 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. For those of you who were absent, we will go over image processing with Camera Raw and introductory Photoshop.

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 holiday!

Week 7 Wrap-Up

Aida Muluneh, Strength in Honor, 2016

Hi Everyone,

Today, we explored narrative and constructed photography and experimented with collaborating in small group projects.

Please take a look at Ebba and Chloe's collaboration, posted on the blog, and leave a comment!

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:

This week, instead of a new homework assignment, you will have a chance to catch your breath.

• 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. If it's not posted before next class, it will be marked as incomplete. 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.

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

Week 6 Wrap-Up

Freedom From Want, Hank Willis Thomas and Emily Shur

Hi Everyone!

Today we visited the International Center of Photography and discussed photojournalism, documentary work, contemporary photography and civic engagement while looking at the work of the For Freedoms Collective in the exhibition Where Do We Go From Here?
We also looked at portraiture from across the entire history of photography in the exhibition Your Mirror.

On to this week's homework:

• Continue working on your series. Our next critique is only two weeks away!
• Create and post a photograph inspired by either exhibition we saw today. This can be any image, and how you interpret your response is wide open and entirely up to you. This can be through composition, format, style, subject matter, or it can just be responding to a theme or other element. Be sure to list which image you are responding to.
• IF YOU WERE NOT IN CLASS: Please look at the web pages for both exhibitions, as well as the For Freedoms website (all are linked above) and choose one image for the assignment above (you can see additional images from each exhibition in the "Light Box" link on each exhibition's home page).
• Complete and post any missed homework ASAP.

I know a number of you (scholars, I'm looking at you!) will be absent next week, due to a special event. Be sure to check back here for any updates and for next week's assignment. Don't forget to post this week!

That's all for today--see you soon!

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 10 images from your series to the blog before next week.

We will also be taking a field trip to a museum to see a photo exhibition--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 10 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.
4. Please leave feedback for Ebba on her 1st critique post.

Over the course of the weekend, i will be posting links to other artists that I mentioned during class. Please take a look!

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 High Line and the Chelsea Market.

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:

-Please complete the manual exposure worksheet that we worked on in class and post the following:

• Best portrait of a stranger from today's class
• Best candid portrait of a stranger from today's class
• Long exposure at night
• 1 subject (your choice), 3 photos—correctly exposed, 1 stop overexposed, 1 stop underexposed

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. Before class, separate the ten images into a folder with your name. Please use jpg or tifs, not the raw files (they take a long time to open). 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.
I will be in the classroom early, so you are welcome to come early if it's helpful to you.

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

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

More Info about Exposure

Stuart Palley, Terra Flama I

Hi Everyone!

Today, we began looking at (and working with) Manual Exposure. If you missed class (or would just like a refresher), here are a couple of helpful articles about exposure for your reference:

• The Ultimate Beginner's Introduction to Exposure
• A Comprehensive Beginner's Guide to Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO
• Perfect Exposure Every Time: A Guide to Metering in the Viewfinder

Please be in touch if you have any additional questions!

Week 3 Wrap-Up

Hiroshi Sugimoto, Union City Drive-In, 1993

Hi Everybody!

I hope you are having fantastic weekend!

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.

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. Portrait of a stranger

6. Self Portrait

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.

Rules of Composition

In case you'd like a refresher, here is a short overview of the 10 "rules" of composition:
http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules

Week 2 Wrap-Up

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

Hi Everybody,

I hope you've had a chance to warm up--thanks again for braving the cold!

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

Now,  on to this week's homework:

1- Post a photo you shot during today's class. Be sure to label which compositional technique(s) you utilized. 

2- Shoot an example of each of the compositional rules we discussed. The pictures can be from ouor 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.

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!

Thanks for a great first class! I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone does this semester. 

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 videos, let me know ASAP so I can help you sort it out.

On to this week’s homework:

1- If you haven't already, post the portrait you shot in class of your classmate. be sure to label the post with their name.

2- Before our next class, post a photo to the class blog. This can be anything—one of your own pictures, a photo you like. Introduce yourself to use in this post.

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

4-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

5- Take a photograph of something invisible and post it to the blog. How you interpret this is entirely up to you.

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!

How to Post to the Blog

Hi everybody!

Welcome!

Here is a short video about how to make a blog post:

Here is another on how to upload a photo to the blog:

You cannot upload a raw file, so you will need to upload using the .jpg file from your camera. If you post your images to the web already using Flickr or another online service, you can link that image directly.

Just a reminder that your first post must be made before our next class this coming Saturday, so if you are running into any trouble, let me know right away!

Welcome to Parsons Digital Photography Spring 2019!

Emily Shur and Hank Willis Thomas, Freedom of Speech, 2018

Welcome to Parsons Digital Photography Spring 2019!

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

Looking forward to a great Spring session!