Tasks and Duties
Task Objective: In this task, you will perform a comprehensive exploration of the planning phase for a photoshoot, with a focus on understanding the various equipment setups and devising a detailed shot list. You will be expected to simulate a real-world scenario where you prepare all necessary equipment, plan lighting setups, and create a shot list that clearly outlines the envisioned photo compositions.
Expected Deliverables: You must submit a single file (PDF or a similar document) that includes a detailed equipment checklist, a floor plan or diagram of your proposed setup, a narrative explaining your lighting choices, and a complete shot list with annotations. Include photos or diagram sketches where applicable.
Key Steps to Complete the Task:
- Create a list of equipment required for a professional photoshoot, including cameras, lenses, lighting gear, and any accessories.
- Design a layout diagram or sketch showing the placement of equipment and lighting for a specific indoor/outdoor scenario.
- Develop a comprehensive shot list where you describe the intended compositions, angles, and creative approach for each shot.
- Document your reasoning behind each setup decision and how it contributes to the overall vision of the photoshoot.
Evaluation Criteria: Your submission will be evaluated based on thoroughness of planning, clarity and creativity of the shot list, quality of the layout diagram, and the overall coherence of your equipment setup description. A focus on practical application and detailed explanation is essential.
Total estimated work time: 30 to 35 hours.
Task Objective: This week, you will focus on mastering lighting techniques and enhancing photo composition skills. The task is designed to reinforce your ability to manipulate lighting to achieve desired photographic effects, and to craft compelling compositions that highlight both technical skills and creative vision.
Expected Deliverables: Submit a file (PDF, slideshow, or similar) that includes a series of photographs demonstrating at least three distinct lighting setups. Each photo should be annotated with comments on the lighting and composition techniques used, as well as explanations of why specific adjustments were made.
Key Steps to Complete the Task:
- Research and select three lighting setups (e.g., natural light, studio lighting, backlighting) that are relevant to your photography projects.
- Plan and execute a mini photoshoot for each lighting setup, ensuring that each photo demonstrates clear composition principles such as rule of thirds, symmetry, or leading lines.
- Annotate each photograph with detailed explanations of the lighting conditions, decisions made during setup, and composition strategies.
- Reflect on the challenges encountered and how you addressed them, providing practical insights into your workflow.
Evaluation Criteria: Your work will be assessed for technical accuracy in lighting setups, clarity and detail in annotations, creative use of composition, and overall presentation of the photos. Ensure your explanation and practical showcase are thorough and insightful.
Total estimated work time: 30 to 35 hours.
Task Objective: This task will engage your skills in post-processing and photo editing. You are required to demonstrate your ability to enhance photos using editing tools while retaining the original essence of the composition. This exercise aims to hone your editing acumen, a key skill for any photography assistant.
Expected Deliverables: Submit a single file (preferably PDF or a multimedia document) that includes at least three pairs of before-and-after photos. Each pair should be accompanied by a detailed description of the editing techniques applied, such as color correction, exposure adjustments, cropping, and any creative filters used.
Key Steps to Complete the Task:
- Select three images that require enhancement based on common photographic issues like lighting imbalance, color drift, or composition adjustments.
- Use photo editing software (e.g., Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or any other editing tool) to process each photo. Document the specific adjustments applied to each image.
- Create side-by-side before-and-after comparisons, ensuring that differences are clearly visible and well-documented.
- Write brief commentary for each pair, outlining your process, challenges faced, and how your edits enhance the narrative or technical quality of the image.
Evaluation Criteria: Entries will be judged on the technical quality of the edits, the clarity of documentation and annotations, creativity in editing choices, and the effectiveness of the before-and-after presentation. Demonstrating a clear link between technical adjustments and creative outcome is crucial.
Total estimated work time: 30 to 35 hours.
Task Objective: Efficient organization of digital assets is an integral aspect of photography work. In this task, you will create a structured system for managing a collection of photos, mimicking real-world digital asset management challenges. This task emphasizes the importance of metadata tagging, logical folder structures, and backup routines to ensure ease of access and long-term preservation of valuable images.
Expected Deliverables: Your final deliverable is a comprehensive digital asset management plan documented in a file (PDF or similar). The document should include a proposed folder structure, metadata tagging strategy, naming conventions, and a backup plan, along with screenshots or mock-ups that illustrate how your system will be implemented.
Key Steps to Complete the Task:
- Analyze a hypothetical photo library consisting of various projects and genres.
- Design a folder and file naming structure that categorizes photos by date, event, and type.
- Develop a metadata tagging system that includes keywords, descriptions, date information, and technical specifications.
- Create a detailed backup and data recovery plan that explains how you will protect and archive the photo library.
- Include visual aids, such as diagrams or screenshots, to demonstrate how the system will be organized digitally.
Evaluation Criteria: Your submission will be evaluated on the thoroughness and practicality of your organizational plan, clarity in documentation, creativity in folder structure design, comprehensiveness of the tagging strategy, and feasibility of the backup plan. Realistic application and attention to detail are key criteria.
Total estimated work time: 30 to 35 hours.
Task Objective: This week’s task focuses on the creative aspect of photography through storytelling. You are to conceptualize and execute a photo series that narrates a compelling story or theme. This exercise is designed to merge your technical skills with creative vision, illustrating how sequences of images can generate a cohesive narrative.
Expected Deliverables: Submit a file (PDF or multimedia presentation) containing a series of 5 to 7 original photographs that collectively tell a story or explore a particular theme. Each photograph should be accompanied by captions or short narratives that explain its role in the series, as well as the technical and creative choices made during the shoot.
Key Steps to Complete the Task:
- Select a theme or story idea that resonates with you, and develop a storyboard outlining the progression of visual narrative.
- Plan and conduct a photoshoot that captures the various scenes or moments of the story, ensuring that each image contributes to the overall narrative.
- Add detailed annotations to each photograph, describing the technical settings used, compositional decisions, and any symbolic elements present in the image.
- Create an introduction section in your document to explain the storyline and how the photo series is structured.
Evaluation Criteria: Your project will be assessed based on the creativity and originality of the story, the technical quality of the images, the cohesiveness of the narrative, and the clarity of annotations. Attention to detail in linking technical photography skills to creative storytelling is paramount.
Total estimated work time: 30 to 35 hours.
Task Objective: In the final week, you will integrate all previous learning experiences by compiling a complete photography portfolio. This portfolio should serve as both a creative showcase and a professional project evaluation of your progress throughout the internship. Your task is to create a cohesive portfolio that demonstrates your abilities in equipment setup, lighting, composition, editing, organizing, and storytelling.
Expected Deliverables: Prepare a single comprehensive file (preferably in PDF format) that includes: a cover page, table of contents, and sections dedicated to each area explored in previous tasks. Each section should summarize key learnings, include selected works with annotations, and a final reflective commentary on your overall progress and areas for future improvement.
Key Steps to Complete the Task:
- Review the work completed in the previous five weeks, and select representative samples that best demonstrate your skills.
- Organize your portfolio into clearly defined sections (equipment setup, lighting and composition, editing, digital organization, and creative storytelling).
- Write a reflective narrative discussing your key takeaways, challenges faced, and how these experiences have prepared you for a career in photography assistance.
- Ensure the portfolio is visually appealing and professionally arranged, with all images properly annotated and explained.
Evaluation Criteria: The final portfolio will be evaluated for its professional presentation, the quality and diversity of the photographic work showcased, clarity in documentation and annotations, and the depth of self-reflection. A cohesive and well-organized portfolio that clearly communicates your development and understanding of photography assistant tasks is essential.
Total estimated work time: 30 to 35 hours.