Spotted yesterday, wearing a white-striped black t-shirt, a pair of glasses and a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera within the vicinity of Saint James Academy at the height of the annual Mini-Fair.
Warning: This guy is handsome and dangerous!
Pictures courtesy of Jerico Bonzon
My prof in Fotogra recently sent me and my classmates an email containing a copy of her course syllabus. Hardcore as it seems, I should expect that something like this would happen and it did. As I read the syllabus carefully, it says there about the different things the class is expected to do for the remaining weeks of our 14-week term.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
FOTOGRA introduces the concepts and the body of knowledge that forms the foundation for the professional practice of photography. This course lays the groundwork for a study and/or career in the field of photography and in the field of multi-media arts, wherein lessons learned in the classroom can be utilized. This introductory course is designed for students who have little or no knowledge of photography, but are willing to learn its concepts and theoretical foundations. These concepts are integrated with the other major subjects of the course.
Over the centuries from the time of its invention, Photography has served many purposes. From creating and capturing landscapes and portraits of people in the 19th century, to documenting and reporting every life, wars and other historical events, to being a potent tool of social reform; Photography has been widely used in fashion and advertising business. At the turn of the 21st century, with the advent of electronic media, the demand for photographic images for website development has widely increased.
Currently, there is a greater need for art students who wish to embark on future careers in multi-media art to learn how to crate photographic images. It is for this purpose that this course is offered as a basic requirement to higher courses in the study of and training in multi-media arts.
The course will focus mainly on the technical aspect of photography, which specifically includes control of exposure and depth of field, along with creative aspect of exploration into composition, stylistic approach, and the use of artificial and natural light, with the Single Lens Reflex (SLR) manual camera as the primary tool then later gradually into digital camera. Students are given research assignments and Lectures as foundational theories prior to actual indoor and outdoor photo shoots.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/VALUES:
At the end of the course, the students should be able to understand the basic principles of photography. They are also expected to produce film-based photographs showing proficiency in the proper and creative recording of images, the application of depth-of-field and the use of on-camera and studio lighting systems. And such knowledge should raise the level of the students’ sensitivity towards the environment, and propel them to see beyond the obvious and must relate this experience to the viewer of their photographic work.
COURSE CONTENT AND SCHEDULE:
Week 1
1. Orientation of course based on the Course Syllabus, Facilities and equipment orientation.
2. Lecture: INTRODUCTION
a. History of Photography,
b. Usage of Photography,
c. Types of Camera,
d. The SLR Camera System (Parts & Functions),
e. Film (Formats, ISO, Types),
f. Parallax error
3. Assignment:
Bring 1 roll 24 exp. Color negative ISO 100 film (any brand)
Week 2
1. Lecture: EXPOSURE AND METERING SYSTEM PROPERLY-EXPOSED PHOTOGRAPHS
a. The SLR metering system,
b. Incident and reflective Type of metering.
c. The over-exposed photograph, the under-exposed photograph, the properly exposed photograph
d. Bracketing your shots,
e. The hand-held light meter and 18% gray card.
2. Sunny 16 Rule.
3. Demo: Film Loading
4. Photo Shoot: The Properly-Exposed Photographs, Location: Within SDA bldg. only
5. Mission: To properly expose the 12-exposure ISO 100 film
6. Assignment:
Bring 1 roll 24-exposure ISO 100 color film
Submit Contact Print of Week 2 shoot
Week 3
Submission: Contact Print of Week 2 shoots
1. Lecture: APERTURE – DEEP DEPTH OF FIELD
a. The Aperture settings (Students to memorize sequence),
b. The Aperture Priority settings – Depth of Field (DOF) control
c. The application of photos with DEEP Depth of Field DOF
d. Factor affecting DOF.
e. The use of tripod.
f. Types of lenses. Different aesthetic use of lenses.
2. Photo Shoot: The Deep DOF Photograph, Location: Within SDA bldg. only
3. Mission: To properly expose the 24-exposure ISO 100 film showing deep DOF
4. Assignment:
Bring 1 roll 24-exposure ISO 100 color film
Submit Contact Print of Week 3 shoot
Week 4
Submission: Contact Print of Week 3 shoots
1. Lecture: APERTURE – SHALLOW DEPTH OF FIELD
a. The Aperture settings (Students to memorize sequence)
b. The Aperture Priority settings – Depth of Field control
c. The shallow DOF aperture settings, The use of tripod
d. The application of photos with shallow DOF
2. Photo Shoot: The Shallow DOF Photograph, Location: Within SDA bldg. only
3. Mission: To properly expose the 12-exposure ISO 100 film showing shallow DOF
4. Assignment:
Bring 1 roll 24-exposure ISO 100 color film
Submit Contact Print of Week 4 shoot
Week 5
Submission: Contact Print of Week 4 shoots
1. Lecture: SHUTTER SPEED – FREEZE-ACTION
a. The Shutter priority settings (Students to memorize sequence)
b. The Shutter Priority settings (Fast shutter)
c. The Freeze-Action shutter settings, The use of Tripod,
d. The application of freeze-action photos
2. Photo Shoot: The Freeze-Action Photograph, Location: Within SDA bldg. only
3. Mission: To properly expose the 12-exposure ISO 100 film showing the freeze-action photographs
4. Assignment:
Bring 1 roll 24-exposure ISO 100 color film
Submit Contact Print of Week 5 shoot
Week 6
Submission: Contact Print of Week 5 shoots
1. Lecture: SHUTTER SPEED – MOTION BLUR
a. The Shutter priority settings (Students to memorize sequence)
b. The Shutter Priority settings (Slow shutter)
c. The blurred-action (slow motion) shutter settings, The use of tripod
d. The application of blurred-action photos
2. Photo Shoot: The Blurred-Action Photograph (Motion blur), Location: Within SDA bldg. only
3. Mission: To properly expose the 12-exposure ISO100 film showing the motion—blurred photograph
4. Assignment:
Submit all Contact Prints from Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 shoots
Review and prepare for a writtern and practical Midterms exam
Week 7
1. MIDTERM EXAM (Written and Practical Exam)
2. FINAL SUBMISSION of Contact Prints from Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 shoots
3. Conceptualization of Theme for FINAL PORTFOLIO PROJECT (Approval of concept theme required)
4. Assignment:
Bring 1 roll 24-exposure ISO 100 color film
Submit final concept of Theme for FINALS PORTFOLIO PROJECT
Week 8
Submission of final concept of Theme for FINALS PORTFOLIO PROJECT
1. Lecture:BASIC COMPOSITION
a. Applying basic composition knowledge and arrangement of all photographic elements inside the frame.
Week 9
1. Lecture: BASIC LIGHTING
1. Differences of available light & studio lighting
2. Passive & active control of lighting
3. Characteristics of light including the quality & size of light sources
2. Assignment:
Bring 1 roll 24-exposure ISO 100 color film
Bring 1 item with props or a collection of items for a STILL- LIFE set-up
Submit Contact Print of Week 9
Week 10
Submission of Contact Print of Week 9
1. Lecture: AVAILABLE LIGHT for PORTRAIT and STILL-LIFE
2. Photo shoot: Product / Still-life using available light. Location: Within SDA bldg. only
3. Mission: To study the effect of available light at different angles and sizes on a STILL-LIFE setting
4. Assignment:
Bring 1 roll 24-exposure ISO 100 color film
Submit Contact Print of Week 10 shoot
Week 11
Submission: Contact Print of week 10 shoot
1. Lecture: ONE (1) LIGHT Studio SET- UP for HUMAN and STILL-LIFE
2. Photo shoot: Medium shot portrait using 1 Light set-up (Red Head) Location: Studio SDA
3. Mission: To study the effects of 1 Light set-up at different angles and sizes on a HUMAN Subject using a controlled lighting set-up.
4. Assignment:
Bring 1 roll 24-exposure ISO 100 color film
Submit Contact Print of Week 11 shoot
Week 12
Submission: Contact Print of week 12 shoot
1. Lecture: Introduction to ONE (1) LIGHT Studio SET-UP for PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
2. Photo shoot: 1 Light set-up (Red Head or Visatec Flash) Location: Studio SDA
3. Mission: To introduced the various style of portrait photography.
4. Assigment:
Submit Contact Print of Week 12 shoot
Preparation of PORTFOLIO (five (5) photos with 8R size prints)
Week 13
Final Submission of completed Contact Prints from week 9, 10, 11 and 12 shoots
Final Submission of CD Soft-copies of annotated Portfolio works
Final Submission of PORTFOLIO (properly mounted and annotated)
Week 14
Final Grading. Archiving of works. Preparation / selection of student photographs for the exhibition:
The Best of Fotogra, 3rd term 2006-2007 (as part of Photography trimestral exhibition)
REQUIREMENTS:
The course outline was arranged in a manner that students are taught first the rudimentary functions of the different parts of a manual camera, that he or she will become proficient in using the tool. Allowing for a more detailed discussion on the two main controls of a camera, the aperture and shutter control, the students will be able to acquire the knowledge of the effects of both to the finished photographs.
The requirements for the presentation of photo projects is such, that the students should be able to discuss or present it to their peers knowing all the intricacies on how they where able to accomplish it. Fotogra being part of the Multi-media course, the creation of a good portfolio, representing the students’ best work is required.
The latter part of the course covers the aesthetic part of photography. After being adept in using the camera, the students are taught on how to use it creatively, being multi-media students, they would be able to apply what they have learned in other courses as well.
GOOD LUCK SA MGA KUMUKUHA NITO! (Searching for his old Natsca notes)
It’s the mini-fair, live it and love it!
It’s the mini-fair, live it and love it!
Ang saya saya! January 15, 2009.
Saint James Academy, Malabon City!
I’m so happy! I finally learned the basics with regards to handling an old SLR camera, a Nikon FM3. I bought last Saturday two rolls of film, each composed of 24 shots with ISO100.
First photoshoot of the week: Correct exposure. Mrs. Ofrasio taught us about the functions of the FM3, and how to use it. We had the film speed set to 1/125 sec. and the ISO to 100. Using the viewfinder I could see at the side a bar bearing the film speed markers, a blue bar highlighting the current film speed used, and a black bar is the the aperture thing that is needed to set according to the film speed.
Half-pressing the shutter-release button as well as moving the aperture ring, I could adjust the black bar and place it on or near the designated film speed. For about an hour, I only took 13 out of 24 available shots. I had the worst luck of rewinding the film up to the point I forgot not to let inside the very tip of the film. Aww, schucks!
Not to worry hehehe. Sometime this week, I’m gonna go to Quiapo and make contact prints out of the 13 shots I made. 😀
Concluding the first of 14 weeks into the third term, I started my day with a 2:45-5:45 pm class called Deskpub/Desktop Publishing (an obsolete term for the subject, as said by my prof). My professor is Mr. Magallanes and he had us fall into this gimmick of using a verb describing ourselves 7 years from now. Due to that, we’ll be known for the rest of the term as to what verb we used. In my case, I’m now known as “Wise”. Nice, right?
One by one, randomly he had each of us stand in front of the class and let them give out their first impressions about the person standing. In my case (redundant!), 1st impressions about me ranges from “smart” to “shy” to “smart” and “friendly” and “smart”. Sabi ko na nga ba!
After dismissal, I waited for about an hour before my last class would commence, a 6-9pm class called “Techincal Drawing” which is known to some schools as “Drafting”. My prof’s may seem to be a “oh-it’s-one-of-those-boring-teachers” but after knowing that he’s been in the teaching profession for seven years, then I expect that we in class would learn from him.
Before I go to sleep (I have classes at 9 in the morning the next day), I have some fast notes to share:
1. Bobby told me Anton had transferred from CSB to the Philippine School of Interior Design in Makati.
2. Hoogie’s hair is back to its DV1 1st term clean cut hair style.
3. Jiko’s back pala from abroad. Saw him earlier at the lobby and later in the SDA caf.
4. Rex’s my classmate for Desncon
5. Inna and Aje are my classmates for NSTPCWS
6. Franzi’s my colleague once again in the same room, same day but different subject called Deskpub.
7. I mistook Gilbert’s hair a while ago as a wig. No offense though, gulat lang ako. Peace!
8. Carlo, Aje, Alex, and Katriz are my Techdrw pals.
9. Looks like Main’s 1st Floor Benilde Hall is in for a slight face lift in and out (Backgate doing renovations, ‘No Smoking Area’ upuan place is now gone, and entrance to Main Caf is getting fresh cement).
10. Raymond’s hair is back to its DV1 1st term hairdo. 😀
BTW, watch this clip, sobrang laughtrip (warning: Fil-Am adult cartoon that’s meant to be watched by mature people): The Nutshack!
Good thing I haven’t changed my regular Monday routine so that I don’t have to feel so ngarag every single school day of the third term where I had my schedule completely overhauled from my previous second term settings.
First class of the day would be Sondesn (Sound-Dess). I know for a fact that we’re going to have class inside a recording studio, the question is: Where? My EAF tells me that my class is in A1014, located in-between 1004 and 1015, both computer laboratories. My prof’s name was listed as “Henry Bolo“. Nothing out of the ordinary really, but I noticed that he bears a very thick American accent (not konyo) whenever he speaks English but at the same time, a very fluent and eloquent use of the National Language . Basing from those observations I could tell that he really is from the business.
But other than that, there’s something more to it. Turns out, he’s also a (seemingly now former) DJ of WRR 101.9 For Life, a masa station that is now known for its present name “Alam Mo Na Yan! 101.9 For Life“, with the call letters being dropped from the name (Laking WRR kaya alam ko ito hehehe). Prior to his stint to WRR, his used to work for Advance Media Systems (DWKX/103.5 k-Lite, now 103 1/2 Max FM) and Quest Broadcasting, Inc. (DWTM/Magic 89.9). Now I know that me and my classmates are truly on a roll! Looking forward what I’m going to be taught about with regards to audio mixing, mastering, recording, and voice acting (clearly a far cry to his happy-go-lucky persona in WRR). All of a sudden I felt kinda repetitive.
Following Sondesn, I have Desncon (Desk-Con) or Design Concepts. It’s a follow up to my previous prerequisite (Desprin/Principles of Design) but this are more focused not just in theories and concepts per say but also interpreting such that are found in design. My prof is a graduate of CSB’s former Interdisciplinary Studies Program (Don’t know if it has a present counterpart today). She, thoughnew in teaching in CSB, is all too familiar to life as a CSB student. Our room, A701, is the largest of all the classrooms in SDA’s 7th floor. She stressed that her subject may be 90% discussion, ten percent would come from doing plates as it’s required for the subject.
Our first activity was to design a movie poster on a piece of paper and explain why people should watch this particular type of movie via several graphic organizers like planning charts and spider webs. Fortunately, I happened to watch a good old-house horror movie the night before, an Italian pre-apocalyptic film called “Demonii” or “Demons” in English. It’s about a group of people who were mysteriously invited to watch a screening of a movie inside a supposedly new theater. But unknown to them, they are turned into demons one by one and the few remaining survivors must find a way to escape before they get infected and turn into one.
Note though that this is no B-movie zombie flick because they are not dead before reanimating into zombies, the wounds inflicted by demons would turn them into one. This is of course was given no clear explanation, but its primary cause was that the first human that turned into one wore this certain mask that has the ability to break hell loose. It has a somewhat happy ending nevertheless.
I hope my last two professors tomorrow would be as nice as the one I have as of now.
May palabas noon ang QTV, pangalan nito ay “May Trabaho Ka!”. Isa itong reality job-search with a twist. Lahat ng mga aplikante ay nangangailangan na mag-undergo sa iba’t ibang mga pagsubok, at isa-isa silang binabawasan hanggang ang isa sa kanila ay tanggap sa kanyang inaaplayang trabaho. Kamakailan rin ay nagkaroon ng name change kung saan ang show ay naging kilala sa pangalan ng “Hired!”.
Nung nagsisimula pa lang ang MTK, inisip ko noon na gumawa ng isang counterpart version ito sa isang made-up male equivalent ng QTV, ang KTV. Ang katapat na show nito kuno ay ang MMK: May Magagawa Ka! Ang premise nito kuno ay, ang mga contestant ay mga trabahao na sa iisang propesyon. Bibigyan sia ng pagsubok kung saan pag-iisipan nila kung ano ang maari nilang gawin sa binigay na pagsubok o sitwasyon. Ang walang magawa ay sisibakin sa trabaho at ang may ginawang tama sa lahat ng mga pagsubok ay maaring ma-promote o mapanatili ang kanyang trabaho. Hehehehe.
Inisip ko ito minsan. Paano kaya kung nagkaroon ako ng trabaho at kumikita ako ng sarili kong salapi? Siyempre kinokonsidera ko na nag-aaral pa ako pero maari pa rin naman ako magtrabaho tuwing bakasyon para wala akong conflict sa pag-aaral, hindi ba? Ayoko kasi na lagi akong umaasa sa mga magulang ko lalo pa na ang mga pangangailangan ko sa aking pag-aaral ay lubos sa sobrang mahal. Ayaw ko na pahirapan ko pa sila. Maari ba nila akong bilhin ng sarili kong mga kasangkapang pang-potograpiya na naghahalaga nang libu-libong piso? Exaj oo pero sana unawain ninyo ang punto ko sa pinag-uusapan dito.
Nung sina-ggest ko to sa mga magulang ko, agad na hindi pumayag ang papa ko. Akala niya na hindi sapat na pinag-aaral kami nila gamit ang sarili nilang puhunan. Pero binigyang rason ko na hindi naman para may pantustos ako sa pag-aaral pero para na rin may karanasan ako kahit hindi muna full-time. Hindi man lang niya ako binigyan ng pagkakataon na magpaliwanag pa dahil inireiterate pa niya na hindi ni isa sa’ming magkakapatid ang magtatrabaho habang kami ay nag-aaral pa. Dadag pa niya, na kapag tapos na kami at nagpakasal na kami at magkaroon ng kani-kaniyang pamilya, doon lamang kami magtatrabaho sa nalalabing taon ng buhay namin.
Base sa mga salitang ipinataw ng papa ko, masakit tanggapin ang mga sinabi niya. Siyempre lahat ng tao ay mangangailangang magtrabaho para mabuhay pero habang maaga pa naman ay maari naman na maranasan ang magkarooon ng trabaho (totoong trabaho) at kumita ng sariling pera. Gusto ko na masanay ang sarili ko bilang isang responsableng tao pagtanda na may kalayaan at kamalayan. Hindi ko pababayaan ang pag-aaral ko pero hindi niya maari diktahan sa’kin kung ano ang dapat gawin ko para sa buhay ko. Hindi rin maari na bawalin ang mga bagay na sa tingin niya ay hindi nakabubuti sa’kin sa lahat ng pagkakataon, lalo kung sa mga pagkakataong iyon ay wala talagang basehan.
Halimbawa, higpit niyang pinagbawalan ako na bumili ng sarili kong camera sa Quiapo dahil baka dukutan ako ng magnanakaw, pero puwede naman na pumunta ako na nag-iingat. Puwede ako doon pumunta na wala masyadong dalang gamit bukod sa pamasahe na nakatago sa lihim na bulsa ng aking salawal. Pero hindi, nanaig ang gusto niya at binili lang nila ako ng camerang mas mahal pa kaysa sa mga nabibili sa Quiapo na bukod sa original at di-smuggled ay reasonably kasya sa bulsa. Sa madaling salita, wala siyang tiwala sa’kin, ang pinakamasakit na bagay na malaman ng anak mula sa sarili niyang magulang.
Ano ba ang tiwala? Isa itong kasunduan kung saan binibigay ng isang tao ang kanyang respeto at walang pag-aalalang pagbibigyan ng pagkakataon na patunayan nang isang pang tao ang kanyang kakayahan bilang isang indibidwal na walang kamalian at pagkabigo. Nasisira ang tiwalang iyon kapag nilabag ang respetong inilaan para sa’yo, bumigo ka’t di mo pinatunayan ang kakayahan mo sa taong nagbigay sa’yo ng tiwala.
Sa kaso ko, hindi na ako pinagkakatiwalaan ng tatay ko bago pa man akong may mapatunayan sa kanya, maski man lang may gagawin para ma-earn ang tiwalang iyon sa kanya. Paano matututo nang isang anak ang realidad ng buhay kung hindi siya binigyan ng kanyang magulang nang sapat na tiwala para maranasan ito na walang pag-aalinlangan? Hindi lalaki kamalayan nito kung ganoon ang magiging kaso.
Gusto ko magkaroon ng pagkakitaan kahit man lang sa loob ng eskuwelahan bilang panimula. Ang alam ko, maari ang estudyante na magtrabaho basta mapanatili lamang ang kanyang mga grado sa katanggap-tanggap na level kapalit na magiging sahod niya sa kanyang trabaho. Iyon o di kaya isang summer job para wala na ang hassle sa pag-aaral.
Sana naman hindi na magmatigas ang sarili kong ama dito. Sana pagkatiwalaan man lang niya ako. Lahat naman ng mga gusto niya sinunod ko para sa kanya. Hindi na ako nag-Fine Arts kasi gusto niya na pumasok ako sa kursong makapagbibigay kaagad sa’kin ng trabaho kaya nakompromiso ang mga sarili kong pangarap dahil sa nais niya. Masaya naman ako sa kinatatayuan ko pero ayokong isipin na kagustuhan niya ito kasi desisyon ko ito at hindi ito nanggaling sa kanya.
Mahal ko siya at alam kong mahal niya rin ako. Pero bilang ama, pabayaan na dapat niya na tumayo sa sariling mga paa ang kanyang anak. Ang maari niya lamang gawin ay magsilbing gabay sa kanya at ilaan sa kanya ang mga daan ng kanyang pagdadaluyan. Mula doon, bahala na ang anak na matuto, magkamali, bumangon, at bumawi sa kanyang sarili.
Siguro hanggang pangarap na lang iyon. Malamang na magkakaroon lamang ako ng pagkakataon na magkatrabaho kapag tapos na ako sa pag-aaral.
Di bale, may magagawa pa rin ako para makamtan ang mga hangarin ko. Hindi lamang ito para sa’kin pero para na rin sa magulang ko. 🙂
This one came from the same comic book collection about people in their awkward teenage years. It’s about a b*tchy snitch and the irony of being one:
Once, there’s this girl in class who was trying to mind her business when a guy bully was making fun of her, calling her names and stuff that irrates her. After class, she told her teacher that she’s being making fun at by the boy so the teacher scolded him. The guy became angry and told to his buddies that he was snitched by a “b*tch”.
Now, the girl was in the hallway and felt that she’s being followed by the guy’s friends. They did, but when they were able to caught her up, one of them scolded the girl, telling her never be a snitch ever. After that they left.
At recess, she saw a friend of hers on the hallway and came with her outside. They went inside one of the fuzzy bushes in school grounds where they each light a cigarette and smoked. The girl suddenly wondered that for the longest time that they’ve been smoking on that place for a long time the school still haven’t found out about it.
Her friend suddenly saw her barkada (who are kabarkadas to the guy bullying her) and went on her way. But the girl insisted on coming with her, saying she doesn’t want to be alone so her friend tagged her along. The gang were hanging out on one side of the school building’s wall, and when they saw the girl, they were b*tchy towards her.
A mean girl within the group was extra-b*tchy to the poor girl, comparing themselves as characters from a teen show called “Beverly Hills 90210”. The mean girl compared herself to “Kelly”, a character in the show, and the poor girl to “Brenda”, another character who was known for the controversial departure of its portrayer, Shannen Doherty, thus “Brenda” was written off the show pretty much the way they want the poor girl to go away from their group.
Then the guy who bullied the girl from earlier said to the mean girl that what she said was mean. He advised the poor girl to leave, citing “this place is no place for someone like you”.
Disappointed, she went on her way and made tambay with another set of her smoking “friends”. But before they could light up a smoke, they checked if there are no adults within the premises or else they dead! One of the puffy smoker girls complained about the girl’s friend who was being b*tchy to her. Her reason: The puffy smoker girl felt like the girl’s friend’s beau is using her as back up that’s why he broke up with her and went on to the friend.
Skipping some parts, one of the guy’s buds run towards the smoking girls and told them that the guy and one of his buds are fighting each other. They asked why and the boy said that the guy’s friend snitched behind his back and is now threatening him on snitching him back.
And now, the irony is that, after hearing that the guy he snitched was snitched and is snitching back, she has this to say “Why would people snitch?”.
END