• I can shoot & edit photos incorporating concepts for composition, light, and subject.
• I can collage (layer) multiple photos using photo editing software.
• I can create a comic book story that clearly communicates my ideas.
• I can create a comic movie by combining my comic with voice & sound using video editing software. (time permitting)

We will be creating Post-Apocalyptic Baltimore comic book stories! The stories will focus on how we could make Baltimore a better city!

The process will include photography, photo editing, comic book creation...and, of course, writing a great story!

If there is time, we will turn our comics into movies with voiceover and music!

Part 1: Photography & Basic Photo Editing 1-

Why does photography matter? Click! Photography Changes Everything

dPS. digital Photography School. Digital Photography Composition Tips

A quality photo captures a moment in time and tells a story. There are some commonly agreed upon "rules" to follow that will help you improve the quality of your photos.

Think about the following concepts when shooting a photo:
Composition | Light | Subject

Basically, the following descriptions summarize these 3 concepts:

• Composition 1, 2 (simplicity, rule of thirds, line, and framing)
  • A photo should be Uncluttered and Simple
  • A photo should follow the Rule of Thirds
  • A photo should have an obvious subject (person or object of focus)
  • Line may be used to give the photo depth.
  • Photo should be framed to include exactly what you want in the "frame."
• Lighting 1, 2, 3 (Photography is from the Greek...photo=light and graph=write...so
  photography is light writing.)
  • Light should hit your subject and reflect into your camera
  • Backlight (beind subject) may create a silhouette
  • Light and shadow can be used to tell part of your story
• Subject - point of interest in a photograph (Person or object of interest in a photo.)

Composition Review Activity


1. Camera Usage & Care:
   * Usage: Canon A460 Equipment Guide (Canon A470 is similar)
   * Care:
   - You are responsible for equipment used. If you damage any equipment, you must pay for the repair or replacement.
   - Use the neck or wrist strap at all times to prevent yourself from dropping the equipment.
   - If someone else is handling equipment, leave them alone. Do not play around near the equipment or while you or your group is using the equipment.
   - Do not leave the equipment sitting around. Equipment must be under direct supervision at all times.
   -When importing photos, place the camera safely next to the computer and away from the edge of the table. Prevent cameras from falling onto the floor.
   - Return equipment directly to Mr. Glickman according to his instructions. Do not share equipment with other students unless they are in your group. The person that signed out the equipment must return the equipment
   
   Camera Usage & Care Review Activity
   
2. Shoot photos
   * Shoot multiple photos, practicing photo composition techniques & shot types (ask for printed version).
   
   
   Task 1:
   Shoot photos modeling the following composition elements:
   *The Rule of Thirds
   *Lines: Diagonal, Horizontal, Vertical, Converging
   *Variety of Angles
   *Active Space
   *Fill Your Frame (Obvious Subject)
   *Use of light
   *Landscape or Cityscape
   *Portrait
   *Patterns
   Photo Task 1
   
   
3. Importing your photos. (read/watch tutorial)
   • Import Photos from a Digital Camera
   • Organize Photos into an album (like a folder) in iPhoto (album name = your name).
     > >
   • Organizing Photos Using Events (iPhoto '08)
     
     
4. Edit photos using iPhoto and other software, if needed. (read/watch tutorial)
   • View Photos - Double-click on photo
   • Crop Photos - adjust the framing of your photo
     View Photo > > > >
   • Adjust Photo - adjust the look of your photo
     View Photo > > >
     
     
5. Photo Assessment: Use to create a "Photo Shot Types Guide."
   
   
   Photo Task 2:
   Shoot photos representing each of the 11 shot types
   and create a Shot Types Guide.
   Photo Task 2

Part 2: Photo Editing 2 - Creating Layers & Transparent Images

We will create transparent images using the application LiveQuartz
and create our portfolio covers using ComicLife .

It is also possible to create a multi-layered image entirely within LiveQuartz.
More about LiveQuartz...

Seem complicated?
Once you have tried it, you will understand.

Assessment Task:
Create a collage image that demonstrates use of image layering & transparency, as well as design layout principles (Composition) that demonstrate the photo concepts learned in Part 1.
This will be used as your portfolio cover.

The portfolio cover must include...
• Background Layer - find or shoot an interesting background for your image (see below)
• Transparent Layer - create a transparency of yourself
• Additional Layers - include any other layers that will complement the image
• Title - "Your Name" -large font size
• Subtitle - "Portfolio 2009-2010" -large font size
• Apply the photo composition concepts learned in Part 1 of the project.

click for portfolio cover instructions

Background image resources:
• Pic4Learning
• OpenPhoto.net
• FreeDigitalPhotos.net
• FreePhotosBank.com
• BigFoto.com
  

Part 3: The Comic. You will create a POST-APOCALYPTIC BALTIMORE COMIC.
Guiding Question:
If you had a chance to create a new and improved Baltimore,
what would you do to make it better?

Criteria for Post-Apocalyptic Baltimore Comic:
Download & use the following planning documents:
comic_solutions.doc
comic_superpower_dev.pdf
comic_plan_outline.pdf
comic_plan_storyboard.pdf
(right-click > save link as > save to your folder > open > type or print/write)

1. Build your comic using .
2. Cover + 4 Pages (no more, no less) - follow guidelines outlined in the comic_plan_outline.pdf.
3. Pages will contain 6 to 15 panels per page and must satisfy story guidelines for each page.
4. Panels will contain a background/setting, character(s), object(s) and text.
5. Background photos may be provided by you, Mr. Glickman and from the Internet to use as the setting of your story.
6. Objects should be added, as needed, to enhance your panels.
7. Bibliography Page (Page 6) -- See below
   If you use photos from the Internet, be sure to follow copyright law. You must have permission to use other peoples' photos. Be sure to collect URLs for all photos so that you can cite your sources at the end of the comic.
   *Bibliography Guide
   *Sample Bibliography
   *NoodleBib Express: MLA
   
   Image websites that are not blocked by the content filter &
   offer some copyright-free images:
   • Wikimedia Commons: Images
   • Pic4Learning
   • OpenPhoto.net
   • FreeDigitalPhotos.net
   • FreePhotosBank.com
   • BigFoto.com
   
   
8. The main character must be you. Use character photos created by you. You will need to shoot photos and delete the backgrounds in order to create transparent character images. It will be important to use an organized file naming scheme for your character photos so that you can keep track of your work.
   Download Instructions: create_transparency.pdf
   (right-click > save link as > save to your folder > open)
   
   
9. Use every type of text feature multiple times throughout your story (title lettering, narration boxes, talk bubbles, & thought bubbles).
   
10. Use talk & thought bubbles for the dialogue and thoughts of the characters, spoken within the story.
    
    
11. Use narration boxes for narration. The narrator speaks from outside of the story, about what is happening in the story.
    
    
12. You may apply filters to your panels. >
    
    
13. You must use a consistent style & format throughout your comic.
    
14. You must create a unique title and use the lettering tool for your title.
    
15. Place your name & date on your first page using a text box. .
    I suggest removing the frame & fill from the narration box. > >
    
    
16. Print 4 per sheet, duplex when printing a draft. (only print upon approval)
    
    
    Resources:
    Need to read articles about real problems in Baltimore?
    (These articles might give you some ideas, but they miss many of the major problems in Baltimore.)
    • Community Development
    • Dogs on Patrol
    • Transportation
    • Murder
    • Food Stamps
    • Row Houses
    • Young Bus Riders
    
    
    Need ideas for your new city? Check out these links:
    • Sustainable city rankings (2008)
    • World's Cleanest Cities
    • CNN Money's Best Places to Live
    • Future City: Tales of a Future Past
    • Epcot - the city
    • Three Most Futuristic Cities
    • Urban Manifesto: Factors that make a city great

Part 4: Movie.
Time permitting, we will create a movie version of our comic.

1. Open iMovie.

Part 5: Sound
Time permitting, we will create a soundtrack for our comic movie.

1. Explore GarageBand tutorials. (Duration: approx. 1 minute each)
   
   1. Creating Your GarageBand Project
   2. Starting Your Song with a Beat
   3. Auditioning More Musicians
   4. Building Your Song Over Time
   5. Introducing Melody
   6. Creating Drama with Call and Response
   7. Setting the Tone for Your Song with an Introduction
   8. Ending Your Song with a Fadeout
2. Explore GarageBandby creating a song using what you have learned from the tutorials.
3. Export Your Song to iTunes whenever you would like to create an mp3 of your song. ou may make multiple vrsions of the same song, or create multiple songs.
   
   Save GarageBand files in the Music/GarageBand folder.
   Remember to give each new song file a new name.
   Example: song1steve.band