University of Wales Trinity Saint David
School of Creative Arts
interactive digital photography: beyond the still image
2011-12
AFMP6005
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
School of Creative Arts
Interactive Digital Photography: Beyond the Still Image (AFMP6005) Level 6 module – 20 credits Teaching is by lecture and hands-on tutorial workshop. Lecture and Workshop: Tuesday Support: Wednesday
9:15 – 12:05 (Macintosh Computer Suite) 9:15 – 12:05 (Macintosh Computer Suite)
Module Tutor: Trevor Harris Room A040, Arts Building e-mail: t.harris@tsd.ac.uk For times when the tutor is available for consultation, check the office hours on the tutor’s door and turn up for an appointment. If you need to consult the tutor urgently, please contact the Registry/School Office reception in Burgess Hall. Methods of assessment for this module: Portfolio of work comprising the following: 1) Panoramic image with accompanying critical appraisal (35%) 2) Photographic website with interactive narrative (65%) Specific details on the individual assignments are provided at the end of this document. Coursework submission instructions Hand in 2 copies of your work into the Main Library counter on the day of the deadline. You must conform to the following guidelines for submitting your work and accompanying disc, labelled as follows Surname_Identifier_ModuleCode_AssignmentNumber (An example would be Williams_nh000_ AFMP6005_1) • Both the paper work, including the receipt, and the disc should be submitted in an A4 transparent 'reinforced pocket'. • The disc should be submitted in a case (the thinner the better), a CD sleeve, an envelope or, if properly labelled, left loose in the reinforced pocket. • The disc or its case/envelope should be physically labelled with your name. If you write on the CD-ROM you should use a marker pen designed for the purpose, NOT a pencil or ballpoint pen that may scratch the surface of the disc and make it unreadable. Finally, you should always check the disc is readable on another computer; this will ensure that all necessary files have been copied onto the disk. If you get an error then you should check that you have not missed off copying files from the computer onto the disk. Learning outcomes for this module: On completion of this module you will: • understand the general principles of photography -1-
• • • •
understand the concepts of digital photography be able to process still digital images be able to produce Quicktime digital ‘movie’ slide shows be able to produce Quicktime Virtual Reality Panoramas movies
Transferable, personal development and key skills involved in this module: • interactive digital photography • digital image processing • Photoshop for Photographers • Quicktime Virtual Reality scene creation • iWeb for website design Module evaluation: At the end of this module, you will be asked to complete a module evaluation form. Please refer to the anticipated learning outcomes above when making your evaluation.
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MODULE RESOURCES Reading List: Corinna Jacobs, Interactive Panoramas: Techniques for digital panoramic photography (Berlin: Springer, 2004) The following key text will be a useful resource throughout the module and is recommended for reference purposes. Please note that although it is out of print there is one copy in the library and one available from the tutor. You will be given access to appropriate material from this publication during the course: Susan A. Kitchens, The Quicktime VR book (Berkeley: Addison Wesley, 1998) (Out of print) As background reading for this module, students should acquaint themselves with: VR Worx and tutorials manual, distributed at the start of the module MacWorld Magazine. This monthly publication often has articles and tutorials on Digital Photography and Photoshop Image Processing techniques. Copies are available in the Library Tim Daly, Digital:photography:handbook (London: Argentum, 2000) Digicam.com, ‘Digital camera History’, http://www.digicamhistory.com/ Martin Evening, Adobe Photoshop CS3 for Photographers (Oxford: Focal Press, 2007) Nick Meers, Stretch! The world of panoramic photography (Mies: Rotovision, 2003) Panoguide, ‘A guide to Panoramas and Panoramic Photography’, http:// www.panoguide.com/ Panoramas.dk, ‘Fullscreen QTVR Panoramas’, http://www.panoramas.dk/ William Rodarmor, Arnaud Frich and Albert Lemoine, Asssembling panoramic photos a designer’s notebook (Sebastopol: O’Reilly Media, 2005) QTVR Tour, ‘Quicktime Virtual Reality Tour of University of Wales, Lampeter’, http:// www.lamp.ac.uk/qtvr/index.html Judith Stern and Robert Lettieri, Quicktime for Macintosh and Windows Visual Quickstart Guide (Berkeley: Peachpit Press, 2003) VRMag, ‘The travel, photography and technology magazine devoted to the world of 360degree virtual reality’, http://vrm.vrway.com/index.html Z360, ‘Interactive Photography’, http://www.z360.com/index1.htm The following software will be used on this module: -3-
The VR Worx, Adobe Photoshop CS3, iWeb, iMovie, Quicktime Pro Equipment signing out details and times: All of the specialist equipment you need for this module (digital camera, tripod, VR tripod head and VR turntable) is available from the Media Centre using a booking system administered by the Media Centre staff. Report to the foyer of the Media Centre and tell the staff that you wish to book the Department of Film and Media Digital Photography equipment. Weekday Media Centre equipment booking times: Monday to Friday 9.30 – 10.30 14.30 – 15.30 Weekend Media Centre equipment booking times: Sign out Friday 14.30 -15.30 Return Monday 9.30 - 10.30
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QTVR TUTORIALS There are three sets of Tutorials available in the Macintosh Computer Suite All of the image files can be found in the Digital Photography>VR Worx Curriculum folder VR Worx manual pages 160-192 Session
Type of QTVR
Location
1
Full Panorama pp162-166 (Lake) Two-node hot spot linked scene pp189-192 (Coliseum) Partial Panorama pp167-174 (Columns) Partial Panorama with web link pp175-178 (Columns) Single Row Object pp179-183 (Ferrari F40) Multi-Row Object pp184-186 (Globe) Single Row Object with hotspots pp187-188 (Globe)
Tutorials 2/P1.Full
5 6 6 7 7 7
Tutorials 2/S1.Scene Tutorials 2/P2.Partial Tutorials 2/P3.Custom Tutorials 2/O1.Object Tutorials 2/O2.Multiple Tutorials 2/O3.Hot Spots
Additional pages at the back of the manual labelled A1, A2 etc Session
Type of QTVR
Location
1
1-1 Full Panorama A1 (Cabrillo) 1-2 Full Panorama A2 (Lighthouse) 3-1 Two-node hot spot linked scene A3 (Cabrillo and Lighthouse) 3-2 Two-node scene A4 (Coliseum) VR Worx 2.1 Creating Multinode Scenes with Transitions: Two nodes and transition movie A5 (Golf course) Object in Panorama Tutorial A6 (Car/Golf course) VR Object Worx Tutorial A7 (Ferrari F40) 2-1 Single Row Object A8 (Pitcher Jug) 2-2 Multi-Row Object A9 (Radio controlled car) VR Scene Worx Tutorial: Three nodes and Still image used as an Image Map A10 (Coliseum)
Tutorials 1/Cabrillo
1 5 5 6 7 7 7 7 8
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Tutorials 1/Lighthouse Tutorials 1/Scene Lesson 1 Tutorials 1/Scene Lesson 2 Tutorials 3/Transitions Tutorial Tutorials 3/Object in Pano Tutorial Tutorials 3/Sample Object Tutorials 1/Object movie lesson 1 Tutorials 1/Object movie lesson 2 Tutorials 3/Sample Scene
MODULE TIMETABLE Tues 31 Jan
Lecture Workshop
History of Photography Introduction to VR Worx software. QTVR Panorama Tutorials (P1.Full, A1 Cabrillo & A2 Lighthouse)
Tues 31 Jan
Lecture Workshop
History of QuickTime Virtual Reality Planning and creating a QTVR panorama (Setting up and creating a panorama in class, Sample Panorama)
Tues 7 Feb
Lecture Workshop
Principles of Photography and Composition Using iWeb to make a website (Apple iWeb 2 Tutorial)
Tues 7 Feb
Lecture QuickTime VR Panoramas Workshop Repairing imagery and improving workflow Start Assignment 1
Tues 14 Feb Lecture Workshop
QuickTime VR Scenes Multi-node VR Scene tutorial (S1.Scene, A3 Scene Lesson 1 & A4 Scene Lesson 2)
Tues 14 Feb Lecture Workshop
Photoshop Digital Photography Techniques QTVR partial panorama tutorial (P2.Partial, P3.Custom), Transitions & movies in scenes (A5 Transitions Tutorial)
Tues 21 Feb Lecture Workshop
QTVR Object movies Object movie tutorials (01.Object, 03.Hot Spots, 02.Multiple, A7 Sample Object, A8 Object movie lesson 1, A9 Object movie lesson 2, A6 Object in Pano Tutorial)
Tues 21 Feb Lecture Workshop
Presenting QTVR on a website Creating a website from linked panoramas (A10 Sample Scene, iWeb Coliseum Tour)
Tues 28 Feb Lecture Workshop
Adobe Photoshop Photomerge Techniques Picture editor tutorial (Launch of OB)
Tues 28 Feb Lecture
QTVR Gallery of ideas Photoshop image effects & VR Worx scripts Workshop Tutorial catch-up Start Assignment 2 Module Evaluation
Tues 6Mar
Reading Week
Tues 13 Mar Coursework support Tues 20 Mar Coursework support Tues 27 Mar Coursework support Thurs 29 Mar DEADLINE FOR COURSEWORK -6-
Assignment 1: Quicktime VR Panorama Create a web site in Apple iWeb that will incorporate one panoramic image and 6 still images as below: PART A - PANORAMIC IMAGE You are required to: • produce one single node Panorama Movie • include ‘information hot spots’ • set a zoom limit • set the Initial View You must investigate the effects of the different compression settings on • file size • image quality You do this by outputting your QTVR using a variety of compression settings and assessing the results both visually and in terms of the size of the files created. Note that you should ensure that you set up and level both the tripod and panoramic head, and that your images stitch together coherently. You should ensure that you use a suitable image resolution in order that your images will fit onto the camera compact flash storage card and will also stitch together more quickly and produce a smaller file. The location is entirely up to you, although an indoor scene will be easier to work with and is less likely to be affected by the vagaries of our climate. PART B – 6 STILL IMAGES ON A THEME You are required to: • produce 6 new photographs on a theme, which may be themed either by the subject matter, the location, colour scheme or the composition style • in iWeb create a web page with a Photo Gallery of the themed images WRITTEN WORK You are also required to submit a Critical Appraisal (500 words on A4, double-spaced) of your use of the VR Worx software and the digital camera, noting any decisions you make and any difficulties you may have encountered, in particular: • issues relating to the location of your Panorama • use of the camera, tripod & software • image resolution/storage issues • the effects of the different compression settings on your panorama • a recommendation for a particular codec • any other equipment issues • critical reflection on the outcome of your work as a professional piece of work SUBMISSION – 2 COPIES REQUIRED All files relating to this work should be submitted on a disc along with a printed copy of your Critical Appraisal. This includes • the iWeb website • the VR Worx Project file • all of the original images used to create your panorama -7-
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA PART A. You must ensure that you set the right cursor for information hotspots, that your exposures are consistent and that the images stitch together accurately with no ghosting or banding. You must also export your panorama using relevant codecs, noting the differences in file size, image quality and whether there is any visual difference when rotating the panoramic image. Additional marks will be gained for creative ideas and locations as long as the fundamentals are satisfactorily achieved. PART B. There must be a clear theme to the images. They should be carefully considered subjects that are taken for a purpose, not snapshots taken on a random walk one afternoon! You must use meaningful titles for your images in the slideshow. If you have a reason not to then you must say why in your written work. The title turns the image from a snapshot into an image that conveys meaning and communicates your intended message. WRITTEN WORK. This must show that you understand the process of creating a panorama and that you have evaluated the effects of compression. Marks will be lost for an incomplete submission, a poorly stitched panorama, incorrect hot spot cursors, lack of comment on file size and image quality as it relates to different codecs, lack of clear theme for your 6 images or poor presentation in iWeb. DEADLINE: Thursday 29 March
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Assignment 2: Interactive Digital Photography Project You are required to produce a digital photography project on a subject of your own choice. Please note that the subject and extent must be agreed with the tutor on Tuesday 28 February. The subject treatment may be in the form of a sequence of VR Panoramas in order to create a VR Tour, VR Object Movies, or a combination of the two. You must include one or more still images. You may also incorporate digital slideshows and transition movies into your work if appropriate. The project must be delivered as a website, using Apple’s iWeb software. If you wish to use any other software then this must be agreed with the tutor prior to starting your assignment. Your project must include: • explanatory text that sets the context and narrative for the imagery • images taken as a standalone photograph with the digital camera • a Critical Appraisal (750 words, double-spaced) of your project, noting the decisions you have made and any difficulties you may have encountered, your assessment of your work in a professional context and how you might improve upon it were you start again or have more time. SUBMISSION – 2 COPIES REQUIRED Your work should be submitted on a CD-ROM containing • all of the website files • all of your original photos • all of the VR Worx Project files • electronic copy of your Critical Appraisal along with • prints of your web pages • printed copy of your Critical Appraisal. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA The more original your idea the higher your mark will be. Think of an interesting location or a particular target audience. As well as VR Tours it is possible to make an Adventure Game, or an interactive piece like a Poker Game (it has been done!). The number of panoramas/object movies required will be determined by the location and complexity of your production, as agreed with the tutor. Your website will gain marks for clear navigation between the web pages and, if used, the logical hotspot locations within the panoramas or object movies. Do not rely solely on hot spots in your imagery, unless you have embedded a VR Scene file. A map, site plan or building floor plan showing the location of the panoramas will greatly add to the usability of your work and add to your marks.
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Poorly conceived ideas, poorly created panoramas/object movie and confusing navigation will lose marks. If your files are confusingly organised on your submitted disc you will also lose marks. Your written work must address the professional context for your work. This can be assessed by looking online at the sites in the reading list and with reference to the key texts for the module. Ensure that your work is easy to use from an end user perspective and easy to use from the point of view of someone marking your work! DEADLINE: Thursday 29 March
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