Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Thurs./Fri Jan 30

1.  Rule of Thirds

What is the rule of thirds? The rule of thirds is a composition guideline that places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two thirds more open. While there are other forms of composition, the rule of thirds generally leads to compelling and well-composed shots. But, once you know this rule and practice it a bit, you can break the rule. When you get on to the computers, look up rule of thirds.

2. Review as a class, the link to 10 questions to ask yourself before taking a photo.  LINK: 10 QUESTIONS

NEW First Assignment on your phone: Headshots 5 photos of 5 different people. Also include a headshot of yourself in this album. Make sure headshots have a clean, non-distracting background

20 minutes to go out and shoot headshots  DO NOT DISRUPT OTHER CLASSES. 


Headshot Criteria

  • background clean
  • good eye contact with camera
  • edited head and shoulders
  • pleasing to the eye
  • in focus
  • speaks to subject's personality
  • all headshots should be consistent

These do not have to be uploaded today. If there is a student who does not have a phone have them partner with someone who does and take them on their phone.

If there is still time, students can begin brainstorming 20 things they would like to do/experience before they turn 25. They can put this into a word document and call it BUCKET LIST



Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Intro Writing/Photo 9

 Overview Photo/Writing 9: 

In this class you will learn much about how to see the world from a different perspective, how to use the digital SLR cameras, upload and organize photos and how to edit in Photoshop. This class will allow a fair bit of freedom, but with this freedom comes responsibility. Along with Photography you will be learning how to improve your creative writing skills by way of various exercises and assignments.

( Class Guidelines: to be discussed)

We need good photography for the yearbook. Students are encouraged to use their phones for taking photos as much as possible. School cameras will be available for student use in class and may be able to be signed out to take home with teacher permission. Techniques on how to use your phones/digital slr cameras will be taught in class. Students should carry their phone charge cords with them for uploading photos. 

Requirements for success in this course:

  • a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and push beyond the level you are at
  • your own cell phone and charger cables 
  • using class time effectively and a respect the freedom you have in this class
  • realizing the benefits of  taking photos outside of class occasionally
  • be a good model for your peer/help out others when you can
  • Keeping up with writing assignments and getting your work peer, parent or teacher edited
  • ALL COMPUTER KEYBOARDS AND MICE ARE TO BE WIPED AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS
  • SHOOT OUTSIDE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Core Competencies

  • Critical and Creative thinking
  • Self and Social Responsibility
  • Visual and written communication skills

Assessment: 

Students are at the beginning stages of learning a skill so taking lots of photos will be important for skill development. Assignments in Photo will focus on developing an eye for composition and learning how to take photos from different angles. Students will have various assignments focusing on specific skills and will be assessed by a portfolio of their work. In writing the same format will be in place. Writing is broken down into understanding character, setting, poetry and creative short assignments. I am a firm believer in process based teaching and assessments for the arts.


To set your Apple devices to take photos in JPEG/JPG instead of HEIC and to have the resolution be high:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Tap Camera
  3. Tap Formats
  4. Tap Most Compatible

1. Partner Interviews
  • create a folder under Chase 2024 on the MDrive
  • create a wriing folder on the ONEDRIVE
  • Open Adobe Photoshop and Photo Story and drag them to the desktop of your computer

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Mon June 10

 Final Slideshow Criteria

  • slideshow should have 30 photos (only 10 from before class, or assignment photos)
  • all photos are in focus
  • all photos have a focal point 
  • the slideshow includes a variety of different shots including: close-ups, macros, portraits, landscape, pet and people portraits, creative shots and spot colour
  • photos have been cropped and lightened as necessary
  • music works with the photos
  • photos do not move off the screen which means you have customized the motions and times the photos 3.5 seconds each
  • your name is on the front slide, and the slideshow id saved as a movie file WMV or MOV
  • do not email your video if it is done at home unless you use WE transfer which does not degrade the quality. Otherwise upload straight from your phone or use a jump drive from your home computer.
Due dates:
Mon June 17
Tues June 18

Friday June 21 is the final deadline for all work. If 

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

 Writing

  • Conflict
  • Photo poem ( poem should be about the photo)
  • 8 line poem ( one poetic device)
  • Choice poem ( min 8 line, one poetic device) OR thank- you letter
  • Total 40 marks: Hand in to Ms Chase for editing and also final pieces
Photo
  • 5 Spring shots 10 marks student folder
  • Red Dress 10 marks student folder
  • 10 Skate (focus on angles) 20 marks student folder
  • 10 Portraits 20 marks student folder: Friday June 7
  • Final video ( 30 shots, only 10 can be taken from assignments or before this class, should be a variety of different shots including: pets, nature, landscape, people, macros, headshots ect.) 30 marks student folder and group slideshow folder 
  • to be presented in class Mon/Tues June 16/17
  • Total 90 marks
FINAL TOTAL 130 marks
Final Deadline for all work is Thurs June 22

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Poetry Writing

 Poetry Assignment

8 line poem: You must write on a topic in poetic form, include a poetic device, and make sure it is edited by the teacher. (10 marks)

Theme poem: your poem should be on a theme, 8 lines or longer, include poetic devices, edited by the teacher. (10 marks)

poem topics to help you

poetry classics

cool short poems to read

Poetry has often reflected as a voice of time. Meaning, subject matter and language choices may change with everyday concerns in the current society’s expectations. 

Poetry that lasts through the transition of time still connects with the reader in some way. In poetry, poems are written in lines, and groupings of lines called stanzas.

Poetic Devices to use in your poems.

 Alliteration – words begin with the same letter: The wiggly wobbly wagon wheel
 Allusion – reference to something else outside of the subject of the poem: The open window alludes to the woman’s longing for freedom from her current situation.
  Imagery – descriptive, sensory words that create a mental picture.
  Metaphor – comparison between two unlike things without using like or as.
 Personification – attributing human qualities to animals or inanimate objects: The willow weeps    Repetition – a recurrence of elements to create unity
 Rhyme – same syllable or word sounds, often occurring at the end of lines of poetry. There is also the possibility of slant rhyme. This is when words do not truly rhyme but have a similar sound or appear to rhyme visually (bridge/grudge, orange/forage, said/paid).
 Rhythm – repetition of stressed and unstressed syllables which create a certain sound and pace.
 Simile – comparison between two objects using like, as, or than.
 Symbolism – using one object to suggest another meaning: A window might symbolize freedom, release, or opportunity.
  Theme – the dominant unifying idea in a poem


In all of the poems try to incorporate poetic devices to try to get your ideas across. Using words that help the reader see images is helpful as is creating a feeling or mood in your poem. Make sure you have something to say in your poem...meaning is most important. 
Poems should all be 8 lines or longer.

Sample poem, one of my favourites!

This Is Just To Say

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

 


NEW Writing Assignment: Photo Poem

Plan to take a photo that has some space around it, (or use one you already have) focus on a subject that you think you can write a short poem on. The poem should be a least 4 lines long. Focus your poem on meaning not rhyme. I really do not like poems that have no meaning and meaningless rhyme. 
Your poem needs to be about something.


Think about the concept of simplicity with regard to the poem and the photo. Make sure your text is large enough to read. Below are 3 poems I wrote from  photos to show you as an example. SIZE 8.5 wide x 11 PLEASE PRINT OUT to Library Colour printer and place in your folder.

All poems by L.Chase