…you read this year, or saw or heard or found or bought this year? Hows about sharing while there’s still time to ask Santa or run out to get a pressy for someone.

The book I read this year that left the biggest impression on me was not a life changing novel but a book about science, or more exactly about scientific rigour and the way ‘facts’ are presented. It’s called “Bad Science” by Ben Goldacre. The writing is very accessible and I reckon it’s a ‘must read’ for anyone working in the Media or anyone concerned about how information gets distorted in the pursuit of profit or a ‘good’ story. Only £3.57 from a well-known online book seller. Also visit: http://www.badscience.net/

I’ve been looking at time-lapse photography with the 1st yr photographers and Ross found this brilliant example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCoqsVDVWN8

Loosely connected by virtue of being animation, have a look at this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFK_XuVqsCQ

Enjoy!

Dave
* New notes in Media for Graded Unit and Video. Also new stuff in Photo – Articles.

Two new sets of notes for the HNC and NC Media classes.

Useful notes on camera technique and planning shots

Exercise for HN Com with Media class

Also available in Media Downloads.

Joe

Wow! It’s December, 3 weeks to the hols and loads of things to get started in Block 2! (Knew you’d be delighted. )

To cheer you up check out this link courtesy of Ross. We’re a wee bit worried that it’s a tad ‘laddish’ at times but it is trying to be tongue in cheek. Those rap dudes, duh…  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_H8TOKcfjg&feature=player_embedded#

With Christmas fast approaching I’m sure you’re all busily writing letters to Santa saying what good students you’ve been and drawing up a big list of text books you’d love to get. To help you I’ve put together a list of we’ve seen or been recommended. You’ll find it in the ‘Geek Zone’ of the ‘Notes & Info’ section in Photo Downloads. photo books 09

I’m going to miss the first lesson of the new block, again! Apologies for this. If you go to the ‘Applied Techniques’ section in Photo Downloads you will see an Intro sheet and a ‘Guide to Outcomes’. (Please note that these are revised versions from the files that were there before). This should give you a pretty good idea of where we’ll be going with this unit. It’s all about using photography as a tool for recording phenomena objectively or scientifically. You need to learn techniques that give you accuracy and repeatability; the kind of techniques required for forensic evidence or to record events that would not normally be visible to the human eye. It seems pretty daunting at first but you will learn loads about the photographic process and how to control your gear. We’re also going to play with the 5×4 and there are very comprehensive notes that I would like you to study. When I’m back next week we’ll have a shot at applying the swings ‘n tilts ‘n rise ‘n fall ‘n stuff it goes on about. You’ll love it!

The other thing I want you to do is start researching different photographic techniques that you might want to have a go at. You really need to manage your time well for this as you’ll be trying lots of new things and not all of them will work! Don’t delay getting started. Last year, to help each other with the research, we set-up a Delicious page where we could collect any interesting links that might be useful. Delicious is like an online version of the bookmarks folder you have in your internet browser.  There’s an earlier post that explains how to use this here.

Go have a look and be amazed!

Dave

Finally, here are some of the photos from our recent trip to Glasgow. Please comment if you would like a dedicated gallery page for photos and as a showcase of your best work. Click on each image to view a larger version.

I’m sure all of the HNs who had the joy of my Theory class on Tuesday will be entertaining family and friends with tales of  Elves carrying tiny little buckets of photons around the inside of your camera and hurling them into the dreaded Bit Depth chasm. Well, just in case you need a refresher let me remind you of the notes in the Photo Downloads section. digi-imaging-tdaly.pdf

For the NCs we have updated fun tales about the relationship between ISO, f-stops and shutter speeds if you want a laugh with your pals – Camera Stops rev and good, detailed notes from Kodak on using Portable Electronic Flash.

If you haven’t looked for a while it’s maybe worth having a wee wander round to see if you’ve missed any other recent uploads. Lots of stuff on metering and camera handling, lighting and digital imaging.

Can’t always promise elves but there are loads of pix(el)ies…

(Sorry, that was bad!)
Dave

Hi all you budding photographers, hope you enjoyed your trip to the Tron? However I now request you to reflect upon the photographs in the Tron.

What did you learn about photography from the exhibition?

Which was your favourite piece of photography and why?

Analyse your chosen photograph – lighting, subject, paper, colour, ect.

What did you think about the exhibition area/centre?

Enjoy reflecting …………………..

Julia Murden

I hope you enjoyed the visit to Trongate 103 today. I thought the ‘Hoppy’ exhibition was great and the historical context was really interesting, especially in light of the Nick Griffin and ‘Trafigura’ stories from the past few days. Let’s hear what you thought.

If any of you are interested in reading any more about it Rachel has kindly sent in a ‘further reading’ list. John_Hoppy_Hopkins_BIBLIOGRAPHY

I also found ‘Hoppy’s’ web site. http://www.hoppy.be/principal.htm

Did anyone spot the shot of a young William Burroughs in the exhibition? A bit different from the Leibovitz portrait discussed a few weeks ago. What a difference  four and a half decades makes!

Dave

NC and HNC Media classes have new notes from Joe to download. You’ll find them in

Media Downloads>Video Production

Dave

Microsoft are offering big education discounts for students. Office Ultimate is also available for Mac users. You’ll need to activate your JWC email address to participate.

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/studentoffer/

Dave

*** Note – This may only be an ‘Upgrade Offer’. Trying to get more info.

New uploads in the Media Downloads > Discussion section about last weeks big ‘Trafigura’ story, but here’s a few other stories to get you going…

First up we have Charlie Brooker’s full-on teeth, fang and claw attack on a Jan Moir article in the Daily Mail last week (includes a link to the original story) -

Why there was nothing ‘human’ about Jan Moir’s column on the death of Stephen Gately

It generated a massive response and brought the PCC’s (Press Complaints Commission) website down for most of the day. It subsequently also brought a response from advertisers in the Mail -

Marks & Spencer asks to pull ad from Mail article on Stephen Gately’s death

I have to say, having watched the way the Mail has orchestrated a succession of attacks against the BBC it’s wonderful to see it on the receiving end. The Mail’s Editor, Paul Dacre, also happens to be Chairman of the PCC so it will be interesting to see whether the complaints that one of his columnists has blatantly contravened at least three of its guidelines will be upheld…

Just as a little background here’s another little piece on how much the Mail is loved by someone who knows what it’s like to be in the public eye -

Campbell on the Mail: it’s the media equivalent of dogshit

Don’t forget to read the Comments on all these stories as well. It all adds to the story. Interesting one on the above suggesting that the Mail could be charged under the new Scottish Hate Crime legislation… Where does that take us, I wonder?

While this is all good, shouty, polarising stuff what is it doing for journalism? I think Charlie Brooker is great, Roy Greenslade is a hugely respected figure and the Guardian is the epitomy of integrity and yet you get the sense that everyone is just loving the chance to give the Mail a good kicking. Do we lower ourselves to their level by using their own tactics? It is a bit mob-handed, after all…

Mind you, what’s not to like!

Lest we get too carried-away, however, this Thursday sees the next major media event when Nick Griffin, leader of the BNP, appears on Question Time. This raises fundamentally serious ethical and moral issues for all of us. It will be very interesting to watch how it gets covered and the comment it generates.

The right to be heard?

BBC 1 Thursday 10.35pm. Don’t miss it!

Dave