bokeh

I I bokeh is blurring the background. It's the effect of the blur that makes it look a certain way. It's the way the lense renders out of focus points of light. 

Photographers like this because it focuses in on a subject really well and makes the light look aesthetic. 

In order to maximize bokeh in a photographers in their images they must buy a lense that has auto focus or that has fast shutterspeed and a small aperture. It needs to be able to be adjusted so you can easily get the effect. it should also have a longer lense so there can be greater distance between the subject and the background. 

Publication 1

The dark knight rises

McCallum blue brigade students perform at their spring show on April 22. They performed many different styles of dances, including the ones from competition. "The first night al of us were pumped up on adrenaline so we were all excited and then the second night we were sad to see the seniors leave so everyone was sad" says freshman, Mackenzie Remaley. 

Split up

The McCallum drill team, blue brigade, performed a disco dance at the spring show on Friday. "This dance was really fun and energetic, the crowd seemed to like it too." Says Karel Tinkler, a freshman. 

Lift your spirits

At the spring show for Blue Brigade, these McCallum dancers performed stunts by lifting their peers above their heads. "It takes a lot of practice and deduction to be on the team" says junior, Emma Irvin.

publication lee elementary

Taking the LEEp

Previously known as Robert E. Lee Elementary, this local elementary school decided to be renamed due to the fact that Robert E. Lee was a leader in the confederacy. "it is going to be weird to see our old school being renamed, I'm so used to just saying lee" said freshman, Nadia Freeman. 

Name CalLEEng

Lee Elementary changed their name this past weekend to Russel Lee, a famous photographer during the depression era. There has been a lot of controversy about the subject because some say that they don't think it's a big enough issue to rename it. "Normally schools are named after political figures, it's cool that it will have a photographer" days Audrey Sayer, a freshman. 

New Lee to be

Due to the change of names from Robert E. Lee elementary to Russel Lee, this elementary school will have to make some changes to adapt to the new name. "I think it could be exciting to have some change around here" says second grade teacher and former student, Wren Nokes. 

Photo challenge 10

The present

The story unfolds when the boy gets up and the viewer can see his disability. The moments that seemed powerful or effective where the ones when he rejected the puppy because of it's missing no leg, and when we see that the boy is also missing a leg. The one that elicits the most emotion from me is when the dog keeps falling and is rejected but still is finding a way to be happy. The message I can take from this is that you shouldn't be quick to judge things or that differences can bring people together etc.the filmmaker does this by using different angles and showing the different expressions of the characters, they also use music to set the tone. 

Jump start your photography

My top ten favorite are

1. Learning a new lighting technique- I would look at articles and see the different ways to shoot using light and I would try to take pictures showing the different ways. 

2. Loot at popular photo blogs- I would go on well known photo blogs and look at the pictures that seem powerful to me and then see why and try to incorporate that in my pictures in my own way. 

3. Look at your cd covers- I think this one is great because you can look at the reasons why these photos were chosen. I would see what I like about them or try to remake them with my own spin on it. 

4. Look 360- since we are always looking forward, I would do this to push myself to look at the different angles and directions of where I am. Then I can see what makes the photo the most interesting. 

5. Use a prop in an interesting way- this one struck me because I feel like it will make my photos differentiate from eachother and allow me to just be more creative with my surroundings. 

6. Shoot an item 7x, make each one unique- we did a photo challenge like this and I liked it a lot. This one will allow me to see the effects of having different perspectives on the subject and would give my photos more variety. 

7. Shoot a sporting event- I think this one is a good one because there are a lot of oppurtinities at sporting events and it would be great to shoot some other aspects than just the event. 

8. Photo a day project- I think this one would help me see what I like to photograph and make me see what I should improve on. 

9. Shoot in the dark- this one will push my limits as a photographer because it is hard to get a good quality photo in the dark so I would like to see what I can do and help improve my skills. 

10. Tell a story in 5 pictures- this would help me get the point across in my pictures. I could use composition and technique to convey a message to the viewer. 

Mirrorless Camera

I think that you should get the new camera because although it won't make too much of a change, it will be a lot more convenient. The smaller size will make it easier for students to use them and they won't have to carry around as much un-necessary equipment. Plus, the other cameras are old and so it might be a good thing to get new cameras that are up to date. These cameras also have a better auto focus, which eill be very useful in this class. It has an advantage when it comes to camera modes, the mirrorless camera makes switching modes a lot easier, so you won't have to keep changing settings and can instead spend that time setting up to take a great photo.

Photo manipulation revisited

I think that you should present the photo without the arm. It doesn't change the story or the view of the photo, it's basically just removing a distracting object. It won't affect anyone or anything, except it makes it look like there are less people there but I think that is okay. 

Photo challenge finalists

8- 4 votes

I think this one would be fun because I made it up and anything I make up is going to be amazing. 

16- 4 votes

I think this assignment could get our class excited and motivated to take pictures. It would allow people to see how the same subject can be photographed in different ways. 

11- 2 votes

I think this photo challenge is good because it lets people have freedom with their photography and will let our class get to know each other and have variety. 

Portfolio review 2

I really like this portfolio and j think it has some really powerful photos along with stories. One thing I would change if I were you is that I might change is that I would put the performances at the end and football season at the beginning so it will flow better. The story with Jacqueline's mom is really powerful and I like the way you put it in there so it will stand out because I think it is one of the key points of the portfolio. The pictures don't really go well together, but I think that their creativity help them fit together anyways. The captions help to explain what is important about the photo and it creates a mini story. These captions probably don't need to be that long but I think it's okay. I really like the first couple of pictures and I think they are very powerful, but as you go on they decrease slightly in composition where as I think that it should get better as you look at it. I don't mean to be harsh, I think it's a really great portfolio. Which one got honorable mention? For me, there was a little bit too much about the protest about abortion... I think it is interesting but it doesn't really have to do much with McCallum. I think you could have maybe focused in more about the interesting and cooler aspects of our school like the other portfolio did. 

Portfolio review 1

In the first portfolio, I didn't find much about it that I disliked, it seemed really put together and professional yet still playful and enjoyable. It captured the best moments of the sports year and made McCallum look like a really fun school to go to (even though sometimes it isn't). The photos do a great job at telling a story and I like the way you start with pre game pictures and end with post game photos. It shows the viewer the variety of sports that we can excel in and the story starts from the beginning and ends at the end, like a proper story should. I think that each image contributes to the story because it shows the different but realistic feelings that people have throughout the season. The captions help the pictures and tell the story behind them, although the pictures are great, the picture may not be able to tell the whole story. After I look at the portfolio is makes me excited for football season and that happy vibe etc. plus... I might be in the photos for cheer!! The flow of the pictures is really nice and I like the way they are in the order of a game. It seems like you put a lot of work into choosing which photos go where. I would make sure that it doesn't get choppy, going from sport to sport but I think overall you did a really good job. 

Photo challenge 9

Details

This photo shows gets up close to show the details of the building. I took the picture from this angle to show what the material is and what it creates. 

Patterns

This photo shows patterns because it shows the repetition of the windows and the way the architecture follows a pattern. I shot the picture from this angle so the viewer can see how much repetition there is between the bricks and the Windows. 

Lighting

The way the light hits the building in this photo creates a lot of contrast between the two side of the building. I chose to photograph the picture with the line between the darkness and the lightness going straight down the middle. 

Surroundings

This photo represents the surroundings of McCallum because it shows where McCallum is and what it is like from farther out. I went far from the school to show the view of students and see the building. By focusing on the flower, it shows the beautiful garden surrounding the pathway. 

Shapes and Angles

This photo shows shapes and angles because the railings and the stairs and the doorway all create different ones. I chose to shoot the picture from where the railings start so it will be more angled and lead to the doorway.