CS 39J - Session 2

Notes by Fayzan Gowani

February 2^nd, 2008

I. Logistics…

a. Uploading pictures online for viewing

ii. Log in using cs39j class account form the sheet handed out in class

iii. Use the browser to search for and upload your picture files

b. The account forms handed out are for logging into the computers in 199 Cory

i. Mac computers have CS3 Photoshop

ii. Windows computers have an older version of Photoshop

c. Darkroom use:

i. E-mail Janet Delaney in Wurster Hall for account in darkroom for a semester fee

d. Photo supplies and resources

i. The Looking Glass on Telegraph and Oregon, near Ashby.

ii. Ziba's or The Photo Shop in Shattuck Square

1. For digital prints

2. Has limited store hours

1. For digital prints, shop fast

e. Nathan's e-mail address:

II. Photography! - Think photography when talking a photo

a. What is manipulation vs. What is really there

i. Documentation vs. Manipulation

b. Colors

i. Keeping colors constant over different types of media is complex

1. Almost unnatural, vivid colors are becoming popular in photo prints

2. There is slight controversy over the manipulation and tweaking of colors to make more vivid effects

ii. Every film used has a different color response to reproduction, like our eyes

iii. Slide film makes photos somewhat more vivid

c. Steps in photography

i. There are two steps in taking a picture

1. The taking of the photo

2. The final printing, processing

ii. Programs like Photoshop has made the second part easier, the processing, but we should focus on the beginning first

d. First assignment

i. Take 2 shots

1. The first should be taken without much thought, just a point – and – shoot shot of an object or scene

2. The second shot should be taken with thought

Make the picture interesting using light, aperture, setting, angles, background, objects, shutter speed, exposure, composition, etc.

ii. Write a few words as to what you changed and how the second shot is different

Example: Edward Weston took unique shots of green peppers by manipulating the lighting, background, etc