Introduction to Photography - Exercise 4

21 March 2014 (Week 7)
Niew Seen Ying (0317961)
Introduction to Photography
Exercise 4a and 4b

Lecture
For this week's class, Mr. Vinod briefed us about the compositions in photographer 

Rules of Thirds
- it's something like a guideline, not a rule
- the photography rule of thirds tells us to align our subject with one of the points where those lines cross. That means our subject is one third of the way “into” the picture space – from either the top or bottom, and from either the left or right. And that means it’s not in the middle
- subject matters should be taken at the intersection point

Counterpoint
You can enhance the picture composition even more by creating a counterpoint. If you place your primary focal point at the thirds position, you can place a secondary focal point at the diagonally opposite thirds position, as in the following images. The secondary point is located diagonally across the primary focal point.

Multipoint
Can be created to enhance the photo further.

Triangular Composition

A method of placing a secondary and tertiary focal point alongside a primary focal point to enhance the image. It gives a sense of depth into a photograph and may show dominance in an image.

Principles Underpinning Composition
Apart from the already mentioned  rules that govern or guide composition there are also principles of design that underpin composition. These principles can also be used when composing or considering elements within a picture.
-Domination/Emphasis
-Isolation
-Balance
-Repetition
-Alignment
-Contrast
-Rhythm
-Symmetry/Asymmetry
-Harmony

Instructions
Exercise 4A
Capture 3 Images adhering to the Rule of Thirds
1. Using 1 person
2. Using 3 persons
3. Using a scenery
When placing the image on the document for printing; place one image with the Rule of Third lines visible and another without the lines side by side (as instructed in class).

(Put to use what you have learnt in the Zone system exercises here)

1 Person

F 8.0 | S 1/320 | ISO 400

3 Persons

F 8.0 | S 1/320 | ISO 400

Scenery

F 8.0 | S 1/640 | ISO 400

Reflection
Through this exercise, I learned that rule of thirds give an interesting element in a photo. It made me realize that the main object doesn't have to be at the centre of the frame.

For the first picture, it was a shot captured while my friends are playing frisbee. It shows more movement using the rule of thirds. For the second picture, they actually asked me to take a picture of three of them together. And i automatically took it using the rule of thirds without hesitation. Although it is not really interesting compared to the other pictures, it made me realize that I am starting to use the rule automatically.

Screenshot

Exercise 4B

Capture 4 Images adhering to any of the mentioned principles below:

-Domination/Emphasis 

-Isolation

-Balance

-Repetition

-Alignment 

-Contrast 

-Rhythm 

-Symmetry/Asymmetry

-Harmony

Principle: Domination

F 5.6 | S 1/40 | ISO 200

Principle: Repitition

F 8.0 | S 1/30 | ISO 6400

Principle: Rhythm

F 5.6 | S 1/160 | ISO 200

Principle: Symmetry

F 8.0 | S 1/160 | ISO 200

Reflection
After this exercise, I realized that every photo have various composition. It makes the photo more lively. Using the right composition for a picture will gives more live and strength to a picture. But using too many composition in a photo will make the picture looks complicated and the main subject will lose its focus. Therefore, planning of the using of composition is important before taking a picture.

Feedback
General Feedback
Mr Vinod went through everyone's blog in the class for this exercise and point out the mistakes we did. He also said that some of the photos are actually not bad. The things that bother him was the background of the photos. For example, a chair and a car. He also point out that some of us doesn't really know how to use the rule of thirds. Mr Vinod also said that we can redo our assignment if we want to. He expected us to capture photos during the week to make sure that we knew what are the suitable compositions used in different photos.

Specific Feedback
Exercise 4.1
1) It will be better without the car behind.
2) This is actually a good photo. It will be better if the background is darker.
3) Applied rule of thirds correctly.

Exercise 4.2
1) Suitable principle and exposure.
2) Suitable principle.
3) Suitable principle.
4) Unsuitable principle.


Screenshot

Introduction to Photography - Exercise 3

14th March 2014 ( Week 6) 

Niew Seen Ying ( 0317961)
Introduction to Photography
Exercise 3: The Zone System

Lecture
Today's lecture class is about zone system.

Zone system
- developed by Ansel Adams
- deals with exposure
- a technique to get a desired exposure
- light meters are dumb
- cameras assume all scenes has the same tonal values (zone 5)
- the technique was to carefully study a scene, visualize the final print, then determine the correspondence   between portions of the scene and tones in the print
-the goal of the simplified Zone system is to expose film/ccd for optimum image quality— to make sure all the critical information is present
- tones in scenes and prints are divided into nine zones, numbered 1 through 9 from dark to light
-  Zone 5 is, by definition, subjective middle gray.In a scene— in the field— each zone represents a doubling or halving of the luminescence— the light reflected from the subject— or equivalently, a difference of one f-stop

Benefits of Utilizing the Zone System

- Capturing a correct exposure every time, even in the trickiest light or scene situations.
- Having a precise evaluation of your scene's tones and dynamic range prior to even making a shot.
- Knowing when you need to use graduated neutral density filters.
- Knowing exactly how far apart to take exposure bracketed shots for later blending.

- Determining the situations where you need to use a fill flash to get a correct exposure.

Instructions

Exercise 3a

Choose 3 different subject matters of varying tones.

Tint, Tone & Shade

Photograph:

-An Image that has different shades of White

-An Image that has varrying shades of grey (middle tones)

-An Image that has varying shade within a dark area.

Light

F 5.6 | S 1/60 | ISO 200

5.6 | S 1/15 | ISO 200

Grey

F 5.6 | S 1/3 | ISO 200

F 5.6 | S 1/5 | ISO 200

Dark

F 5.6 | S 1/3 | ISO 200

F 5.6 | S 1/540 | ISO 200

Reflection

From this exercise, I realized that the light meter is not accurate. If we're following the light meter in the camera, the photo taken will be in a gray tone which might not be the right exposure that we picture in our mind. Therefore, to take an image with the correct exposure, I changed the settings to correct the exposure of an image without making the exposure meter 0.

Screenshot

Exercise 3b
Produce 1 black & white image that captures depth and richness in tonal value by capturing light, middle and dark tones while maintaining details (texture and tone) in the dark and light areas of the image.

F 5.6 | S 1/2 | ISO 200

Reflection
Through this exercise, I learned that there are different zones in a picture. Determining the main character of a    photo will help to bring the main subject of the picture stands out more. Adjusting the settings on the camera will help to correct the exposure of an image without using the exposure meter as they are not really accurate.

Screenshot

Introduction to Photographer - Terengganu Excursion

7th February 2014 ( Week 5 )
Niew Seen Ying ( 0317961 )
Introduction to Photographer
Terengganu Excursion

Noor Arfa Craft Complex, 8th of March

Aperture: f 8.0

Shutter Speed: 1/ 320

ISO: 6400

  On the 6th to 8th of March, our class had this trip to Terengganu. This trip was organized by Miss Natasha and followed my Miss Theresa to produce an English essay and an assignment for the Human Communication student. It is a trip based on introduction to batik, a traditional art, and it's making process. According to the lecturers, the purpose of this trip is to expose us to the basic of art and to give us a culture shock.

  After an 8 hours journey on the bus, we reached the craft complex and had our breakfast. Immediately after the breakfast, we settle down at an open classroom. The activity started with a short talk about the basics of batik. The trainer told us the history of batik and the varieties of batik from different country. He also presented some tools and materials needed to make a batik. After the talk, I understood that batik came in various type of patterns and combinations. After our lunch break, we were required to design our own batik and do it our self. Basically everyone did a good job and some of them are really amazing. 

  After a great night rest, we continue our batik adventure with a big batik work which we are compulsory to do in groups. We needed to create a batik design with the combination of the organic batik and abstract batik. For my group, there is 4 of us. We brainstorm about the design and the theme of the art piece. The brainstorming session leads us to a theme of  "Anti-Racism". In Malaysia, there are a couple of races living together in this small country. To maintain the harmony and peace of our country, we need to live together as one without discrimination and misunderstanding. And to relate to the theme, we made the main object of the batik a panda. The panda is sitting on a colourful stone which gives the meaning of different races leave together with toleration. Surprisingly, our artwork turn out not bad and we are actually satisfied.

  On the last day of this 3 days trip, we did fixing for our batik. The purpose of this process is to seal the colour on the cloth. Later on, we continue on our last work for this trip. For the last piece of batik, we need to do canting and printing on a cloth combining them together to produce a batik. We are required to choose 4 prints and transfer them on the cloth. For my group, we did a batik which is a little different from the traditional batik designs. We drew a dancer and place prints on the cloth. Although it doesn't looks like a batik, it is still the product from the effort of all of the group members. The last activity is to boil the cloth that we did fixing earlier to wash of the wax on the cloth and dry it. 

  I chose this photo because it shows how a team works together to create a big piece of artwork. Not only we need to work together but to share ideas and produce a work which represents everyone in the group without being self-centered.

  The settings i used for this photo is to make the photo a little over exposed and capture their motion with a bit of movement. I took this photo because their passion and team work to finish the batik really touched me and it shows the effort they put in to complete the task given.

  Through this batik trip, I learned a couple of things regarding batik. Besides that, I also realized the importance of teamwork and the circumstance we may go through. Although there will be times with up and downs, we will need to work together and tolerate to solve the problem and be there for each other.

Feedback

General Feedback

At the starting of the lecture, Mr. Vinod mentioned that some of us did a good job for the trip excursion while a couple of us didn't meet the requirements.

Specific Feedback

Mr. Vinod said that the excursion pictured is well exposed. The use of high ISO for the picture was an interesting choice. However, there is no co-relation between the questions and the answers with regard to the excursion.

Screenshot

Principles in Design - Assignment 1 (Self Potrait-Presentation)

This is my artwork:

During the presentation I had to admit that I was quite nervous since a few of my coursemates chose the same art movement which is cubism. Many of their works really amazed me. When it was my turn to present, I explained what i understood about cubism and the media i chose to make my self potrait. I used bits and pieces from magazines and make a collage of myself. 

I apologize for not taking any photos of my process of making my self potrait because I was too focus on getting every angle and color scheme correct that i absolutely forgot to take some photos.

 I was extremely nervous when i showed my work to Miss Lisa as she is quite particular about neatness and my work are having some glues which are not appealing and presentable. I need to make sure I don't repeat the same mistake again.

Introduction to Photography - Exercise 2.2 & 2.3

28th February 2014 ( Week 4 )
Niew Seen Ying (0304125)
Introduction to Photography
Exercise 2 : Shutter Speed & ISO

Lecture
Before the class, Mr. Vinod shared some links and videos regarding shutter speed and ISO. After that he explained about shutter speed and ISO and the effects of them on the quality of pictures.

Shutter speed is the duration of time the shutter remains open to allow light to reach a digital camera sensor.

Shutter Speed:
-Shutter speed is measured in seconds, or fractions of seconds.
-Using very fast shutter speeds “freeze” fast-moving subjects
-Slow shutter speeds are used to intentionally capture the movement of a subject
-For most, hand holding a digital camera at shutter speeds below 1/30th of a second often require use of a camera support to prevent camera shake.

When considering what shutter speed to use in an image you should always ask yourself whether anything in your scene is moving and how you’d like to capture that movement. If there is movement in your scene you have the choice of either freezing the movement so it looks still or letting the moving object intentionally blur giving it a sense of movement.
To freeze movement in an image like in the surfing shot above you’ll want to choose a faster shutter speed and to let the movement blur you’ll want to choose a slower shutter speed. The actual speeds you should choose will vary depending upon the speed of the subject in your shot and how much you want it to be blurred.

ISO is the number indicating a digital-camera-sensors sensitivity to light.

ISO:

-The higher the sensitivity, the less light is needed to make an exposure.
-Shooting at a lower ISO number requires more light than shooting at a higher number.
-Lower numbers result in images with the least visible noise, which is desirable. The higher the number, the more noise.

After the lecture, he gave us 2 exercise. We did the ISO exercise in class and we are required to complete our shutter speed exercise at home.

Instructions

Exercise 2b (Shutter Speed)

1. Keep the fan speed at 1 and capture images using shutter settings from 1/4th of a second till 1/1000th of a     second.

2. Repeat this exercise after changing the fan speed from 1 to 2 and the from 2 to 3 and so on.

Reflection
Through this exercise, I understand that a fast shutter speed freeze a moving object and a slow shutter speed captured the motion of an object. By comparing a low shutter speed image to a higher one, I could see that the fan which was taken with a fast shutter speed and high ISO appeared clearer than the image that was taken with low shutter speed and low ISO.

Screenshot

Exercise 2c(i) (ISO)

1. You will be required to shoot a subject using the lowest ISO setting to the highest. 

2. Determine the right exposure (shutter speed & aperture @ ISO 100) and then increase the ISO setting to 200, 400, and so on.

F5.6 |S1/15 |ISO 200

F5.6 |S1/15 |ISO 400

F5.6 |S1/15 |ISO 800

F5.6 |S1/15 |ISO 1600

F5.6 |S1/15 |ISO 3200

F5.6 |S1/15 |ISO 6400

Reflection

From this exercise, I realised that when I increases the ISO, the photos appears brighter with greater exposure. Throughout this exercise, the shutter speed used is the same and that makes me learnt that when the ISO increases, the exposure of the photos increases.

Screenshot

Exercise 2c(ii) (ISO)
1. Determine your exposure (shutter speed & aperture @ ISO 100) but this time adjust the Shutter & Aperture to maintain the correct exposure as you increase the speed of the ISO.

F5.6 |S1/15 |ISO 200

F5.6 |S1/30 |ISO 400

F5.6 |S1/60 |ISO 800

F5.6 |S1/125 | ISO 1600

F5.6 |S1/250 |ISO 3200

F5.6 |S1/500 |ISO 6400

Reflection

Throughout this exercise, we are required to adjust our shutter speed and ISO to get the right exposure. For this exercise, I don't really saw the differences between the photos. But when i compared the first photo and the last photo, I found out that the photo with smaller ISO seems to be clearer then the photo with higher ISO. Thus I understand that when the ISO increases, the noise increases which makes the photo seems blur.

Feedback

General Feedback

Mr. Vinod asked us to go through the reading materials and video he post on facebook. He said that it is a better thing to come for a lecture with prior knowledge of the lesson. He also questioned us about the difference between and ISO, shutter speed and aperture as it is related to our next lesson, zone system.

Specific Feedback

The exercises by and large seems correct. Mr. Vinod suggested  to include the materials I had gone through in the lecture part to show the effort thrown in for every lesson.

Screenshot