1. Down the Shore Photography Guild 2014 Winter Project
Mastering Photography
©Sue Schwer, 2013

2. Winter Project Objectives
Obtain knowledge and skills that will bring you to the next level of photography.
Three things to identify upfront:
What do you want to get better at by the end of the winter?
What topics should you study?
How will you measure your progress?

3. “Mastery is the use of previous learning with ease”
Identifying and applying concepts to obtain knowledge.
Understanding processes
Knowing
Knowing is the goal of learning
Ability to recall data, concepts and meaning
Owning
Putting knowledge to use intuitively

5. Photography Skill Levels – Suggested Learning Objectives
4 major groups
Novice Level I – “I don’t even know what I need to know”
Technical Foundation –
Know your camera
exposure
focus
depth of field
shooting in creative modes - aperture, shutter, manual
understanding light
histogram

6. Photography Skill Levels – Suggested Learning Objectives
Novice Level II – “I want to make my images look better”
Expand camera skills and develop workflow skills –
Composition 
Understanding lenses
Flash and other equipment
Basic processing work flow
Computer Best Practices -backing up your work

7. Photography Skill Levels – Suggested Learning Objectives
Intermediate Level I – “I want to develop a style”
Learn about the art of Photography
The types of photography
Well known photographers and styles
Developing a photographer's eye
Image critique
Finding a style
Improving photos through work flow and processing software
Lightroom
Photoshop Elements
Photoshop
NIK Suite
Topaz Suite
Photomatix
Printing
HDR

8. Photography Skill Levels – Suggested Learning Objectives
Intermediate Level II – I want to do something with my photography
Portfolio Building and presentation
Selecting photographs for a portfolio
Portfolio presentation
Advanced Printing
Matting and Framing
Presentation Venues
Professional Photographer
Wedding
Studio
Commercial
Published

9. Photography Skill Levels – Suggested Learning Objectives
Types of Photography to explore
Portraiture
Landscape
Nature
Street
Travel
Infrared
Sports
Photojournalism
Macro
Low light
Photoart

10. Collaborative Learning
Complete and Share Goal Sheets
Identify and schedule demonstrations/hangouts
Form Study Groups

11. Goal Sheets Identify Goals Examples: Be able to shoot sporting events
Shoot in manual mode
Sell my photos
Photos are focused and exposed correctly
Become a certified expert in Lightroom
Become proficient at post processing

12. Goal Sheet Identify topics required to achieve goal
Identify exercises to gain experience and develop skills
Identify resources
Start before and after journal

13. Information Exchange Share Goals Provide Feedback
Recommend exercise / assignments
Recommend resources

14. Form Study Groups 6- 8 People in a group Develop Rubik matrix
Make assignments for data collection
Schedule hangouts and meetups to share information and show progress
Identify meetups for the Guild
Produce reference for Guild Library

15. Rubik example Photo Grading Rubric
Below is our Photo Grading Rubric for our class.
Category
Exceeds Grade Level Standards – 5 points
Meets Grade Level Standards – 4 points
Approaching Grade Level Standards– 3 points
Not Meeting Grade Level Standards – 2 points
Score
Composition — Camera angle, subject placement, background supports subject, appropriately cropped
All parts of the photograph are extremely well done.
All parts of the photograph/s look good, just not at the higher level.
Parts, but not all of the compositonal elements support the subject in the photograph
Most of the compositional elements not exhibited 5
Camera Skills — appropriate use of focus, depth of field, shutter speed
Extremely proficient use of focus, depth of field, shutter speed that enhances the message of the photograph.
Proper use of focus, depth of field, shutter speed.
Not all camera skills are apparent in the photograph, a little out of focus, camera shake, etc.
Camera skills need developing, unfocused, blurry, inappropriate depth of field
Photoshop/Software Enhancement/Effects Techniques
Photoshop enhancements/color correction, use of filters, effects, totally supports and enhances photograph.
Proper use of Photoshop tools/enhancements, filters, etc. Use enhances photograph positively.
Not all photoshop tools used enhanced photograph, underused or overused.
Photoshop tools used detracted from the photograph.
Presentation/File management — appropriate file size, file name, file format (web, print, storage.)
File name, file size, file format, appropriate for assignment. Original image backed up and not used as working image.
Almost all File name, file size, file format, appropriate for assignment. Original image backed up and not used as working image.
Some of the file presentation/management protocals not followed.
Most file presentation/file management protocals not followed.
Creativity/Time/Effort — appropriate use of time, effort, trying to get a unique, interesting photograph — Photograph fulfills assignment specifications
Photograph/s shows the student made great effort, spent time making or conceptualizing the idea to make a great photograph.
Photograph/s shows the student made a good effort, spent time making or conceptualizing the idea to make a very good photograph.
Photograph/s shows the student made some effort, but could have spent more time making or conceptualizing the idea to make a better photograph.
Photograph/s show no effort was made to make interesting photographs. Just turned something in.
Photograph/s points 25
Project Factor: 4, 8, 12 or 16 8
Total Score
200

16. You will contribute to your study group by sharing resources and presenting what you learned.

17. Winter Project Meetups
Demonstrations
Software – Purpose is to show functions, know what it can be used for.
Practice
Shooting or processing meetups to experiment with new concepts or techniques.
Class and Workshops
Formal instruction

18. We will have meetups to introduce new concepts and techniques and to share knowledge

19. Guild Mentor Program
Our mentor program is based on a pay it forward concept – if you receive mentoring you are expected to be a mentor or share a “how I learned” document when you reach your desired level.

20. Mentoring will reinforce and expand knowledge

21. Mentor Program Mentor Levels Buddy - Help Novice I Learn Basics
Shooting Buddy works with Novice
Match with camera type/model
Goal is to get Novice to manual mode
Processing Buddy works with Novice
Match with software type
Goal is to get Novice to a level where they can correct exposure / crop and understand major functions of software
Recommended time contribution
Minimum of 3 assignments with meetings or conversations to answer questions and provide feedback.

22. Mentoring Program Mentoring Levels Guide – Move Novice I to Novice II
Shooting Guide – Works with Novice II in understanding elements of composition and light conditions. Provides critique of work and recommends assignment to improve skills.
Processing Guide - Works with Novice II in processing image, may rework image to show techniques. Provides critique of work and recommends assignments to improve skills.
Recommended time contribution: 6-8 assignment and review sessions.

23. Mentor Program Mentor Levels
Mentor – Works with Intermediate Photographer to develop a style and sharpen a specific workflow skill
Seeing Mentor – works on aspects of photographic eye
Specialized Mentors for a specific software and or function in a package – explain workflow and techniques makes assignments and provides a critique.
Light Mentor – works on advance lighting techniques.
Photography Type Mentor – For a specific type of photography discusses techniques, outlines a series of assignments and provides critiques.
Printing Mentor – discusses techniques, outlines a series of assignments and provides critiques.
Recommended time requirements – Minimum 6-8 assignments and review sessions.

24. Mentor Program Master Mentor – works with Intermediate level
provides in-depth critique and advice on images and portfolio
teaches advanced skills

25. Volunteers Need Demonstrations – software,
Presentations on exposure, composition, photography types
Study Group Scheduler
Mentors
Hangout Trainer- how to have a hangout

26. Mentoring Program Mentoring Types
Master Mentor – Move Intermediate Photographer to Advanced Photographer
Critiques photographers portfolio
Identifies areas of improvement
Can provide advance instruction in specialized techinques.

27. Before and After Journal
Assignment
Activity
Images that show improvement
What I learned
Resources Used

28. Next Steps Complete and Submit Goal Sheet Complete volunteer sheet
Study groups will be announced on Google +
Meetups will be scheduled by January 1st