Curves

Previously we learned how to adjust and improve the overall tonal contrast of an image with Levels using the Levels adjustment layer.

The levels tool is good for adjusting the shadows and highlights of a picture, but it is limited in its ability to adjust the mid-tones in a picture. There is only one slider for the gray tones in the levels tool.

When we use Curves we have the ability to adjust many different tones of gray in our image.

Please watch the video below to learn how to locate and use the Curves adjustment layer.

Using Curves in Photoshop

CURVES ASSIGNMENT

Using Curves Adjustment layers, create 3 three variations of an image you have taken.

First crop and De-Saturate the image.

Then make 1 layer a moderate "S" curve. This will give you an evenly toned picture with a moderate range of contrast.

Next make a second layer where you have moved the white and dark gray tone to black.

Next make a third layer where you have moved the black and dark gray tone to white.

Save screen shots of the curves window by one of these 2 ways:
1. use the Snipping tool to capture and paste the Curves window into your post
2. Holding down the alt-print screen key and pasting the image into paint. Do this for each of the Curves variations you make. 

Your Blog post should look like the following:

S Curve

White tones to Black

Black tones to White

Post City Scenes and Architectural Details from the trip to the square

Download, Edit, and Post the Ozark Square Pictures from the field trip.

Crop, De-saturate and adjust Levels to get the best possible  image. 

Your pictures should include 3 examples each of:

3 City Scenes
3 Architectural Details - either Close ups or Textures

Pick one of the pictures above and write a thorough critique in a new blog post

If you have good shots of any of the following then you should post them also
Shadows
People - Environmental portraits
Animals
Plants or Nature

Cropping Images using the Rule of Thirds

There are many times, in fact most times, when you will want to Crop a picture you take. to crop means to cut out the areas of a picture you do not want. it is used to help create a definite focal point, or point of interest, and can also be used to adjust your picture so that it complies with the Rule of Thirds.

Tools used:

Image Size

Crop Tool

I will give a demonstration of these tools in class, and you can find a detailed tutorial at the site below:

Photoshop Essentails  - Cropping Images in Photoshop CS6

Your task today is to sellect 3 photos you have taken and crop them according to the Rule of Thirds. The final image should be at atspecific aspect ratio.

AP Images Critique

Today you will choose a photo from AP Images to critique. Follow the example below to do your critique.


1. Use the Snipping tool to upload the photo to your blog.

2. Add the link from the AP site to your blog.

3. Paste the description of the photo from the AP site to your blog.
Description: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men pray ahead of the Jewish New Year at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray in Jerusalem's old city, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. Israelis happily welcomed the Jewish New Year late Wednesday despite uncertainty and turmoil brewing on both its northern and southern borders. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

4. Answer the following:

• Who was the photographer?
• What country and city was the photo taken in?
• What event was photographed?
• Describe the event that was photographed.
• Why is the event newsworthy? Why is it important to us?

5. Write a Critique. Use the Critique Guide in the link above.

Photographer Research

Today you will create your first photographer research post. 

Please click the Photographer Research link above for detailed instructions.

Perspective

Today we will talk about Perspective. 

When taking pictures, don't just shoot at Eye level. Take a look at the examples at the site below.

http://digital-photography-school.com/perspective-photography-dont-just-stand-move-feet/

Capture 2 Images of each of the following perspectives and Post them to your blog:

Birds eye Perspective

Bugs eye

Eye Level

Horizontal

Vertical

Diagonal

Combination of 2 of the various perspectives.

In your post briefly describe how each picture fulfills the required perspective.

Rule of Thirds

Today you will take pictures using the Rule of Thirds. You will need to post 3-5 examples of the Rule of Thirds to your blog. For each example write an explanation of how the rule of thirds was used in each picture.

The rule of thirds is probably the most often referenced photography rule of composition.  It is all about subject placement within the frame.

Imagine that your picture space is divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically, like a tic tac toe grid.

The photography rule of thirds tells us to align our subject with one of the points where those lines cross. That means our subject is one third of the way “into” the picture space – from either the top or bottom, and from either the left or right. And that means it’s not in the middle.



Here is an example of the rule of thirds for a landscape photo. The focus is on the land area rather than the sky so the bottom two-thirds of the photograph are filled with land and the top third is sky.

Here are additional links explaining and demonstrating the Rule of thirds.
http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds
http://learnprophotography.com/rule-of-thirds
http://www.ultimate-photo-tips.com/photography-rule-of-thirds.html
http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/rule-of-thirds