Thursday, 26 November 2009

Group Task - Film Titles 25/11/09

We were given a selection of film titles to research and produce a photograph based on this is groups of 3.


The Task
In our group we had to produce a photographthat was influenced by one of the following film titles:
  • Breakfast at Tiffany's
  • The Fountain
  • Into the Wild
  • Dead Man's Shoes
  • Dog Day Afternoon
  • A Clockwork Orange
  • Sunset Boulevard
  • Three Colours Red
  • Stand by Me
  • The Thin Red Line
  • Rear Window

We chose "Into the Wild"
We wanted to depict a person being free in a large open space so we went on the search for a field... we came across playing fields but decided it would have to look over grown and found the perfect one. After taking lots of shots one of our group members (Matt) was walking up the hill and we saw how the overcast sun was shining towards him causing a silhouette. this was our picture!

F 22
1/250 Shutter Speed
ISO 400

Weekly Picture Project

Every Tutorial session we are given a word or phrase as a guide to what sort of photograph we should create. I try not to go for the obvious solution and be as creative as i can!

1. Time
I decided to depict time by leaving a banana and apple to decay over a period of time and used low key lighting which I found was very sucessful. Due to lack of time(ironic) I had to edit more decay so if I was to do this idea again I'd leave it for at least a week!

2. English Breakfast
As i was eating my Shreddies at breakfast time I noticed that the box was the colours of the Union Jack so I decided to take it a step further and paint the individual Shreddies. I used a shallow depth of field at F 5.6.

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

Lightroom

As part of the "Systems And Processes" brief we are asked to use Adobe Lightroom and demonstrate knowledge of the options and effects we can create.
We can import photographs using the "Import" button as pictures below, or File>Import


You can rename photographs by choosing Library>Rename photo

We are asked to use the White Balance slider to create a cool, warm and grey balanced version on a photograph


Useful tips
If you are importing to Photoshop do not use output sharpening
Archive purposes - 15 x 10" 300 DPI , 6 x 9" 240 DPI
Shortcuts:
L - See image on dim background
TAB - disable toolbars
Z - Zoom
G - Multiple view









Saturday, 14 November 2009

21/10/09 - Available light

We were sent out on a task to take photos of each other in groups of three and see how different light sources have different effects on the photograph. I used both the studio and just about any light source we could find.


Fluorescent light
Shutter speed- 1/25 s
F 4.5
ISO - 200


Fluorescent light
Shutter speed- 1/25 s
F 4.5
ISO - 200




Tungsten light
Shutter speed- 1/25 s
F 5.6
ISO - 100



Fluorescent light (in lift)
Shutter speed- 1/25 s
F 4.5
ISO - 400



Window light
Shutter speed- 1/25 s
F 4.5
ISO - 400



Fluorescent light (vending machine)
Shutter speed- 1/25 s
F 5.6
ISO - 200



Fluorescent light
Shutter speed- 1/25 s
F 4.5
ISO - 100







Thursday, 12 November 2009

Dark room session 1 - 10/11/09

This was the first of 5 sessions where we will learn how to use a film camera and develop the photographs in the dark room. I have taken notes in this session and will update it after the next session in a new post. I really enjoyed this! never used a film camera before... might get onto the old relatives see if they have one knocking around ;)

we placed a Coca Cola bottle on a white perspex table and placed a continuous light source underneath (Soft box) which is diffused twice because of the perspex.
A reflector was put below the lens to stop lens flare. We used a 7ft stand for the camera to sit on.

The camera we used was a 4x5" (Monorail) film camera.
It is a "direct view" camera (the light travels straight through the lens projected on the film, unlike other cameras which reflect the light onto sensors and mirrors.

The bellows are in a constatina (usually made of leather or plastic) allowing easy contracting and expanding movements.

Bellows extended: Close focusing
Bellows contracted: Distance focusing

It has a "leaf shutter" unlike on a digital camera which had a "curtain shutter".

the are aperture and shutter speed settings on the camera. Shutter speed ranges from 1/500 to 1s.


The Dark Room:
"Safe light" is usually red, green or yellow.

We used red light as the film we used is sensative to every colour of light except red.
The film we used is Ilford-OrthoChromatic
(there is also pan chromatic film which is sensative to all colours, even red, which requires absolute darkness) - i don't see how any would could do that as John let us experience the blackness!

We used a dark slide to cover our film as we carried it to the studio form the darkroom. We did this as any exposure to the outside light would ruin the film! |(and we had to be careful as college was on a tight budget of 1 per person :P

Directions to take shot:
1. Place full slide into the near end of the camera.
2. Set shutter speed and aperture
3. Flick the shutter silver thing!
4. Take the cover slide out
5. Flick the button and take the photo (keeping very still as vibrations can cause blur)
6. Place slide back in and enter the dark room for exposure!

Directions in dark room:
There are 4 stages to exposure.
1. Place into "developer" (13 mins)
2. Place in "stop bath" (1 min) - this stops the film from reacting and being over exposed.
3. Place in "fixer" (5 mins)
4. Place in "water bath" (not as important for time)

In each stage the trays must be gently rocked

The chemicals must be 20 degrees
metal or enamel trays are used as they are smooth and will not scratch the film.

Great Stuff!! :D

Lighting On Objects - 11/11/09

We were sent out to photograph objects lit by window light, strobe light or fluorescent light.
I went into the town centre and market to see what I could find.
The settings we used on our cameras were: ISO - 400, Manual Focus, Manual Exposure


1. Fluorescent light
Aperture F 8.0
Shutter speed - 1/60


2. Window light
Aperture F 8.0
Shutter speed - 1/30


3. Fluorescent light
Aperture F 8.0
Shutter speed - 1/30


4. Fluorescent light
Aperture F 8.0
shutter speed 1/30

Glass Lighting 11/11/09

Different lighting was set up to test what effects this had on a glass bottle of aftershave. The bottle was placed on white perspex.
The camera settings we used were: ISO 400, Manual Focus, AV exposure, white balance - Daylight and set it to the lowest aperture which was F5.6.

Set 1
We used soft box lighting from the left side which caused a shadow.

Shutter speed - 1/125
Shutter speed - 1/200



Set 2
We used a soft box behind the perspex for backlight which created lots of dark shadows.

Shutter speed - 1/400



Set 3
We used backlight and bottom light with two soft boxes. This took away the shadows that were in Set 2.

Shutter speed - 1/1600
Shutter speed - 1/2000


Set 4
Bottom light only

Shutter speed 1/1000
Shutter speed 1/1600



Set 5
Bottom light and top light (slanted)
By taking the shot at different angles the writing becomes visible on the first one and white but is dark on the second shot and isn't easy to make out.

Shutter speed - 1/500
Shutter speed - 1/1600



Set 6
2 side lights to make the bottle appear very clear.

Shutter speed - 1/400
Shutter speed - 1/125



Set 7
2 black books at the each side to block and concentrate the light. Bottom light (soft box) and a reflector at the top.

Shutter speed - 1/1200

Studio Lighting 07/10/09

All of the photos were taken using 1/125 shutter speed, f5.6, iso 100 and 5500 white balance

SET 1
Using a soft box at 45 degree, face height.
Use higher white balance on paler skin to give a warmer effect




SET 2
Using a soft box above face height.
Gives a flattering look, where full face is lit.




SET 3
Using a soft box above face height with white board reflector opposite.




SET 4
Using a soft box behind and above face height with a sub tractor (blackboard facing subject). Gives a rim effect, this shows shadows and bone structure. Tip:- use over exposed.




SET 5
Using a soft box 45 degree behind and 45 degree at front above face height with sub tractor.




SET 6
Using a soft box in front above face height with 2 side sub tractors.




SET 7
Using a soft box above head height (top light) in wrong position with 2 sub tractors




SET 8
Using a soft box above head in wrong position with two side sub tractors and a under face reflector.




SET 9
Using a soft box above head in wrong position with two side sub tractors, a reflector under the face and a back light (back lit)