SIAST Applied Photography

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

PHOT 205 ~ Compositing and Collage

This project is much more than a simple montage, collage or adding a person to a group. Students make a deliberate effort here to demonstrate a multitude of technical and design skills, used in unison to composite a comprehensive rendering of contemporary creative photography. Where the assignment is a portrait, each of the subjects and the background have been photographed separately. The completed project must have the lighting, composition and emotion of a professional studio or location group photograph. When the project choice is illustration or conceptual, the same considerations apply. You are looking to create something that is both technically well done and has all the Wow Factor you are capable of delivering. Students should consider the creation of each element to be used as though each is a project on its own. This is one of those assignments where it is expected that you push your boundaries forward.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

PHOT 207 ~ Promotional Materials

When you consider creating promotional items to showcase your images there are many things to consider. You have to think about the images, the font you will use, your contact information, legibility and how all of this will look when it is assembled.

The creation of memorable promotional items is dependant on producing something that will be remembered by viewers. Your creations should be appealing to the intended audience. Appeal is created by providing clarity. This is perhaps the most important aspect of creating promotional materials. Always keep in mind that someone who likes the promo items you distribute has the potential to become a client. People who aren’t attracted to your promotional pieces may not consider your new emerging business when they need a photographer.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

PHOT 205 ~ High Dynamic Range

Reproducing the full range of tones or brightness values seen by the human eye is one of the most fundamental challenges in photography. Capture, display and print technologies are all limited when we compare them to the ability of the human eye to see a full range of tones. While it was impossible (even with dodging and burning) to do so before, we can now exceed the range of brightness that the human eye can view at one time. However, when dealing with high dynamic range images and HDR software and techniques, it’s important to remember there are simpler methods that may perform equally as well.

Friday, March 4, 2011

PHOT 215 ~ Studio/Client Dynamics

In recognition of the March 21st International Day for the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination, the It’s About Community group has partnered with the Applied Photography program and SIAST's English as a Second Language program to create this project.

The photographers are all second year students who, as part of this studio portrait assignment, integrated business practices with creativity in working with their clients to create both memorable and cherished images.

The ESL students you see here have agreed to share some of their journey to SIAST. As you can see, they come from all over the world, and even though transition to another country and language is difficult, all are willing to make new lives for themselves in Canada, their adopted homeland.

Monday, February 28, 2011

PHOT 210 ~ Advertising Image Design and Lighting

In this course, students explore the need for effective advertising images and learn how they are more than product illustrations. They discover the storytelling differences between formal advertisements and illustrative photography. Illustrations must make a visual statement. Advertising images are expected to showcase a product or service in an appealing or exciting manner. With all of the conceptual, lighting and production tools at their disposal, they create motivating and well-composed images for advertising and illustrative use.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

PHOT 210 ~ Illustrative Image Design and Lighting

Two dimensional design is a visual language. Like any language, it is meant as a form of communication. There are many parts to the language of design. How you organize the parts of your design will convey something about you and how you perceive the world. A very strong design may even make the viewer feel as you have felt.

As a designer you are translating your perception of a three dimensional world into a flat medium measured in only length and width. The basic requirements for two dimensional design are a flat surface and some kind of contrast. The design materials may take the form of a line or shape, or a particular colour, value or texture. These five elements are called the elements of design.

Within the composition of a photographic image, the elements of design are arranged according to principles of organization which incorporate two opposing concepts: harmony and variety. Harmony brings together diverse parts to unify the design. Variety adds contrasts to bring interest to the design. Rhythm and repetition add to the harmony of a design while contrasting elements and elaboration of detail add variety.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

PHOT 212 ~ Environmental and Group Portraiture

The impact and success of a studio portrait is often the combined result of lighting, composition, body language, lens choice, camera angle, clothing, colour, texture, and a bit of luck. With a little experience, and a few portrait techniques under your belt, your luck will improve dramatically. There are many approaches to posing and lighting in portrait-making that can help you develop your own photographic style over time. Ultimately, these are the things that can make your work unique.

Monday, February 7, 2011

PHOT 209 ~ Lighting Techniques for Advertising

Almost anyone can take a good picture at some time. But true professionals can make good photographs day in and day out, under ideal or adverse conditions. Most importantly, a great image has to have soul. This comes when you love your work, because how you feel about your work ultimately show through. You must be willing to spend the time to master your craft, and in the end, develop a distinctive but versatile style in order to succeed.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

PHOT 212 ~ Portraiture Techniques

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

PHOT 209 ~ Product Lighting

Small product photography is simply one form of still life photography. Although it can also involve human models, three-dimensional objects are typically photographed in a setting designed especially for the featured items. The techniques find application in advertising, publication and instructional media, and challenge photographers' technical competence as well as their eye for design.

In product photography, controlled lighting is an integral tool used by photographers to direct and mold the viewers response to their images. The techniques developed here are based completely on attempts to control the informational and emotional effects of the light presented. Technique, however, is merely a tool and not the end result. The key to the effective use of lighting technique is the understanding of visual communications as successfully portrayed to the viewer. This incorporates content as well as emotional appeal.