Camps for special-needs students, others in fashion photography, animation, toy cameras

The Light Factory announces the 2011 roster of summer camps that focus on fun with photography, filmmaking and digital media for students and youth.  The Light Factory is one of only four museums in the country that celebrates both mediums of photography and film, which means that campers have the unique opportunity to express themselves using the most powerful mediums of our time.  To learn more about The Light Factory or to register for camps, log onto http://www.lightfactory.org/student-a-youth.

The Light Factory offers week-long, half-day camps in all aspects of photography and filmmaking for rising third- through 12th-graders. All camps cost $230 and take place at The Light Factory, at 345 N. College St., inside Spirit Square.

In addition to standard favorites like documentary filmmaking, black-and-white darkroom photography and Photoshop, The Light Factory offers new camps like introduction to stop-motion animation, fashion photo & Photoshop, toy camera photography and camps for special-needs students in photography and film.

Light Factory camp descriptions:

• Digital filmmaking: Students will learn the fundamentals of filmmaking and produce a one minute film. In this five session class, students learn how to write a script, shoot a “One Minute Movie” and edit using digital editing software.

• Advanced filmmaking: Students with prior knowledge of filmmaking will learn how to take their moviemaking skills to the next level. A professional filmmaker will teach students how to direct, act, edit, write and shoot their refined concept.

• Stop motion animation: Stop motion animations are created by taking multiple still images to form a movie. In class, students will create their own storyboard, choose/create actors and form sets. After shooting their footage, students will use video editing software to edit their final animations.

• Special-needs filmmaking for ages 12 and older: This class offers students of all abilities a chance to learn the filmmaking process, from conception to finished product.  Each student will write, direct and edit his or her own short film.  This class is appropriate for middle and high school students with learning disabilities, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, Asperger’s, autism, Down’s syndrome or other disabilities.

• Indie documentary filmmaking: Put something real on screen. Learn the fundamentals of independent, documentary filmmaking. Students learn what it takes to plan, shoot, fund, edit and screen their own short documentary film.

• Digital point-and-shoot photography: Learn to maximize your point-and-shoot digital cameras. Students will learn the basic functions of a point-and-shoot digital camera including f-stops, shutter speed, white balance, file types and shooting modes.

• Digital single-lens-reflex (SLR) photography: Students will gain an understanding of all major functions of their camera including aperture, shutter and white balance. Class will include master slideshows, hands on demonstration, shooting excursions and group critiques.

• Advanced digital single-lens-reflex portfolio: This advanced course will help students find their unique photographic vision. After completing preparatory photography and writing assignments, students will pursue their own personal series of photographs. Slideshow presentations, gallery tours, and hands-on demonstrations will guide students through the creation of a cohesive body of photographic work.

• Black-and-white darkroom photography: Learn to see in black and white. Students will learn how to shoot, develop and print their own black-and-white images. The fun includes slideshows, darkroom experimentation, hands-on instruction and photo excursions uptown.

• Advanced black-and-white darkroom photography: Students refine their black-and-white photography skills in this advanced course.  This class will teach students to advance their photography to convey personal concept or moods using creative darkroom and shooting techniques.

• Toy camera photography: Utilizing toy cameras for special effects is a recent trend in contemporary photography. Students will review work of famous photographers who use Holgas, Dianas, fisheye and other toy cameras.

• Fashion photography and Photoshop: This course will teach students to creatively go beyond their basic portraiture to create a unique image using lighting, setting, exposure, composition, focus and camera angle. Students will learn to manipulate their images in Adobe Photoshop using basic tools.

• 2-D animation: Bring characters to life through digital animation or cartoon. Students get an introduction to techniques for digital animation and editing using Adobe AfterEffects. Instructors will guide students through character, background and storyboard development.

• Special-needs photography for ages 12 and older: Students of all abilities learn the art of photography, from conception to finished product.  Each student will  work in various photographic methods. This class is appropriate for middle- and high-school students with learning disabilities, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, Asperger’s, autism, Down’s syndrome or other disabilities.

• Adobe Photoshop: This introductory level digital-imaging class for teens explores the basics of Adobe Photoshop software. Teens learn all major functions and tools in Adobe Photoshop and how to manipulate contrast, levels, color balance, filters, curves and layers for creative effect.

Here is the schedule of summer camps:

June
June 13-17, 9 a.m. to noon: digital point-and-shoot photography for grades 3 to 5.
June 13-17, 1 to 4 p.m.: stop-motion animation for grades 3 to 5.
June 20-24, 9 a.m. to noon: digital single-lens-reflex (SLR) photography for grades 9 to 12.
June 20-24, 1 to 4 p.m.: black-and-white darkroom photography for grades 9 to 12.
June 20-24, 1 to 4 p.m.: digital point-and-shoot photography for grades 6 to 8.
June 27-July 1, 9 a.m. to noon: fashion photo and Photoshop for grades 9 to 12.
June 27-July 1, 1 to 5 p.m.: digital filmmaking for grades 9 to 12.
June 27-July 1, 9 a.m. to noon.: black-and-white darkroom photography for grades 6 to 8. June 27-July 1, 1 to 4 p.m.: stop-motion animation for grades 6 to 8.

July
July 11-15, 9 a.m. to noon: Adobe Photoshop for grades 9 to 12.
July 11-15, 1 to 4 p.m.: stop-motion animation for grades 9 to 12.
July 11-15, 9 a.m. to noon: digital point-and-shoot photography for grades 9 to 12.
July 11-15, 1 to 5 p.m.: digital filmmaking for grades 6 to 8.
July 18-22, 9 a.m. to noon: advanced black-and-white darkroom photography for grades 9 to 12.
July 18-22, 1 to 5 p.m.: digital filmmaking for grades 9 to 12.
July 18-22, 9 a.m. to noon: fashion photo and Photoshop for grades 6 to 8.
July 25-29, 9 a.m. to noon: black-and-white darkroom photography for grades 9 to 12.
July 25-29, 1 to 4 p.m.: 2-D animation for grades 9 to 12.
July 25-29, 1 to 5 p.m.: advanced filmmaking for grades 9 to 12.
July 25-29, 9 a.m. to noon: digital single-lens-reflex (SLR) photography for grades 9 to 12.

August
Aug. 1-5, 9 a.m. to noon: Adobe Photoshop for grades 9 to 12.
Aug. 1-5, 1 to 5 p.m.: independent documentary filmmaking for grades 9 to 12.
Aug. 1-5, 9 a.m. to noon: special-needs photography for ages 12 and older.
Aug. 1-5, 1 to 4 p.m.: stop-motion animation for grades 3 to 5.
Aug. 8-12, 1 to 4 p.m.: advanced digital single-lens-reflex (SLR) photography for grades 9 to 12.
Aug. 8-12, 1 to 4 p.m.: toy-camera photography for grades 9 to 12.
Aug. 8-12, 9 a.m. to noon: special-needs filmmaking for ages 12 and older.

This schedule is subject to change based upon availability. See www.lightfactory.org/student-a-youth for the latest.