Gavilan College
DM/Art/CSIS 80: Digital Photography, Fall '05

Final project: Photo Study, hopefully Gavilan related.

Your final project is do a study on a subject--hopefully, something related to Gavilan or the immediate area. It can also be about the people or sports of Gavilan. If your interest is transforming digital pictures for art, discuss the concept with the instructor.

Choose your subject or topic, take lots of photographs, then arrange your pictures to tell a visual story. For example, you could photograph students with the idea of putting together Day in the Life of the Typical Gavilan Student. Or you might do a study of the Gavilan Ducks with pictures of the ducks near the pond. In this case, focusing on the individual ducks to give them a personality would be interesting. Remember that doing studies like this takes time and patience. One literally studies the subject to get a feel for their actions. That way, you can anticipate the subjects next move in order to get the best pictures.

Other Gavilan photo studies that Gavilan needs are: club events like the upcoming Christmas sale, Morgan Hill and Holister sites, students interacting (keep it clean!) around campus

You may also make a portfolio of your previous work for extra credit or possibly for the project. Talk with the instructor.

Particulars for the project are:

  1. It should contain at least 10 images, You must have at least two images that have had significant image retouching. Include the originals in the portfolio.
  2. In planning your project, remember that editing takes a looooong time. Estimate the amount of time it will take, then double it.
  3. Prepare and output the study for print and video. This may entail different editing for each format.
  4. Film or print scans instead of direct digital can be used too. You should have at least 50% digital images though. We have a flat bed scanner and a negative/slide scanner. This process can take lots of time (6+ minutes per slide), so plan ahead. It is definitely not a last minute operation.
  5. For the print version, have a title page, an index page with thumbnails, then at least 5 pages of single or double images. You may have more if you use your own printer or contribute paper (Epson Glossy photo paper, Premium Glossy Photo paper, or Heavyweight Matte photo paper). Other brands of paper are problematic on the Epson printers.
  6. These printers print tabloid 11 by 17" size while the big 7600 can print 24" by whatever. If you want a large print greater than 8.5" X 11", you must supply your own paper or make arrangements. Cost for prints of 24" wide done on the 7600 is $2.50 per square foot. Printing takes time. Don't wait until the last moment .
  7. Turn in a DVD playable slide show with all your portfolio pictures. This is what each will use to present their work on finals day. You can add more images for the slide show.
  8. If you take pictures of people not in a public place, you must get a model release if you want the picture published or presented on GavTV. Outside or in the student center at Gavilan is OK, but inside a building, you must get their OK.
  9. If you desire to have your images played with music as a slide movie on GavTV channel 18, you must also get an OK. Freeplaymusic.com or any BMI licensed music can be used. We need to know the title, etc. Talk with the instructor or lab staff.
  10. Check the class web site for extra open lab hours and project information updates.
  11. Make your project something you can be proud of. Who knows, it may be extremely valuable someday or at least get you a job.

Schedule, Syllabus, R Beede, Gavilan