Thursday 21 October 2010

Unit 208 ,theme 1 -Two weekends of walking, Landscape .


Hayfield Reservoir 
ISO 200  f/5.6 1/100 s/s 
Last weekend I went to kinder scout the highest hill in Derbyshire and spent around 4 1/2 hrs walking , it was a fabulous day ,clear blue sky's just a little windy up top. I took my camera and shot till I dropped !

Half way
ISO 200 f/5.6  s/s 1/200



As we hit the half way mark I turn to look how far we had come ,a little mist was starting to rise over the reservoir , I like the tones of the distant hills and the texture of the grass in the foreground .













Rocky Shelves
ISO200   f 5.6   s/s 1/750  std
In this shot I like the shape the rocky shelves form, they are found hanging on to the grassy bank on the south side of the plateau .The texture of the grass is apparent in the fore-ground ,the rocky shelves sit in the mid-ground and in the background the tonal range of  the sky ,faraway banks and hills.
     
  ISO 200  f5.6   s/s 1/750   b&w    
These two pictures are virtually the same, only I changed the settings to black and
white, I like how some of the contours of the rock are more textured and darker in the shadowed area in the black and white photo, they seem to jut out of the landscape like shelves. The shadows in the foreground , mid-ground and sky-line become toned in different shades of grey.
Mid Way- Endale Rocks.
ISO 200   f5.6  s/s1/1000
Again I took two shots of this rock formation. In this photo, black and white for tonal range and again this is my favorite I like how the shadows are more apparent making the size of the rock on the left look larger .the rule of thirds applies also in these shots, the gravel and rocks are 1st third, the distant resevoir is the 2nd third and the sky is last.

ISO 200  f5.6  s/s 1/1000

Neither up nor Down.
ISO 200 f 5.6  s/s 1/950
In this shot Steve tells me he can really connect with this picture ,you can almost touch the grain  of the wood in the slats and feel the texture of the grit-stone path that surrounds the rickety crossing. the tonal range and composition is great and the rickety fence leads you to the focal point , Hayfield Reservoir in the distance.

The top of Kinder downfall. 
ISO 200  1/1000   6.4
This photograph is full of shapes, texture, lines and tonal ranges the steam leads to the focal point were the water starts to fall. If you look closely the sandstone around the water it contains water-worn pebbles , grains of quartz or fespar which glint and sparkle in the sun.

Tuesday 19 October 2010

Unit 208 theme 1 -landscape - Dusk Photography

The cover of darkness .
ISO 200  f 1/25  5.6
We have had some absolutely fabulous sunsets in
October, the colors and tones have been amazing
and you never seem to see the same colors twice.
This picture was taken just before dark fell over my
back garden ,I love the fact you can still make out
the leaves on the trees and the chimney pot.

On fire.
ISO 400 f 1/800 3.2
This was another evening of spectacular colors and the sky did really
look as if it were on fire,with a hint of the day in between the sky and
 the trees, the contrast is amazing. 

Just before Dusk.
ISO  1600  4.5
I planned the shot taking to account rule of thirds
 which i think is spot on, there is nothing I would
change about this image.Again a similar shot as
the above only this shot is my favorite ,I love how
the spire stands tall above the trees in silhouette.

Heading home.
I cant say the setting as on this image
the camera says card error but was taken on manual.
This was taken in August on the motorway heading home from
a weekend in France ,I'm not over happy I would of liked all of
the cars and trees to have been a little darker .


Thursday 14 October 2010

Unit 208 theme 1 -Landscape.

                                                            ISO200 f 1/300 3.2
 This picture was taken in Vimmy in France ,late august and in is very similar to one of Charlie Waite's images below .


                                             .  

Unit 208 themes 1&2 Landscape and Portrait Research- Tv programme -How to take stunning pictures.

I spent most of the evening last night watching this programme   , I watched all five series on Demand five .
The first episode had Harry Borden in talking about portrait photography ,picking the right location and using the right light is paramount (pref natural light).  Make it simple keep looking through your view finder at all times  to see how the picture is looking , composition-check your background see if the elements in the shot fit your picture if not eliminate. Tell the subject , you like what you see, that in turn will make your subject feel more comfortable ,take as many shots as you can as the more you take the better the chance of taking "That special photo".
Episode 2   - focused on the perfect wedding photos the professional photographer was Emily Quinton. Emily  explained that when taking pictures at weddings to stay back an observe ,listen to what is going on with out being to intrusive and wait for a classic moment . Group shots should be fun and fast and have a couple of ideas up your sleeve for the shots . Take the bride and groom shots away from the wedding party ,shot through flowers or looking down on them as they look up ,look for stunning locations for the perfect shot.
Episode 3   - Featured Charlie Waite a landscape photographer he explains that finding the right location and find what it is about the area you have chosen that you find fascinating will help find the perfect image. he states that using composition aids like a cardboard frame can help frame your picture showing shape, balance, sky how much to leave "quote emit the redundant",think then , could I see this in a frame on the wall. He also states that waiting for atmospheric sky can also make a picture, make the picture inviting .
Top pointers
                      1. read the landscape.
                      2. consider your frame.
                      3. control light,right exposure.
                      4. photogenic weather.
                     5. look for things that draw you you into the picture.
Episode 4  - Featured Bob Martin a sports photographer , Bob states that emotion in a sports photograph can be more full-filling  than capturing the winner winning!
Top pointers
                     1.Watch the action, check the background .
                     2.Think about the movement of the subject.
                     3.Pick your moment and frame.
                     4.Use the right shutter speed .
                     5.Use the light you have in the most dramatic way .
                     6.Think about what your picture will look like.                                                                                    
Freezing the action- if your shooting a moving object full on, you need a lower shutter speed 6/40, than if you were shooting side on when you would need a shutter speed of 2000/1, when shooting a silhouette, you under expose (cheat the camera ) and expose for the sky.
Episode 5  - Tim Flach a photographer that takes unusual portraits of pets, takes the master class this week .Tim explains -be interested in the subject and research it, develop an idea explore detail and texture, if it doesn't fit your picture, leave it out .He says have a plan and cause distractions to help with your shot , you never know how long your window of opportunity will be. If shooting large or dangerous animals take someone with you for health and safety reasons.
Harry Borden








        

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Statement of Intent for Assignment - 208 The Principles of location photography.


I have chosen unit 208 , Principles of location photography .
I have chosen my two themes for this unit and will produce a minimum of 10 ten images for each theme. I have chosen assignment 208 as this unit will enable me to build up my skills technically and visually with my folio of images being about nature ,people and portraits .
Nature and Landscape .
My love of animals, plants, trees and all thats wild will be right up my path, as I am out and about in the fresh air as much as possible, this assignment will enable me to continue to do what I enjoy doing and hopefully produce some excellent images and increase my technical skills . I will be researching Charlie Waite ,Joe Cornish ,Antony Spencer, Tom Mackie and Johnathan Critchley  I have chose these Landscape/nature photographers because they relate to my theme and their techniques and pictures are striking each in their own individual way . 
People and portraits.
 I am the oldest child of five children in my family and have always played a big part in my siblings lives as they have   grown up(or not as the case may be). I constantly spend time with my two children whom are really old enough not to want anything to do with their mother but they enjoy my company and I theirs  .I have lived and worked around the Ashbourne area for all of my life, and know most of the people in the town.  I am a big people person and feel very lucky to have such a great bunch of friends. When I am taking pictures of my family and friends I have fun and get excited about the pictures I have taken, that is why I feel people and portraits is the next theme for me in this assignment . The photographers I will be researching , again relate to people and portraits and theme I have chosen ,butcher ,baker, candle stick maker , Lewis.w.Hine ,Andrew Montgomery ,Irving Penn ,Paul Strand and Alfred Stieglitz .
Equipment and why !
The equipment I shall be using is a Finepix s 5600 with a built in flash .This is the only camera I have and can be turned to manual ,I have two sets of nimh rechargeable batteries ,two XD cards one 1GB and a 2 GB to store captured images  ,a camera bag ,a lens cloth  and eventually a tripod! The cameras ISO ranges from 64 to 1600 and the exposure from 3.2 to 8 and a shutter speed of 1/2000 to 15 . 
Techniques and Why. 
The techniques I will be used to help me achieve a good picture will be ISO, either grain or sharp the shutter speed to speed or slow things down in moving objects, and the aperture which will allow me to regulate the amount of light I would like in my images. These different settings will allow me to convey a visual message in my photograph as well as the composition , color , shape,  pattern ,rule of thirds , tonal range ,depth of field ,texture ,form and perspective .  
Light quality and Why.
Considering light is a major thought in photography ,the different light can make or break your shot  .Using your aperture setting , a kiss of flash or even a light reflector will help you achieve the right lighting and effect . 
Safety considerations.
Considering health and safety is important for others as well as yourself and your equipment .  when I am out and about I always have someone with me if I go further afield I get someone else to drive so i can keep my eyes open for  locations and other photo opportunities .
I always use a neck strap and have a waterproof bag to keep my kit protected.
I always keep to the paths and ask for permission if I would want to enter private land.
I also am aware ethical considerations ,ie taking images of religious buildings and beliefs .  




Statement of Intent for assignment - 211 Presenting photo Images

I have chose this assignment because I would like to gain the skills and knowledge to be able to present the images that I take, in such away that they have maximum impact on the viewer .I will present 10 thematic images and a written account explaining my choices of presentation ,a description of the methods used and an alternative method using different materials .

Monday 11 October 2010

Equipment and Brief Introduction.

I have been using a camera since the age of 16yrs ,my very first a Pentax Pino which I saved up for and still have.My next camera at 18yrs was a big step up, a second hand Fujica SLR st605n with numerous lenses, I never really knew what I was doing I just played about with it as much as I could, learning bits as I went along .
Luckily my photographs came out brilliantly considering! My friends started to see the pictures and decided that if I didn't have the money to always pay for films and processing when we went out and about, then they would pay If I took my camera, this was a great idea and gave me more experience in all areas.
 In 2000 I had my first digital camera a Fine Pix which came everywhere, but in 2004 I dropped the camera ,(not wearing the wrist strap) I was gutted to say the least as my camera  was the was the best thing in my life next to my children.
I plucked up the courage to borrow £200 from my parents for the camera I have now ,Fine Pix s5600,again it comes everywhere ,holidays, christenings, weddings, get to gethers, walks and rides out ,I always think your will never no what your going to see!!! and some of the pictures I take make good gifts. I have never really used this camera to its full potential and thats why I have come on this course .I have no tripod as yet but that is the next thing on my list . I am hoping  along with the enthusiasm Steve has, he also has a great big dollop of patience in helping me achieve this .  


Fuji Finepix S5600
Finepix S5600.