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

Out of Class Assignment - Environmental Portrait

An Environmental Portrait is a personal portrait the you take of someone "on location", or in a setting where they live, work, rest, or play.

According to the website digital-photography-school, environmental portraits:

• give context to the subject you’re photographing
• give points of interest to shots (something you need to watch as you don’t want to distract from your subject too much)
• help your subject relax
• often give the viewer of your shots real insight into the personality and lifestyle of your subject

Your assignment is to take a portrait of someone in thier environment. You can use any camera, and do not need to keep track of exposure settings. The main point is to be creative as you take the portrait.

Due Friday, October 31st.

Small Group Critique

Today we will prepare for our class critique. We'll be breaking up into small groups and each group will critique 3 or 4 classmates work.

Pick a photo to be critiqued.
Use the critique guide to give a thorough critique of the image.
post it in the comments section of the students blog.

Repeat for each person your group is assigned to look at.

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 Ruld 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. Desaturate them and apply Levels.

Crop them according to:
Rule of Thirds - Constrained 
Rule of Thirds - Unconstrained

Upload the Original picture also.

AP Images Photo Critique

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

I chose a photo of the Jewish new year.

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)

Identify 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 nesworthy? Why is it important to us?

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