Las Vegas Document - First week prep
Week One: the Classroom
Introduction to the class: What to expect each week out on location.
We will explore Las Vegas through the lens of your camera. We will go on group shoots to iconic locations of Vegas. You will post to our Facebook group.
Please do not ask me if you can bring friends, family children, boyfriends, girlfriends on shoots. In this is a class you have a responsibility to shoot and explore. Bringing along non-photographers you will lose your focus and will do poorly when shooting. Never go off on your own, always photograph with someone from the class. We will break off and shoot in small groups. Everyone will have my mobile #, you must come to the first class to get the mobile #.
1) Show up to class on time. Be prepared to make images. Camera, media card, charged batteries, comfy shoes, hat, water.
2) Stay the entire class time 10am - 1:50pm. This class is about making images.
3) Download the images to your hard drive.
Place them in a folder labeled LVD2023
Then make a folder for each week. Label with the week, class date and location.
Example: W2_1-19-2023_Fremont
4) Make your image selections for the week. You will turn in 10 images a week in Canvas (no Watermark) and upload your work to the Flickr group (include watermark).
5) All images must be Edited/processed
a) Save your master file.
b) Duplicate your master file and save it.
c) Size your saved image not your master file. You might want to create an action if using Photoshop. (no images below 3000 pixels longest side)
d) Add your watermark to your images.
- In The end you should have your master file, a layered PSD file and your sized, watermarked, jpg file, And your jpg with no watermark for Canvas - Your final project/Canvas submissions should not have a watermark, only images you put up on Flickr/social media.
7) Before 8AM Tuesday upload your ten images to Canvas and Flickr.
8) Comment on each of your classmates photographs each week.
Prep work to be completed before class, week two:
1) Submit the Who Are You through Canvas.
Please fill this out.
Do not send as an attachment - Send in the body of an email.
Please use line breaks when filing this out. Not a continuous stream of words.
This is a good guide if you have never thought about sending a professional email.
https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2015/04/16/advice-students-so-they-dont-sound-silly-emails-essay
Full Name (First and Last)
Best Email
Mobile Phone #
Favorite Photographer
Include a self-portrait
What photo classes/workshops have you taken?
What photo editing software do you use?
What camera and lenses do you use?
How long have you been photographing?
Do you have a website or blog? If yes include your URL.
Are you a photo major? (if no what is your major?)
What do you hope to get out of this class?
2) Flickr
a) Shoot a Self Portrait for your Flickr account. Use this portrait in your about page.
b) Make a Flickr account if you do not have one.
c) Follow me https://www.flickr.com/photos/heatherprotz/
-I will then follow you and invite you into the Las Vegas Document Group.
-Do this right away
-Make your page public.
4) Create a watermark, signature, logo for your images.
Include a watermark on all images going out on the internet, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
•On the image include copyright, year and name
©
– option “g” on a mac
– alt, 0,1, 6, 9 on a PC
Mine is simple, I also want mine to blend in but be readable. I have my name and the date. heatherPROTZ ©2019. look at my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/heather.protz
a) Be consistent in size and placement. Keep it small. Do not place over entire image. A corner is good.
b) You can create a logo or use one you already have.
You can continue to refine the WM throughout the semester.
(This is what I have been using)
Watermark 3
https://exchange.adobe.com/apps/cc/6507d650
https://creative.adobe.com/addons/products/12780#.VpsBKvF-d-I
Transparent Watermark
http://www.lynda.com/Photoshop-tutorials/Creating-transparent-logo-watermark/122999/137870-4.htm
- You can use Lightroom.
- You can create a signature brush for use in Photoshop.
https://phlearn.com/best-way-watermark-images-photoshop
- Create a Signature Brush
1) Grab a piece of plain white paper
.
2) Sign your name. (I like the thickness of a sharpie, but explore)
3) Photograph or scan the piece of paper (signature)
4) Download the file to your computer.
5) Open the file in Photoshop.
6) Crop to signature.
7) Cean up dust dirt etc.
8) Add a threshold adjustment layer to clean up signature and add contrast.
-If you don’t like the look, clean
up the file using traditional clone
or healing then use a curve or
levels to pop contrast.
9) Make a selection of your signature using the marque tool
.
10) Menu: Edit – Define Brush Preset
• Your selection is limited to 5000 pixels.
11) Grab the brush tool, go to brushes,
your new brush will be at the bottom
of the brush list.
Stamp your signature…
Remember you can change the size of your signature by sliding the master diameter slider in the brushes panel.
This one costs money.
http://mattk.com/a-new-way-to-add-your-signature-to-a-photo/
You have many options! Explore and find one that fits your workflow.
Things to Think About:
Size, too large, too small, just right?
Color: black, white, gray!
Placement: traditionally, bottom right side of image.
5) Make sure your Camera Metadata is correct. Time and Date. Add your copyright info in camera, if the option is available.
a) How to create a metadata template to quickly add meta data to your files)
http://helpx.adobe.com/bridge/using/metadata-adobe-bridge.html
Additional Info:
File Prep:
Facebook: Save as a .JPG, Quality 10
All Final images will be turned in Full Resolution with no Watermark.
(no work turned in should have a resolution below 3000 pixels on the longest side)
Be sure to save original sized edited files (your Master File) as well as your edited and sized files.
When saving your .jpg images using Photoshop, set the quality to 10 - This will be 1/2 the size of a file saved at 12 and yes, it will have the same quality. This info is from the Photoshop Gurus.
•You can run an action
to size your images
•All images must be cleaned up and color corrected before they go out on the internet or are turned in.
Naming of your files (last name)_(First Initial)_W?_.jpg
example
(Smith_M_w2.jpg)
(Smith_M_w8.jpg) etc.
Include your copyright info in the metadata.
Feel free to ask in person, or email me any questions about the class, or anything I can help you with.