Principles of A/V Tech: 2026

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Portraits and Self-Portrait Turn in and Magazine Cover Preview. Assigned 3/10, due 3/12 - Portraits/selfports = MAJOR, magazine cover preview Minor (last grade of the 3rd 9 weeks)

FIRST

Please create a new Google Site subpage and call it Portrait and Self-Portrait and share your favorites. I need a total of TWO PHOTOS. One must be a portrait, the other must be self-portrait. Make sure you size them so they are bigger so I can see them. You do that by holding the shift & command key and grab the lower right corner and dragging it. This is a MAJOR GRADE, so make sure you do it NOW!!

Magazine Cover Preview

This assignment consists of three parts. Please do them on ONE GOOGLE SITE SUBPAGE called magazine cover preview.

Part 1 - Magazine tips

After you shoot your portrait and self-portrait, you will use them as the central element of a mock magazine cover design that will occupy a page of an InDesign document.

To get this process started, you need to learn a little about magazine cover design.

Go to the link below:

https://blog.flipsnack.com/how-to-design-professional-magazine-covers/

1. On your google site tell me 5 things you should be thinking about when you design your magazine cover.

Part 2 - Best magazine covers 2018

Next, go here and look at some great designs:

https://www.canva.com/learn/magazine-cover-design/

Look at and read about ALL 50 designs. Make a new text box on you subpage and do the following:

Some of these magazines do not have portraits on the cover. But many do.

2. Pick your 3 favorite covers with a PORTRAIT on it, take a screenshot and share them with me on your Google Site.

3. Copy and paste the description under the cover on the website.

4. Write a 75-125 word critique of the portrait on the cover. Write about what is communicated about the people in the portrait and how this is communicated. You may consider composition, lighting, exposure etc.

Part 3 - Magazines Part II

You also need to know a little more information about the types of magazine covers that have been used through the years. Here are the most common types:

Cover types

1. Image Based
2. Illustration Based
3. Type Based
4. Concept Based

Here is the description and some examples of these types of magazine covers:

5. On your Google Site, write a short (50-150 word) explanation of what the main attributes of each of the four types are. Use your own words, and DO NOT copy and paste.

6. Finally, answer this question: what is the relationship between words and photos on magazine covers and why is this important?

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Portrait and self-portrait shoot. Assigned 3/6, due 3/10 - MAJOR

Today you will partner up with a few people to go out of the classroom to take a few pictures. You will need to come back to class with TWO IMAGES that you like.

One MUST BE a portrait of someone else. This can be formal or informal. You can pose them, or just take a photo of them. Make sure they are IN FOCUS and that you shoot VERTICALLY. Leave some room/space above their heads if possible.

The other MUST BE a self-portrait. You will have a tripod and I will show you how to use the timer. You MUST push the button yourself, and then run and get into the photo. Make sure this photo is IN FOCUS and that you shoot VERTICALLY. Leave some room/space above your head if possible. YOUR FRIENDS CANNOT TAKE THIS PHOTO!!

For both of these, be creative if you can. Find good places to take photos, especially if you plan to pose your model.

Think about the BACKGROUND - what's behind you? Do you want that stuff in the photo?

Think about the POSE - do you want it to be more formal? Or would you like something fun and playful?

Make sure there is good LIGHT so that we can see you.

You will be in small groups and you will have 45 minutes or so to get these photos taken.

Remember you must have ONE PHOTO that you took of another person and ONE PHOTO that you took of yourself. NO CHEATING!!!

I will show you a trick to know who took what photos.

Portraits and self-portraits preview. Assigned 3/5, due 3/6 - Minor

Self Portrait and Portraits Preview

As we get ready to take photos soon on our new assignment, self-portrait and portrait photography. I thought you might want to look at some ideas and get something more than just looking at some photos. With that in mind - go take a look at these FOUR websites.

http://digital-photography-school.com/10-ways-to-take-stunning-portraits

and

http://digital-photography-school.com/tips-portrait-photography

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/portrait-photography-tips/

http://shutterbug.com/refreshercourse/portrait_tips/197/

After looking at these, find what you think are the best 2 or 3 tips and copy and paste them into a new post on your Google Site on a new subpage called Portraits and Self-portraits preview. (I don’t need 2-3 tips from each site, but 2-3 total, but please look at all four sites).

When you go out to shoot these types of photos, there are three main types of portraits, the environmental portrait, a self-portrait and a casual portrait. Let's go find some examples of these types of images. On your Google Site subpage called Portraits and Self-portraits preview please do the following:

Google image search “Environmental portrait” and pick out 2 that you really like and post them on your Google Site. Tell me what you liked about the photo and why you picked it in a sentence or two.

Google image search “photography self portrait” and pick out 2 that you really like and post them on your Google Site. Tell me what you liked about the photo and why you picked it in a sentence or two.

Google image search “casual portrait” and pick out 2 that you really like and post them on your Google Site. Tell me what you liked about the photo and why you picked it in a sentence or two.

Next class you will have a camera in your possession and a partner to go out and take some photos with. You will be required to take a portrait of your partner, and then you will each take a self-portrait (THIS MEANS YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON AND GO GET IN THE PHOTO ALL ON YOUR OWN, your partner cannot push the button for you!!).

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Contemporary Graphic Designers. Assigned 3/3, due 3/5 - Minor

Last class you learned about some of the pioneers of Graphic Design. You will now spend time learning about the work of some contemporary designers.

Read this learn about some current Designers you should know:

https://www.canva.com/learn/graphic-design-inspiration-50-designers-you-should-know/

Review the examples of the work of all 50 designers. Having read about all of the Designers choose your top-5 based on whose work you liked the most.

Create a new Google Site subpage called Contemporary Graphic Designers.

Please complete the following for ALL 5 of your favorite pioneers:

1. Give their name.

2. Share one image they created that you like.

3. What is this designer best known for?

4. Share an interesting fact you learned from the article about this designer.

5. Explain why you liked their work in specific terms - it can be the style, the colors, the subject matter, it's your preference, please explain it to me.

6. Have you seen their work in real life, if so where?

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Graphic Design Pioneers. Assigned2/26, due 3/3 - Minor

To learn how to create impactful pieces of Graphic Design a good place to start is reviewing the work of significant Graphic Designers from history and who are working currently. Designers produce work reflecting their own style as well as design fashions of their era while reflecting the requirements of their clients.

Read this to learn about some pioneers of Graphic Design:

https://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design/names-designers-should-know-6133211

Read about all 35 designers and review the examples of their work provided.

Having read about all of the Designers choose your top-5 based on whose work you liked the most and let's dig a little deeper about each of them.

Create a new Google Site subpage called Graphic Design Pioneers.

Please do the following for ALL 5 of your favorite pioneers:

1. Give their name.

2. Share one image they created that you like.

3. What is this designer best known for?

4. Explain why you liked their work in specific terms - it can be the style, the colors, the subject matter, it's your preference, please explain it to me.

5. Have you seen their work in real life? If so where?

Friday, February 20, 2026

Graphic Design Preview AND Careers. Assigned 2/24, due 2/26 - Minor (MUST DO BOTH PARTS)

For our Graphic Design Unit, after this Preview and Careers activity, we have assignments on Graphic Design Pioneers, Contemporary Graphic Designers and two projects one with a focus on publications. We will include more Photography as well as some Photo Editing.

Part 1 - preview

On your Google Site, please make a new subpage called Graphic Design Preview and Careers. And then complete the following:

1. What is Graphic Design? Do an online search and find 3 different definitions/descriptions. Include the definition and the source URL for each of them.

2. Read this: https://guelphhiking.com/Elements-of-Design#:~:text=7%20Elements%20of%20Design%20and%20Rule%20of%20Thirds&text=Design%20elements%20are%20the%20basic,which%20all%20designs%20are%20built.%22

Now list and define the 7 Elements of Design (6 + the rule of thirds). Include a visual example of each one. You may use drawing tools or find an image online.

3. Read this: https://www.lcca.org.uk/blog/careers/7-basic-principles-of-graphic-design/

List the name, provide the definition and include visual example of each of the Principles of Design:

FOR PART 1 YOU SHOULD HAVE THE FOLLOWING LISTED WITH A DEFINITION AND AN IMAGE.

1. A definition of Graphic Design and 3 different descriptions of what it is.

a. Line

b. Shape

c. Form

d. Space

e. Texture

f. Tone

g. Rule of thirds

a. Balance

b. Alignment

c. Hierarchy

d. Contrast

e. Rhythm

f. Proximity

g. Color and Space

Part 2 - Careers

Do a Google search for Graphic Design Careers and use those resources to answer the following questions on Graphic Design Careers:

4. List 5 career options you can pursue with a Graphic Design degree

5. List the salary range for careers in this area.

6. List name and location of three colleges that offer degrees in your field of choice. (Hint: Go to www.collegeboard.com and search Graphic Design).

Now pick one of those 5 career options you just researched and do some further research and answer the following questions:

7. Career name

8. List 5 skills or pieces of knowledge a person entering into this career would need.

9.List at least three activities a person does in this job on a daily basis.

10. What is the outlook for this job? Is this a career that is expected to be in demand in the future or will it become less important?

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Animation Project #2. Posted 2/5, due 2/19 - Multiple grades

For animation project #2, I am going to flip things a little bit. The focus of the project is to again create a short stop-motion video but this time try to eclipse 20 seconds. That means at 15 frames per second you will need at least 300 photos!!

You will also shoot your OWN VIDEO. You will work with your partner again, but you will each shoot your own unique project. I am allowing 4 full classes to do this project, so you should have plenty of time. Your partner can help you when you are taking photos, but you have to do the iMovie work BY YOURSELF!!

But there are three additional requirements.

1. You must switch mediums. Meaning, we already did claymation, you cannot do it again, you must try something else.

2. You may not tell the same story....so if you had a story about space aliens eating a dog that are eventually killed by the dog's owner, you have to tell a different story.

3. You must center your second creation around a central figure that is clearly definable. You must create a "character" and the story must be about something they do. For example: you watched a video about candy and there was a specific blue M&M that was separate from the rest of the M&Ms and you watched its story as it moved around trying to find its friends before it was final eaten by a human. The central character is the blue M&M. You need something like that.

4. You must have at least 2 different camera angles on this one.

Everything else is the same.

1. You must answer the planning portion on your Google Site.

2. You must create a project and share it on your Google Site.

3. You must complete the reflection on your Google Site.

Part 1 - PLANNING

Now that you know what you are going to be doing on a new page on your Google Site called Animation Project Planning, please answer the following questions:

1. Think about what you have at your home, what might you use as your character(s) or subject?

2. Now think about your “story” you might tell or the sequence of events you want to share. What do you think you might try to do?

3. What is the purpose of the story board?

4. What are at least two programs/apps you can use to create a story board?

5. What is one movie that you have seen that utilizes stop motion animation? (HINT: you can do a Google search to get a pretty comprehensive list of them)

Now it's time to make a story board. The story board is a guide for what will happen in your animated video. You have two options to make these story boards. I strongly recommend the first option as it will make your life much simpler to meet the requirements and probably won't take you as long. You will need to create a story board of 7-15 frames.

Part 2 - STORY BOARD

Option #1

You will get paper and colored pencils from me. I do NOT expect highly detailed drawings. These are sketches to show what will happen in your video. You may create 2 "boards" on a single sheet of paper if you would like. You will each need to turn in 4 -15 sheets of paper to represent your Story Board. There is a sample video below for those of you who don't not feel like you can draw very well. I found it helped me when I made mine because I am not that great at drawing.

You will also need to take photos of your individual story boards and then transfer those photos to your Google Drive and from there onto your Google Site. You have done this in the past, this should not be complicated.

Option #2

For those of you who like to create things electronically, I am open to using different computer-based programs to make a story board. For example, you could create a series of sketches in Google Draw which is located in your Google Drive, or using https://sketch.io/sketchpad/

If you have another app or program you would like to use, I am fine with that. The expectations are the same, you will need to create a 7-15 "page" story board and I will need to be able to see the sequence on your Google Site. That means you ultimately need to get them out of those programs as a .JPEG or a .PNG most likely. If you use a program that doesn't allow for that, you could alternatively take screen shots of each "page" of your story board and then place those on your Google Site.

I am not a tech expert in every program, so it is on you to figure out how to achieve what I expect to see on your Google Site. No exceptions.

If you plan your Story Board based on one idea and you eventually create a completely different animated video, I will be fine with that. You can plan one thing and do another.

Part 3 - Create the Stop Motion Video using Life Lapse or a similar product

Remember it must be 20 seconds long!!

I am expecting to see your best work here - there should be no flickering if possible. You should have at least 2 different camera angles. You should be very aware of shadows, reflections, background activities, etc. I should be able to focus on your subject and the story you are telling about them. This was my biggest complaint about your first efforts.

Part 4 – Reflection

Now that you have finished your project, it is time to reflect upon what you created.

On a new page on your Google Site on a page called Animation Project Reflection please answer the following questions:

Questions

1. What aspects of your video turned out well? Explain your answer.

2. What aspects of your video didn't turn out as well as you hoped? Explain your answer.

3. Explain the parts of the project, as a whole, that were easier to complete?

4. Explain what parts of the project, as a whole, were more difficult to complete?

5. What App, website, or program did you use to make your video?

6. Would you recommend that App, website or program to a friend who was assigned a similar task?

7. If you could do your project again, what would you change or do again?

8. On a scale of 1-10 how much did you enjoy this project? Explain your answer and what you would recommend the teacher do to make the project better for future students

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Animation Project #1 day 2 instructions AND reflection. Posted 1/29, due 2/3 - MAJOR and Minor

Today you will finish shooting your video. Once you are done, you and your partner will EACH download all of the images you have taken. You will EACH be making your own video using those images.

To download the images:

1. Carefully take the SD card out of the camera. I will demonstrate in class how to do that. The SD card is spring loaded so you have to push down and it will pop up so you can take it out.

2. Insert the SD card into the card reader at your computer. Make sure the gold boxes are facing upwards when you insert it. The card readers are NOT spring loaded, so you just push it in until it stops. You may need to hold the back of the card reader a little to get it firmly into the reader.

3. On your desktop should be an ICON that looks like the SD Card and is probably called EOS-DIGITAL. Double click to open it. Open DCIM. Open 100Canon.

4. On your desktop, make a new folder, title it Animation 1. Open that folder.

5. Go back to the 100Canon folder. Use Command-A to select all of the images and then click, hold and drag them into the Animation 1 folder.

6. Let the images process.

7. When all the images are transferred, go back to the EOS DIGITAL ICON and Right-click-EJECT the icon. It will disappear from the screen.

8. Take the SD card out of the reader and CAREFULLY put it back into the camera. DO NOT FORCE IT. If you need help ASK!!

To make the video using iMovie:

1. Go to the launcher in your Dock

2. Find iMovie and open it

3. Now watch the videos below to learn how to import images into iMovie and to make your stop-motion animation.

REMEMBER - you both need to make your own movie, because next time you will make your OWN stop-motion animation video and you need to know how to make your own video.

This video will show you how to bring the video's into iMovie and to set up all the boxes in the program to get the video working properly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfNd85lbKYE

This video will show you how to increase the speed of the video. Remember that the fastest frame rate you can get is 10 FPS and I would love to see you get to 12 or even 15 FPS. This video shows you how to achieve that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U74PkcoIePk

I am going to include a couple more videos that I found that do a decent job of explaining how to do the video if watching another video would help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSaGLUmSNJo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U74PkcoIePk

Turning in your Movie

There are numerous ways to accomplish this. I will walk you through the easiest way I know here:

1. At the top menu on the right click Share
2. Export movie as a FILE- a pop-up box will appear
3. In that pop-up box, change the resolution to 720p (it will probably say 1080p)
4. In that same pop-up box, change the quality to Medium (it will probably say High)
5. Rename the movie to Lastname_Animation1
6. Make sure the file is directed to your desktop

When the movie is finished exporting - it could take 3-4 minutes or more. It MUST have a .mov at the end of the final designation, ex. Reeves_Animation1.mov, if it does not look like that, you will need to do it again.

7. Once it is done generating (watch the little timer in the corner), move that file into your Drive.

8. Click SHARE and make sure it is set to BOWIE HIGH can VIEW

9. Get the link

10. Go to your Google Site and make a new subpage called Animation 1 and use the EMBED function on the Insert Pane on the right and paste the link there.

11. HIT PUBLISH so I can watch it.

Reflection (This is a Minor grade)

Now that you have finished your project, it is time to reflect upon what you created.

On a new page on your Google Site on a page called Animation Project #1 Reflection please answer the following questions: