New Assignment: Removing Green Screens

Hello Students,

In this assignment we will learn about the advantages and difficulty with using green screens in photography. Green screens have been used in cinema since the 30's. it is used widely in television, modern digital filmmaking and photography. In the video production world it is called a "Chroma Key" or "Color Key".

With software like Photoshop green screen removal is a possibility for any photographer. The advantage is you can remove the green screen and add any background image you prefer, all during the post process. Some of the difficulties are correct lighting of the screen as well as avoiding the screen color in clothing. That is why green or blue is used most widely, people rarely wear neon green or blue clothing. Although with these methods literally any color can be edited, removed, changed.

With still photography the biggest challenge is creating a clean selection or mask for the subject. Light hair/clothing can pick up green glow from the screen called "spill light", it's literally green light shining off the wall onto our subjects. Also, variation in the green tone can make processing difficult, strive for even lighting of the wall. Watch for shadows being cast by your subject onto the wall.

The process for green screen in photoshop is first to create a good selection of the screen, then refine the selection, then you can replace the background. Work through the tutorial below and check out the link at the bottom of the page for expert tips on screen refinement.

Green Screen Assignment Details:

You assignment is to take 3 photographs using the green screen and edit out the background, replacing it with a different background.

1. Take 1 photo with a single person
2. Take 1 photo with 2 people
3. Take 1 photo with 3 people
4. Edit out the green screen with the process below
5. Replace the background with something different, an island, the himalayas, outer space, brick wall, or a simple gradient or flat color
6. post the 3 image results to your blog when complete

Assignment Grading Rubric:

• 2 Points - All 3 photos represented
• 2 Points - Backgrounds replaced, screen removed properly
• 2 Points - Creative use of backgrounds. People "interact" with background ( if background is dark forest, people act scared / if background is outer space, people act like they are weightless, etc... use your imagination!) or the background is removed and replaced with a simple gradient or color background to add focus to a portrait photo.
• 2 Points - Photos are in focus
• 2 Points - Photos show proper exposure
• Bonus Points: Add Lightsabers

How To Remove A Green Screen:

Open up your photo in Photoshop...

Create your initial selection by going to Select > Color Range

To see the selected area, chose Quick Mask preview mode. I've also checked the Invert box to invert the selection. That way, the colors I choose will be masked out, and the remainder will be actually be the selected region. Click on the left-most eyedropper tool and click on the image in the green area. To fill in the entire green area, click on the middle eyedropper and continue clicking in other areas of the background to add those colors to the selection.

Hit ok and your selection will be loaded...

Next you will refine the edge by using the refine edge feature. Go to Select  > Refine Edge...

As shown here, I've chosen to view the resulting image on a white background, so it's easy to see how the settings will be applied. There is also a new Smart Radius setting that tells Photoshop how far out to look for adjoining details. I've also used the Paint Edge tool (just to the left of the Edge Detection box) to paint around acoustic foam where I want CS5 to look a little further out. Lastly, I've chosen output to New Layer with Layer Mask. With this setting, CS5 will automatically duplicate the Background layer and add the mask. Adjust the settings for the best results based on your image...

Hit ok and you will have a layer with your selection masked out...

Next replace your background, you can use a nice gradient or another photograph even. Refine and edit your layers for the best results.

If your image needs finer selection editing (such as areas where green stays in hair/clothing) read the tutorial link below for expert tips:

http://www.wetzelandcompany.com/Photoshop_Tutorials/GreenScreen.php

Previous Student Work Samples:

Color Theory Follow Up Assignment:

Students,
Having a good eye for color is important for designers, photographers, cinematographers, film makers or anyone interested in creating eye catching and compelling imagery. Put your color theory knowledge to the test and see if you can find 3 examples in your surroundings that show complimentary color.

Color Theory Shooting Challenge:

• Use the chart below for some examples of complimentary color
• Walk the campus and look for any examples
• Take many photos and use the 3 best examples that show complimentary colors, post these to your blog with no editing

Have fun! - Mr.W

Introduction to Color Theory

Students,

Your next assignment is to use an online resource to create a palette derived from a photograph and then create a complementary color palette, plus complete a short writing assignment based on your lecture notes. Post this all to your blog when complete.

Part A - Color Palette Generation From Photograph:

In the study of color theory, primary colors refer to the 3 or 4 color combinations that all other colors can be derived from. In photography, an image can have cool, warm, light, dark, saturated or unsaturated primary colors. In this short project we will extract the colors that make up our image. From that palette we can choose pleasing color combinations for layout purposes.

Step 1: Pick a photo you like from one of the free photo websites below:

http://www.freephotos.se

http://www.morguefile.com

Step 2: Navigate to this online palette generator, and upload your image as a JPG file. Here is the link : http://www.cssdrive.com/imagepalette/

Make sure you click "choose file" and upload your image....

Look for this link near the bottom of the page...

Step 3: After your image is done uploading, look at the palette it created for you, then download that palette as a Photoshop ICO File.

Step 4: Now switch over to photoshop. Create a document about 1000X900 pixels at 72 dpi. Copy-paste your photo into it, scale it down and leave some room on your document for your color palette. You will be creating shape layers and filling them with color from your custom color palette.

Step 5: On your Color Swatch / Sub-Menu, choose Replace Swatches...

Step 6: Navigate to the Photoshop ICO file you downloaded from the palette generator website.

Your color swatch tab should show your custom color palette loaded up, with no other colors available (you can change it back by choosing "reset swatches" from the submenu later on).

Step 7: After your palette is loaded, use a shape tool to draw a square, circle etc...

Step 7: Draw 1 object, then switch to the Move Tool and Option-Drag a copy....

With the Move Tool selected, and your object Layer selected... hold the option key and drag your copy...

Step 8: Continue this process.. each time you create a new object, select a new color from your custom palette by clicking on the swatch. Then you can use the Option-Delete command to fill with that color, or go to the Edit Menu / Fill / Using Foreground Color...

Continue this process until you have 20 different objects... fill these objects with the most dominant colors you see in your custom swatch palette.

Final Step: Add your name and some cool title text to your assignment results and post them to your blog.

Part B - Short Writing Assignment:

On your blog, write a short summary of the principals discussed, shown and demonstrated in this color theory lesson. Refer to your lecture notes. You can search for images online and research answers also. Try to address all the questions listed below:

• What are the 3 primary colors? 
• How are secondary colors created? Cite an example 
• How are tertiary colors created? Cite an example 
• What is the difference between subtractive and additive color models? 
• How can color affect our perception? 
• How does one color affect another? 
• Find an example or show an example of a greyscale image. 
• Find an example or show an example of a monotone image. 
• Find an example or show an example of an image that uses complimentary color.

- Mr.W

Long Term Project: Print Portfolio Development

Hello Students,

Having a polished and professional looking portfolio is key to your success in finding work after High School and moving on to developing a career. Download the ROP Portfolio Handbook to use as a guide for creating your own portfolio.

Examples of student portfolio's from a computer graphics course.

Remember that the best portfolio in class will be sent to the portfolio design competition that ROP has at the end of each school year, your portfolio will compete against other classes across the county and there certificates for finalists and a prize for the winner.

A judge evaluates print portfolio's from past entrants...

Portfolio Development Assignment:

• Your portfolio can be created with microsoft word or with Indesign
• The final file you turn in to me must be a PDF document
• Portfolio must meet the requirements in the ROP Portfolio Handbook
• Your portfolio cover, table of contents and all materials should look clean and consistent. Use consistent design style across all aspects of your portfolio. The more extensive your portfolio is the better, that includes writing about your projects to document your learning progres

Your Portfolio must contain in this order:

• Cover page with your name, class title, year. Spend some time on this, it should show good design skill and be reflective of your personality
• Table of contents
• Letter of Introduction
• Resume
• Handwritten Job Application 
• List of References
• Letter of Recommendation -  cannot be from your ROP teacher or a family member
• 3 or more work samples with written explanation about the work, why is it important to your career choice? What did the project entail, what were the challenges and difficulties? Give us details. 
• You are responsible for printing and binding your portfolio
• Sky is the limit, you can add your own style to the entire portfolio

How Your Portfolio Is Evaluated:

• Contains required content and format
• Well organized
• Free of grammar problems
• ROP related work samples
• Shows creativity
• Shows skill development
• Appropriate for use in job search
• Professional appearance
• Nice presentation

Use this as a rough guide to laying out your own portfolio...

Ok have fun!

- Mr.W

How To Write A Good Great List Of References

Students,

It is incredibly important to develop a great list of references. These references will help you obtain jobs, college admission or acceptance into special programs.

Who makes a good reference?

• Teacher
• Coach
• Counseler
• Present or past employer
• Family friend
• Anyone that can speak highly of your abilities, skills and worth

References to avoid:

• Anyone under 18
• Personal friends
• family members
• Anyone who cannot speak highly of your abilities or skills

Important Tips:

• The format of your references should match your resume exactly, same header, same fonts.
• Do not include references on your resume
• Include at least three references
• All references should be responsible adults who know you well and can speak to your character and skills
• Always ask whether or not someone is willing to be a reference before including them in your list
• Verify the contact information before handing over to an employer

Format:

Use the following format for your references

Persons Name:   Bob Smith

Address:            123 Fake Street

                          Santa Cruz Ca, 95060

Phone #:             (831) 555-4321

Title and              Business Owner

work place:         Moland Spring Bottled Water

Grading:

Your resume's and reference lists are graded assignments. For a total of 10 points, grading is as follows:

2Pts - Resume and List of References is complete per Handbook Guidelines

2Pts - Resume and List of References is well formatted and easy to read

2Pts - Resume and List of References contains no typos or errors

2Pts - Resume and List of References are two separate documents with consistent style, font and header

2Pts - Resume and List of References are printed, stapled together and placed in my in-box

Follow Up: CareerLocker

Students, you can use Career Locker to develop a resume, research careers and salaries and complete assessments. Your follow up assignment to your resume and list of references is to complete the personal globe inventory on careerlocker.com and research details for 3 different jobs using the occupations section on careerlocker.

1. Go to http://www.careerlocker.com
2. Enter Registration Code scc-c846
3. Enter your personal information
4. Enter your Grade and Gender
5. For Group, select Wilson and any other ROP instructors you have
6. Agree to terms
7. Select "Assessments"
8. Select "Personal Globe Inventory"
9. Answer all the questions in the assessment
10. Analyze the results...

Job Research:

Click on the "Occupations" tab and click on "Browse Occupations"

Search for a job title, something your would be interested in. Research 3 jobs and write about why you would be interested in that job. Tell me information about the job such as:

1. Job Title
2. Job Description
3. Job Activities
4. Education Needed
5. Career Pathway
6. Salary Range

You can write up your research and post it on your blog. Be thorough! When your research is complete, work through these other assessments:

• Work Skills
• Work Styles
• Learning Styles

Have fun! - Mr. W

How To Write A Good Great Resume

Hello Students,

Having a solid resume is the cornerstone to your job future. A well written and well designed resume is what sets you apart from other job applicants. A perfectly written job application, a quality resume and a list of positive references is the job seekers trifecta. In this class we will teach you these skills and more. Below is a list of writing tips, read over it before finalizing your resume.

Link, right click to download: ROP PORTFOLIO HANDBOOK

Resume Writing Tips:

Have an objective:

Know the purpose of your resume and edit it for different job scenarios. Having a focused job objective listed on your resume will help you with attaining an interview and getting hired.

Back up your special skills with job experience:

List your skills but make sure your listed job experience, training or education reflects those skills. Are you really good at making websites? Let them know how and where you learned that skill.

Research and use the right keywords:

Every industry has its own language, research job offerings and pay attention to the keywords that are used. If you put your resume online with a job placement service they will often use certain keywords to search their database for potential hires.

Be descriptive with job experience:

A job title will communicate your role, but not the details of your work experience. List the duties, tasks, activities, skills and achievements that were part of your job.

Format your text:

Use bold text to start each section. Use bullets for lists. Make the document easy to quickly scan and read. Clarity of format is crucial, you have ten seconds before the employer will move on to another applicant.

List most recent job experience first:

This also goes for education, list the most recent first. If your still in High School you can say "future class of 2012", or "Currently attending HS".

List most important skills first:

When writing out your skill list make the most important skills the first ones on the list. If you are applying for a web design job, list your web skills first. Change and edit this for different industries/jobs.

Leave out the obvious:

It is not necessary to add "available for interview" or "references available upon request". References are standard and expected, and of course you are available for an interview. Thats the whole point!

Avoid negativity:

Don't trash talk past employers or state that you didn't like a past job. Simply state that you were looking for future opportunities.

Go with what you got:

If you haven't had work experience yet, just list any summer jobs, volunteer experience etc. If you have hobbies that are relevant to the job you can list those. If you don't have a diploma or degree then just list your estimated date for completion.

Proofread your resume:

Have your neighbor or classmate read your resume. Sometimes the spellchecker doesn't catch typos. The more eyeballs that see your resume before it gets in the hands of the employer the better.

Although these resumes contain similar information, styles do vary.

- Mr.W

Student Showcase: Rule Of Thirds