The Less Seen Side of Mahopac

Holga Project

The Holga is a cheap, plastic camera that is produced in China.  It is the stepsister of the Diana Camera which was used extensively by photographers in the 1970’s . Poor quality control, a plastic lens and light leaks are the hallmarks of these cameras.

After the Crash, Manny Boccini 

Given their shortcomings, “toy cameras” can take some evocative imagery. The image is usually sharper in the center and quickly goes out of focus in the corners of the square image. Sometimes the corners are darker as well, creating a vignette effect. 

Saugerties Lighthouse

The grity, semi-focused look is perfect for our next assignment, The "Less Seen" side of Mahopac. Look for the junk, old cars, run-down buildings etc. This isn't about the lake front homes and tidy shops, it's about the dark underbelly of Mahopac. Look for dumpsters, old pallets, loading docks. There is alot out there if you start to look!

Process:

Shooting a Holga is extremely easy, but you must follow these basic steps. I'll load it and tape it for light leaks. You will take 3 exposures and pass the camera on to the next person in your group. (4 people)

1.  Try to shoot in Bright Sunshine or Cloudy Bright situations.
2. Guess the focus distance and turn the focus ring to the appropriate icon.
3. 3. Set the aperture to the Sun (F11) or Partial Sun(F8) setting.
4.  Frame your image.
5. Hold the camera steady and press the shutter release. Do not shake, the shutter speed is only 1/60 of a second.
6. Your group will develop it's film. (I’ll load the 120mm film for you.)
7. Make an 8x8" enlargement. 
8. Dry mount your image.

Focus Ring estimated distances.

• Head and Shoulders: about 4-5 feet.
• 3 People holding hands: about 9 feet.
• 7 People: about 18 feet.
• Mountain: 30 feet to infinity.

Sunset or Sunrise?

Some of the best lighting for photographs is the period at sunrise and sunset. The golden glow and side lighting seems to make everything look more beautiful. 

The Assignment - Take photographs of sunsets or sunrises.

1. Find out the time for sunset or sunrise. 
2. Pre-select the location you plan on taking your photo. 
3. Arrive 15 minutes before sunrise or sunset and start snapping photos. Take plenty, because the sky will continue to change over a very short period of time.
4. Select the best image and post it. Write a short description about of  the location and the time you made the photograph.
5. Create a custom border effect for your image. (Photoshop)

This is a shot I took just before sunset on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. As time passed the colors continued to change. Make sure you shoot more than just the sky. The trees in the foreground "frame" the canyon behind and add perspective. Below is the same image with a border effect added.

Letter Project

This is an observation project. We "Look" at the world around us but don't often "See" the interesting detail. This assignment will force you to see the everyday and mundane in a different light.

1. You may choose a word that represents a strong emotion like "love". You may use your own name, but the letters should be representative of who you are.
2. It is possible to construct letters out of objects if you desire. (Notice that the letters in the word create are made up of art materials). 
3. Using a digital camera, take photographs of the "letters" that make up your word. Each photo should be recognizable as a particular letter.
4. A cell phone camera is satisfactory if the resolution is high enough.
5. The images will need to be scaled in Photoshop. Determine size based on the number of letters in the word. (3x3 inches is typical) Make sure the "constrain proportion" button is selected when scaling.
6. Dry mount the letters on matte board. Place in the press for 20 seconds. (Longer will melt the image)

Due Date: 5/9/14

Due Dates

Formal Portrait Project is Due 4/24/14 This is a Quarter 3 Grade, please finish first!!!

Line is Due:  5/2/18

Snow, Ice or Water is Due:  5/2/18

Auto Parts (Digital Assignment

Car Parts?

The automobile is ubiquitous part of the American society. Cars are everywhere and we rely on them for our livelihood. There is a real attachment to cars in our culture. High School students take the day off to take their "road test", and earning a license is a rite of passage to adulthood.

We love them, but do we really take a close look at them. We know when we see a car we like, but our perception is of the whole, not the many individual parts that make a "car". Look at your car (or family car) closely. Photograph it from different perspectives. Look for unusual detail. What about the engine compartment? The wheel covers? Even the undercarriage! Don't forget to get close with your "macro" capability.

The assignment
Make a series of 5 images that explore your car from many points of view. Write a short paragraph explaining why you picked this car. Tell me how cars and driving are important to your life.

Due Date: 5/2/14

Example

My father was in the automobile leasing industry for years. He always came home with different cars. I grew up thinking of cars as appliances, we called them vehicles. Function was more important than Form. My Scion XB is a reflection of that attitude. It's dumb ugly, but functional. It's an appliance, like a refrigerator.  I select cars for what they can do, not how they look. This car can seat 4 comfortably, get 30 plus miles to the gallon and was inexpensive. PERFECT but UGLY!

Scion XB Engine Compartment

Scion XB Battery

Scion XB Speedo

Scion XB Shocks

Scannergram Self Portrait and Copier Arts

Copier Arts are a new media that was created with the advent of Xerox machines and printers. Originally an artist would use copy machines to degrade and manipulate original artwork to create different effects. With the advent of scanners and photo manipulation software, copier art can be taken to a high level.

A scanner can take photographs of small three dimensional objects.



Even ugly art teachers.

We will create a Scannergram Self Portrait that incorporates a photo of ourselves, and 4 scanned ojects that reflect our persona. Additional photos and your name may be added. Here is my example. I was having a "bad" day.

Don't run with the scissors!

Post your "Scannergram" to your blog and write a brief description of your concept. Why did you choose particular objects? How do they represent you?

My example:

My self portrait is my attempt at self depreciating humor. You can't imagine the number of times I've warned kids to be careful with a scissor or x-acto knife. My family (my two kids) are the "glue" that keeps me together when I'm having a bad day. The "scissor" glasses represent how I see the world through the creation of art.

This project should be posted to your blog by 3/14/14.

3D Photography

3D Photography

Most of us have had the opportunity to watch a movie in 3D. Perhaps you had the opportunity to take a 3D thrill ride at Bush Gardens. Some people play 3D video games. Long before 3D movies, photographers made stereo pairs with special cameras with two lens. These "pairs" were viewed with a special Stereoscope. 

We will be making basic 3D images called "Anaglyphs". 

In order to view our images we must make 3D glasses. Here is an unusual example:

Mr. Boccini 3D Glasses.

Assignment


Using "chip board" and acrylic paint make a "custom" pair of Stereo Glasses.

• Be creative, anything from super hero's to cartoon characters make good glasses.
• Make sure to use the template so the spacing between the eyes is correct.
• Think about adding three dimensional elements. (ie. hair made of yarn)
• If you need something special, ask! You never know what kind of junk I have collected.
• The glasses may be attached to a dowel or be worn in the traditional manner. (stems over the ears)
• Consider working with other people to create a theme. (ie the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs.
• Blog a picture of you wearing your glasses.
• Blog your Anaglyph.

School Lunch

School Lunch, you love it or hate it. Bag lunch or cafeteria food? Are your friends in your lunch period? Is it crowded? Show me how you see "school lunch". (minimum 2 photographs.)

Recently a lot of people are talking about school lunch. Mrs. Obama's Hunger-Free Kids Act has limited high school lunches to 850 calories.

• Do you feel that school lunch is adequate? Are you hungry? Do you supplement your lunch by buying another lunch? Buying chips from the machine?
• What kinds of foods would you like the food service to add to their menu? (Sushi?)
• Is lunch too long? Would 20 minutes be long enough? 
• Do you study or work on homework during lunch?
• Would you skip lunch if you could leave school 42 minutes early?
• Do you use the school Wifi during lunch?
• Would you like to seek large screen TV's in the lunchroom. What kinds of programs whould you like to watch?

Write a paragraph describing your views on school lunch.

I took a few minutes out of my "lunch duty" to take a closer look at school lunch. I push the garbage can around and encourage the kids to recycle. Occasionally I come upon something like this.....YUK!

Ketchup Art?

Look at the lunch room in a different way. Try different points of views! There is a lot going on there!



The "regular" UNO game.

Photoshop Filter Project

Assignment

1. Duplicate your colorized pinhole image 25-30 times on a 8.5x11" Photoshop document.
2. Manipulate each small image with a different "Filter" effect. 
3. Center on the page.
4. Save as a jpeg file and post to your blog.
5. Add the caption: Photoshop Filter Project.

Photoshop Filter Project

Colorize a Pinhole Image

Assignment

Scan either your Pinhole Self Portrait or Pinhole Close-up. Using the same technique we used on our digital restoration, add color to your image. Post it to your blog. 

Here is one of my pinhole images. Another art teacher had a bag of old toy baby parts which I used as my subject. Creepy!

Colorized Pinhole Photo

Close-up Pinhole Photos

One of the greatest qualities of a pinhole camera is it's unlimited depth of field. Everything from very far away to close up is in relative focus. This opens up all kinds of possibilities for close up work.

Because our cameras were created out of cardboard cylinders, you will notice a lot of distortion in the images. I think it adds a special twist to the images. Click on the images to see them a bit larger.

 Nicole Seit

 Marissa Burke

Gabrielle Cantamessa

Abigail Bunyea,

 Emily Trotta

Katherine Dorovitsine

Dylan Bellofatto

Student Pinhole Camera Sculptures

This years classes were extremely creative when it came to decorating their pinhole cameras. Here are just a couple of examples. I hope to post examples of student work on a regular basis. Keep checking in!

Cheers,

Mr. B

Samantha Valdes

Denise Tenenpaguay

Lauren Czerniewski 

Ashley Bass 

Burke, Marissa

Elena Rossi

Mary Galente 

Shannon Browne

First Digital Assignment

Hi Photography 6 and 8,

Today you will start the digital component of your class. Each of you have created a "Photo" blog where you can post your digital assignments. I will view, comment and grade your work. You may also add comments and criticism to the photos of your classmates as well. (be respectful)

Your first assignment is Money! 

Yes it's an open ended subject, but thats the whole idea. I want you to think about a creative visual solution to this topic. Closeups, money being passed, banks, some serious "bling". You get the idea. Here is my shot. I desaturated it in Photoshop and increased the contrast to give it more impact.

Write a short paragraph about your concept.

"My photograph explores the concept of being "blinded" by wealth and prestige. Some value money above all things....but you can't take it with you. The ancient Greeks buried their dead with coins on their eyes, a toll payed to be carried over the river Styx. Are we paying too high a toll in this world. Do we amass wealth at the expense of things of higher value. There is so much value in the simple act of living.

Your digital camera should have a closeup feature. Explore how close you can get and still get a focused image. Read your camera manual for more information on this feature. Each camera is different.

Read  Macro Shots, What is that Flower Icon? to get some ideas on the use of the "Macro" feature.

Copyright Infringement

Do a Google image search and you'll find hundreds of great images. The first instinct is to think that these photos and graphics are in the public domain and can be used freely. WRONG!! Copyright infringement  is illegal and can bring heavy monetary penalties to those who violate them.

Any image on your blog must be your own work!

 

Roni Loren, a teenage romance writer, learned the hard way what can happen when you violate copyright law.  Read Blogger Beware: You CAN Get Sued For Using Photos You Don't Own on Your Blog. 

I reserve the right to request your original file. If you can't produce it, you will be given a zero for that assignment. Do the right thing, shoot and post your own work.

All the best,

Mr. B

Developing your First Roll of B&W Film

Preparing Chemicals

The Chemistry should be at about 68 Degrees. 

Pour the chemistry into pitchers and place them in front of each labeled bottle.  This ensures you don’t accidentally use the wrong solution.

1. Film Developer.  Mix  ILFOSOL 3 concentrate at 1 to 9.  You will need at least 30 oz. of developer, or 3 oz. of concentrate to 27oz. of water.  Mix with paddle.  This is a one shot developer and is disposed of after use. (In large container).
2. Stop Bath – Premixed by teacher.  Check the color.  Yellow is Ok.  A violet color means the stop bath is exhausted.
3. Film Fixer – Premixed by teacher.  Place one drop of Fix-a-sure into the fixer.  If a white cloud develops and remains the fixer is exhausted.
4. Photo-flo – Mix 40 oz. of water with one cap full of Photo-flo.

Go over the Processing Steps before beginning!

Developing

Fill the tank with developer, then start the timer. Bang the tank against the edge of the sink a few times to dislodge any air bubbles (this is especially important if you're using a large tank). Agitate the tank for 10 seconds every minute by rocking the tank back and forth.

Develop for 7:30 minutes.

When the development time is finished, pour the developer in the large plastic tank.

Stop Bath/Wash

Pour stop bath into the tank. Agitate constantly for about 10 seconds.Let sit for 25 more seconds.  Return the stop bath to the bottle.

Fix

Pour fixer into the tank, and set the timer for 5 minutes. Agitate the tank 10 seconds every minute.  When the fix time is finished, return the fix to the bottle. 

Wash
Remove the lid of the tank, and place the reel into the film washer. Wash for 5 minutes. Make sure the water is reaching the top and then emptying. (Sometimes it sticks and you must knock the side of the washer).

Photo-Flo
Place reel in photo-flo.  Agitate for 20 seconds. Squeegee film.

Drying
Hang the film to dry.  Clips are under the sink.  Use a weighted clip at the bottom of the roll.  Normally, a roll of film will take about three hours to air dry completely. 

Important: always handle wet film by its edges only! Fingerprints and dust on the film during drying are very difficult if not impossible to remove later.

Remember, Dust is the Enemy!

Digital Restoration

Digital Photo Restoration

The early photographs taken during the American  Civil War were often made on glass plates. This image of General Sheridan was borrowed from the American Memory Collection for my students to practice with. Photoshop has a host of tools that allow the photographer to rejuvenate old or damaged images.

The Healing Brush Tool is extremely useful for correcting small imperfections like wrinkles or acne.

The Clone Stamp Tool allows for the creation of "patches" where whole sections of the photograph are missing.

Un-restored Image of General Sheridan

Restored Image

Sepia

Sepia

You may remember the horrible smell that chemical sepia toning created in our room. Photoshop allows you to accomplish the same task in a few seconds.

How to do it:

1. Duplicate your restored image and name it Sepia.
2. Image/Adjustments/Hue/Saturation
3. Click on the "Colorize" button and use the following settings. That's it!

Sheridan in Color

Colorizing

Before the invention of color photography, the only way to get a color photograph was by hand tinting. This artistic process had the photographer paint with transparent oil color paint over the photograph. The resulting images had a soft but pleasing look. (Nothing like today's vibrant color.)

Colorizing with Photoshop is easy in concept. You use the paintbrush tool (with a low opacity) to cover areas in color. The application of color in  a realistic manner requires some skill and patience. Large areas can be selected and filled globally using Edit/Fill.

Vignette

Vignetting is the reduction of an images brightness or saturation at it's edge.  Sometimes vignetting is the result of poor optics (toy cameras). Often it is used to draw attention to the main subject. (As in a portrait).

How to do it: 

Selection Tools

1. Make an elliptical selection with the Elliptical Marquee Tool. 
2. Inverse the selection.
3. Select/Modify/Feather. 15 (or more) pixels.
4. Fill the selection with white.

Vignette