Evoke emotion using the colour red - Critique - Edmonton Photography School

The second topic for critique was selected by the second year students.  This is the first time that the second year students were the judges in critique class.  The images were graded by each of the students, and their mark was derived from the average of the results.

It was interesting to see the variations in the marks and feedback from 18 different individuals.  It is a testament to how much art is subjective.  It was also an exercise for the second year students to practice constructive criticism, and evaluating other individual's work.  Something that is more difficult than many might expect.

This week's topic was to "Evoke emotion using the colour red".  There were many images that centred around the themes of passion, leading to a few racier images.  However, many of the more successful images had a blood component in them.

Below are the 6 images that received the highest marks as chosen by the Second Year NAIT Photographic Technology students.

Sara Watson

 Janine Esplin

 Christophe Benard

 Charissa Kennedy

 Riane Lutz

Penny Vanderheyden

What I Feel - Critique

A new semester, a new critique class.

The first year students have moved into the second semester.  They have 4 months of education behind them and a whole bunch of knowledge to apply to their new work.

This semester of Critique class now features some guest critique judges.  These judges volunteer their valuable time to evaluate the images, and then come in and give feedback to the image makers.

There are 11 guest judges and topics this semester, and the first one was Con Tanasiuk of Genesis Studio.  The topic that he selected is as follows:

Most of us have a good idea of how to use our heads ( reason), to make a good photo.

I would argue a great photo is more.

Its often intuitive as well as reason based.

Trust yourself; let go and see what happens.

Your focus: "what I feel"

Some of the top images that were selected by Con are below.  Which images are your favourite?

- Shaun

Amber Cleasby

Christophe Benard

Charissa Kennedy

Courtney Bergen

Riane Lutz

Tanya Hiltz

Megan Kruse

It is all in "Post" with CaptureOne Pro

Continuing with their knowledge and understanding of PhaseOne gear and the CaptureOne Pro software we look at what tools are available in post to make adjustments to the files before they are processed out so we are not decimating the pixels. CaptureOne Pro is a world leader with it's processing software and ability to accept RAW files from all platforms. In class we take a look not only at the regular adjustments that we typically make before processing out files but also some of the advanced features as well. These include custom color editor, conversion to black and white, correcting for moire, vignetting, lens cast calibration etc. I like to test their understanding of the concepts with assignments. In this particular instance the assignment consisted of two parts:

(1) Capture an image that purposely had the White Balance incorrectly set. Process out two files - a"before" image showing the file uncorrected for color and an "after" image with color correction.

(2) Capture an image (free creative licence to shoot whatever came to mind) and process out the file as "normal" (before). Then using any of the advanced features of CaptureOne Pro software adjust the file however you like (after). Process it out and show both before and after side by side.

The marking was assessed not only in their ability to use the software but as always also in the creative, execution of idea and the final result.

Medium Format?

I have had the opportunity this term to introduce the second years to capturing using medium format gear. As a professional photographer there are many reasons why I shoot medium format with my PhaseOne equipment. I like to bring this experience to the classroom so that they all have a chance to at least understand the basics of medium format capture and the quality of the files that it creates. I go through and demonstrate how to use the camera system, PhaseOne digital back, shooting tethered and use of the CaptureOne Pro software for processing. I then turn the tables on them and break them into groups of 4 to 5 and have them shoot this assignment tethered using the PhaseOne system. The creative is left up to them and they are given 1 1/2 hours to collectively work together to light and capture their idea. Once again a real world scenario working under a tight time constraint. It was interesting to see the final results and variation in ideas amongst the four groups. I was pleased with the final results and the opportunity they had to capture an idea using medium format PhaseOne gear.

Who turned on the lights!

We are almost at the end of the term now and the students have handed in their second last assignment "High Key" for PHT 350. We explored what classifies an image as High Key and how to go about creating it. Fundamentally it is defined by lighter tones, lower ratios and softer light. This may seem easy but is not always easily achieved - getting a clean high key image with contrast and clean tones takes practice and experience. I am proud to say that my students have a good start on creating "High Key" images.

And last but not least "Gravity"

So our first years have survived their first term of Critique and have handed in their last themed critique "Gravity". Each of us, as visual artists, have our own creative thoughts on a theme or idea so I am always interested to see their interpretation versus mine. Sometimes we are close other times we are not - that is why our world and work is so subjective. How would you interpret "Gravity" as a theme?

For the first time ever instructors had to also submit a photo that we had taken to fit with the each critique theme. Students were glad to see this as it shows we can walk what we talk. I think that it will become a new tradition within the program.

PHT 125 CRITIQUE: "Shopkeepers"

Shopkeepers proved to be a lesson in working with people who are not models, who do not understand that a photograph can be more than a snapshot and, in some cases, are very reluctant subjects.
However, many assignments in photography involve photographing people who are not comfortable nor skilled before the camera.  In wedding and portrait photography the subjects are likely to be unpracticed; there is the executive in commercial photography who will grant you five minutes; in photojournalism and editorial work those you are sent to photograph are not in the spotlight because of their posing skills.
In doing this assignment some of the naivete of the novice photographer was lost. And, as usual, in spite of their lack of experience and the reluctance of the subjects, some students managed portraits of their shopkeeper that are quite revealing.

                                                                  Charissa Kennedy

                                                                         Kelsey Somers

Key is everything

This is one of the more favoured student portrait assignments of the term. They are all gaining more confidence in their lighting and starting to develope their own shooting style. In this instance students get to show off their skills creating a "low-key" portrait. Creative was wide open for their own interpretation. The only criteria were: darker tones, higher ratios and a crisper light source. It is always interesting to view the range of interpretations for this assignment.

Two is better than one

So our second years are well on their way this term learning the basics of Portraiture. Every two weeks they are assigned a new topic based on materials presented and demonstrated in class. Most recently they completed their "Couples" assignment. The assignment had to be captured using natural light only - no supplement with artificial light. They were quite pleased with this as it meant there was no hauling of lighting gear and having to worry about the technical aspects of combing artificial with ambient light - wahoo!

Architecturally Speaking and Multiculturism Critiques

As many of you know our 1^st Years participate in a course called PHT 125 Critique. Each week they have to submit images that prescribe to a predetermined theme. It pushes them to creatively capture an image that they feel supports the theme. Interpretation of course is two-fold; student and the instructor marking. The marking instructor(s) provides feedback the week after submission. I am pleased to say that the classes are active and lively with dialogue from both sides. The last two weeks “Architecturally Speaking” and “Multiculturism” have been marked and critiqued – enjoy!

Architecturally Speaking

Multiculturism