B&W Background

One method of changing the background of a photo to black and white while leaving the center of interest in color:

Create a new adjustment layer >>> Hue/Saturation

Turn the saturation down to 0. This will produce an entirely greyscale image.

Now, select the adjustment layer, grab your eraser tool and erase away the portions of the layer you wish to be in color. Use a feathered brush to make the edges less hard.

Three other methods:

• a) Duplicate our layer and convert it to grayscale, then select the subject and remove it to let the color version show through.
• b) Carefully select then copy the subject, then convert the whole image to grayscale, then convert back to RGB, and paste the color subject back in, or,
• c) carefully Select the subject, then choose Select > Inverse and invert the selection to encompass the background, then use the Hue/Saturation feature to desaturate the whole backgroud to black and white.

Creating Blogs in Blogspot

Photojournalism students will begin creating blogs to be used for portfolios for their work.

Instructions: Go to blogspot.com. You will need a working email address to create a blog at blogspot.com.
Follow the instructions to begin signing up for and creating a Google account if you don't already have one, and then a blog at blogspot.com.

Name your URL address with your last name and  the word photoj. For example, duncanphotoj
The URL address for this account would be http://duncanphotoj.blogspot.com/

Once you have created the account, add a profile photo to your blog. Then you can begin adding new posts. Click new post, then click the photo icon to upload a photo. You can then title your photo and add a caption. You can also add interesting quotes and other information that will make your blog your own. As always, keep it clean.

If you comment on someone's site, remember to be positive. No obscenities allowed.

Creating Vignettes and Tinting Black and White Photos with Color

1. Take a photo, preferably a baby photo or old photo, and vignette the photo in Photoshop. Follow the link for instructions for a couple of different ways to make vignettes. Save the finished file in the VIGNETTES folder in the ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY  folder.

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_2272818_make-vignette-photoshop.html

2. Colorize a black and white photo in Photoshop. Follow the instructions in the link below. Save the finished fill in the COLORIZED folder in the ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY  folder.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2048806_hand-tint-photo-photoshop-cs2.html

Earth, Wind, Fire and Water Project

1. Take photos of representations of Earth, Wind, Fire and Water.
2. Retouch best 1-2 photos.
3.  Put those photos together in a PowerPoint document, and save that document into the correct folder in 2003-2007 format.
4. We will combine all the Powerpoints together.
5. This project is due Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011.

Resources

Go to Photoshop Cafe to find great Photoshop tutorials.
http://www.photoshopcafe.com/tut_photo.htm

Photographer’s Checklist for Event Photography

Preparation:

____    Do I know the date and time of the event so that I can arrive a few minutes early?

____    Do I know what types of shots are needed? (horizontal or vertical; action or reaction)

Do I have:

____ Camera that suits the occasion (action; class shots; group)

____ Correct lenses (telephoto or zoom for sports; normal for classes; wide angle for groups)

____  Flash (to freeze action; to light classrooms if available light isn’t enough; for groups taking indoors or fill-in-flash for outdoors)

____  A bag to protect equipment.

____  Fresh batteries for the camera and flash.

____  Compact flash card or other media to record photos.

____  A pass, letter of introduction, ticket or some other means to gain access to the event.

During the Event:

____    How can I move around to get different angles without disturbing people unnecessarily?

____    What will my close-up, middle and wide-angle shots be?

____    What is the direction and quality of the lighting? Can I take some available light shots, or do I need to use the flash?

____    Can I bounce the flash off the ceiling or wall to create better lighting? (not for gyms or outdoors)

____    How can I avoid people’s backs and get strong facial expressions?

____    Have I captured the mood of the event?

____    Do my photos tell the complete story of the event from all the stakeholders’ perspectives?

____    Do my photos have a strong center of interest?

____    Have I used leading lines, framing, interesting angles or textures and patterns to add depth and interest to my photos?

____    If the background is busy, did I use a shallow depth of field to blur it?

____    If the subject is moving, am I using a fast enough shutter speed to stop the action?

____    Did I take both vertical and horizontal shots?

____    Did I shoot enough shots to make sure I got the WOW ones?

After the Event:

____    Did I get all the equipment packed away?

____    Did I get digital pictures loaded on the server?

____    Did I return equipment to the publications room and sign it in?