FRIDAY our first deadline

Sorry I am not here today, but it is your first deadline!!! Your task for today is to double, triple, and quadruple check EVERY page we are sending off. Every story needs to be placed, proofed, and ready to go. Every image needs to be captioned. Look over everything!

The last 40 minutes of you will review every page we are sending off on the projector. This is your last chance to give feedback.

Nice work!

CAPTIONS!!!!

You will each be assigned a section. Your task is to take on ONE double spread of that section and help to caption it. You are also assigned to that section to help with all their needs until Nov. 11th, their deadline (28th for seniors).

The old saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” However, without a caption, readers may get a thousand different messages from a picture-and all of those messages may be wrong.

• Strong captions add much-needed depth and clarity to both newspapers and yearbooks.
• While writing quality captions for every photo is challenging, it is not impossible.
• The rules for caption writing are simple and easy to remember.

The do’s of caption writing

• a natural extension of the photo without stating the obvious
• first three to five words grab attention and link photo and rest of caption
• lead-in states the obvious in an unobvious way
• include 5 w’s and H
• use a variety of adjectives and adverbs
• consider the action before and during the photos, and reaction to the event
• use strong, visual, specific nouns
• use colorful, livley, vital action verbs
• write in present tense, active voice (unless changing tenses to make logical)
• keep them factual
• use a variety of snetence patterns
• identify all people pictures (up to seven, and then just the main participants)
• use complete sentences
• use complete names
• interview teachers, sponsors, officers, coaches and other sources
• captions should be at least two sentences long-the first sentence is written in present tense and describes the activity occurring in the photograph and the second sentence is written in past tense and provides background information relating to the photo
• incorporate adequate detail

The dont’s of caption writing

• don’t begin with name leads or overuse the same lead pattern
• don’t begin with label leads
• don’t state the obvious-well written captions provide information which the reader would not otherwise know without reading the caption
• avoid excessive use of verbals (-ing words)
• don’t use “during” as lead
• don’t use “pictured above,” “shown above,” “seems to,” “attempts to”
• avoid use of to be verb (is, as, was, were)
• don’t pad the caption
• don’t use “gag” or joke captions
• don’t comment, question or talk to the picture
• don’t editorialize

Special caption considerations in sports

• identify both the school’s players and opponents by jersey number and name
• stating position of player adds depth to the description of the action
• consider those players which lead up to the action shot
• tell result of the play or outcome of the game

Special caption considerations for posed group shots

• begin with name of group
• identify from left to right, but don’t write that as part of the caption
• give clear row designation of Front row, Row 2, Row 3, Back row
• row designations should be set in different typeface or in parenthesis

For your section

• Please make a two column list, one column of every image you are in need of. The second column to check off when the image is edited, on the server, ready to go. We will use NeoOffice for this.

t-shirts!!!

We will be printing one or two of our class designs from the next week.. What we need to create is a single color design that we can transfer to a screen. the process works like this:

1. Step 1
   

   Open a photo you wish to use in Adobe Photoshop. I will be using a photograph of a car that I took in Germany.
   
   *You can use a scanned image, or an image you found on the internet. However make sure you use a higher resolution image for better results. Also check with the owner of any image you use from the internet so you don't infringe on any copyright laws.

2. Step 2
   
   Polygon Lasso Tool

   Select the Polygon Lasso Tool from the Toolbox on the left-hand side.
   
   *there are or coarse more advanced ways to create a selection, but to simplify this tutorial I will use the Polygon Lasso Tool as it is a fairly easy tool to use in Photoshop.

3. Step 3
   
   Starting Piont

   In this step I will make a selection of just the car portion of my image since I do not want the background part of this photo in my screen print.
   
   Find a starting point in the photo and click to activate the Polygon Lasso Tool.

4. Step 4
   
   Image Selection

   Now piont any click around your image like you are tracing the image. Once you go completely around the image and get back to your start point. You will notice the Polygon Lasso Tool shows a small circle near where the mouse pointer is. This indicates the starting point and will close your selection when clicked. You will now notice a dashed line outlining what you have selected.

5. Step 5
   
   Selection Inverse

   Since I want to delete the background portion of the photo I will need to inverse my selection. Currently I have made a selection of the car in this photograph.
   
   Go to the top Menu Bar under: Select>Inverse

6. Step 6
   
   Inversed Selection of Car in photo

   This does exactly what it implies, it inverses the selection. Now everything except the car is selected.

7. Step 7
   
   Deselect

   Now your ready to delete the background portion of this image. Make sure your background color is white and hit the delete button on your keyboard. Your background will turn white.
   
   To deselect go to the top Menu bar under: Selection>Deselect

8. Step 8
   
   Threshold Dialog Box

   This process will prepare your image for a one color screen.
   
   Next go the top Menu bar under: Image>Adjustments>Threshold
   
   In the Threshold Panel use the slider to achieve the amount of threshold you would like. Make sure Preview is checked in the Threshold dialog box to see your results. Note that the black parts of the image will be the color of the screen printing paint you choose for your silk screen. Once you get it the way you want click OK.

9. Step 9
   
   Save As

   Now go to you top Menu bar under: File>Save As
   
   This will ensure you are saving your edited image as a different file so you don't save over the original. I usually save to the Desktop so I can easily find my image.

10. Step 10

    Now your ready to print on to your transparency paper/film. Just add your transparency paper/film to your printer and print.
    
    *Your transparency paper/film should have a gritty side and a smooth slick side. You will most likely want to print on the gritty side. Read the directions of the transparency paper/film directions for proper printing.
    
    *Some printer do not print on the same side that you put your paper in. To check this take a peice of blank paper and write UPSIDE on the sheet with a pen. Then place the sheet in the paper tray. Then print any image onto that paper. If it prints on the same side as the side you wrote UPSIDE on, then you know it prints in the same orientation. If it prints on the opposite side, then you know the printer flips the page, and or prints on the bottom side. This will help you place the trancparency in to print on the correct side.
    
    *Most new printers show with a small icon on the printer paper tray the correct way to insert the paper.

11. Step 11

    My next Article on eHow explains How To Screen Print. Click the link below located in the Resources section of this page.

writing assignment

Your task today is to write a story about the events of the day, i.e. fire alarms!

• step one - make a plan
• step two - interview (at least 2 people)
• step three - write your lead
• step four - write the story!!!
  

writing copy...

Some Tips for Writing a Yearbook Story

Pre-planning:

When writing a story for a yearbook, do a little planning in advance. It may be wise to look at how the same event was covered in previous yearbooks to get a feel for the basics of what you need to do, but more importantly, to get an idea of how you can make your story more unique.

Interviews:

Conducting an interview to add supporting material to your story is a good choice. An interview can make the story/feature feel more engaging and personal. A variety of sources can also give your story more credibility.

At the actual event (if applicable):

While at the event, you’re not just there to take photos. You’re also there to record or remember the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes you encounter. Be sure to take notes on crucial imagery that can enhance your story so that you don’t have to rely on memory.

Writing a lead:

The lead is the first sentence of the story, sets the tone, and gets the readers’ attention. Grabbing the attention is key, especially in the yearbook, because so many people only tend to look at the pictures. Include the 5 W’s and H of journalistic writing (who, what, when, where, how and why)!

Some writing guidelines for yearbook stories:

• · Write in the past tense and use the active voice.
• · Introduce the story with an attention-grabbing lead.
• · Keep your sentences and paragraphs short.
• · Name an unexpected outcome from the event.
• · Incorporate interesting and descriptive quotes.

InDesign

Tools used in InDesign:

• Pen, Pencil, Brush
• WPC Image Placer
• Pathfinder
• Master
• Scissors
• Convert Path tool

MAGAZINE ASSIGNMENT

1. Find a layout in your magazine that you like, think is aesthetically pleasing, and could work as a layout for our book.
2. Recreate that layout using a grid layout.
3. Alter it as needed to fit YOUR section, similar layout idea but different content and altered visually to fit your needs...

HOMEWORK!!!

• Brian 1+ magazine(s) to class on Tuesday 9-14
  

theme and cover ideas

Due on Thursday September 2nd is your ideas for the theme and cover of the 2011 annual. Here is a link to some resources.

welcome

this is your blog. it will give you info, deadlines, and tips/tricks. use it early and often to make the adventure of building a yearbook a bit more manageable!