10203121Commercial Photography 1
Course Information
Description
Photograph and retouch architectural interiors and exteriors, real estate, small and large products, apparel, and live fashion models. Fly a drone following safety guidelines to capture aerial images. Use Capture One software for shooting, editing, and tethering. Plan complete photo shoots and manage digital files efficiently. Basic commercial Photoshop techniques will also be explored.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Photograph and retouch architectural exteriors
    Assessment Strategies
    Project: Two images on location, Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Images are shot at a location with effective lighting
    Image distortion is corrected in Lightroom to create parallel vertical lines
    Image includes flattering angles and lighting direction
    You replace the sky using Photoshop
    Filenames are correct
    Format is correct (hi-res jpeg)
    Image 1 angle of view and the time of day provide an interesting and flattering view
    Image 1 lens distortion has been corrected
    Image 1 has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, focus
    Image 1 sky is blue with puffy clouds
    Image 2 angle of view and the time of day provide an interesting and flattering view
    Image 2 lens distortion has been corrected
    Image 2 has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, focus
    Image 2 sky is blue with puffy clouds

  2. Photograph and retouch architectural interiors and real estate
    Assessment Strategies
    Project: Four images on location, Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use the HDR (high dynamic range) shooting technique
    HDR images are created and edited in Lightroom
    Maintain straight vertical lines with proper shooting and editing
    Image features effective perspectives for architectural interiors
    Use effective camera settings, placement, and lens choices for real estate
    Filenames are correct
    Format is correct (2500 pix jpeg)
    Image 1 is a straight-on photo of the house front
    Image 1 has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, focus, and straight vertical lines
    Image 1 sky is blue with puffy white clouds
    Image 2 is a wide-angle shot effectively showcasinging a room of the house
    Image 2 has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, focus, and straight vertical lines
    Image 3 is a wide-angle shot showing a room of the house
    Image 3 has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, focus, and straight vertical lines
    Image 4 is a wide-angle shot showing a room of the house
    Image 4 has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, focus, and straight vertical lines

  3. Capture aerial images using drones
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Describe legal parameters of drone use
    Identify hazards unique to the area
    Determine weather (wind, visibility) threshold for "go/no-go" decision
    Avoid camera angles that invade privacy
    Minimize noise over adjacent properties
    Perform a pre-flight check
    Drone movement is slow and stabilized
    Drone maneuvers center the focal point or structure
    Drone flies safely without hitting structures
    Drone lands with battery remaining

  4. Photograph small products on tabletop
    Assessment Strategies
    Project: Three images, Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use three separate techniques for lighting small products
    Tether camera to the computer and use a camera stand during shoots
    Compare shooting overhead vs. shooting into
    Style and light small products effectively
    Use macro lenses for smaller items
    Select hard or soft light based on desired effects
    Filenames are correct
    Format is correct (2500 pix jpeg)
    Gradient image goes to black at top, has proper color, contrast, cropping, focus, etc.
    Color glow image has a round glow in background, proper color, contrast, cropping, focus, etc.
    Black plexi image has a bright circle around the subject, proper color, contrast, cropping, focus, etc.

  5. Photograph large products in studio
    Assessment Strategies
    Project: Six images, Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use Big Softy lighting technique for modern, poppy product lighting
    Photographs show effective exposure, cropping, and focus
    Photographs show product detail
    Identify selling points and photogenic features of various products
    Filenames are correct
    Format is correct (2500 pix jpeg)
    Image 1 is a photo of a small bag and has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, and focus
    Image 1 has a bare bulb main light, soft filled shadows, and a solid color background
    Image 2 is a detail photo of a small bag and has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, and focus
    Image 3 is a photo of a large bag and has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, and focus
    Image 3 has a bare bulb main light, soft filled shadows, and a solid color background
    Image 4 is a detail photo of a large bag and has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, and focus
    Image 5 is a photo of a medium size item of your choice and has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, and focus
    Image 5 has a bare bulb main light, soft filled shadows, and a solid color background
    Image 6 is a detail photo of a medium size item of your choice and has correct exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, and focus

  6. Use Capture One software for tethering in studio
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonsration
    Criteria
    Use Capture One to view images during shoots, achieve specified background brightness and shadow density
    Use Capture One to shoot, edit, and verify successful exposure and lighting
    Use Capture One to create sessions and manage files
    Navigate software interface and customization effectively

  7. Incorporate planning into still life food photography
    Assessment Strategies
    Project: One image, Written Product
    Criteria
    Control variables including background and foreground elements, supporting props, styling, lighting, color, and lens choice
    Compare traditional and contemporary styles of food photography
    Select natural light or artificial light based on desired effects for food photography
    Filename is correct
    Format is correct (2500 pix jpeg)
    Image subject is food or beverage (not packaging)
    Image has been retouched and cleaned up as necessary in Photoshop/Lightroom
    Image has appropriate exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, and focus
    Planning document includes subject of the image, props, shooting angle, background, surface, key light

  8. Retouch people in Photoshop
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use various methods in Photoshop to retouch faces, including generative AI, patch tool, clone stamp, healing brush, and frequency separation
    Create your own actions in Photoshop
    Use Neural filters to alter subjects
    Use Liquify filter to adjust facial and body features

  9. Photograph fashion models in studio
    Assessment Strategies
    Project: Four images, Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Photographs are of professional models
    Two images are lit using traditional beauty lighting
    Two images are full-length, lit using lighting and backdrop of your choice
    Direct/speak to models to achieve successful poses and expressions
    Lighting is adjusted to create the desired emotional effect
    Shoot tethered to the computer (so the team can review during the shoot)
    Filenames are correct
    Format is correct (2500 pix jpeg)
    Image 1 is a beauty shot of model one
    Image 1 has appropriate lighting, cropping, exposure, focus, and retouching as necessary
    Image 2 is a 3/4 or full length shot of model one
    Image 2 has appropriate lighting, cropping, exposure, focus, and retouching as necessary
    Image 3 is a beauty shot of model one
    Image 3 has appropriate lighting, cropping, exposure, focus, and retouching as necessary
    Image 4 is a 3/4 or full length shot of model one

  10. Photograph apparel in studio
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use basic clothing styling techniques to present apparel in most flattering way
    Reduce distortion by raising camera as high as possible overhead
    Use Capture One tools to determine exact fill light needed for shadows
    Choose a flattering angle of lighting and a hard key light
    Use a big softbox for fill light with no visible second shadow
    Filename is correct
    Format is correct (2500 pix jpeg)
    Image has been retouched and cleaned up as necessary in Photoshop
    Image has appropriate exposure, color balance, contrast, cropping, and focus