Introduction to Photography - Week 6

20.3.2015 (Week 6)
Josephin (0320795)
Introduction to Photography
Exercise 4: Composition
Exercise 4.a: Rule of Thirds

Lecture :

Today's class started off with small quiz by twitter application on phone. Then he gave us 1 hour to discuss together what we know and don’t understand about the material that have been given. Besides, he started to explain about Composition and the Rules of Thirds. Before we were dismissed, we were given our assignment for the week.

Instructions:
Exercise 4a: Rule of Thirds
Capture 3 Images adhering to the Rule of Thirds
Using 1 person
Using 3 persons
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)
4a) Rule of Thirds (5%)
Marking Criteria: The student must show evidence of knowledge and ability to use the Rule of Two-Thirds under the prescribed circumstances. Evidence of composition enhanced by cropping is acceptable in order to heighten the dynamism or intensity of the picture. Students must showcase their knowledge on exposure using the zone system.

1 person (XueYi) : 

1) F6.3 ISO1600 S1/4000

3 Person :

 2) F7.1 ISO1600 S1/2500

3) F8.0 ISO1600 S1/2500

Scenery :

 4) F4.5 ISO100 S1/640

5) F7.1 ISO1600 S1/4000

Screenshot: 

Feedback :

Via Facebook :

"your findings, "I feel all my pictures that I took is not satisfied because some of it do not have aesthetic and only fulfill the exercise requirement." here was very crucial in your learning. You were right to conclude such and it is an important learning point. To concoct a scene can sometimes turn out a little fake or uninteresting or believable because it has feeling like it isnt real. This can take a toll on how interesting the picture is. With regards to the exercise; Your attempt at fulfilling the challenges that were set out to test you on your ability to apply the Rule of Thirds were successful by and large. However composition like all art (the art of seeing) requires practise, so I believe if you continue to exercise this newly acquired skill you will eventually develop a good eye in composition. Good attempt!"

Reflection:

Experience: This is an interesting lecture that I had done because its my first time and not easy as we seem. My difficulties of doing this exercise was that I had trying to capture a picture using the Rules of Third theory for a scenery. However, while I took 1 person is the easiest since I only have one subject to shoot and make it into a well position within my frame.

Observation:

I observed that photography have a lot of principles and y difficulties of doing this exercise was that I had trying to capture a picture using the Rules of Third theory for a scenery. However, while I took 1 person is the easiest since I only have one subject to shoot and make it into a well position within my frame.

Findings:

I found that a bit complicated when I asked my friend to pose for the picture it had to take at least more than 5 minutes to set up all the setting for compose the picture and adjust the exposure accordingly. I feel all my pictures that I took is not satisfied because some of it do not have aesthetic and only fulfill the exercise requirement.


Learning goal: Students will be able to use the above mentioned rules or principle to make or capture interesting, dynamic or subtle compositions. 
Learning outcome 1: Students will be able to use exposure settings (Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO).
Learning outcome 3: Students will be able to distinguish a bad exposure from a good exposure.
Learning outcome 2: Students will be able to use the Zone System exposure technique to achieve desired results.
Learning outcome 4: Students will be able to apply the Rule of Thirds and principles underpinning composition.

Introduction to Photography - Week 5

13.3.15 (Week 5)
Josephin (0320795)
Introduction To photography
Exercise 3a: Zone System
Exercise 3b: The Ansel Adam's Shot

Lecture :
Today class started by discussion with friends about Zone System. Mr Vinod asked us to give questions that we didn't understand then he will answer it. This material is a bit harder than before because the setting complicated. He explained to us how to take pictures use zone system rules so detail and till we understand. After that he gave us time to prove it. In the end of class he asked some questions for us then gave us exercise to do at home and upload it to blog as e-portfolios.

Instruction :

Having learned that the camera light meter is dumb, because it gives you an average or optimized (middle grey; zone 5) exposure irrespective of the subject matter, execute the plan below to prove the theory and record you thoughts on the matter in your eportfolio.

Exercise 3a: Zone System
1. Capture three subjects: one light zones, middle zones and dark zones.
2. Take two images for each subject, one exposure according to the camera's light meter and the other according to the zone you believe the image falls under.
3. Ensure that the subjects you choose for each zone area (light, middle dark) have a good range of tones within the zone's area. As an example if you are capturing a subject that falls under the light zone and the subject is a white wall, it is only going to have 1 shade of the light zone, so avoid such subject matters, choose subjects that have a healthy tonal range within the white zone.

All pictures must be in black and white.

---

Exercise 3(b):
The Ansel Adam's Shot
Choose an image worthy of being called an Ansel Adam's shot (Still Life, Landscape or Portrait).
In using the Zone System sketch and write down the perceived zones in the desired image and indicate the ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed used. Identify the point of interest and state the exposure settings recommended by the camera light meter and your improved settings upon using the zone system. The image captured must fulfill the following criteria:

3b) Ansel Adams Shot (5%)
Marking Criteria: Students must show evidence of using the Zone System. Student must 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.

Exercise 3a: Zone System

Light Zone :

1. Zone 6, F4, ISO 200, 1/320

2. Zone 6, F4, ISO 200, S1/1000

Middle Zone :

3. Zone 5, F4.5, ISO 6400, S1/40

Dark Zone :

4. Zone 2-3, F4.5, ISO 6400, S1/60

5. Zone 2-3, F4.5, ISO 6400, S1/30

Exercise 3b: The Ansel Adam's Shot

P : F4.5 ISO3200 S1/125

Redo : 

Screenshot:

Feedback :

Via Facebook :
"you managed to showcase that the exposure meter isn't accurate all the time through exercise 3am. However my instruction were that you need to fill the frame of your view finder "only" with zones that fall within; the light zones, middle zones and dark zones, but you dark zone shot in exercise 3a didn't follow that. Nevertheless, you still managed to prove that the exposure meter is dumb. Your middle zone picture had only one option, I assume that you feel the exposure meter in this instance was accurate. I would like to tell you that you need to take pictures in day light and not indoors! The lighting quality in doors are insufficient and effects quality of the image as can be seen in your exercise 3b. Please redo it and see me for further explanation in the morning. The choice of subject matter for exercise 3b needs to be a lot more aesthetically pleasing or interesting. Your choice of subject was a little dull due to the lack of a strong point of interest, the subject matter isn't visually arresting. You must go out side your room or dormitory. Now with regards to your reflection; please read the definition before writing the reflection; experience, observation and findings. You can keep your sentences brief due to the challenge of the language but you must reflect on your result by explaining what you observed and what you found out."

Reflection :

Experience :

Today class was caught my attention fully since I learned a new topic called "Zone System". As usual when I read the material before class start, it's make me feel really confuse. In the class, even that Mr Vinod explained twice actually I still cannot understand because we have to remember the zone then decide which is dark, grey or dark zone. But after the final explanation I can understand a bit like dark zone is zone 3 as example road then bright zone is zone 7 as sky or snow and every picture that you take is zone 5. Let's assume that if you take picture of sky zone 7, you have to change the shutter by two stop of aperture. Therefore, 1 stop of aperture mean change 1 zone.

Observation :

When I took pictures at campus for the 3a exercise, Mr Vinod take a look of what I had took and he said that I have to take something look more 3 Dimension and look for my friend's work so I took again at home. When I took exercise 3b I feel confuse when decide which zone is middle or dark zone because sometimes it look same. 

Findings :

I notice that zone system is optimum capture of the real object and colour that we have seen wherefore in this material the exposure meter is not correct. In the manner of doing this exercise frequently will improve your understand and skill of zone system.

Learning goal: Students will be able to use the Zone System to capture an accurate and desired exposure of a real-life scene with a wide range of tonal values. 

Learning outcome 1: Students will be able to use exposure settings (Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO).

Learning outcome 3: Students will be able to distinguish a bad exposure from a good exposure.

Learning outcome 2: Students will be able to use the Zone System exposure technique to achieve desired results.

Introduction to Photography - Week 3

13.2.15 (Week 3)

Josephin (0320795)

Introduction to Photography

Exercise 2b : Shutter Speed

Exercise 2c : ISO

Lecture :

Today class Mr Vinod talked about how to write reflection in the right way. He gave us ISO and Aperture test by Socrative app on our mobile phone. It showed are we view and read it or not, it also showed how much we understand the material that he have given before the class start. He gave us time to ask 3 questions of each other and we have to talk. Then, we were given of class he gave us exercise to prove ISO effects exposure and the quality (the noise and grains) of a picture. We were given short time to go outside class and take pictures to prove it. In the end of class he gave us assignment to prove shutter speed effects the movement of pictures.

Instruction :

Exercise 2b) Shutter Speed

Directions: Choose a room that has good light and a ceiling fan. Keep the fan speed at 1 and capture images using shutter settings from 1/1000th of a second till 1’ of a second. Ensure the ISO and aperture adjusted according to what your camera light meter indicates as the correct exposure throughout the exposures. Repeat this exercise after changing the fan speed from 1 to 2 and the from 2 to 3 and so on.

All images must be in black and white, you can make the adjustment in the camera (if the feature is available) or make the adjustment later in photoshop (Image > Adjust > Black & White). Upload the screenshot of the document only and not the individual pictures for the shutter speed exercise.

Exercise 2c: ISO

Upon reading, viewing and discussing the material on ISO, we have come to agree that ISO effects exposure (Exercise 2c.1) and effects the quality of an image (Exercise 2c.2).

Your task today, requires you to prove that:

2c.1) ISO effects exposure

2c.2) ISO effects the quality of an image by increasing the noise and grain of a picture.

All images must be in black and white, you can make the adjustment in the camera (if the feature is available) or make the adjustment later in photoshop (Image > Adjust > Black & White)

Exercise 2b: Shutter Speed

For this exercise I used to ceiling fan in my dining area as it had natural sunlight coming in. None of the pictures were over or underexposed according to the camera. While keeping the shutter speed at the amount I wanted for each picture I first changed the ISO and then the aperture to get the right exposure in each picture.

Exercise 2c.1:

For this exercise, I took the photo at home because I didn't have tripod since the last class. I only change the ISO.

1)   F18 S1/8 ISO100

 2)   F18 S1/8 ISO200

 3)   F18 S1/8 ISO400

4)   F18 S1/8 ISO800

 5)   F18 S/18 ISO1600

 6)   F18 S1/8 ISO3200

Exercise 2c.2 :

To prove the ISO effects quality of image I kept change the ISO and Shutter until get the right exposure.

1)   F4 S1/80 ISO200

2)   F4 S1/125 ISO400

3)   F4 S1/250 ISO800

4)   F4 S/500 ISO1600

5)   F4 S1/1000 ISO3200

6)   F4 S1/600 ISO6400

Screenshot :

Feedback :

Via Facebook :

"your attempt of exercise 2b: shutter speed, seemed like you manage to prove that shutter speed when increased or decreased is able to effect the capturing of the speed of an object. However due to the dark conditions the images in the beginning were dark (under exposed). The exercise 2c.1 was good in that you were able to prove ISO can effect exposure however you choice of subject matter for exercise 2c.2 wasn't good, it was overly complicated as such it was difficult to discern the changes in the quality of the image when you increased the ISO. --- The reflections apart from what you wrote, is meant for you to "explain" what you observed from your individual exercise and what you found from the results. By doing this, I would come to know whether you have understood the individual exercises."

Reflection :

Experience : I took the pictures in my room and around campus. I cannot did the exercise while Mr Vinod give time for take pictures so I did it at home with dark condition. I used my room lamp so the light is not bright enough to take a picture. Honestly the exercise a bit hard since I have to change and remember the ceiling fan speed also the ISO and Shutter speed but it’s really helpful to practice my memorizing. Actually learn about photography is fun, I hope I can learn more about camera and photography.

Observation : Sometimes I feel Mr Vinod make me confuse when he talk so fast and when he gave us instruction I can't really understand also I don’t have tripod yet. So I just take a look at my friends worked outside the class. From this exercise I had learned a lot about ISO and Shutter speed because I always use automatic mode when taking pictures. I have to use the highest ISO when my room is not have enough light, that is the reason why sometimes my ceiling pictures look so dark but when I keep to try and change the shutter speed.

Findings : I found that I'm really quiet to talk but when discuss with my friend I be able to talk confidently even only one sentence. Now I realize that have a bit understand about ISO and Shutter, it will better if I can practice to take picture by using what I have learned.

Learning goal: Students are able to prove that ISO effects exposure and is controls the sensitivity of the image sensor.
Learning outcome 1: Students will be able to use exposure settings (Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO).
Learning outcome 3: Students will be able to distinguish a bad exposure from a good exposure.