PH323: Required Book, Equipment, Software & Supplies - Presented on DAY ONE

Hi PH323,

I wanted to make sure that you are prepared with the proper equipment and software for our "PH323: Portraiture II" course. To be prepared for this class, you will need to obtain some specific required equipment, supplies and software - if you haven't done so already.  Having the required equipment, supplies and software is an expectation of the Photography Department.  You should physically have these items by day ONE or at the end of week one at the latest; exceptions will not be made otherwise.  Without the required equipment, supplies and software, you will not be able to complete the assignments and will fail to learn the course competencies.

Note: You will be physically be showing your equipment to the class on day one.  Photographs downloaded or saved from B&H.com (or other online stores) will NOT be accepted.  The purpose behind showing all of your equipment and software to the class on day one shows me that you are prepared and it opens up a discussion among you and your classmates regarding different types of equipment.  As the course moves forward, you will continue to shoot new images for each assignment that required certain equipment. Those who do not PHYSICALLY have his/her equipment to show per assignment will unfortunately loose points and thus, run the risk of failing the course.  For example, if an assignment requires students to use a handheld light meter, 3 studio lights plus light modifiers to create a specific type of lighting scheme, students will be required to submit new images of the equipment used and how it was positioned for the assignment.

For your convenience, I have attached a helpful PDF that describes the "Lighting Kit" that student's can purchase through AiP Online (refer to e-mail sent to access of PDF).   If you have questions regarding this PDF, please be sure to contact your AC. 

If you are not able to obtain all of the required equipment, supplies and software by day one  of the course (or by the end of the week at the latest) for whatever reason (slow shipping, low monetary funds, camera store is out of stock, etc.), I would suggest that you consider rescheduling PH323 at a later date when you have all of your equipment, supplies and software in order to avoid running the risk of failing the course.  (Perhaps take a General Education course and reschedule PH323 when you're prepared?)  This e-mail has been sent a few days prior to the start of our class, which should give you plenty of time to purchase any "last minute" items.  However, please be sure to speak with your AC about this.

The required book for this class will be available via the online digital bookshelf:
  • People Pictures: 30 Exercises for Creating Authentic Photographs by Chris Orwig; 1st Edition; ISBN-13: 978-0321774972
 You can review the full list of supplies (equipment + software) and books needed for THIS class by using the "Interactive Photography Equipment Reference Tool" by clicking on the link below:

To view more information related to each degree's requirements:

Many of you should already be aware of the equipment needed specifically for PH323 from looking at AIO's website, the Interactive Photography Equipment Reference Tool, or by speaking with your academic counselor.  Be sure to read this e-mail entirely, including the sections titled: "Required Items", "Required Software", "Recommend Items" and "Common Questions and Answers About Some of the Equipment".

REQUIRED ITEMS & MATERIALS:
**Please note: further information can be found in the PDF sent via e-mail**

· 3 STUDIO STROBES with LIGHT STANDS (320WS - 640WS)
*Lighting equipment required for lighting classes and upper level classes that include shooting components.
*Requirement: 320WS to 640WS flash output and 150W or more modeling light output for EACH monolight.
*Light stands are required to hold and support lighting equipment such as monolights and light shaping tools.
· 1 HDSLR Camera; Full-frame / Near-equivalent in APS-C
Controls: Manual Exposure Mode; Formats: RAW, JPEG; Sensor Size: 10 megapixels or higher; White Balance: Custom, Auto, Presets, and Manual

A camera with the ability to change lenses, measure light precisely, provide concise control over exposure with manual settings and be able to connect to studio lighting equipment is absolutely necessary to work as a photographer. In addition, the sensor has to be of enough size and resolution to produce images that can be reproduced in publications. Our camera requirements include the ability to record sound and video(Bachelors Degree), because this is a capability required of photographers in the contemporary industry.
· 1 LENS to cover a focal length range of 18mm to 55mm
· 1 LENS to cover a focal length range of 80mm - 200mm

· 2 LIGHT MODIFIERS
At least two light modifiers are required that are compatible with the specific monolights used. Light modifiers are used to shape and control and change the light quality to produce different looks. (See recommended light modifiers in course recommendations.)

· 1 HANDHELD LIGHT METER that can read both incident and reflective light
Flash Meters and "Light Meter" apps will not be accepted; Light Meter should be capable of reading reflective & incident light

The exposure meter is used to read light intensity from various types of light sources (both flash and continuous) for both setting and adjusting light set ups, creating exact lighting ratios and determining proper exposure for the camera.

· BACKGROUNDS:
Background materials such as paper is use to create a clean and wrinkle free seep utilized in the background such as in studio portraiture and commercial photography. Traditional muslin backdrops may be used in addition but will require treatment such as steaming to assure that are wrinkle free.

*Both black and white are required; 30" across recommended for size; stands recommended to hold both paper and muslin backdrops.
· 2 SCRIM SETS WITH MATERIALS, FRAMES, STANDS, CLAMPS – Recommended; You should have already purchased these in the past for PHOA113: Lighting; all students should have a scrim by this point
Scrims are light shaping tools used to shape and control light. Traditionally scrims are used to reduce the harshness and intensity of light without affecting the color of the light that can change when reducing the power output of a light source such as a monolight. The term "scrim" is sometimes used very broadly to sometimes include flags, diffusers and screens. (Be sure to clarify what is actually intended.)
Note: Some classes may require a scrim but actually intends a way to diffuse light such as diffusion material stretched on a frame. The center of a large 5-in-1 collapsible reflector can suffice for this requirement in some instances.)
Scrim's can also be made at home; check out the link below to learn more:

http://www.slrlounge.com/make-diy-scrim-50/
· 18% GRAY CARD
The gray card provides a neutral known external reference for alleviating color casts caused by various lighting conditions. There are basic gray cards that are a simple reference the can be photographed and used to create proper whiter balance in the camera or through software such as the Kodak R-27 Gray card. More advanced gray card systems such as the X-rite Color Checker Passport provide all the basic functionality as other basic gray cards, but also include additional swatches and special included software to create an advanced system to very accurately white balance and color correct various situations with greater precision and accuracy.

FLAGS:
· 24x36 inch (or larger) white foam core board (Acts as a "Gobo/Flag")
· 24x36 inch (or larger) black form core board (Acts as a "Gobo/Flag")
Flags are basic light shaping tools used to control unwanted light spill, create shadow and feather light. Inexpensive and readily available black foam-core board may be used for flags.

· 5-IN-1 REFLECTOR: White, Gold, and Silver
A reflector is a basic light shaping tool uses to reflect and redirect light within the scene. We recommend a 5-in-1 collapsible reflector as they are very portable, durable and offer versatility with different surfaces for different effects. The inside contains a frame with attached diffusion fabric that may meet the diffuser/scrip requirement for some classes. These can be held by hand, attached to a surface with simple clamps readily available at a hardware store such as pony "A" clamps or used with a stand/support designed to accommodate a reflector and hold in in a specific position are available. Kits that include a collapsible reflector with a stand are also available.

· WIRELESS TRANSCEIVER
Wireless Transceivers allow the studio strobes (monolights) to be fired without the need of chords connecting them by utilizing a wireless triggering system.

· TRIPOD
The tripod is used to hold the camera steady and in position for long exposures to reduce blur, especially when utilizing longer exposure times. Essential for studio and landscape to obtain high-resolution sharp images.

· EXTENSION CHORDS
· 4 A-CLAMPS

· GAFFER'S TAPE


REQUIRED SOFTWARE:
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ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD: Lightroom, Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator
(Latest updates for all software: required)
· Bachelor's Students: Premier & Audition also required

MICROSOFT OFFICE: Microsoft suite of applications; specifically Word, Excel, & PowerPoint
Microsoft Office is a suite of applications including word processing, spreadsheet and presentation and email applications required by the photography program as well as classes outside the photography program

RECOMMENDED ITEMS:
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External Hard-drive
Strip Softbox
Octobox
Beauty Dish
Gels
Calibration System
Neutral Density Filter
Battery Pack
Back-up Batteries (for DSLR and Light Meter)
Replacement lamps for your light kit
1-2 additional studio lights, stands & light modifiers
Portable flash
Camera Bag
Monopod (A monopod has 1 leg verses 3, like a tripod.)
Cable Release

COMMON QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT:
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a) What is a "Gobo"? - - The "Gobo" is actually an acronym for "Go Between"; it is placed between one's light source and the camera lens in order to block "light flare".  Please click on the link below to view a video about Gobos on eHow.com<http://ehow.com/>:

http://www.ehow.com/video_2371484_photography-studio-equipment-gobos.html

b) What is a "Scrim"? - - In terms of the scrim, this is a diffusion device.  I typically recommend that students purchase the Westcott Scrim Jim or a similar item.  Please click on the links below.  The first link explains what a scrim is - the Westcott Scrim Jim in particular.  The second link is the product being sold on B&H.com; I recommend the medium size.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzJsLlGmXI0
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/90983REG/Westcott_1893_Scrim_Jim_Medium_Reflector.html

c) Which "Cable Release" should I buy? - - Depending on what type of camera you are using, this will depend on the type of cable release that you'll buy from B&H.com (or wherever).  I would also suggest giving the store a call and speaking to one of their customer representatives to purchase the one that is right for you.  Here is a search on B&H that might help you get started:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=cablerelease&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma

d) What type of "reflector" should I purchase? - - This is typically the reflector I suggest that my students purchase:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/358607REG/Impact_R1132_5_in_1_Reflector_Disc.html

e) Which "handheld light meter" should I purchase? - - This is the light meter that AiP Online's Photo Department suggests that you buy:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368226REG/Sekonic_401_309_L_308S_Flashmate_Light_Meter.html

If you are unsure of a product, I would strongly suggest getting in touch with a customer service representative at B&H or a similar store.  Be sure to keep shipping dates in mind if you are purchasing last minute items.
Thank you all for being understanding regarding the required equipment, supplies and software.  Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions or concerns you may have.  Good luck in the class, I am looking forward to working with all of you!


-Professor Fiander



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Melanie Fiander, MFA
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division
Assistant Professor | Photography
Senior Full-Time Faculty Member
E-mail: mfiander@aii.edu
Skype Phone: 412.695.3247
Skype: melanie.fiander.ai
Office Hours: Mon/Wed = 2:00 - 3:30pm EST