Thursday, July 12, 2012

Term 4 Week 11: Last week!

Chao Cac Ban!

Today we will continue viewing a few of the documentaries you guys made. We will still be giving feedback on the rubric.


Let's get started.


-k

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Term 4 Week 10: Viewing and Feedback continued

Chao Cac Ban!

Today we will continue viewing a few of the documentaries you guys made. We will still be giving feedback on the rubric from last week as well.

Let's get started.

-k

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Term 4 Week 9: Viewing and Feedback

Chao Cac Ban!

Today we will be viewing a few of the documentaries you guys made. When viewing, we need to keep in mind what makes a good documentary. Here is a rubric to use when thinking about this.

Documentary Judging Criteria

Exemplary
Accomplished
Developing
Limited
Score

20 points
15 points
10 points
5 points

Narrative flow
The narrative/story telling flowed seamlessly. It was also strong, original, compelling, and interesting, always attracting the viewer’s attention
The narrative/story telling flowed consistently. It was occasionally compelling and entertaining to viewers. There were some original ideas used.
The narrative/story telling showed signs of developing an interesting and entertaining story. It mildly captured the viewer’s attention.
The narrative/story telling flowed disjointedly. It was uninteresting and only occasionally captured the viewer’s attention.

Interviews/
Presentation
The presentation and interviews by the cast were strong, original, compelling, and interesting, always attracting the viewers attention
The presentation and interviews by the cast were consistent, well done and entertaining.
The presentation and interviews by the cast were adequate. At times the performances rose above this level to become interesting to the viewer.
The presentation and interviews by the cast looked unconfident and uninteresting to the viewer.

Production Design (props, costumes, sets, locations)
Excellent and extremely creative production design. Original and appropriate choice of props, costumes, sets and locations used.
Interesting and creative production design. Good and appropriate choice of props, costumes, sets and locations used.
Adequate and sometimes interesting production design. Some inspired choices of props, costumes, sets and locations used.
Poorly executed production design. Poor choice of props, costumes, sets and locations used.

Visual Composition /Cinematography
Film consistently showed excellent and creative visual composition/cinematography (camera angles, camera movement, lighting, framing of shots)
Film occasionally showed excellent and creative visual composition/cinematography (camera angles, camera movement, lighting, framing of shots)
Film showed average creative visual composition/ cinematography (camera angles, camera movement, lighting, framing of shots)
Film showed poor visual composition/cinematography (camera angles, camera movement, lighting, framing of shots)

Use of Audio Enhancements (sound and music)
High quality sound and excellent use of music for the soundtrack.
Very good quality sound and good choice of music for the soundtrack.
Good quality sound and good choice of music for the soundtrack.
Poor quality sound and limited or inappropriate use of music for the soundtrack.

Editing and Use of Visual Enhancements (Transitions, titles, credits, special effects)
Excellent and appropriate editing and excellent use of visual enhancements
Very good editing and use of visual enhancements. Trying to be innovative with production and presentation.


Editing was adequate however visual enhancement tools used but not always appropriate or effective.
Poor editing and no use or inappropriate use of enhancements.

General
Comments




















total score



Using this form, you will be evaluating your classmates and your own films. There is a handout of this rubric for each person to fill out for each film you watch today. I expect you to fill it in completely and to write comments (that's why there is a lot of space there)!


Let's get started!


-k

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Term 4 Week 8: Transitions and Credits

Chao Cac Ban!

Camera! Memory Card! Headphones! How many times do I have to say it? I hope you brought them!

Blogger is blocked for some reason, so you can find this same information at
https://sites.google.com/site/krisromberg/doco2

Last week you should have added music and voice overs. Today we will be adding transitions between clips, a title at the beginning and credits at the end.

Title and Credits:

We already talked about how to add words on the screen. Your group needs to think about the opening sequence of your documentary. It sets the tone for the whole film. What is the subject of the clip? What is the music/sound? When should the title of the documentary be revealed? Decide and do it.




Transitions:

Just like on PowerPoint presentations, transitions between clips should be smooth and not distracting. Decide as a group what that means for your documentary. To add them, go to View Video Transitions and add them in between the clips.


Export:

Go to File, Save as Movie File. Then select My Computer. Choose the ICT Documentary Group Projects Folder on the Shared Class Drive. Be sure to type the title of your documentary in. Save.


When it's done, check that it works by going to the ICT Documentary Group Projects Folder and opening your file there. If it doesn't work, find the problem and fix it.

Today's assignment:

  • In your group, decide on your opening sequence and add the title where you think is best
  • Be sure your clips are in the right order
  • Add smooth transitions between clips (not distracting)
  • Preview your documentary and make any last minute changes necessary
  • Save your work - you should be done today!
  • Save it as a movie file in the ICT Documentary Group Projects Folder
  • Be ready to show your documentary next week in class
Good Luck!

-k

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Term 4 Week 7: More editing

Assigned: 13-15 June 2012

Chao Cac Ban!

Camera! Memory Card! Headphones! How many times do I have to say it? I hope you brought them!

Last week we uploaded the video clips we had and started putting them in order. This week you should have all the video clips you need. If you still have video to shoot, DO IT THIS WEEKEND!!! Sort it out with your group-mates straightaway today.

You should have been thinking about background music, voice overs, and words you might want to add to your video.

Music:

First of all, let’s be clear about the role of music in documentary film-making - Essentially its primary role is storytelling. Driving the narrative along through a variety of moods. Scene setting. Building bridges between interviews, stock footage or animated sequences. In fact, for the majority of the programme, the music is playing a secondary role to the voice over. Only taking centre stage for brief moments before the voice returns to the forefront.
Therefore it’s important that your music creates the required mood within around 4 to 8 bars (perhaps 8 to 10 seconds) as the scene is set and the narrative prepares for the change of pace. This is not necessarily the first 4 bars of the composition. You may choose to use a section from another part of the tune when the instrumentation has built in pitch or reached a crescendo. Therefore it’s always good to listen through a track you think may be suitable to make sure you are utilizing it to its full potential.
Of course, because it will often be playing under the voice it is good to choose music that suits this role. Certain instruments include frequencies that clash with the human voice whereas others enhance it. A lead instrument often jars with speech whereas rhythmic passages with no lead instrumentation will flow along with it.

Technically, you can't use any music that an artist owns without their express written consent - You are supposed to ask the artist's permission and pay them for the use of their song. I doubt any of you have Rihanna or Katy Perry on speed-dial, so you should try to use songs that are "royalty free" which means you don't have to ask for permission or pay for them. Here are a few sites to find music like that:
http://www.hibou-music.com/accueil.php?id=0&gclid=CMSrwZvIvbACFW1U4godwCabmA
http://www.royaltyfreemusic.com/documentary-general-production.html
http://www.stockmusicsite.com/default.cfm/agent.109929?gclid=CPjQm6XIvbACFcmi4godI0eOow

Okay, now how do you add music to your MovieMaker Project? The same way you add a voice over.

Voice Overs:

A voice over is when the sound/speech you are listening to is not from the video footage being shown at that moment.

The simple way to do that in Movie Maker is to just add music or add an already recorded audio clip by clicking on "import audio." Then drag it down into the timeline below.

There are two kinds of voice overs we will talk about. One is when you add your voice over the top of existing footage. The other is when you keep the voice from one video clip while switching the image to other footage or still photos. Let's look at examples of both in the "Bully" trailer we watched a few weeks ago. 

If you want to overlay video and voice and music etc. it is more complicated. Windows Movie Maker does not support multi-layered video/audio editing. But if you have a video with a sound attached to it, you can add the movie to project along with a music track.

So if have a video, the audio, and the music track separately, do this:
1) Open a new Movie Maker Project
2) Add your Videos to the timeline/storyboard
3) Add the audio recordings in the timeline
4) Make adjustments to video and sound track
5) Export the Video file

Now you have a video file with audio recordings together.

6) Open up a new a Movie maker project
7) Import the Exported Video
8) Add the music to the timeline
9) Adjust the volume control on the left side of the timeline to pan to audio or music
10) Export the video

If you have more questions as you are working, just let me know.

Words on the screen:

Go to Edit Movie. Add Titles or Credits. Add them. Put them in the right place. Done.

Fast Forward:

One group specifically asked for me to teach how to speed up some footage, so here we go. The easiest way is to go to View Video Effects and select Speed Up, Double. That will only double the speed though. So if you need it to go even faster, you have to do something similar to what we did for adding a voice over and music. Speed it up once, export it, import it into a new project and speed it up again. Repeat until it's fast enough. I hope that made sense.

Today's assignment:
  • In your group, upload the rest of your video clips into your Windows Movie Maker Project
  • Edit the clips by putting them in the correct order from beginning to end - you should now have all the clips you are going to use and they should be in the right order
  • Decide what kind of music would be best, and where it should go - download it and add it in
  • Decide where you will use a voice over and do it
  • Save your work - next week we add transitions and credits, then we're almost done!!!
Good Luck!

-k

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Term 4 Week 6: Basic Editing

Assigned: 7-8 June 2012

Chao Cac Ban!

Did you remember to bring your camera, memory card, and a pair of headphones? I hope so!

The first step is importing the video clips (also known as video footage) into Windows Movie Maker. Be sure you have a pair of headphones plugged in to the computer before you open the program, otherwise it will not open. If your computer is having problems, try another computer. The headphone jack doesn't work on all the computers in the lab.
  • Open the program Windows Movie Maker
  • Click on Import video
  • You should now see the video in the top section of the program, called the "Collection"
If the file is not a .avi .mpg .mlv .mp2 .mp2v .mpeg .mpe .mpv2 .wm .wmv or .asf file, Movie Maker will not open it. So you'll need to convert it. We will use Format Factory to do this.
  • Open the program Format Factory
  • click on the "All to AVI" button
  • Select Output Folder and select your personal folder on the shared class drive as the destination
  • Select Add File and select the file you want to convert
  • Click OK
  • Click on Start and wait for it to finish
  • Then import them into the Movie Maker Project
Once you've imported each of the video clips, the next step is editing the clips together in the order you want them for your documentary. 
  • Drag the videos from the "Collection" down into the storyboard
  • Be sure they are in the order you want them in
  • Save
Today's assignment:
  • In your group, upload all the video clips you have into a Windows Movie Maker Project
  • Save that Project on the Shared Class Drive in the "ICT Documentary Group Projects" folder - be sure to name it the name of your documentary film
  • Edit the clips by putting them in the correct order from beginning to end
  • Preview your documentary and decide AS A GROUP if you need to film anything else. What would make the documentary even better? What is missing? 
  • Check your "script" on google docs to make sure you remembered to film everything you had planned
  • Plan when you are going to get together as a group and film the rest of the things you need before next week's class.
  • Start thinking about what music, voice overs, words, etc. you also might add to your documentary - Next week we will learn how to do these things
Good Luck!

-k

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Term 4 Week 5: Scripts and Start Filming

Assigned: 31 May-1 June 2012

Chao Cac Ban!

This week we will start filming. Most groups selected a topic that can be filmed here at school. A few groups did not. If you can't film here at school, your group will have to film on your own time outside of school hours. Organize when you are doing that today!

Before we start filming, each group needs to finish their google doc outline of the "scenes" you plan to film. This way you know what you need to accomplish when you are trying to shoot video.

When you are filming, be sure to keep in mind the tips from last week: Tripod, Different kinds of shots, and Rule of Thirds.

A quick note about behaviour. If you are disturbing any other classes or not following school rules while you are outside the classroom filming, you will not be allowed to leave the classroom. This will make for a very boring documentary. So please be on your best behaviour.

Today's assignment:
  • In your group, decide together what scenes you need and add them to your google doc
  • Decide which scenes you can film today during class time
  • Film them! 

Good Luck!

-k

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Term 4 Week 4: Basic Filming Techniques and Storyboarding

Assigned: 24-25 May 2012

Chao Cac Ban!

Documentaries. We're moving quickly with this documentary making. Here are some tips for shooting video (which we will start doing next week):



While his tips are a bit funny, his tips are good. So what are we supposed to remember?

  • Use a tripod - or other household objects - to get a steady shot
  • 6 basic kinds of shots
    • Extreme Long Shot
    • Long Shot
    • Medium Shot
    • Medium Close Up
    • Close Up
    • Extreme Close Up
  • Rule of thirds
Let's watch the movie trailer for a documentary on bullying and see what filming techniques we see.



What else did you notice about the documentary trailer?

Today in your groups, you are going to plan out what you need to film to make an AWESOME documentary. We are going to use a technique called a storyboard. A storyboard is a visual progression of what is happening in the film - like an outline but in pictures as well as words. Click here to see some examples.

I know you don't have a complete idea for what your documentary will be yet - but that's where this storyboarding helps.

Your assignment today:
  • With your group, make a list of the "scenes" you want for your documentary. Make it on google docs and share it with each other (and share it with Ms. Kris too sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com ).
  • Pick one "scene" that you know you need for the documentary. Make a storyboard of that scene using the computer programs you know (paint for drawing the scenes, paste the drawings into a word document in the correct order, add text explaining what the camera and subject are doing in the scene.
  • Save it and send it to everyone in your group and Ms. Kris (sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com). 
Keep in mind, next week we are going to start filming. If you have a camera that takes high quality video, please bring it for your group to use. If you have a tripod, bring it for your group to use. EVERYONE should bring headphones after next week - you need to have headphones plugged into the computer in order to open the movie making program! 
Good Luck!
-k



Thursday, May 17, 2012

Term 4 Week 3: Intro to Documentaries

Assigned: 17-18 May 2012

Chao Cac Ban!

For the rest of the year we will be learning about making and editing videos, with a focus on documentaries.

What is a documentary?

A documentary is a non-fiction film with the purpose to document or record some aspect of reality. It's facts. It's basically like a persuasive magazine article, but on film instead of written in a magazine. It has similar features.

What documentaries have you seen or do you know about?

This is week 3 of the term. In the remaining 8 weeks of the term you will be working to plan, write, film, edit, and produce a short documentary.

Today's assignment is the following:

  • get into groups of 3-4 peopl
  • talk together to choose a topic for your documentary
  • start an email to Ms. Kris with the names of the people in your group and your topic
  • Answer the following questions about your topic in the email as well
    • What have I not yet been told about this subject?
    • Is everything I have been told the truth? How much do I need to verify/prove?
    • What would I personally like to know about this subject?
    • If I were a member of the audience, what would I want to learn about this
      subject?
    • What can I find that is little known on this subject?
    • What information can I gather that would aid the filming process?
  • Send the email to Ms. Kris
  • If there is still time left in class, start researching your topic and figuring out what you're going to say in your documentary - be sure to take notes so you're ready to get started next week!
Good luck!

-k

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Term 4 Week 2: Share Powerpoint and give feedback

Assigned: 10-11 May 2012

Chao Cac Ban!

Today's assignment is to share your PowerPoint presentations of your best photos with everyone in this class. So what you are going to do is:
  • Open your PowerPoint presentation onto your computer
  • Start your presentation in full screen mode
  • Your presentation should run itself and repeat when it is finished
  • Once your presentation is working, take the voting sheet and walk around to the other terminals and view your peer's presentations
  • After you have seen everyone's presentation, fill out the voting sheet and submit it to the teacher
Enjoy!

-k

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Finish PowerPoint and all other work

Assigned: 19 April 2012
Points: 30 points for PowerPoint presentation

Chao Cac Ban!

Today's assignment is to finish the PowerPoint presentation of your best 7- 10 photos. The one I showed you last week can be viewed here.

Check these things about your PowerPoint:
  • The first slide has your full name in a font that is readable
  • You have between 7-10 photos in the presentation
  • There is one photo per slide
  • Each photo has a title that is readable
  • The background doesn't distract from the photos
  • There are transitions between slides, but they do not distract from the photos
  • The presentation runs by itself - that means I don't have to advance the slides
  • Each slide is up for an appropriate amount of time
When you are finished, share the PowerPoint presentation with me using google docs. Share it with me using the address sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com. If you share with any other email address I won't check it and you won't get any points.

Then be sure you have finished all other assignments this term:

  1. Assignment 1: Google Docs - add to the chart I made, then write a Google Doc about your Tet holiday and share it with me (sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com)
  2. Assignment 2: Week 1 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences
  3. Assignment 3: Week 2 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 with wide depth of field, 2 with shallow depth of field, ALL 7 using the rule of thirds
  4. Assignment 4: Week 3 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using long exposure, 2 black and white
  5. Assignment 5: Week 4 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using natural light, 2 using flash without turning the subject into a vampire, and 1 portrait using side lighting
  6. Assignment 6: Week 5 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, editing the photos to enhance them if necessary
  7. Assignment 7: Week 6 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, select your top ten photos so far and post them as a separate blog post 
  8. Assignment 8: Week 7 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, select your best photo and email it to sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com
  9. Assignment 9: Week 8 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences; start making a powerpoint presentation of your 7-10 best photos (to be continued next week) 
  10. Assignment 10: PowerPoint presentation of your 7-10 best photos that runs all by itself
 Good luck!
-ms kris

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Assignment 10: PowerPoint

Assigned: 12-13 April 2012
Points: 30 points for powerpoint presentation

Chao Cac Ban!

Today we are making a PowerPoint presentation with our best 7-10 photos. The finished product should look something like this.

Each slide has one photo and a caption. Notice that the presentation wasn't full of crazy transitions and animations that would distract from the photos themselves. Also, notice how the presentation runs all by itself. No one needs to advance the slides. Additionally, notice that each slide is up for a long enough time for someone to really look at the picture, but not too long so the viewer is bored.

When you are finished, share the PowerPoint presentation with me using google docs. Share it with me using the address sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com - If you share with any other email address you won't get any points. You will have the remainder of this class period and part of next week's class period to finish making the PowerPoint.

Be sure you save the PowerPoint in your folder on the server as well. We will be showing these presentations to guests at the beginning of next term. 

If you need to catch up on old assignments, here are the assignments that you have been given so far this term:
  1. Assignment 1: Google Docs - add to the chart I made, then write a Google Doc about your Tet holiday and share it with me (sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com)
  2. Assignment 2: Week 1 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences
  3. Assignment 3: Week 2 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 with wide depth of field, 2 with shallow depth of field, ALL 7 using the rule of thirds
  4. Assignment 4: Week 3 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using long exposure, 2 black and white
  5. Assignment 5: Week 4 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using natural light, 2 using flash without turning the subject into a vampire, and 1 portrait using side lighting
  6. Assignment 6: Week 5 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, editing the photos to enhance them if necessary
  7. Assignment 7: Week 6 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, select your top ten photos so far and post them as a separate blog post 
  8. Assignment 8: Week 7 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, select your best photo and email it to sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com
  9. Assignment 9: Week 8 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences; start making a powerpoint presentation of your 7-10 best photos (to be continued next week) 
  10. Assignment 10: PowerPoint presentation of your 7-10 best photos that runs all by itself
 Good luck!
-ms kris

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Assignment 9: Photo Journal and Powerpoint

Assigned: 5-6 April 2012
Points: 15 points for photo journal with dates and 3 sentences each
           30 points for powerpoint presentation

Chao Cac Ban!

Part one of today's assignment is to update your photo journal. Upload this week's photos and write the date and at least three sentences for each photo. If you edited the photo (crop, straighten, contrast, etc.) please be sure you say so in the sentences. Also say what photo techniques you used in the shot. Publish the post and email me the link at sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com. Then you're done with the Daily Photo Journal! Congratulations, you made it!

Part two of today's assignment is to take your seven to ten best photos from this term and make a powerpoint presentation. Here is an example. When you are finished, email me the powerpoint presentation. You will have all of this class period and part of next week's class period to finish your presentation.

If you need to catch up on old assignments, here are the assignments that you have been given so far this term:
  1. Assignment 1: Google Docs - add to the chart I made, then write a Google Doc about your Tet holiday and share it with me (sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com)
  2. Assignment 2: Week 1 of Photo Journal ( - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences
  3. Assignment 3: Week 2 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 with wide depth of field, 2 with shallow depth of field, ALL 7 using the rule of thirds
  4. Assignment 4: Week 3 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using long exposure, 2 black and white
  5. Assignment 5: Week 4 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using natural light, 2 using flash without turning the subject into a vampire, and 1 portrait using side lighting
  6. Assignment 6: Week 5 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, editing the photos to enhance them if necessary
  7. Assignment 7: Week 6 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, select your top ten photos so far and post them as a separate blog post 
  8. Assignment 8: Week 7 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, select your best photo and email it to sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com
  9. Assignment 9: Week 8 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences; start making a powerpoint presentation of your 7-10 best photos (to be continued next week)
 Good luck!

-ms kris

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Assignment 8: Photo Journal & Photo for Night of the Arts

Assigned: 29-30 March 2012
Points: 15 points for photo journal with dates and 3 sentences each
           10 points for emailing me your best photo

Chao Cac Ban!

Part one of today's assignment is to update your photo journal. Upload this week's photos and write the date and at least three sentences for each photo. If you edited the photo (crop, straighten, contrast, etc.) please be sure you say so in the sentences. Also say what photo techniques you used in the shot. Publish the post and email me the link at sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com.

Part two of today's assignment is to select your best photo so far. The photo you select will be printed and displayed at the Night of the Arts next week. During class next week we will be getting the printed photos prepared and set up for the photo display. So ask your friends their opinions, decide what you think is your best photo, and email that photo to sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com.

Keep taking photos throughout this week. Only two more weeks of photos to go!

If you need to catch up on old assignments, here are the assignments that you have been given so far this term:
  1. Assignment 1: Google Docs - add to the chart I made, then write a Google Doc about your Tet holiday and share it with me (sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com)
  2. Assignment 2: Week 1 of Photo Journal ( - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences
  3. Assignment 3: Week 2 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 with wide depth of field, 2 with shallow depth of field, ALL 7 using the rule of thirds
  4. Assignment 4: Week 3 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using long exposure, 2 black and white
  5. Assignment 5: Week 4 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using natural light, 2 using flash without turning the subject into a vampire, and 1 portrait using side lighting
  6. Assignment 6: Week 5 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, editing the photos to enhance them if necessary
  7. Assignment 7: Week 6 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, select your top ten photos so far and post them as a separate blog post 
  8. Assignment 8: Week 7 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, select your best photo and email it to sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com
 Good luck!

-ms kris

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Assignment 7: Photo Journal & Selecting Your Best Shots

Assigned: 22-23 March 2012
Points: 15 points for photo journal with dates and 3 sentences each
           10 points for "Top Ten Photos So Far" post

Chao Cac Ban!

Today you need to be on your best behaviour and get straight to work - there is a lot to do!

First off, you need to upload this week's photos and write the date and at least three sentences for each photo. If you edited the photo (crop, straighten, contrast, etc.) please be sure you say so in the sentences. Also say what photo techniques you used in the shot. Publish the post and email me the link at sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com.

Then, after you have posted and emailed me the photos from the past week, start on the next part of today's assignment:

"The Night of the Arts" is coming up quickly and we would like to have everyone participate by choosing one photo to display. You do NOT need to choose that photo today, but you DO need to select what you think are your 10 best photographs so far.
  1. Go back and look through your photos
  2. Select the best 10 photos that you have taken (it doesn't count if your brother took the photo)
  3. Start a new blog post entitled: Top Ten Photos So Far
  4. Insert the images in the post
  5. Write one sentence about each photo, explaining why you think it is a great shot
  6. Publish the post and email the link to me at sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com.
Get as much done as you can in class. All assignments must be finished no later than Monday. That's it! Get to it!

Again, here are the assignments that you have been given so far this term:
  1. Assignment 1: Google Docs - add to the chart I made, then write a Google Doc about your Tet holiday and share it with me (sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com)
  2. Assignment 2: Week 1 of Photo Journal ( - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences
  3. Assignment 3: Week 2 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 with wide depth of field, 2 with shallow depth of field, ALL 7 using the rule of thirds
  4. Assignment 4: Week 3 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using long exposure, 2 black and white
  5. Assignment 5: Week 4 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using natural light, 2 using flash without turning the subject into a vampire, and 1 portrait using side lighting
  6. Assignment 6: Week 5 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, editing the photos to enhance them if necessary
  7. Assignment 7: Week 6 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, select your top ten photos so far and post them as a separate blog post 
Good Luck!

-kris

Friday, March 16, 2012

A Few Photos To Share

Here are a few photos taken by you! What techniques were used to get these photos?









Extra ICT Lesson

Lucky Ducks! You get to have two ICT lessons this week. This means you have time to get caught up!

Many of you are failing ICT class right now because you are not sending me the links to your finished blog posts that show you know how to do the techniques we're learning in class.

Really, there are 2 students with an A, 1 student with a B, 4 students with a D, and 23 with an F!!! That's ridiculous!

So here is what you need to do RIGHT NOW!!!
  1. Check your email - you should have an email with your grades for the assignments this term
  2. Do the assignments you are missing.
    1. Google Docs - add to the chart I made, then write a google doc about your Tet holdiay and share it with me (sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com)
    2. Week 1 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences
    3. Week 2 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 with wide depth of field, 2 with shallow depth of field, ALL 7 using the rule of thirds
    4. Week 3 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using long exposure, 2 black and white
    5. Week 4 of Photo Journal - 7 photos, each with 3 sentences, 2 using natural light, 2 using flash without turning the subject into a vampire, and 1 portrait using side lighting
  3. If/When you finish all of the assignments and have mailed me the links, you can practice editing some of your photos to make them even better. See yesterday's blog post to remind you what you can do.
Be sure you have finished all of these assignments by no later than Monday!

Good Luck,
-kris


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Assignment 6: Editing Photos

Assigned: 15-16 March 2012
Points: 10 points for photo editing techniques
           15 points for photo journal with dates and 3 sentences each

Chao Cac Ban!

How did your photo shoots go this week? What did you figure out? What do you wonder about?

This week I want you to focus on all the composition techniques we have learned when taking your photos.Just be creative and notice things in new ways.

We will be learning a few editing techniques today. Just a few basics to start with to help clean up photos and make them even better!
  • Crop
  • Straighten
  • Red Eye
  • Brightness/Contrast ; Fill Light
  • Color
  • Effects
  • Save vs. Save As
Now let's get to the uploading and editing of our photos!

You should have at least 7 more photos to upload (one for each day). Be sure you have at least 2 photos demonstrating good use of natural light, at least 1 photo using flash that doesn't result in red eyes or whiting out the photo, and 1 portrait using natural side lighting.

Okay, get to it!
  1. Import the photos to your computer - Save them in your folder on the server
  2. Pick one photo from each day in the past week 
  3. Upload those photos to your blog
  4. Put the photos in chronological order and date them
  5. Add at least three sentences for each photo - try explaining why this photo was the one you chose for the day
  6. Publish your post and email me the link to your blog
If you don't finish in class please be sure to do it at home and email the link to me no later than tomorrow.

Get out there and get creative!

-kris

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Assignment 5: Lighting and Flash

Assigned: 8-9 March 2012
Points: 10 points for photo techniques
           15 points for photo journal with dates and 3 sentences each

Chao Cac Ban!

How did your photo shoots go this week? What did you figure out? What do you wonder about?

This week I want you to focus on lighting and flash when taking your photos:
We've seen that light can make all the difference in a great portrait shot, especially when also using a shallow depth of field. Your assignment this week is to take at least 2 photos demonstrating good use of natural light, at least 1 photo using flash that doesn't result in red eyes or whiting out the photo, and 1 portrait using natural side lighting.

This is an example of a portrait using side lighting:


Now let's get to the uploading and editing of our photos!

You should have at least 7 more photos to upload (one for each day). Be sure you have at least 2 photos that use a long exposure as well as at least 2 photos that are black and white (or at least ready to be edited to be black and white).

If you need to change your two photos into black and white, we are going to use the photo editing program called Microsoft Office Picture Manager. Follow these steps:
  1. Open Microsoft Office Picture Manager
  2. Locate your photos
  3. Double click on the photo you want to edit and it will fill the screen
  4. Edit photo
  5. Color
  6. Slide the saturation bar all the way to the left (-100)
  7. Save as (change the file name)
  8. Done!
Okay, get to it!
  1. Import the photos to your computer - Save them in your folder on the server
  2. Pick one photo from each day in the past week 
  3. Upload those photos to your blog
  4. Put the photos in chronological order and date them
  5. Add at least three sentences for each photo - try explaining why this photo was the one you chose for the day
  6. Publish your post and email me the link to your blog
If you don't finish in class please be sure to do it at home and email the link to me no later than tomorrow.

Get out there and get creative!

-kris

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Assignment 4: More Photo Journal, Black & White, Long Exposure

Assigned: 1 March 2012
Points: 10 points for photo techniques
           15 points for photo journal with dates and 3 sentences each

Chao Cac Ban!

How did your photo shoots go this week? What did you figure out? What do you wonder about?

This week I want you to focus on two more techniques when taking your photos:
I want to see these both of these in each of your photos for this week. Be sure at least 2 photos are well thought out as black and white and at least 2 use a long exposure. Questions?

This week we are focusing on long exposures and black and white shots.

You should have at least 7 more photos to upload (one for each day). Be sure you have at least 2 photos that use a shallow depth of field as well as at least 2 photos that show a wide depth of field.If you don't finish in class please be sure to do it at home and email the link to me no later than tomorrow. If you never got around to last week, GET ON IT! In order to get an A in ICT you must complete all of your assignments.
  1. Import the photos to your computer - Save them in your folder on the server
  2. Pick one photo from each day in the past week 
  3. Upload those photos to your blog
  4. Put the photos in chronological order and date them
  5. Add at least three sentences for each photo - try explaining why this photo was the one you chose for the day
  6. Publish your post and email me the link to your blog
Get out there and get creative!

-kris

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Assignment 3: Upload Photos and Journal; Rule of Thirds & Depth of Field

Assigned: 21 February 2012
Due: 22 February 2012
Points: 10 points

Chao Cac Ban!

I hope you had fun taking photos over the past week. You should have at least 7 photos to upload (one for each day). So let's get started.

  1. Import the photos to your computer - Save them in your folder on the server
  2. Pick one photo from each day in the past week 
  3. Upload those photos to your blog
  4. Put the photos in chronological order and date them
  5. Add at least three sentences for each photo - try explaining why this photo was the one you chose for the day
  6. Publish your post and email me the link to your blog
Throughout the rest of the term, your photography assignment will be as follows:
  1. In class we will cover photography techniques and edit our photos
  2. You will continue to take at least one photo every day for the rest of the term - Make it a habit!
  3. You will update your blog with the photos, dates, and at least three sentences to go with each photo each week after we cover photography techniques and photo editing - If there isn't enough time to do this in class you will need to finish at home or at lunch/afternoon break
  4. You need to email me the link to your blog post every time so I know you have completed the assignment - use sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com
This week I want you to focus on two things when taking your photos:
I want to see these both of these in each of your photos for this week - all 7 of them. Be sure at least 2 have a wide depth of field and at least 2 have a shallow depth of field.
Get out there and get creative!

-kris

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Assignment 2: Journals

Assigned: 14 February 2012
Due: in class 21 February 2012
Points: 10 points

Chao Cac Ban!

Great work last week in completing your assignments. I emailed ICT grades out this morning so you should have those in your inbox. If you did not receive a score of 10, you must not have submitted all the work. If there you have time at the end of class, please finish last week's assignment. If you don't finish in class you will need to finish at home.

For the remainder of the year we will be using our gmail accounts because they are connected to our blogs and google docs. So you should be sending emails to me at sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com in order to get credit for your assignments.

Today we are going to look at a few different kinds of journals and start keeping a daily photo journal using our blog.

Online journals are kept for many different reasons, but most have a purpose. Let's look at a few:

This week's assignment:
  • Keep a daily photo journal, which means taking at least 1 photo every day. 
  • Next week we will be uploading the photos and posting them to our blogs.
Here are a few very basic photo tips to get you started (we'll explore a lot more as the term continues):
  • Don't just shoot! Think about the shot before taking it - set it up so it looks as good as possible
  • Background & Foreground
  • Use natural lighting if possible in most situations
  • Take a few shots, changing small things, so you get one you like in the end
  • Be creative!
This week is really about exploring your camera and trying new things - and making it a habit you do every day (at least once). So get out there and get creative!

Good luck!

-kris

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Assignment 1 - Google Docs

Assigned: 9 February 2012
Due: 10 February 2012
Points: 10 points

Chao Cac Ban!

Today we will be exploring a few features of Google Docs. If you do not already have a gmail account, you will need to create one today. I suggest you use the following as your username: sis.first.family@gmail.com

Google Docs is a way to store and share documents online. It can be found at https://docs.google.com/ . You have to be logged in to your Google account in order to access your docs. You can create a document within Google Docs or you can upload documents you have already created.

One reason to use Google Docs is to keep your documents online and be able to access and edit them from anywhere.

Another reason is to share the document and track changes so a team of people can all be working on the same document (even at the same time).

I have invited you to view and edit a document I created.

This week's assignment has three parts:
Part 1:
  • Create a gmail account. If you already have one and have given it to me before, skip to part 2.
  • Go to gmail
  • Create a new account using sis.first.family@gmail.com 
  • Send an email from your new account to me at sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com so I can invite you to share the document on Google Docs with you
Part 2:
  • Go to Google Docs
  • Click on the document I shared with you
  • Add the information in your row so it is up to date
  • Go back to the main Google Docs page
Part 3:
  • Create a new document on Google Docs
  • Write at least 5 sentences telling me what you did over the Tet holiday
  • Give the document a title
  • Share the document with me at sis.kristin.romberg@gmail.com - it doesn't matter which privileges you give me (edit, comment, or view)
Additionally, before the end of class, I will email you a survey. I need you to fill it out so I know what resources you have available to you for what we're studying this term. Be sure to fill it out.
Good luck!

-kris

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Assignment 17

Assigned: 19 January 2012
Due: 20 January 2012
Points:  10 points for blog post, 5 points screen shots, 5 points .html file

Chao Cac Ban!

The blogs are looking pretty good. Today we will be adding one more post AND backing up our blog. Be sure to give yourself time to do both. If you do not finish during ICT time you need to find time at home or during breaks at school to complete the assignment.

Another Post

The goals of your blog post are the same as they were last week:
  • Writing 200+ words
  • Inserting images into posts
  • Formatting font appearance
  • Formatting image appearance 
You should remember how to do a blog post without me writing directions here. If you need the directions look at last week's post to find them.

Backing Up Your Blog

If you delete your blog, all of your data will be lost. There are a few ways to back up your blog data.
We will go over three ways today in class.

1) Printing from a browser. This is the easiest way to back up your data. From whatever browser you are using (Internet Explorer, Moxilla Firefox, GoogleChrome, etc.) you go to File and select Print. If you do this from the main page in your blog it should include all the posts that fit on the screen. If your main page takes more than one page (check out one of my blogs at http://tribeirut.blogspot.com/ as an example) then you must print again when you move to the "older posts" page. You can print each post separately if you would like. Either way, be sure you have each page printed and store them someplace safe. (note - you don't actually need to print, just know that it is one way you can back up your blog's data)

2) Saving as a screen shot. This is an easy way to save a small amount of data. On my blog it would take a very long time to take screen shots of the whole blog. Take as many screen shots as you need in order to back up your post(s).

3) Saving as an HTML file. This is the best way to save your data. You go to File and select Save Page As. Next you select where you would like to save the file and what you would like to call it. Be sure the type of file is Webpage, complete. There is a .html file and a folder with all the pictures/data from your webpage. The file should now open using any browser (like Firefox or Explorer).

Remember to email me three things: 1) the link to your latest blog post 2) the screen shots of your blog and 3) the saved HTML file of your blog. I do not need you to print out a paper copy of your blog, although you can if you want to (on your own paper at home).

Again, my email address is kristin.romberg@saigonsouth.sis.edu.vn but I should be in your address book by now.

Good luck!