Monica Blaszczyk Photography @monikablaszczyk - Tumblr Blog

Moving Image. Evaluation

1. What was the project theme and what did you think of it?

This project theme was about creating at least 60 seconds long video based on the chosen advert. We were asked to create storyboard and use three different camera movement.

I really liked this project, at first I wasn't really excited about it because I didn't know much about creating video but once I did research and understood a bit more I was more confident and happy to do this project.

2. What part of the project did you enjoy the most/found most interesting (making the photographs? Optimising images? printing?)

The most interesting parts of this project were creating storyboard, recording scenes and finally putting whole video together.

3. What new techniques have you experienced?

I think most of the things during this project were new, but photography skills like I already gained helped a lot a made it much easier - (composition, framing,knowledge of operating camera and tripod).

Techniques:

- creating detailed storyboard

- camera movements used in filming

- using and operating video editing software ( Adobe Rush)

4. What technique would you like to develop further?

The technique I would like to develop further are camera movements. This is the part of project that showed me that even small camera movements can make video more interesting, this can be useful while recording family moments.

5. Which photographers did you research throughout this project?

I did not research any particular photographers, I looked at different TV adverts and tutorials about making videos.

6. How have they influenced your photographs?

Looking at different adverts helped me to understand the way that they were made, what camera movements were used, what points of view can look interesting and what composition I should consider while recording my advert.

7. Which technique did you enjoy the most?

I enjoyed learning all the new things, but my favorite one was that I learned that household items like hairdryer and towel can be really useful.

I used hairdryer to create fake wind blow on parsley.

I lay towel on the floor, underneath the tripod to create tracking movement because I didn't have any special equipment.

These were not my ideas, I found those tips on YouTube but as one of our tutor mention we would not be able to learn so many things while shooting in the studio and this is so true, I learn that there is no need to have fancy equipment to create something nice.

8. What do you feel is the most successful part of your project and why?

I feel like the most successful part of this project was that I had a great lighting while shooting. Because of that I did not have to do any tweaks in post-production.

The other successful part was that I was quite well prepared, advice from tutors were very useful and helped me achieve nice final work.

And lastly I think my final video is successful because of the lighting, composition and that the background was out of focus but still showed some details and made it more interesting rather than boring.

I discovered that even my tripod is not really great , it is able to create smooth panning movement.

I am also really happy about what I learned during this project.

9. Did you encounter any problems in your project?

I do not think that I encounter any problems during this project.

10. How did you learn from them and how did they affect your final images?

N/A

11. What would you do differently given the chance to complete the project again?

I would not change anything, I really like it how it is.

12. Discuss any technical issues with your final images? (Focus, sharpness, exposure, highlight/shadow detail, )

As I mentioned I had a great lighting while recording the scenes. Everything turned out as I planned. Only one scene was a bit darker then the other but these was easily fixed by increasing exposure in Adobe Rush. other then that I did not have any problems.

13. Going Deeper; If you were asked to do a project using this technique what would you do? What new ideas do you have ? This may be explained as a visual, a drawing, sketch, photograph.. you decide how you present this section.

Because I used to work at home and do all my project mostly at home I would like to go somewhere nice and create video outside. It could be advert about nature.

#movingimage

Structure. Evaluation

1. What was the project theme and what did you think of it?

This project was about creating 5 images internal/external of functional building (or bridge) including whole facade, details and/or abstract.

We were also asked to consider shape, repetition, reflection, composition angles and points of view.

It was also required to fix distortion in two images and present them in a format of digital presentation.

2. What part of the project did you enjoy the most/found most interesting (making the photographs? Optimising images? printing?)

The part of this project I enjoyed most was photo shoot. I never considered photographing buildings before, and I found it really interesting and even relaxing.

3. What new techniques have you experienced?

I learned about optical distortions and what causes them.

I learned how to fix distortion of building in few different ways, mostly in Photoshop.

I also learned how to create HDR images and put them together in Adobe Lightroom.

4. What technique would you like to develop further?

The technique I would like to develop is HDR images, I would like to learn more about it and know when is the bast time to use this technique.

5. Which photographers did you research throughout this project?

Dirk Bakker

Matthiev Venot

Doublespace Photography Agency

Omar Zoer

Jon Cruttenden

Lesley McGregor

Oscar Rialubin

Sebastian Weiss

Stephen Murphy

6. How have they influenced your photographs?

Looking at different images helped me to see the building in a unusual way, to look closer and try to find something interesting. I also learned that point of view can really change the look of building, look more powerful.

7. Which technique did you enjoy the most?

My favorite technique from this project was creating HDR images and putting together images on the canvas.

8. What do you feel is the most successful part of your project and why?

I think that most successful part of this project is that I started to like taking photos of architecture.

I also like how some of the images came out, but not all.

9. Did you encounter any problems in your project?

Yes, I did. When I planned my first photo shoot of chosen building it was a quite cloudy and I end up with a lot of blown highlights on the sky. The building looked very flat, there was no shape, colors were weak. I did a lot of adjustments to the images to make them look better but I still had a problem with highlights, even I liked quite dramatic look of the sky, those overexposed parts bothered me.

I simply decided to re-shoot those images.

I took advises from my tutor Heather and took photos using HDR technique. I also received feedback from my tutor Mark, who advice my to look for some more shapes/details as my images looked very similar.

10. How did you learn from them and how did they affect your final images?

Re-shooting was the best option for this problem.

I learned how good lighting is important to photograph building (even I heard that few times during classes).

Lighting creates shape, shadows and make building look really interesting comparing to cloudy/dull day.

I know that my final images would not be looking that nice without good lighting.

I also looked for more shape and reflection. I came back with bigger variety of images.

11. What would you do differently given the chance to complete the project again?

If I would have a chance to complete this project again, I would like to come back to this place and try to catch reflection of the building in the river and do photo shoot during golden hour.

12. Discuss any technical issues with your final images? (Focus, sharpness, exposure, highlight/shadow detail, )

I am sure that my images would not look as good as they look if they were not done with use of HDR technique. This technique helped to create strong, sharp images.

I am not really happy with three of the images (reflection, low angle and one abstract) because they are quite darker than the other ones and do not have so many details the other ones. I could not make them as strong as the other three with just adjustments. This happen because there was not much light on this side of the building.

Other three images I really like and because the light was hitting this side of the building, they look good, there is shape, shadows, nice colors, and beautiful sky with lovely clouds.

If I were asked to do this project again, I would like photograph different buildings, try modern architecture, create some abstract images.

#structure

Moving Image. Equipment

Camera slider:

These piece of equipment is used to create smooth footage, helps to control camera movements . It allows camera to be moved back and forward (tracking) or up and down.

Tripod:

For me this is most popular equipment that allows to achieve steady footage and reduce unwanted camera shake. There are many different tripods, they can be heavy or lightweight, small or tall. Tripod must be adapted to the weight of the camera and the other needs.

Gimbal:

Another piece of equipment that makes filming a lot easier. Gimbal is used to rotate camera smoothly and create nice footage while on the move. It can be used for tilting, panning and rolling.

Gimbal allows to film hand held and is a portable equipment.

A gimbal alone won't make your images amazing. You'll need technique as well.

#movingimage #preproduction

Moving Image. Final

Music: https://www.bensound.com/

#movingimage

Moving Image. Post - production

I decide to use Adobe Premiere Rush to create my video. I chose this software because that is the only option available for me now at home.

Thanks to my tutor Heather I knew what I can expect from this software because we had a class about it and we were shown what features/tool it has.

In my opinion Adobe Premiere Rush has all the tools needed to create nice looking video and is easy to use.

Editing my video:

First I imported my videos from SD card to my computer. I created a folder and sequenced them in right order.

In Adobe Rush I opened this folder and chose the files I wanted to use. The files appeared in a timeline.

My next step was to cut unneeded parts of the clips, I watched each clip and used scissors to separate those parts. I delayed unwanted parts.

Then I added transmission between clips. I used dissolve to have subtle transitions. I also changed time of transition in some of them.

I waned few version of the final video, one with original colors and another with color grading to see which one I like better.

I used saturated preset, it created more expressive look and reduced this orange look I had. I was really lucky with my lighting at the day of shooting, so I didn't have to do change much, just increased exposure in one or two clips as they were a little darker then the others.

Then I added the sound found on the www.bensound.com free royalty website. I wanted something subtle.

The whole song was about 3 minute long so I cut unwanted part with scissors. Adobe Rush has no fade in/out but I was able to do that with adding the transition/dissolve at the start and at the end. It is quite subtle but I like it.

I watched the video few times and made small changes. I changed sequence of one of the clip because it didn't look right.

My last step was to export the video. I chose share, chose the appropriate settings and exported the video in 3 versions.

The only thing I'm not sure about the settings is that there was no video codec which should be H.264. I need to consult this with my tutor.

One more thing is that I misspelled Philadelphia cheese when I added text at the end of advert, but because I imported my video 3 times I'm not able to do that again unless I buy the access to it. I will leave it like that for now.

Update:

My problem with video codec was solved. I downloaded VCL media player app and was able to see the details of the video:

#movingimage #postproduction

Moving image. Backstage

#movingimage

Moving Image. Storyboard

Additional notes:

- For each scene I will need camera, 17-50mm lens and tripod.

- All the scenes will be done in the same location

- My set up will be next to the window

- I'm planning to shoot in the morning because that is when I have nice lighting there

- If possible I will use natural lighting, if not LED panel

- Each clip will be done with additional time to make sure I can cut not needed scenes and the final video is at least 60s

#movingimage #preproduction

Moving image - helpful tips

#movingimage #Youtube

Moving Image. Planning

For my Moving Image I will try to reproduce Philadelphia cheese advert:

To recreate this I choose the scenes I am able to do and added some more from different advert that I will use:

Equipment:

Camera Canon 70D

Lens: 17 - 50mm

Tripod

Props:

Philadelphia cheese

Baguette

Parsley in a pot

Bowl with tomatoes

Chopping board x 2

Knife

Table

Planned camera movements:

Zoom in/ zoom out

Panning

Tracking

Pull focus

Planned viewpoint:

Eye level

Birds eye

#movingimage #preproduction #Youtube

Moving Image - Research 3 Adverts

This is a Polish TV advert of Allegro ( on-line shop similar to Amazon) that probably touched many hearts. In this advert an older man orders a book called "English for beginners" to learn the language to be able to talk in English with his granddaughter and family abroad.

This man very meticulous learn English day by day, at home, in the bus. etc. He is putting sticky notes with English names on different things to help him remember. next thing he orders from Amazon is suitcase, then he packs his stuff and is ready to fly to Argentina constantly repeating words in English. Finally this man meets his family and speaks his first world in English to wee granddaughter.

I think this advert is great, it show persistence in pursuing the set goal, simplicity, a lot of emotion and finally how important the family is and how much we can do for them.

I think the sound and narration plays huge role in this advert because it could be hard to understand the sense of it. Also subtitles included add more interest to it and reminds me of the times when I watch movies/videos with subtitles.

In many scenes it looks like the camera was hand-held and I think it gives kind of "home made" video feeling and I really like it.

Used camera movements:

Dolly

Tracking

Panning

Points of view:

Bird's eye level

Eye level

Worm's eye view

Composition:

Close up

Medium shot

Wide shot

This is a Philadelphia cream cheese advert that I already planned to recreate for this brief.

It is early morning, sun is shining through the window. The smell of fresh coffee spreads around the house. The dining table is ready to prepare breakfast... Philadelphia cheese spread on fresh and crispy baguette, topped with a little bit of honey, looks delicious. The advert finish with a smiley lady who's enjoying her breakfast and is ready for a new day.

I like this advert because it shows how small and simple things can change our perspective of seeing things around us. Often there is no time to enjoy the breakfast and take it slowly.

I think that music and narration plays important role in this advert as it adds a sense of peace and relaxation - because that is how we would like start the day - with calmness not in a rush.

In this advert there are not to many camera movements, I can recognize tracking, panning and pull focus. A lot of scenes are done without any camera movements (static).

Point of view is mostly in eye level of subject matter. Composition: close up, extreme close up and medium.

The background is mostly blurry with natural bokeh light effect.

The last ad I chose is about kids trying dark chocolate, probably for the first time. I love kids face expression when they try it, it is so funny and natural. I can see that excitement and happiness in first child eyes and then this disgust just after. After that there is a lady eating the same chocolate with enjoyment.

I really like the humorous part of it, the excitement of trying something new which is probably the best and surprising only for kids because as an adults we are already used to so many flavors and they don't surprise us that much (maybe). I guess I need to try something new :)

The ad is simply done. there are not much camera movement, mostly static and gentle tracking. Point of view is eye level. The composition is medium and close up.

Dramatic music adds even more humor to the ad .

This is a good example of ad without many camera movement but with good idea and great final result.

#movingimage #preproduction #Youtube

Moving Image. Points of view

Neutral eye level shot:

This is most common point of view because it relates to how we see things naturally.

Eye birds view:

This is a point of view that will show the character and location from above. The camera needs to positioned higher then the character and face down like the bird eye when he's flying.

In a natural environment we can achieve it be looking down from the higher place/location e.g. from airplane, hill, ladder or high building,.

Worm's eye view

This point of view shows what is gong on on or around the ground where the character is standing or showing the character from this point.

Camera is situated lower then the character and as a result it can look much bigger/taller that it is in normal life.

Camera Shots and Angles PLUS Impact on Audience

#movingimage #preproduction

Moving Image. Composition

Long shot:

This is a shot where we are able to see whole scene,the place where action takes place and possibly things that are happening around. This kind of shot gives the viewer more information about environment around or show new/next location.

In this shot whole character can be seen - from head to toe and looks much smaller because the camera is positioned further away when that kind of scenes are recorded.

Medium shot:

This kind of shot shows part of the character -often from head to waist. More details about character can be seen - like body language or face expression, important details.

Standard shots are frequently used in dialog scenes, when the person is talking to someone. In this shot more than one character can be seen.

It also gives some information about the place where the character is.

Summarizing this kind of shot gives more information about character then about the place.

Close shot:

This kind of shot shows even more details about the character then the medium shot. It concentrates on the character only, the background is not visible/blurry.

This is where the viewer can be really close to the character, see his face expression, recognize his feelings, see some things that cannot be seen from the distance.

This ultimate guide breaks down every imaginable shot size, angle, movement and more.

Confused about shot types? Our blog discusses the different types of shots in film so you can together a shot list with confidence.

#movingimage #preproduction

Structure/final images&canvas

#structure

Structure - canvas

Few options of canvas for final submission created in Photoshop:

#structure

Unseen. Contact sheet. Studio day 1

#unseen

Structure. Digital Presentation

In this post I will explain few different possibilities to present photography work in format of digital presentation.

Web page

Flipsnack is a website with different types of templates that are used for publication like magazines, brochures or look-books. Final work can be uploaded as a PDF file or printed out.

This website can be used for free within its trial version.

Adobe Premiere Pro is a software that can be used to create photo slideshow with different effects ( adding borders, creating blurry backgrounds etc.) animation and transition between images. I think it is very interesting and nice way to look at and present photographic work.

Adobe Spark is another great web that can be used to present work. Adobe Spark can be used to create newsletters, flyers, adds, website etc. It offers a lot templates, adding text, videos, links, music creating collages and many more.

Final work can be posted directly to different types of social media like Instagram, Tweeter, Pinterest or Facebook.

Canva is a website that allows to create beautiful photo collages. The website offers many different templates that are easy to use.

Canva offers different plans that can be used, one of them is for free and can be used with some limitations.

PDF

PDF - portable document file. This file is used to storage different sort of data like text, diagrams, sketches, table, projects, images etc.

This file can be stored on computer, pen drive, hard drive and can be shared with someone by email.

Many software allows to save a work in PDF file like Microsoft Word, Lightroom, Photoshop etc.

Different websites also allows to save work in PDF file like the ones I already mentioned above: Flipsnack, Canva and Adobe Spark.

When printed PDF file will look like on computer.

A PDF file can be easily done on a computer without use of any special software. The way to do that is to select images, right click on the cursor and print. Instead of printing the file can be saved on computer as a PDF file.

Canvas

Canvas in another way of presenting photography work. Unfortunately this year we are not allowed to print out our work but we can still present it in a nice way like I mention in this post. Canvas can be made in such software like Lightroom, Photoshop or Adobe Bridge. It is simply putting images on a white/black or chosen color background, making borders, space between images,rotating images etc. This can be done with use of templates or customized and saved as jpg file.

Example of canvas made in Lightroom:

Triptych/no borders: