Photography Capstone Project from Coursera

The Capstone Project is your opportunity to take advantage of the knowledge you have gained through our journey in learning about photography, to develop a meaningful project of 10 well formed photographs based in your passion for artistic expression, or a subject for documentary exploration, insightful portraiture, imaging for work-related subjects, or some other aspect of photography. We are confident that it will be a project that you will be excited to share with fellow Learners. You should plan on spending more time on this Course per week than any other in this Specialization, and much of it will be in making photographs.

During the entire period of development, you and your fellow learners will be supporting each other as you work independently, by sharing your work-in-progress from the initial Project Plan to the final Portfolio. At each stage, all Learners will share comments and suggestions with each other, helping each other to gauge progress and to learn about different approaches to photography and content. By expressing your own ideas and expectations about quality in response to the work of others, you will be forming your own criteria of excellence as well.

Along the way there will be multiple opportunities for sharing pictures and ideas through carefully designed Peer Review. This sharing of photographs and comments with peers, and reflecting on their comments about your photos, will be an exciting learning experience that will help you grow in understanding your own photography and that of others. Your contribution of comments to fellow Learners will not only help them understand their photographs better, but it will give you an opportunity to use the vocabulary of terms that are related to techniques, design principles, and content approaches that you have learned through your success in each of the previous Modules.

A unique aspect of this Specialization is that everyone who completes the requirements will receive, in addition to their Certificate of Specialization from Michigan State University, access to substantial discounts on equipment, accessories, and membership benefits through Industry Partners from among the premier manufacturers of photography equipment and related items: Fracture, Gary Fong, Gyst, Lensbaby, LensPen, Lume Cube Lighting, Photo District News, PhotoVideoEdu, Think Tank Cases/Bags.

What's inside

Syllabus

CAPSTONE PROJECT LAUNCH!

The Capstone Project is your opportunity to take advantage of the knowledge you have gained through our journey in learning about photography, to develop a meaningful set of 10 photographs in a final project . Of course, you may well expose hundreds of photographs to get to that final number! This course is where you will combine your passion for a particular content with the skills and knowledge you have developed as a photographer through this Specialization. This is also where you will share your insights with a community of equally passionate photographers through peer review, as they learn from you and you learn from them. Perhaps the project is based in your passion for artistic expression, or for a documentary subject in your community that you feel is worthy of exploration. Maybe you feel moved to create a series of insightful portraits centered on people who are part of a group or of a certain type, or create photographs that are important for your non-photography career (beautiful photos of houses and their details if you are a realtor for example). Whatever the content or subjects, whatever the lighting, exposure, or other techniques used, it begins with an outline, what we call a Project Plan. It goes without saying that all the photographs for this project must be new pictures, created on or after the date of the start of this course. This is not the place for photographs you have created previously, although your new photographs may be related to an area of interest you had before you began this final course. In this first Module you will point your creative compass in a general direction, and with the help of your fellow photographers' feedback gradually create a more narrow, straight, and true path of photography as the weeks of effort go forward. You'll learn from Peter and Mark's mistakes and review a valuable lesson, "Responding to Photographs," from the past. Of course, you will also begin making photographs in that general direction too! Let's get started!!!

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what should give you pause

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Explores the art and science of photography, developing creative, documentary, portraiture, and work-related projects

Involves sharing photographs and ideas through peer review

Equips students with industry-recognized skills in photography

Instructed by Peter Glendinning and Mark Valentine Sullivan, renowned photographers and educators

Offers substantial discounts on equipment and membership benefits from leading industry partners

Requires students to have access to a camera and photography equipment

Reviews summary

Develop your photography portfolio project

According to students, the Photography Capstone Project offers a significant opportunity to develop a cohesive portfolio of work, integrating knowledge gained from previous courses. Many found the focus on a personal project highly motivating and valuable for applying learned techniques. The peer review process is central to the course, providing diverse perspectives, although some learners noted inconsistent quality or engagement from peers. The course requires a substantial time commitment for shooting and refinement. Learners generally feel it successfully culminates the specialization by pushing them to produce a meaningful body of work, though preparedness for the project's scale is important.

Requires considerable time and dedication.

"Be prepared to invest a lot of time in this capstone; making good photographs takes significant effort."

"The scale of the project – shooting and selecting 10 photos – is demanding but ultimately rewarding."

"It really pushes you to dedicate yourself to continuous shooting and refining your concept."

"This is definitely the most time-consuming course in the specialization, but worth the effort if you're serious about building a project."

Central element, but quality varies.

"The peer review is a core part of this course. Getting feedback from others was insightful and helped me see my work differently."

"Sometimes the feedback I received was very thoughtful and detailed, which was incredibly helpful."

"I found the peer review challenging at times; some reviewers gave very superficial or unhelpful comments."

"Relied heavily on feedback from fellow students, which wasn't always consistent in quality or timeliness."

Excellent for consolidating and applying skills.

"This course is where everything from the previous modules comes together. It's great for applying theory practically."

"I finally felt like I was using all the composition, lighting, and technical skills in a meaningful way for my project."

"It solidified my understanding by forcing me to make decisions and execute on a defined theme."

"Takes the foundational concepts and provides a framework to actually produce a complete body of work using them."

Offers a chance to create a significant body of work.

"This course gave me the structure and deadline I needed to finally put together a strong set of 10 photographs for my portfolio."

"I loved having the chance to focus on a single project and refine it over several weeks, really applying everything I learned."

"Putting together the final portfolio felt like a real accomplishment and a great way to showcase my skills."

"It's a fantastic opportunity to take all the theory and practice and shape it into a concrete, presentable project."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Photography Capstone Project with these activities:

Photography Fundamentals

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Refresh your understanding of fundamental photography concepts like composition, lighting, and exposure to build a solid foundation for the course.

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Review your old photography notes or materials
Skim through online articles or tutorials on photography basics

Experiment with Camera Settings

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Practice adjusting camera settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in different lighting conditions to improve your technical proficiency.

Browse courses on Camera Settings

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Set your camera to manual mode
Experiment with different combinations of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO
Take photos in various lighting conditions, such as bright sunlight, shade, and indoors

Develop a Photography Project Idea

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Brainstorm and develop a compelling photography project idea that aligns with your interests and the course objectives, providing you with a clear direction for your coursework.

Browse courses on Capstone Project

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Identify your interests and passions within photography
Research different photography genres and styles
Sketch out potential project ideas and explore their feasibility
Write a brief project proposal outlining your concept, goals, and execution plan

Four other activities

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Review Photography Books

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Gain inspiration and insights from renowned photographers by reading and critically analyzing their works, expanding your knowledge and refining your aesthetic sense.

View Michael Freeman On... Creative Exposure: The... on Amazon

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Choose a book that aligns with your interests and the course topics
Read the book attentively, taking notes and reflecting on key concepts
Write a short summary or review of the book, sharing your thoughts and takeaways

Connect with Photography Professionals

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Reach out to professional photographers in your community or online for guidance, support, and industry insights, enriching your learning experience and expanding your professional network.

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Identify potential mentors based on their expertise and experience
Reach out to them via email, social media, or networking events
Build a mutually beneficial relationship by seeking advice, sharing your work, and attending workshops or events

Peer Critique and Support

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Engage in constructive critiques of your fellow students' work, providing feedback and support to enhance your understanding of photography and develop your critical thinking skills.

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Actively participate in peer review sessions
Provide constructive criticism and offer suggestions for improvement
Seek feedback on your own work to gain different perspectives

Photography Portfolio

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Compile your best photographs and craft a cohesive portfolio that showcases your progress, skills, and artistic vision, demonstrating your mastery of the course material.

Browse courses on Capstone Project

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Select your strongest photographs that align with the course objectives
Edit and refine your chosen photographs
Design and assemble your portfolio, considering layout, presentation, and impact

Career center

Learners who complete Photography Capstone Project will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Documentary Photographer

Documentary photographers create images and videos that tell real stories, often about significant issues facing society. This course places significant emphasis on the importance and creation of meaningful projects, which is key to success in documentary photography.

See salaries and explore the career path for Documentary Photographer

Commercial Photographer

Commercial photographers are responsible for capturing images to be used in advertisements, brochures, and other marketing materials. Developing an artistic vision, along with a deep understanding of the principles of photography, are required for success as a commercial photographer. This course's focus on developing your skills in photography, will help you understand the basics necessary to succeed in this profession.

See salaries and explore the career path for Commercial Photographer

Portrait Photographer

Portrait photographers are experts at capturing images of people. Success in this role requires a command of skills in photography. By taking this course, you will make strides in developing these skills, which can help you secure a job as a portrait photographer.

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Architectural Photographer

Architectural photographers capture images of buildings and structures. This course provides you with the expertise to succeed in this role by providing a foundation in photography, including composition and lighting techniques.

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Technical Photographer

Technical photographers capture images for scientific, engineering, and medical purposes. This course can help you succeed in this role by providing a strong foundation in photography, as well as an understanding of the specific requirements of technical photography.

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Photojournalist

Photojournalists use photographs to capture and report on current events. Since this role requires an in-depth understanding of photography and visual storytelling, this course can help you build a foundation for a career as a photojournalist.

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Wildlife Photographer

Wildlife photographers travel to capture images of animals in their natural habitats. This is a competitive field that requires a strong understanding of photography and the behavior of animals. This course will help you build the skills required to succeed in this role.

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Food Photographer

Food photographers capture images of food for use in cookbooks, magazines, and other publications. This course can help you launch your career as a food photographer by providing a strong foundation in photography as well as an understanding of food styling and composition.

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Product Photographer

Product photographers capture images of products for use in marketing and advertising. This course will help you succeed in this role by helping you master the skills necessary to take visually appealing product shots.

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Medical Photographer

Medical photographers capture images and videos to assist in medical diagnosis, treatment, and education. This course provides the basic photographic skills that are required for success in this field.

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Event Photographer

Event photographers capture images of events such as weddings, parties, and conferences. This course can help you succeed as an event photographer by providing a strong foundation in photography.

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Fine Art Photographer

Fine art photographers capture and create images for the purpose of artistic expression. Mastery of photography requires a strong understanding of photography. This course's emphasis on the fundamentals of photography will greatly contribute to your success in this role.

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Fashion Photographer

Fashion photographers capture images of clothing and models for use in magazines, advertisements, and other media. Since a successful fashion photographer must have a strong portfolio of work, this course may be useful as it provides an opportunity to develop your skills and build your portfolio.

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Forensic Photographer

Forensic photographers use photography to document crime scenes and evidence. Success in this role requires a strong foundation in photography as well as an understanding of legal procedures. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in photography.

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Stock Photographer

Stock photographers capture images that are sold to individuals and businesses for use in a variety of applications. This course may be useful as it will help you build a strong portfolio, which is essential for success as a stock photographer.

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