Photo Caption

C Her Jump. In dance class, sophomore Aubrey Siller practices her C jump to help perfect her dance routine. The class, taught by Mrs. Flores, learned the basics of this jump to include in one of their dances. "I really enjoy learning these new dances and jumps because it helps with my balance and memorization," Siller said. Photo by Gracie Pitner.

Last Few Tips

--Movie it From the Middle: This is also known as rule of thirds, which I have previously mentioned, but it's just really important so we learned it again! Basically, you just put the focus of your picture towards either the left or right side instead of directly in the middle.
--Watch the Light: This is very important because shadows can ruin a good picture. Around dusk or early in the morning are good times of day instead of noon or mid-afternoon, which is when the sun is at its brightest.
--Be a Picture Director: This can be a fun one because u basically get to boss people around! Just make sure that the way people are grouped together for a big picture is interesting instead of just a straight line.
--Know your Flashes Range: If you try to take a picture with flash but you're too far away, then the flash won't work.
--Know your flash's range: This one can be pretty easy because all you have to do is look in your owner's manual and see how far the flash on your camera can go. If it doesn't say, then test it out by taking pictures from different distances with the flash on.

Black and White Plus One

  This week in class we've been learning how to edit pictures on photoshop so that most of it is black and white, but one color stands out. First, you have to make sure there are two of the same picture (one on top of the other). You can do this by dragging the background layer into the new layer box. Then, you have to take all the color and saturation out of the picture and erase through the black and white to get to the parts of color that you want to show. Here is an example:

Next Few tips

   So we learned some more photography tips today which include filling the frame, locking the focus, and taking vertical pictures instead of just the usual horizontal ones.

-Filling the frame: When taking a picture to fill the frame, move in closer. Your feet are your best zoom so walk closer to the subject and then use the zoom on your camera. Something else that helps the pictures look better is setting your camera onto macro.
-Lock the focus: There are a few steps to lock the focus; center the subject, press the shutter button down half way, re-frame the picture (but still hold the shutter button), and finally press down the shutter all the way to take the picture.
-Take vertical pictures: Taking vertical pictures will give you a new angle, which can help with the focus of your picture and it is also good for architecture type photos.

Top Ten Tips

   Today, we started learning about composition tips to help make photographs better:

This is an example of a picture on eye level.

1. Level- Get down on the level of your subject. This will create better focus on the main point of the picture, an they don't have to be looking directly at the camera. 

This is an example of a picture with a plain background.

2. Background-Use a plain background. If you have a plain background instead of a busy one, then the focus of your picture will be on the subject instead of what's going on behind it. Before taking a picture, make sure you look to see what will be in the background so you can reposition yourself if you don't think it will work for your picture.

This is an example of using flash outdoors. 

3. Flash- Use a fill flash outdoors. Many people think flash is just for indoors, but it can be used outside too. The flash should be used under three conditions; if theres a shadow, backlight, and if the flash will reach if you're standing within 10-15 feet of your subject. It will help to lighten dark shadows especially if there is backlight or the sun is directly overhead. 

Photowalk

   I went on a photo-walk the other day (walked around my school taking pictures of thins that caught my eye) and took some pictures from around the school using new techniques. that we learned in class. On my first picture I used the technique of leading lines, which is when real or implied lines lead the viewers' eyes through the photos. The line of the red chairs and of their shadows make the viewer jeep looking down the aisle.

My next picture uses leading lines as well but also has framing. The metal bars on the side highlight the walkway and they lead the eyes through the picture.

My last photo again has leading lines, but it is taken from worm's eye point of view, which is a picture that is angled up.
  We learned other techniques as well. For example:
--The Rule of Thirds which states that the main person or elements in the photo are on the focal points which are a little to the left, right, up, or down. However, they're not directly in the middle.
--Bird's Eye point of view which is a picture taken from up high.
--Appropriate focus is when the subject of the photo is in focus but distracting objects in the bckground are not.

9/11

   I really like this picture because it shows the firemen, tired and scared and worried, putting up the American flag to stand above all the debris and show that we are still a united nation no matter what. It's an emotional picture to me because I think it is a very patriotic picture.

   I think the coverage for the 10 year anniversary was appropriate since it was such a huge and emotional event. There were plenty of shows on T.V. to watch about the tragedy, which is good and bad. I think it's a good thing so that way no one forgets and we can all stay together. However, all of the news coverage and television shows can be a little overwhelming sometimes and brings back strong memories for those who were affected by this horrible event. I actually didn't happen to watch many shows about this, but I saw plenty of advertisements for them.

  I was only five years old when 9/11 happened so I don't really remember much. I just recollect everyone being in panic and worried, which I didn't understand. However, as I got older I started to realize why it was such a big deal. I understand now and will never forget that day. 

   The media often shows images to the public about 9/11 which some people don't think should be shown. It's a very controversial topic on what should be viewed and what shouldn't be. For example, many civilians jumped from the towers to their death below, which I don't think should be filmed. I think it's disrespectful to those people and to their families.

3 New Things

Today we had a slideshow in my photo-j class and learned some new things about photojournalism that I didn't know. The first was that the literal meaning of photography is to draw with light and that there is actually a lot of technical and lighting features that go into each picture. Next, we should follow the rule of thirds which states that the main person or elements in the photo are focus points and shouldn't be completely centered and instead should be slightly to the left or right. Lastly, I learned that photojournalism is about being timely, objective, and narrative.

My First Blog

This is my first blog for my photojournalism class. I will be updating it weekly, about once or twice a week. My first assignment was to make an "all about me collage".