Senior Project Reflection

What are you most proud in your 2-hour and/or your senior project? Why?
There are so many different aspects of senior project that I am proud of because I have put so much work into everything I do. I am very proud of my product, which is my portfolio, I have put so much time and effort into it. It shows off all of my skills that I have learned this year. In my 2-hour I am most proud of my second answer, I presented on everything that I needed to say. I felt like that student understood what I was teaching and seemed to enjoy the presentation. I am also very proud of my PowerPoint which took a long time to finish, and took lots of hard work. I was very picky with the photos I chose because I wanted pictures that had made an impact on me to be on there. I think my PowerPoint was aesthetically pleasing and I really love every aspect of it.

What assessment would you give yourself on your 2-hour Presentation? Why?
I would give myself an AE, the reason being that I put so much work into the presentation itself. I made sure everything was right and that I had everything ready. I think my 2-hour shows everything that I have learned this year and you could see the passion I have for my topic. I had enough to talk about and I made it clear so that everyone could understand what I was talking about. I engaged the audience and made sure that everyone was involved. I was confident through out my presentation and met all the requirements needed. I also am not just doing this for the grade it goes beyond that, I was happy to share with my peers all I knew about photojournalism. I also had students coming up to after the presentation with questions and telling me they really liked my presentation, one of my main goals was to have them enjoy the presentation.

What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project? Why?
AE, simply because for my senior project I give 110% to every assignment we have. Like I mention before in my 2-hour assessment, it is more than just a grade for me, I look at photojournalism as a future career, even a lifestyle. I'm glad that I was able to dive into photojournalism, without senior project I probably still wouldn't know what I wanted to do with my life. When I present or research photojournalism it because I want to know more or I want people to know about it and could maybe love it as much as I do. I think in my 2-hour, Exit, and product show how much I have done this year, that I actually care about my senior topic. I feel like for many of the assignments I gave my best effort to meet the requirements and try to go above and beyond.

What worked for you in your senior project?
I would say gaining a real knowledge of the photojournalism field before I go into it. I now sort of know what I am getting myself into.I was able to interview people who are in the photojournalism industry which is amazing, no amount of articles could have taught me what they have. My service learning which was my ROP class was amazing and it made me a way better photographer. I now have a foundation to start my life on which is something I will always cherish.

What didn't work for in your senior project?
Researching was something that I felt wasn't going good for me because all my friends doing medical related senior projects had medical journals for research. I felt my research was inadequate compared to theirs, but I realized how much I was learning from research. I figured out that my research worked for me and it was solid. Science fair was also very hard for me, it was hard to settle on a an experiment. Then I felt that it sub par compared to my some of peers experiments.

Finding Value.
I have found so much value in my senior topic, I know have a future career. I have something that makes me happy, something that will give me the satisfaction I will need from a career. I have learned something from every assignment that I have done, it has all taught me something that I wouldn't normally found out. Even if science fair wasn't my favorite project I still learned so much about lenses which is knowledge that I am grateful for. My interviews were a great source that also helped me gain connections and knowledge. . I am glad that I tried so hard in every assignment because I would learn so much in the end.

2-Hour Presentation

2-Hour Presentation :)

Service Learning

My service learning relates to my topic because it has taught me everything a photographer needs to know. During my hours, Jack my ROP teacher, would teach us something new every week.
I think the most important thing I've learned in ROP would be learning how to work the camera and photoshop. Those are skills that I wouldn't have ever learned on my own without ROP.
ROP helped me with my EQ because it helped me find one of my answers, which is analyzing work from your predecessors. It is om

Picture of the week.

These are photos taken by Michal Czerwonka, my 3rd Interview and a great source.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204136404577209733175735136.html#slide/4

Independent Component 2

I, Megan, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.

L
In ROP I have learned many different aspects that a very important to a photographer. I have learned about photojournalism this semester. We went over abstract and surrealism, which is really cool and interesting. We have also learned about different perspectives, and just started learning about landscape photography which I've been waiting to learn about. I've refreshed my skills on retouching in Photoshop, along with complex skills on Photoshop. 


I

n ROP we are first taught the technique, then we practice the technique and get critique. We also work in partners at first then work alone, to make sure we grasp the concept. After we grasp the technique we are tested by doing a project. Doing this takes time and lots of practice, which is why I think it demonstrates 30 of hours of working. We also learn many skills on Photoshop, which we have to do the same process above. We also have to edit most of our pictures, which takes even more time.

A 

ROP really helped me this semester with my EQ since we focused on photojournalism. I learned what is most important to Jack in photojournalism. I also learned how tell one clear story in your photo, it was a fun and really cool process. I also found much more information on my answers, like I learned about emotion when we did our first photojournalism photos. I have also learned a lot of skills on Photoshop with my abstract photo, which can help with retouching.

I've been learning how to take better portraits. 

 These are pictures I took at Venice, I've learned how to make my first page kind of thing. I have also learned about different types of light in the day time.

Helping 2013

Who did I interview: Cheryl Walker
What day and time: Wednesday at 4:30

1. What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

 C: Veterinary medicine and Gun safety. I know they are both different, but I have access to both. They are both future occupations that I want to pursue. Either I want to be a vet or be a police officer like my father.

M: Those are so different, but really cool ideas. You should do the topic that you have the most passion for, to have a great, and enjoyable senior topic. You don't, like some people to hate your topic by the end of the year.

I also explained my senior topics, and other interesting senior topics that my peers are doing.

2. What do you plan to do to complete the 10 hours of service learning which is due prior to senior year starting?

C: Well for the vet, my dad has connections to have me work at a veterinarians office. Where I could work around the office, go in during appointments, and even observe surgeries. With gun safety my dad used to be police officer, he trained the new officers. Since he still has his license he can teach me, and I could use do that over the summer.

M: It is good that have great access to both, because that is so important to your senior project. They are both really great for experience, and seem very interesting. Make sure you can get service learning because sometimes people back out, so have a back up. Even though your dad wouldn't, haha. But if they are both possible to do, you just have to decide which one you want to do more.

3. What do you hope to see or expect to see when watching the class of 2012 present their two hour presentations?

C: Learn more about different occupations, I see it as an in depth career fair. I hope to get ideas from senior presentations, how to fill in the time.

M: Yeah, we have variety of topics this year. I explained what she should look for in senior topics presentations.

4. What questions do they have about senior project? What additional recommendations would you give the 2013 student about senior project? Be specific and note what you told them.


C: I don't really have any questions, except how do you fill in the time for the 2 hour. Like how are you able to talk

M: Well if you really like your topic then your senior topic then it easy to fill in topic time. Just make sure through out the year that you do all your assignments or you will be stressed out. Then I explained the 2 hour, foundation, etc. Also make sure to try to focus the whole year, even though your going to be tired during the whole year. Perseverance is so important, if you stop doing your work, you will fall so behind. If you are on top of your work, the year won't be as hard.


Who did I interview: Marilyn Garcia
What day and time: Thursday 1:37

1. What ideas do you have for your senior project and why?

Marilyn: I'm not really sure but I think I want to do medicine, like pediatrics. But I am not sure if I should be more specific.

Me: No pediatrics is specific enough one of my friends, Terrin, is doing that for her senior project. You can also get service learning at the hospital. If you go on the senior blog and look at Terrin Liwag's blog you can see all that encompasses the blog and senior year. Just make sure you have passion for what you are doing and really like it, if you do senior year will be a lot easier.

2. What do you plan to do to complete the 10 hours of service learning which is due prior to senior year starting?

Marilyn: I want to work at the hospital, so I know information to present on. I heard a lot of people volunteer at San Dimas but that is far from me, so I have to look around.

Me: With volunteering at the hospital, you have to register and it is harder to volunteer. It is something you have to make sure you can get, and sign up early. I told her about other seniors doing mediciene related senior project. Also about having a back up place for service learning, and how volunteering counts as independent component.

3. What do you hope to see or expect to see when watching the class of 2012 present their two hour presentations?

Marilyn: I just hope to learn something, learn about medicine. Also get tips on what to present on, since it seems like a lot of work.

Me: I told her when Terrin's presentation was, about what to look for in presentations. What goes on in the 2 hour.

4. What questions do they have about senior project? What additional recommendations would you give the 2013 student about senior project? Be specific and note what you told them.

Marilyn: I want to know what happens in the beginning of the year? The first day? What do the teachers do to prepare you for the 2 hour?

Me: Well with us we didn't really have to have your final topic the first day, but it was better if you did. We focused on our topic for the first few weeks, then started doing research counts. ( Explained what research count is.) Then we start working on our EQ, then told her what an EQ was and what my EQ was. Then I explained science fair to her, all the presentation with our answers. I connected them to the 2 hour and how they each help.

Answer 3

EQ: What is most important to being an accomplished photojournalist?

Answer: Having your subject's trust.

By Ikuru Kuwajima (Ukraine) Mediafax Foto

• The photo will more honest if the subject trust you. It will be closest to a photojournalist photo. Which is very important to photojournalist.

• The subject will be more comfortable with you, it will make the environment easier to work in.They could use you as a future reference, and send you to others. 

• There are little techniques you can use to help gain your subjects trust.

• I used the photo above because if both of those subjects didn't trust the photojournalist, there isn't any way this shots would have came to be. 

Knight, Cameron. "Understanding and Appreciating the Basics of Photojournalism." Photography and Post-processing Tutorials from Beginner to Advanced | Phototuts. Photodune, 9 Nov. 2011. Web. 10 Jan. 2012. <http://photo.tutsplus.com/tutorials/understanding-and-appreciating-the-basics-of-photojournalism/>. 

Golden, Reuel. "Interview: Kevin Mazur, Celebrity and Music Photographer, On Trust, Business, and Camera Phones." - The Photoletariat. 22 Sept. 2010. Web. 9 Apr. 2012. <http://thephotoletariat.com/interview-kevin-mazur-celebrity-and-music-photographer-on-trust-business-and-camera-phones/>.

Hancock, Mark M. "PhotoJournalism." : Gain Trust for Portraits. Wordpress, 19 Nov. 2004. Web. 13 Apr. 2012. <http://markhancock.blogspot.com/2004/11/gain-trust-for-portraits.html>.

Portfolio 2

By Megan Gonzalez

This is a recent technique that I just learned in one of my research articles, the painting was done by my grandfather. The technique is basically where you put a long exposure time, then make sure there isn't any light, where you are photographing. Put a small aperture, then snap the photo, turn on your flashlight and shine the light around your subject slowly. For the best results go in circular motions and light brush strokes. This is a photo I would like to put in my portfolio.

Portfolio

By: Megan Gonzalez

I took the photos above at Venice beach, and wanted to use the photos for my portfolio so I tried to make it look like an article in a skateboard magazine. I am still improving my article and the layout of the page, this was my first try with this on adobe photoshop. I want one of my future jobs to be for a skateboard magazine, so I wanted to test out the waters. The article is about the new generation of skateboards that hang around Venice Beach. 

3-Column Chart

3-column chart

Picture of the Week

Photo by Robert Doisneau

One of favorite photos, that I even have in my room. This is one of Doisneau's most famous photos, that he did not plan, it happened on spot, only a great photographer could capture this moment so beautifully. 

Room Creativity

1) How do you plan on addressing the room creativity expectation?
 My idea for the room is to get pictures from magazines like National Geographic and newspaper, then I would put the pictures all over the room. Since I know this would be really difficult to do, I was thinking of just making a strip of photos and have the strip go around the walls. My other idea and the one I think I will most likely do is get photos from famous photographers and my own pictures, then frame them and put them around the room. I want it to have a gallery feel to the room.

2) What activities ideas do you have for answer 1 or 2?
What I was thinking for my answer 2 activity, my second answer is having strong emotion in your photo, that I would borrow the cameras from ROP and have the students take photos with emotion. I would put them into groups and give each group an emotion, have them to try and capture the emotion the best they could. The last part of the activity would to upload the pictures, so everyone could see them, then ask people to guess the emotion in the shot.

Picture of the week and Photojournalist of the week: Robert Capa

By: Robert Capa D-day

Robert Capa is a famous war photographer, know for his impact by showing his audience war and the effects of it. I really love this shot because it shows that he has no special protection he is out with the soldiers in the middle of  war. To me he was one of the bravest and greatest photojournalist, he had a great eye and captured what others were afraid to do.

Answer 2

1. EQ: What is most important to being an accomplished photojournalist?
2. Answer 2: Having strong emotion in your photo.

Examples:

• Emotion s something that everyone can connect with, which makes people understand the story and relate to it.
• Having a certain emotion from one person separates your photo from every other photographer, because nothing like it has been done. It makes your photo and your story unique.
• Since emotion is something everyone can relate to, you can have photos of people that people would normally not relate to but if the photo has an emotion you can relate to them. The photo above would be this example. Normally you wouldn't find yourself relating to one of the most popular bands of all time, but you can relate to being happy just hanging out with your best friends.
• The in between moments are the moments that you catch the most emotion and that matter.

Sources:

Knight, Cameron. "Understanding and Appreciating the Basics of Photojournalism." Photography and Post-processing Tutorials from Beginner to Advanced | Phototuts. Photodune, 9 Nov. 2011. Web. 10 Jan. 2012. <http://photo.tutsplus.com/tutorials/understanding-and-appreciating-the-basics-of-photojournalism/>.

Jitesh, A. "Tips on How to Photograph Emotions." Bright Hub. Ed. Rhonda Callow. Bright Hub Inc., 24 May 2011. Web. 08 Mar. 2012. <http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/photography/articles/39570.aspx>.

Schulz, Constance B. "Documentary Photography: Information from Answers.com." Answers.com: Wiki Q&A Combined with Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Encyclopedias. Oxford University Press, 2000. Web. 09 Sept. 2011. <http://www.answers.com/topic/documentary-photography-1

The Product

My product would be a portfolio, I picked this as my product because it will show what this whole year has done for me and it will be something I can use in my future. I would use my portfolio to show the skills that I have learned this year, from ROP ( my log will show how often I go). You can also see this in my independent component blog, which show some of the work I have done. Also it shows what I have learned from my research which is shown on my WB.

Fourth Interview Questions

1. What is most important to being an accomplished photojournalist?
2. How important is lighting? Why?
3. What is your favorite lighting technique?
4. How do you get your subject to trust you?
5. What is your favorite thing to photograph?
6. Who is your favorite photojournalist?
7. What inspires you?
8. How important is the equipment you use? Does it matter?
9. What is the most important thing in a photo?
10. What is the best quality for a photojournalist to have?
11. What is you favorite thing to photograph?
12. What is your favorite part about being a photojournalist?
13. Do you have a favorite camera?
14. What is hardest about being a photojournalist?
15. How well do you know your equipment? 
16. Do you have any recommendations for me?
17. How important is the composition of the photo?
18. Do you believe in fully editing your photo?
19. How important are photo lenses?
20. Do you have a favorite lens?
21. Do you think the story of the photo is important?
22. How important is emotion of a photo?

Science Fair Proposal 2

1. If you have a small focal length, then the lens will have a wider angle and images in the back will appear farther.

     2. Dependent: Wider angle and background

         Independent: Focal length
         Control: Camera lens
   
     3. The connection would be am accomplished photojournalist you have to know what image needs a small focal length and what needs a long focal length. Knowing this will help the image and the image quality of the photo, to make the best photo possible.

     4. I will first use the equation to find focal length and the equation to find the angle the lens captures. Then take photos to show how the background bottle will be farther away with a small focal length compared to a long focal length.
     
      5. physics 

Independent Component 2 Plan Approval

1. What I plan on doing for my Independent Component is continuing going to ROP. This year we are going more in depth of jobs photographers have and so far I am learning a lot. 
2. ROP counts for my 30 hours because I am there 6 hours a week and in ROP we are learning roles that are vital to being a photographer. I also work outside of ROP on my portfolio and extra credit projects. 
3. ROP relates to my EQ, which is what is most important in being a photojournalist? ROP shows me different skills that are important to being a photojournalist and has helped me find my second answer to my EQ. 

Asiago Plateau, Italy

Photo by Vittorio Poll

The small town where I live (Asiago plateau, Italy) is shrouded in fog in this image taken from the top of a mountain.

Independent Component 1

Here is the link to my 2011 calendar  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkqtBxdBDyVHdDJqeFFMdkhsRlUtZXhDWncwcTN3U1E 

This is the link to my 2012 calendar https://docs.google.com/document/d/15GRAv_MBFjPDQsBxDqvzH3ia9bc-IgoLKh8YLQJs13o/edit

I go to ROP from 3:00-6:00.

I, Megan, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.

Below are pictures and projects I have done in ROP.

L

 In ROP I have learned many different aspects that a very important to a photographer. I have learned many different lighting techniques, how to make a picture better by changing the white balance, and different colors that can help the emotion in your photo. I have also learned a lot about composition, leading lines, and the rule of thirds.

I

In ROP we are first taught the technique, then we practice the technique and get critique. After we grasp the technique we are tested by doing a project. Doing this takes time and lots of practice, which is why I think it demonstrates 30 of hours of working. We also learn many skills on Photoshop, which we have to do the same process above. We also have to edit most of our pictures, which takes even more time.

A

ROP has helped me so much with answering my EQ, I learned what is vital to having an amazing photo. Without my ROP class I wouldn't have came up with my 2nd answer which is composition, the class taught my how important composition is. It taught me everything that goes into composition which is lighting, layers, rule of thirds and many more different aspects that go into composition of a photo. In two of the picture below I have pictures of leading lines which is important to composition of a photo. I have also learned that the rule of thirds should be followed in most pictures, in the portrait below I am following the rule of thirds.

This first picture is a profile shot I took, it was for my Personality panels project.

Below is my extra credit project, I made a family Christmas card.

The picture is the first panel of my A-Z project.

Stop motion project.

Leading lines.

Leading lines.

The two photos below are pictures I took at The J. Paul Getty Museum. I used the skills I learned in ROP to capture the image I wanted to obtain.

EQ draft 2

1. What is you EQ?
   What is most important to being an accomplished photojournalist? 
2. Define the words in you EQ.
   Accomplished- Highly skilled, the exact skills would be being a visual communicator, knowing how to lay your composition in a way that is appealing to the viewer. In composition include lighting, layering, rule of thirds, leading lines, and emotion. 
3. What are some possible answers do you have for your EQ?
   Having your audience understand the story in your photo, having your subject trust you, having an honest photo, and composition.
4. What has been your best source so far and why?
   My most important source is a book; National Geographic by Leah Val Bendavid, it goes over the history of National Geographic. The best National Geo. photographers had the skills listed above and they are the kind of photojournalist I want to be. I would also say this article; Understanding Photojournalism, helped me realize a lot of skills photojournalist need. 
   
   
   

Presentation 2 Rough Draft

Google docs link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DFrd-Wl_BJhoMOL-20t2Ll5RCbWDLaj_CQpT_xUo92Q/edit

Picture of the week.

By: Megan Gonzalez

My Nieces and nephew got Lincoln Logs for Christmas, they built a little house and I was inspired to take a shot of the little town. I used this app Instagram to focus in the middle of the photo and used an effect to change the coloring. Taken on itouch.

Picture of the week.

By Michal Czerwonka 

This is one of the photos I used for my answer 1 presentation

Photojournalist of the week

I have decided that I am going to start photojournalist of the week, I will switch between picture of the week and photojournalist of the week. Harry Benson inspired me to do this, I love his work and I want everyone to see, so enjoy. My personal favorite is in The Beatles 40th Collection, it is a picture of George Harrison sitting next to a curtained window. He has his legs crossed and is looking off into the distance, I think it captures who George was.
http://www.harrybenson.com/#mi=1&pt=0&pi=9&p=-1&a=0&at=0

Answer 1

1. Telling a story in your photo (that follows the rules of journalism) will make your audience connect with your photo and the photo will have more of an effect.

2.

• A visual story is one, that anyone can understand, it is a form with a mass communication. If the photo has a clear story anyone from any country can get what is going on in the photo. If you get a war photo of a soldier holding another soldier who is dying, to a person from the U.S. and a person from Brazil they will both understand what it happening, no captions needed. 
• A photo with a story will resonate with you more than an article or someone talking about a story, because you connect with the photo and can see it. If you hear about or read about a huge peace rally you think you know what it looked like or how it could have been. But once you see a photo you can actually see what happened and it makes more of an effect.

3.

• Bendavid-Val, Leah. National Geographic, the Photographs. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1994. Print. - Has the best photos taken at National Geographic, and the photographers who took them.
• Time-Life Books. Photojournalism. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life, 1971. Print. Pg. 12-20
• Knight, Cameron. "Understanding and Appreciating the Basics of Photojournalism." Photography and Post-processing Tutorials from Beginner to Advanced | Phototuts. Photodune, 9 Nov. 2011. Web. 10 Jan. 2012. <http://photo.tutsplus.com/tutorials/understanding-and-appreciating-the-basics-of-photojournalism/>.

Pic of the Week

By: Charles Q. Choi 

New ultrasharp pictures show the exact instant a black hole launched gigantic, high speed "bullets" of gas. 

Service Learning

Where are you working for your service learning?
 For service learning I am going to the digital photography ROP.

Who is your contact?
 My contact would be my ROP teacher Jack Bohlka.

Summarize the services you have preformed to complete the 10 hour requirement.
 I've had more than 10 hours for ROP, so I have done so much so far. I have learned how to use the camera, what the different modes and such are. I have learned many different light techniques, and about the composition of a photo. I have also learned how to do many things on photoshop.

How many hours have you worked?
Around 96 hours

ESLR Blog

Effective Learner and Communicator: I would say effective learner because I am taking care of my own learning because I am in ROP. I go everyday and make sure I know how to learn the tasks put in front of me. I also am regularly researching for my senior project and reading books from the library. In ROP I make sure everything has my signature of creativity. I listen to what my ROP teacher says and apply it. I have also went out and found contacts in the photography business. I take the camera on weekends and learn how to use it in different light.

Third Interview Questions

1. What do you think is most important to becoming a successful photojournalist?
2. What is most important in a photo?
3. What is your favorite part about being a photojournalist?
4. What makes a good portfolio?
5. How do you gain your subjects trust?
6. What is hardest about being a photojournalist?
7. What do you think is more important the content of the photo or the equipment? 
8. How well do you know you equipment?
9. Do you have a favorite camera that you use?
10. Do you have any recommendations for me?

Pic of the week returns :D

By: Megan Gonzalez

This is my first personal photo for the blog, taken over winter break. The photo was taken at Euro Cafe in Claremont.