CAMERA REQUIREMENT

It's no secret that cameras, especially DSLRs are expensive -- even on the low end -- so there is no requirement for this class to go out and buy a camera. You may use your phone's camera, but understand that it does not have the versatility or the functionality of a DSLR. For some assignments you will have an opportunity to use the school's camera, otherwise use your cell phone camera. I do recommend that you take all photos on portrait mode if you have an iPhone - the photos tend to have a little more depth and don't just come out looking like snapshots.

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If you do decide to purchase a camera, I would suggest either a Canon or a Nikon - these are two of the most well-respected camera companies in the world and they make a good product. Check for deals online at Amazon, as you  can usually get the camera body, a couple of lenses, a tripod, and other accessories for much cheaper than you would be able to purchase them at Best Buy or another big-box store.

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PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENT

All students in photography need to create a portfolio to showcase their work. If you have already taken Computer Applications and you have an electronic portfolio from that class, then you can add a page to your already existing pages. Otherwise, go to Wix and create a page - the directions can be found in the first week's assignments.

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Link to Wix

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Rosenke's Photography Portfolio

Bell Zhou's Portfolio

Henry Zhang's Portfolio

Mark Hou's Portfolio

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Fan Ho Collected Works

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Portfolio Assignments

• Week 1

  • Create a Wix account if you do not already have one; send the link to your front page to me

• Week 5

  • Create pages for portraits, storytelling, action, reflections, landscape, nature, angles, black and white, and creative

  • Add a standard menu to every page for navigation

  • Add your name in a stylized font to every page

• Week 9

  • Design an inviting front page (look at samples online)

    • your name (stylized font)

    • at least one photo (primary/hero photo)

    • a creative menu (not a standard Wix menu)

• Week 12

  • Add at least three photos each to your portraits, black and white, and angles pages

• Week 15

  • Add at least three photos each to your action, storytelling, and nature pages

• Week 17

  • Finish the last three pages (reflections, landscape, and creative)

  • Full portfolio will be graded - make any updates needed from previous markings

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DOWNLOADS

The industry standard for editing photos is Photoshop, but it's also a fairly expensive program. Buying Photoshop straight-up will cost in excess of $600. A monthly student subscription is going to run about $20/month, but it will also come with Lightroom and a couple of other programs. If you are thinking about doing some serious photography and editing, then I would encourage you to look into Photoshop.

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Link to Adobe Photoshop

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An older version of Photoshop is available for download at Techspot. Techspot is safe, but make sure you click on the correct download button to prevent adware downloads - sometimes companies create ads that look like download buttons to gain access to your computer.

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Link to Adobe CS2 on Techspot

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If you're looking for a program that will help you get through this class, but you don't necessarily want to spend any money for an editing program, then check out GIMP. GIMP is free shareware that is rated as safe to download (always check to see how safe a program is before downloading it to your computer).

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Link to GIMP

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A program that might be a good replacement for Lightroom (which allows you to fully develop RAW and JPEG photos) is RawTherapee. This is also free shareware that is rated as safe to download.

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Link to RawTherapee

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Link to Photoscape X (download)

Link to Pixlr E (online editor)

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CONTESTS

As a photography student, you will need to enter two photo contests at some point during the semester, one of them being the Balfour Great Shot Photo Contest. Most of these contests offer scholarships, monetary prizes, or camera equipment for winning submissions. We have had a student place second in a themed-category and a student who finished as an honorable mention in the contest. Placing in these contests is also a great item to put on a resume. Check out some of the contests that are available to enter below:

• National Geographic

• Rocky Mountain School of Photography

• Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

• Smithsonian Institute

• World Photography Organization

• National Young Arts Foundation

• Congressional Art Competition

• Travel Photographer of the Year

• JPG Magazine

• SOA Photo

• Popular Photo Magazine

• Talenthouse

• Florida Museum of Photographic Arts - Teen Council