Centre
for Filipinos (Hammersmith) - Photo Project
Course programme
Week 1 - 2nd March
- Look at photos and discuss effects of different angles, and especially,
lighting.
- Introduction to SLR camera and studio lighting equipment
- Practical exercise – portraits. (In pairs, take portraits
of each other, using the techniques discussed - different depths of field,
shutter speeds,
angles, lighting, to try to create different moods and impressions of the subject.)
- Tutor to produce prints in time for next week.
Week 2 - 9th March
- Feedback –discussing last week’s pictures. What worked, what
didn't, and why?
- Composition – Using examples, look at how a photographer builds
up a visual language, and keeps – or breaks – the rules of composition.
- Practical exercise – outside shots in the park near
CF, using the elements of composition discussed earlier. Take notes on each
shot - settings
used, etc. Interesting to see how people approach same subject matter in different
ways.
- Tutor to produce prints and contact sheets for next week.
Week 3 - 16th March
- Trip to Kew Gardens. Use the techniques and ideas learned
so far to record
the visit in pictures – try to move away from convention (smiling group
shots and pictures of flowers!).
- Discuss last week’s pictures – what worked and
why? Recognise
faults in exposure, and understand causes.
- The Photo Essay – Look at documentary photo-essays and
discuss
how photographers build up an idea through a series of pictures.
- Each person to select a theme for own photo essay, to be completed by
next week.
- Tutor to produce contact sheets from Kew Gardens pictures, in time for
next week.
Week 4 - 23rd March
- Using contact sheets and negs from weeks 2 and 3, learn how to assess
a negative and select shots from a contact sheet. Learn how to recognise and
remedy faults.
- Each person to select a negative and learn how to make a basic print.
Learn to recognise and remedy faults in printing.
Week 5
- 6th April
- Develop and print films from the photo essay, using all techniques learnt
so far.
- Learn about effects of different types of paper, especially contrast
grades.
- Learn advanced darkroom techniques – dodging and burning,
manipulating
contrast, etc.
Week 6 - 27th April
- Quiz (2 teams) to check what we have learned so far.
- Learn more advanced camera techniques – use of filters
for black and white film, correct exposure in difficult lighting conditions,
etc.
- Photos and Writing. Look at ways of using photos to illustrate
a piece
of creative writing; and using photos (your own or someone else’s) to inspire
writing.
- Exhibition – write captions and accompanying text for
some of the
pictures we will show.
- Discuss display methods, plan exhibition. Could produce a group piece,
individual booklets, collage or joiners as well as straight prints.
Week 7 - 11th May
Darkroom 3 – print the final shots for exhibition, using all the techniques
learned so far.
Week 8 - 18th May
- Mount and caption the pictures for exhibition; put exhibition up.
March
- May 2003
