Rioadele's Introduction to Photography @rioadeleintrotophotography - Tumblr Blog

Overall evaluation of my introduction to photography

Over the last six weeks I have covered several photographic styles and techniques across a range of tasks. This has allowed me to learn further the skills necessary to take a great photograph in many different situations. This was all under a blanket of ‘Introduction to Photography’.

These tasks were: - Shutter Speeds - Still Life Photography - Studio Practices - Film Photography - Apertures & Depth of Field - A-Z Photography

Whilst doing these projects I have developed more of an understanding of my camera, and its functions. Generally, I have found the exposure triangle to be vital and integral to taking my best shots. The exposure triangle is a common way of associating the three variables that determine the exposure of a photograph: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. One must balance all three of these to achieve a desired result. Therefore, an adjustment of one requires adjustments of at least one of the others. They do not only affect exposure but are also the largest determiners of the global appearance of an image; thus, their mastery is crucial both for technique and composition.

I have certainly progressed since gaining a better understanding of the above and learning my camera more. As well as general practice. Some of the shots I had taken earlier on during these tasks weren’t satisfactory to me. Some of them required light editing to adjust brightness, vibrance and sharpness. Many of my later photographs, however, were great shots on their own and I used my knowledge of white-balance, ISO, apertures etc. to create better exposure through the camera alone.

Learning how to use different apertures to my advantage has aided me in taking better photographs depending on the intended outcome. I feel more in control of the subject of the image. This helped me hugely during the still life, shutter speed and aperture tasks. This can be best seen in the photos I took of the nail polish bottles. I took photos of all these from the same position changing the aperture each time to change the focus of each photograph.

Alongside this, I have a much better handle on shutter speeds allowing me to convey different senses of motion in my work. This can also be seen in the images I’ve taken. In some (subject in front of the moving bus & tram) the subject was still, meaning they stick out in front of a moving background. In others (cyclist) the subject was the one moving and not the world around them. Meaning I had to match the movement of the camera to the subject to create a different sense of motion.

During the whole experience, both of taking photographs and researching other photographers, I have a newfound perspective of the world around me. I am always looking with an eye to composition. I see light differently, I see colour differently, I see subjects differently. This understanding is exciting and really brings out my creative senses.

I would like to work more and improve on studio practices. Mainly with a focus on the technical aspects of this field. It’s something I’m very new to and as such, whilst my photographs aren’t bad, they aren’t as good as others I take in different areas.

Photographic Still Lives

Still life photography is a genre of photography used for the depiction of inanimate subject matter, typically a small group of objects, Similar to still life painting, it is the application of photography to the still life artistic style.Tabletop photography, product photography, food photography, found object photography are some examples of still life photography. This genre gives the photographer more leeway in the arrangement of design elements within a composition compared to other photographic genres, such as landscape or portrait photography. Lighting and framing are important aspects of still life photography composition. Manmade objects such as pots, vases, consumer products, handicrafts or natural objects like plants, fruits, vegetables, food, rocks, shells can be taken as subjects for still life photography. Typically, still life photos are not close to the subject nor far away, but at a very head-on angle. The art in still life photography is often in the choice of objects that are being arranged and the lighting.

Bas Meeuws

Bas Meeuws is a contemporary Dutch photographer who injects the traditional Dutch genre of flower painting with new vigour through his photographic still life series. Much like the subject of his photographs–flowers–his own works are signifiers of multiple layers of meaning, referencing historical and cultural traditions, as well concepts of transience, the passage of time and mortality. Meeuws created his first photographic flower piece in 2010 and appreciation for his work swiftly followed. He won the Dutch Public Award in the creation category of the Metro Photo Challenge 2011 and his work has been widely exhibited in the Netherlands. The formal aspects of this photo The use of a wide variety of contrasting colours which are complimentary to each other and the background. The image is very central and can be interpreted to create symmetry. The shape of the flowers and petals produce texture and busyness. The subject has been placed on a wooden table; this creates a homely atmosphere and presents an ambient contrast between the modern and the traditional. In addition to this, flowers have played a significant role in the cultural history of The Netherlands. From 1600 to 1800, it was a crucial part of the Dutch Golden Age wherein artists sought inspiration from them and captured their beauty on canvas. He is using his still life photography to capture history within his country Meeuws’ assortment of flowers, seem to emerge yet elapse into their inky black backdrops, revelling in sharpness, flaunting texture, pore and vein. The technical aspects of this photo the use of a tripod: this will reduce camera shake and ultimately reduce any blur that might occur. A very high aperture, f22-f32, this is what makes the image sharp and in focus. Generally, this is done across most still life photography. A slow shutter speed can be used as ‘still life’ doesn’t move. This will help expand the focal plane. Shutter speed 1/60s or below is used here. Manual mode or aperture priority. Continuous lighting.

Laurens Kaldeway

Laurens Kaldeway was born and raised in Kenora, Ontario, Canada and is in fact an amateur photographer, however, he really does have a true talent. His children were the main inspiration for taking up a photographic hobby. Kaldeway’s work uses ordinary subjects and makes them look captivating. The formal aspect of this image The composition uses the rule of thirds: the rule of thirds proposes that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. I personally enjoy this technique as it is aesthetically pleasing. The colours contrast admirably, and symmetry/mirror was used here. This creates an abstract photograph which portrays the love for music and how abstract and complicated it can be. The technical aspects of this image Aperture around f2.8 - f5.6, using this aperture creates a shallow depth of field, where the foreground and background are both blurred. ISO – 200 Flash was not used, but the lighting is sufficient. shutter speed 1/50s manual mode

James Drury

Based in York, UK, James Drury is a multi-faceted photographer. Taking images in a variety of styles. While he mostly takes portraits and events photography. His still life is very dramatised which allows for interpretation from the viewer. The formal aspect of this image The creativity and composition in this image are very effective; with juxtaposition used strongly. Juxtaposition is very powerful compositional tool in photography. It refers to the inclusion of two, or more, elements in a scene that can either contrast with each other or act towards one another to create an overall theme. Both approaches can work very well and play an important part in enabling the photo to tell a story. The mannequin and the window contrast together staggeringly well. As the window is the only source of light in this photograph, this gives an ominous yet sad emotion to the image, of feeling alone or trapped. This is a creative still life image as it is communicating literal still life. A mannequin is replica of a human but is not alive. The colours in this image are also complimentary using warm urban undertones of browns and earthy type colours. What is the hierarchy in this image? The window or the mannequin? I feel both portray a meaning and bring importance to the photograph. Both subjects are parallel with each other, therefore indicates correspondence. Out of the three images presented, this one is my favourite, since I interpret the subject to be personified. The technical aspects of this image aperture around f8, this is a mid to larger aperture, this can create slight blur at the front whilst the majority is in focus. ISO 50 - 100 (as the window produced the right amount of light to highlight just the subject in this image) shutter speed 1/15s Tripod (was used to reduce camera shake)

Complementary colours

The use of colour itself is an often-overlooked compositional tool. Colour theory is something that graphic designers, fashion designers and interior designers are all very familiar with, this can also be a great tool to use in photography. Certain colour combinations complement each other well and can be, visually, very striking. You can see that the colours are arranged logically in the segments of a circle. Colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel are said to be ‘complimentary colours. As photographers, we can look for scenes that incorporate complimentary colours as a way of creating attractive and striking compositions.

Camilla Catrambone

Camilla Catrambone offers a more effusive way of documenting her family, through this series of still life photographs. Each ‘portrait’ represents a family member through the articles they have owned, or items Catrambone associates with them most. How much can you learn about a person by simply looking at things he or she has owned in their life? This question was explored a couple of years ago in a project that documented the things people would save from a burning house, and it’s also the question behind photographer Camilla Catrambone’s project titled, “Portraits of My Family.” The portraits in the series aren’t of faces but of things. Catrambone’s goal was to represent the members of her family by collecting special possessions, arranging them neatly on a flat surface, and then photographing the arrangement as a snapshot of a person’s life.

This, of course led me to question – what would my photos look like?

My ideas to prepare for my own still life Photography (My sketches)

My results of still life photography (studio based) Taken on a Nikon D40 slr 18-55mm lens taken in the studio Continuous lighting Aperture – f29 shutter speed 1/3 Iso 200 White balance - fluorescent focal length 35mm

*Using AI Auto focus *shutter speed 1/160 *apertures between f2.8 - f5 *ISO - 400 * 50mm lens * Cannon 1300D *continuous mode *mode (Tv) or (s)

One Shot

When you press your shutter half way down (or use your AF-ON button instead which I go over in my ebook) the camera sets focus one time and holds that focal distance until the picture is taken. If you’re shooting still life or a subject that simply isn’t moving much then this is a good method to use. Once that subject is in focus it will lock onto that focus point and you will need to repress the focus button if something moves out of the frame or you change the composition. Thus it is useful for situations where your subject is still. Although if you are using back button focusing then your camera will focus lock anyway and only change focus if you are depressing the back button the whole time.

AI-Servo

AI-Servo is to track focus on moving subjects; so as your subject moves closer or moves further away your camera constantly updates focus to keep the subject as sharp as possible.

AI-Auto

It is the half step between One Shot and AI Servo. That’s because, like One Shot, AI Focus will focus lock on to a subject when the shutter is half pressed or back button is pressed, but the difference is that it will continue to monitor the distance between the subject and the camera and re-adjust the focus accordingly. So as long as the subject doesn’t move AI Focus is the same as One Shot but as soon as the subject moves a little the camera will automatically focus to the new position.

Evaluation

During this photo shoot, I feel my photographs were adequate. I picked these 12 as I felt they were the best quality ones, for the task set (paparazzi type shots.) This was extremely fun, but I feel more practice is needed. Some of my photographs produced a shallow depth of field, the colours contrast well and the lighting was satisfactory, these photographs came out quite sharp whilst the majority came out blurry, this was due to me not pressing the camera button to focus on my subject, in future I will be more compliant with myself and the camera. If I were to do this task again, I would make more of an effort with my composition, and really focus on getting that full frontal shot.

Intro to studio practices

Portrait photography, or portraiture, is a type of photography aimed toward capturing the personality of a person or group of people by using effective lighting, backdrops, and poses. A portrait photograph may be artistic or clinical. Frequently, portraits are commissioned for special occasions, such as weddings, school events, or commercial purposes. Portraits can serve many purposes, ranging from usage on a personal web site to display in the lobby of a business.

Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry was born on April 23rd, 1950 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is an American photographer, freelancer and photojournalist. His photo Afghan Girl, of a girl with piercing green eyes, has appeared on the cover of National Geographic several times. McCurry has photographed many assignments for National Geographic and has been a member of Magnum Photos since 1986. Steve shoots with a Nikon D810, particularly as he can shoot low-light scenes with ease. In addition, he uses a 24-70mm lens, which he uses for 98% of his current work.

Oaxaca, Mexico *Taken in various locations, not in a studio. *editing was probably used, enhanced brightness/vibrance. *aperture f 2.8 - F5.6 * ISO – 100-400 * shutter speeds – 1/125 - 1/500

Afghan girl

The techniques used to capture the photographs of ’Oaxaca, Mexico' and ’Afghan girl’

These photographs show great composition and depth of feild. The subject in the foreground is very much in focus whilst the subjects in the background are blurred. This is done, by using the correct aperture and shutter speed. He uses a vivid use of colour that dominates this image. Colour can be a crucial compositional element and can also tell a story all its own. Steve’s portraits are particularly notable for the intimacy he can create between the subject and viewer. Generally, he will shoot the portraits from the chest up and ensures the eyes are pin-sharp. His eye for colour is evident here, also, as you can often see he picks subjects who are wearing items that either compliment or contrast with their surrounding environment. In these photographs he uses wide-open apertures, around f/2.8-f/5.6, this is to ensure the background is just out of focus enough to ensure the subject stands out from their surroundings.

*Taken in various locations, not in a studio. *editing was probably used, enhanced brightness/vibrance. *aperture f 2.8 - F5.6 * ISO – 100-400 * shutter speeds – 1/125 - 1/500

Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon was an American fashion and portrait photographer. He worked for Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, specializing in capturing movement in still pictures of fashion, theater and dance. Avedon did not conform to the standard technique of taking studio fashion photographs, where models stood emotionless and seemingly indifferent to the camera. Instead, Avedon showed models full of emotion, smiling, laughing, and, many times, in action in outdoor settings, which was revolutionary at the time. However, towards the end of the 1950s, he became dissatisfied with daylight photography and open air locations and so turned to studio photography, using strobe lighting.

Carmen (Homage to Munkacsi) Coat by Cardin, Place Francois-Premier, Paris, August 1957 *This photo is in monochrome (black and white) *great composition *photograph is central *it is a Freeze Action photograph *shutter speed is 1/60 -1/200 *aperture is wide f4 or above. * taken outside, cloudy day Using these functions, he has created a blurred background, but the object in the foreground is sharp and in focus, initially frozen in time

Bob Dylan, singer, New York City, February 10, 1965 *This photograph is monochrome (black and white) *photograph is just off central *shutter speed is 1/60 - 1/200 *aperture is between f1.8 - f5 *taken outside, cloudy day, appears to have rained *use of tripod Using these functions, he has created a blurred background, but the object in the foreground is sharp and in focus.

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