Prompt Shoot #1. Assigned 1/29, due 2/3 at the end of class - MAJOR

Here is your next assignment: Prompt Shoot #1

Here is how the prompt shoots work - you will each have your own camera and about 30 minutes to go out and shoot images. You will get quick instructions with the camera again, and then when you return, you need to make time to move all of the photos off of the SD card and into a folder on your desktop called Prompt Shoot #1. I think you should have time to move SELECT images from your desktop to your Google Drive before class is over. You will NOT need to finish this assignment until next class. Next class you will make a new Google Site subpage and post your images with a reflection portion.

In the prompt shoot, I will give you a few key words that should guide your shooting that day. You can interpret the words any way you want, but you should make it clear which photo goes with which word when you turn them in.

For example, I might give you an emotion like Angry - you might shoot something that makes you angry, you might find a color that you associate with angry (like red or purple) and shoot that, or you might find someone who is actually angry and shoot them as they talk. You can ask your classmates to work with you, but be careful the photos aren't too "posed" or made up.

A couple of words of advice from me - be careful shooting through glass - those usually don't turn out too well. Also, be careful with big, huge wide shoots with lots of stuff going on, it is hard to pick details out and to show off some of these prompts. And finally, make sure you are watching your backgrounds for people - I know at school its hard, but be looking so it is very clear who your subject is.

You will, generally, be graded on the following:

Focus - is the picture in focus? If not, you will lose points

Subject - is the subject clear? Are there distracting elements in your photo?

Interest - how interesting is the subject

Uniqueness - is it something new, something I haven't seen before, were you creative?

Most people get a 90+ on this assignment unless they don't turn in the required amount of photos, or they really mess up the focus and subject portion. The rest are minor deductions. Remember getting a 95+ means you are doing something very right AND there are very few people who get all four perfect, so don't expect a 100.

Don't forget that you are thinking about composition, MANUAL SETTINGS AND the prompts themselves. Today, you have the added layer of making sure your photos are EXPOSED PROPERLY. And then you can start thinking about depth of field and/or stopping action.

Take lots of photos and don't erase them on the camera. Don't go into Live View Mode. You can review photos by pushing the play button on your camera.

A good starting place today if you are going to shoot outside in the courtyard, since it is sunny; ISO 400, Aperture f8-f16, shutter speed around 1/350 or so. If you are going to shoot in the academic building, you will need to make more adjustments; ISO 800-1600, Aperture 4.5 or 5, shutter speed might be as low as 1/80 (so be careful trying to stop motion). But make sure you use the LIGHT METER. If you need help, come back to the classroom. If you can't get your photos to come out - COME BACK TO THE ROOM.

Here are your prompts today:

Metal

Bowie

Square

Gate

Sim Cam. Assigned 1/23, due 1/23 (in-class only) - Minor

Please go to this website and wait for instructions.

https://camerasim.com

Please do not set anything and do not take any photos until I direct you to do so!!

I will be handing out a guided response paper that you will turn in at the end of class for a grade.

Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO. Assigned 1/22, due 1/23 - Minor

Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO. 

The next lesson in our use of the camera and how it works involves what is commonly referred to as the "three pillars of photography." They are Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO.

Today we are going to learn about all three and how they impact our photography.

https://photographylife.com

Let's start with Aperture as it is probably the hardest of the three to full understand.

Go to this website and read about Aperture:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-aperture-in-photography

Use the SITE SEARCH option and type in : Aperture

Once you are done reading - I want you to use google and find me an example of a photo taken at aperture setting F2.8 and an example of a photo taken at F16 or higher. DO NOT USE the photos on the website I sent you to, find different ones. Post those images on a new Google Site page called Aperture, SS and ISO and label them.

Then answer the following questions:

1. What part of the body should we closely relate aperture?
2. Finish this sentence - the smaller the Aperture _____________, the higher the Aperture ________________.
3. In your own words tell me how aperture impacts Depth of Field?

Now lets move on to Shutter Speed. This is a little easier to understand but we should read about it here:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-shutter-speed-in-photography

Use the SITE SEARCH option and type in : Shutter Speed

Once you are finished reading about Shutter Speed, I want you to use google and find me an example of a photo taken with a high shutter speed and one taken at a slow shutter speed (you do not have to show blur unless you want but I still need to see an example of a photo that COULD have been taken at a slow shutter speed). Post them both images on your Google Site page and label them.

Then answer the following questions:

1. If you were assigned to shoot at Bulldogs and Hotdogs night, what shutter speeds do you think you would have to shoot at the following events that night I would like you to answer the question for the following two situations: You can answer: Low, Medium or High.

At the beginning while the sun was still up and the courtyard had reasonable good light

a.) a booth in the middle of the yard near the Tree
b.) a food booth outside under one of the big red awnings
c.) the Stars performance inside the gym
d.) students dancing near the center of the courtyard
e.) people streaming in from the front doors
f.) the basketball booth where students are shooting basketballs at a hoop

Towards the end when there is no sun and has gotten dark enough that you can't see from one end of the courtyard to the other. Again you can answer: Low, Medium or High.

a.) a booth in the middle of the yard near the Tree

b.) a food booth outside under one of the big red awnings

c.) the Stars performance inside the gym

d.) students dancing near the center of the courtyard

e.) people streaming in from the front doors

f.) the basketball booth where students are shooting basketballs at a hoop

2. List the three settings your camera has regarding setting shutter speed (these are found at #5 on the Shutter Speed website). Explain how each works - DO NOT COPY AND PASTE, use your own words.

Now for the last of the pillars, ISO. Lets go read some more at this website:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-iso-in-photography

Use the SITE SEARCH option and type in : What is ISO

Once you are finished, please go to google and find me an example of a photo taken at ISO 200 and a photo taken at ISO 3200 or 6400. Post both images on your Google Site and label them.

Then answer the following questions:

1. What are the advantages of shoot at a higher ISO at a sporting event like basketball or a night football game?
2. What suggestions did the author make about using a low ISO?
3. What suggestions did the author make about using a high ISO?

Now that we have a basic understanding of the three pillars, let's look at some direct examples of what happens in when you mess with Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO. Go to the following website:

http://www.andersenimages.com/tutorials/exposure-simulator/

This simulates a DSLR camera. Make sure you set the camera on MANUAL setting at the top.

List the aperture settings available on this camera starting with F2.8 and working up
List the shutter speed settings available on this camera starting with 4000 and working down to 1 second.
List the ISO settings available on this camera starting with 100 and working up.

Now have some fun and play with the settings. We will use a similar site next class to learn more about how to make adjustments in your camera for these 3 important adjustments.

EQUIPMENT CONTRACT LINK:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gOWYechN0D1fj2V-4vyeqyUGXlvro9l9/view?usp=sharing

Feature Story work day 2 and 3. Posted 1/12 - story DRAFT DUE 1/20 - Multiple Grades

Grades for the Feature Story Assignment

Today - Doc Created - MUST BE SHARED AND LINKED CORRECTLY - Minor

Thursday - Interviews are present on your Google Doc - Minor

Tuesday, 1/20 - DRAFT is done - MAJOR (rewrites for a higher grade possible at a later date)

Here is how you deal with names:

The first time you reference someone, use their full name (and title as appropriate): journalism teacher Michael Reeves
From then on, UNTIL you introduce someone else with the same last name, use their last name: Reeves
When you introduce someone else with the same last name the first time, use their full name and make sure you give the relationship (for that specific story): his daughter Flannery Reeves
From that point forward use their first names: Michael or Flannery

Self-editing advice:

For those of you who finish today or early on Friday and want to look through your story in an effort to do some self-editing, here are some things you can do:

Double check the following and answer the questions on your Google Site in a post titled Feature self-edit. (If you do this before Wednesday, Jan. 22, I will give you 1-5 bonus points on this story):

1. Who were the sources (you should have 3)?

2. Summarize in 1-3 sentences the story (make sure you have covered what you want your readers {me} to know about your subject/topic):

3. How many paragraphs is the story (I would expect you to have around 20-30 at least)?

4. How many words is the story (you should be between 750-1500)?

5. How many direct quotes are there in the story (remember LTQT style, every other paragraph should be a direct quote, so between 10-20)?

6. How many different people are quoted in the story (you should have 3)?

7. Which quote is the most impactful of all the ones included (where is this quote located? It should be near the top or at the end)?

8. Where is that quote located in the story (beginning, middle, end) (see above)?

9. Does the lede effectively capture the readers attention (think about if you were reading this story, would you want to keep going after you read the first few paragraphs? If not, try to do more story telling in the lead, go back and look at this link: LEADS )?

10. If their could have been one additional person interviewed for the story, who would it be (you have time, maybe you could get ahold of that person and add it in before tomorrow afternoon)?

11. Is the story objective, which means are all non-direct quotes statements of fact and NOT the opinion of the writer (and are you in third person? NO use of the words I, me, we, us, and make sure if your source referenced anything like your aunt - that should be changed to her sister)?

12. Are there any unanswered questions that you have after reading the article (if you have questions, someone else will too, ANSWER THEM)?

13. Write a headline to go with this story:

14. Sum up your opinion of the story:

15. Give yourself a self grade from 0-100

I also encourage my newspaper staff to do the following: 

Spell check - and be careful with words that spell check can't fix like there, their and they're.

If there are green, blue, or red marks in google docs, there is a problem - FIX it.

There are grammar helpers in google docs that do help, but there are others you can find online - run your story through one of those.

Read every sentence out loud (to your self quietly) - does it make sense like you are talking? If not - fix it.

Have a friend who is also done read your story - ask them for advice.

Spell check again....


If you want to access more self help - here are some links:

https://ijnet.org/en/resource/self-editing-tips-journalists

https://www.writermag.com/improve-your-writing/revision-grammar/self-editing/

https://journalistsresource.org/tip-sheets/style/copyediting-for-reporters

 Turning in your feature story:

1. Make sure your google doc was created on your school account.
2. Make sure you have the sharing done correctly - it should be set to >Anyone with the link can edit
3. Share the link with: mreeves1@austinisd.org
4. Make sure the sharing is correct.

5. Make sure you put a CLICKABLE link to the assignment on your Google Site on a new subpage called Feature Story Draft.

ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL - MAKE SURE IT IS SHARED PROPERLY AND I CAN READ IT!!

Next Tuesday is the last day to work on this in class. I will not start grading these until that week, so you have until that week to finish. After the 20th, we will move onto the Photography unit and leave writing behind for a while. The Feature Story Draft is a MAJOR grade. When I am done reading them and give you a grade, there will be a chance for any grade under 90 to rewrite/fix to make corrections. There will not be another grade associated with this assignment. You will get a grade and you will have a chance to make corrections if necessary (if you do not get a 90+ the first try, the highest grade you can get with corrections is a 90).

Feature story work day 1. Assigned 1/8, due 1/20 - MULTIPLE GRADES as outlined below

Feature Story Work Day 1 (of 4)

Here are some specific instructions for your feature story. I will provide more information on Wednesday, January 20 with final instructions and a few minor things that you will need to know to get full credit. This story must be turned into me by Tuesday, January 20 at the end of the school day for full credit. I will take points off for missing the deadline beyond that point at 10 points per block day.

I WILL BE TAKING A GRADE FOR COMPLETING THE INTERVIEWS ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14. It will be a minor grade and will be the second grade of this cycle (the first grade of the cycle is having Welcome Back 2025 by the end of this class period).

For now, use these instructions to help guide you as you start writing.

1. Must have a lengthy interview with a specific family member who is your primary source. You are trying to write a story that tells me about a specific moment, event or tale that they relayed to you.

2. You should have two additional sources that will provide supporting quotes for your main source. 

3. You will need to write at length in LTQT style. You may write an extended intro that may be multiple paragraphs without a quote, but within 4-5 paragraphs you should have your first direct quote.

4. You should follow all other news writing styles and structures you learned.

5. You story needs to be formatted in the following way, please keep in mind that you have all of next class to complete this task. 

6. Please use ONE Google Doc for this assignment. Put your notes at the top, and then your first draft underneath. Make sure to label it first draft. Make sure it is shared properly so I can EDIT it. 

7. Please set your document up to meet the following requirements.

a.  I want it in Times New Roman

b. Size 12 - should be at least 750 words, push for 1000 if you can. No more than 1500.

c. I want a space between each paragraph, so at the end of each paragraph, hit enter ONE time

d. Please make sure your name and period number are at the top either in the actual document area or in the header.

e. You are not required to hit tab to indent each paragraph, but you may if you wish.

f. Make sure you have done all quotes correctly. Here are two examples:

"My mother and father moved here from Canada when I was ten years old," senior Josh Smith said.

or

"My mother and father moved here from Canada when I was ten years old," senior Josh Smith said. "So I technically have dual citizenship and I can go back to Canada for college and be considered a Canadian citizen."

8. Make sure you link the Google Doc on your Google Site in a new subpage called: Feature story draft. Verify that you have shared it correctly and that I can EDIT it. This means ANYONE WITH THE LINK CAN EDIT it. I need to be able to read it from anywhere, not just here at school. If you do not know how to do this, please ask for help.

Today you should be typing in and checking your notes, maybe creating an outline, and certainly writing at some point. You are welcome to use headphones to listen to your recording. If you recorded the interview on your phone, please talk to me, I will let you use your phone for a short period of time to upload the digital audio file to your Google Drive.

But, Mr. Reeves, I forgot to do my interview. What do I do?

Well, you better get an interview set up ASAP. You do have this weekend to get those done. There is no extension on this story. So, if you don't have an interview, you really, really should look at this assignment as HOMEWORK and work on it at HOME as much as possible after today. 

Next week I will have some additional work on both your Opinion Story #2 and your News/Club Story. There will be grades associated with making edits for those stories. I will allow for class time to complete that work as well.

I cannot stress enough that you need to stay on task and work diligently on this feature story. You will have multiple class periods to just write. If you need a break during a class period to get away from the computer, that will be fine. Take 5 minutes. Get up, walk around, if you need to get out of the room for 3-4 minutes, come see me for special pass. I know concentrating for 90 minutes is a lot of work. Build in a couple of breaks each day for the next few classes.

Welcome Back 2026. Assigned 1/6, due 1/8 - Minor

 Welcome back!!

Today let's get 2026 started with a fun little assignment.

Since it's a new year I think it's appropriate that we look back at the year 2025 and reflect upon the things that happened in that year. 

First - let's make sure your Google Site is ready for the new semester.

Under Pages in the main panel on the right, create a new subpage and title it 2nd semester (you can break this down by 9 weeks if you would prefer, but at least make a new one for the second semester).

Once you have this subfolder made, move it on top of your home page. You can tell what your home page is because it has a little House next to the name.

When you are done with this, your Pages pane should look like this:

I have a 1st semester folder, but you may not, you might have a 1st 9 weeks or even a 1st and 2nd 9 weeks folder. That is fine. You can make a subfolder called 1st semester and put the ones from last semester in it if you want. Your organization system should work for you, but I also want you to make it easier for me to find your work. As a reminder - it is always so much easier for me when you title your subpages the same as the assignment, for example, today's assignment should be called Welcome back to 2026!! The better you name things, the easier it is for me to find it and give it a grade.

Once your Pages pane looks like mine, make sure you use the 3 dots to the right of 2nd Semester to make your subpages. I have it highlighted here so you can see it easier:

If your Pages pane is a mess, and you need help getting it all cleaned up, please let me know so I can help you. I want to stay organized and I want to be able to easily grade your work.

Now, let's move onto today's assignment and look at some photos and think about 2025 a little bit.

Go to the following websites and look at the photos there. On your Google Site post your THREE (3) favorites and tell me why it was your favorite photo of the year. Make sure you write about the photographic techniques you found in the photo. I have included a few websites for you to look at, spend at least 20 minutes looking at these sites. You may have to wait for the images to load AND you may need to search out the images on Google as you probably can't download the image directly. You will also probably have a slideshow to look at - please make sure you are looking at more than the first photo. You should read the stories of those photos you find compelling if there is a link to do so.

https://time.com/7336112/top-100-photos-2025/

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/year-end-2025-photos-best/

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/world/year-in-pictures.html

https://apnews.com/article/associated-press-100-photos-of-2025-ap-photos-that-defined-the-year

https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2025/specials/year-in-pictures/index.html

Second, lets write about some things you found interesting this year. Below I have listed 5 prompts - on your blog please find a photo that goes with each prompt and then write a paragraph (at least two sentences and preferably 3) about each. Why did you chose that as your main choice, what things attracted you to that choice and why was it the best of 2025? To help you a little I have put a link below the prompt that may or may not help you. You are free to find your own sources.

1. What was the best song of 2025?

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-2025-1235468614/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Year-End_Hot_100_singles_of_2025

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/07/arts/music/best-songs-2025.html

2. What was the best movie of 2025?

https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-new-movies/

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls025942625/

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/movies/best-movies-2025.html

3. What was the most important news story of the year 2025?

https://abcnews.go.com/US/us-stories-talking-2025/story?id=127596974

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/top-news-headlines-of-2025-month-by-month/

https://www.history.com/articles/2025-events

4. Who was the most important person of 2025 in your opinion?

https://time.com/collections/100-most-influential-people-2025/?filters=leaders

5. What was the biggest sports OR entertainment story OR sports/entertainment person of 2025 (you should Google what is appropriate for your choice), I leave this one to you to find a photo for.

Finally, I want to know more about your holiday break.

.
1. Tell me what is the one thing that happened on your holiday break that you will remember? 

2. What are your resolutions (things you want to do this year, your major goals) for the 2026 year?

3. What are you looking forward to in 2026?

Making a Google Site. Assigned 8/26, due 8/28 - MAJOR

JOURNALISM 1

Hello and welcome to Journalism 1!!

This year we will be using Google Sites to publish and post your work, notes and assignments about the topics we will be covering this year. This will serve as a portfolio and a point of reference for future uses. You already have access to Google Sites via your school Google Account.

The following video explains in a very simple fashion how to create and edit a Google Site. Feel free to revise this video on your own if you need help when working on the site. 

MAKE SURE YOU READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW AS YOU WATCH THE VIDEO. YOU NEED TO NAME THINGS SPECIFIC WAYS FOR ME, NOT WHAT SHE NAMES HER SITE (etc.)

You will have the rest of the period to get your Google Site created. There are a couple of things you will need to do, including making the site shareable outside of AISD. I will write complete, step-by-step instructions below.

1. Create your home page - use the BLANK when you push the colored + sign. You can set your background image for the head to any image you would like, including images you might have taken. If you use the Google search function, please make sure you get an image that has no copyrights. If you use one of their images, you are fine.

2. Title you page in simple fashion. Your first name, the class name and period number. For example: Michael's Digital Design Site period 1. Do not use your last name. We will make these public, but we want to keep your personal information as protected as possible. Be aware of your digital footprint.

3. Once you have a title, it's time to add some content. Follow the directions on the video to create a text box. In that first text box, please write a one to two paragraph biography (100-200 words). Again, do not use your full name, and only share what you feel comfortable with. You are under no obligation to do anything you do not feel like sharing.

4. Please use the image function to add a selfie. Make it school appropriate. You will need to figure out how to upload an image, or take one using your webcam on your computer.

5. Add a new text box. Write a paragraph (50-100 words) describing why you signed up for this class and what you hope to learn this year.

6. Add a new text box. Write a paragraph (50-100 words) describing your previous experience with digital media, even if it is just taking fun photos with your phone camera. If you were on a publication in middle school, please tell me about that.

7. Create a new page. Title this page Welcome to my site. Add a new header image. Make it a subpage of your home page. We will do this for EVERY assignment, so please figure out how to do this, the video explains it fully.

8. On this page, please upload a new image. I don't care what the image is, as long as it meets two criteria. It is school appropriate and you took it. For this image, you need to take the photo NOW. Go take a photo and share it with me. It can be anything, but you must take it right now. Do not use an old image or one that you took in the past. Show me something fun, or something unique. You may use filters if you want.

Now it is time to share your page with me. Here are the exact steps to Publishing your Google Site and sharing it with me properly.

1. Once you have your work done, remember that Google has an autosave function, so your work is saved, but we want to publish it, so I can easily see it. Look at the top of your page, there should be a set of tool bars. Find the one that looks like a person with a + sign next to their head. Click that person.

2. In the pop-up box at the bottom of the page, find the words Links vary and click the word CHANGE.

3. Find the words Austin Independent School District and use the drag down next to us to change the sharing to PUBLIC. Click DONE.

4. At the top of the page in the tool bar, find the word PUBLISH. Click that button.

5. Change the web address to: First name, DigitalDesign, period #. Example: Michael DigitalDesign 1st. It should separate the words for you.

6. Check the box that says "Request public search engines to not display my site"

7. Click PUBLISH

8. After you have PUBLISHED your site, you need to share your site with me. It's easy - find the share button and add me. Here is what the share box should look like before you hit DONE:

9. Click DONE and you should be finished. I will update you next class that I have gotten your site and I will show you where and how I will use it.