Rule Of Thirds Field Mission

Hello Students,

Your new assignment is a field mission utilizing the rule of thirds. Details are below.

Rule Of Thirds Field Mission:

Create 10 Photographs using the rule of thirds. You must properly compose, expose and capture pictures of the following subjects:

Subject Specifications:

1. A person facing the camera, portrait closeup
2. 2 people framed in the camera
3. A group of 3 or more people
4. A closeup image of someones hand/hands doing something (drawing, digging, making)
5. A still life of found objects
6. A landscape view
7. A tree, flower or other natural element
8. An architectural element
9. Something shiny and new
10. Something old and decayed

Assignment Specifications:

• Shoot at least 10 images of each subject to obtain the best composition, exposure and quality. Post the best version of each.
• You may shoot with any mode as long as your image is exposed correctly.
• Using Photoshop, crop your photos appropriately if you need to.
• Choose 3 of your best images and overlay a rule of thirds grid on top. Use the line tool or pencil tool to draw the simple grid. Screenshot and add your EXIF data of each final image to confirm manual mode.

To See A Rule Of Thirds Grid in Photoshop:

1. View > Show > Grid
2. Go to Photoshop > Preferences > Guides, Grids and Slices
3. Set: Gridline to 33.3333 Percent
4. Set: Subdivisions to 1
5. This will show the grid, you will need to "draw" the grid on your image is with the line/pencil/brush tool and use as color that will show up against your image with good contrast.
6. Save an alternate version of your file so you have 3 examples with and without the R.O.T. grid.

Student Work Examples:

Have fun! - Mr.W

Invisible Camera Self Portrait

Hello Students,
Your next photo challenge is to replicate the effect in the photo below. The concept is to create a self portrait, taken in a mirror, where the camera is hidden through photoshop trickery. I loved this technique so much that years ago I emailed Josh Dunlop and asked his permission to use his photo below and challenge my students to replicate his method, fortunately for us he loved the idea.

This high performing student example shows good technical skill and attention paid to lighting and exposure

Assignment:
Check out his image below... how do you think it was created? Follow this link and try to replicate the process. With some additional searching you can find more resources on the steps required to replicate the effect.

Tips:

• Follow the steps on the expert photography website to create your own invisible camera self portrait
• Take a few practice shots against the mirror to make sure you are exposed properly and in focus
• Lock down focus/white balance/iso/shutter speed so your shots can be blended together in photoshop
• Think about how you can use creative photography methods to make your own "hidden camera portrait" unique...  think about color, setting, attire, extras (other people), mood, lighting, color or b&w, image enhancement, etc...
• Read and study the methods used, if your first attempts aren't successful, try again...

Photo by Josh Dunlop at ExpertPhotography.com

Have fun!

 - Mr.W