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MMeeddiiaa CClluubb Photo Editing I (Basic Photo Composition)

Course Description Participants will learn the basics of digital photo manipulation. In course one we will learn: Basic Photo Composition File Storage Course Software: Paint.NET This free program resembles Photoshop Elements. You can do some cool stuff with it. It has a slight learning curve, but once I show you some basic steps you will be ready to amaze your friends and family with what you can do with this great tool. Who knows, you may discover that graphics arts may be an area that you enjoy exploring.

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Course Requirements:

1. Digital camera (You will need it to create photo projects. Do not bring it to school unless instructed to do so)

2. Computer (For use at home) 3. Flash Drive or External Hard drive ( To store files at home and when you

showcase your projects at school – 512 MB will be enough for most projects, but 1GB is better)

4. Download Paint.NET (It is free. Use the link that I have provided and make sure that you click on the correct icon, when you get to the website, to get the free program. I have a picture of it below)

Study Links Guidelines for Better Photographic Composition By Photo Composition Articles This site contains information that will help you improve your photo taking skills. http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition.html The Art of Composition by Lee Frost This site contains information that will help you improve your photo taking skills. http://photoinf.com/General/Lee_Frost/The_Art_of_Composition_-_Landscape.htm Paint.Net Software http://www.getpaint.net/ Paint.Net Tutorials This site provides tutorials to help you master the tools that are included in the Paint.Net software. Explore the site at your own pace and use it to create the projects assigned by the instructor. http://www.eecs.wsu.edu/paint.net/doc/2.6/Help/en/Tutorials.html

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Assignment 1: Basic Photo Composition

• Read the articles, Guidelines for Better Photographic Composition, and The Art of Composition by Lee Frost in the Study links provided above.

• Take several pictures of items of interest around your home, neighborhood, or church. Be conscience of what you learned from the reading assignment.

• Create a picture that is your best example of: 1. The use of simplicity 2. The Rule of Thirds 3. Lines 4. Balance 5. Framing 6. Avoiding Mergers

• Place the images in a folder called Photo_comp_your last name (For example

Photo_comp_Kirkland). To create a folder follow the steps below: 1. Right-Click on the desktop of your computer – click “New Folder.” 2. Name the folder (You can create a folder within a folder if you desire to

do so). • Bring the folder to the media center and create a PowerPoint presentation of the

images. If you have PowerPoint at home, you may bring the completed presentation to school (See Mr. Kirkland). Be sure that you give each image a title, for example: Balance, Lines, Framing, etc.

• Ask Mr. Kirkland about http://www.openoffice.org/ OpenOffice is free software that has a program called “Writer,” it is their version of Microsoft Word, and “Impress,” their version of PowerPoint. We will be able to show presentations in PowerPoint or Impress.

• Have fun, put into practice what you have learned, and become a lifelong learner.