Tuesday 10 May 2011

Curves

As with Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal lines we have one further type of line to demonstrate, that being Curved.
The next shots are a selection of images which help illustrate this.

f4.0-1/1250-100-40mm

The swirls on this ice cream statue help illustrate the lines as curves.








f4.0-1/1600-100-40mm

Here we see rounded/curved tables.








f5.6-1/400-100-250mm

Curved architecture.





 f5.0-1/250-100-40mm

As the road fades away in the distance the 'S bend helps illustrate the curve effect.

Diagonals

Another form of line within the photograph would be that of 'Diagonals'.
In this exercise I have to illustrate this concept.

f11.0-1/20-3200-40mm

The patterned diagonal lines shown on this floor.





f4.0-1/800-100-40mm

The diagonal lines that help make up the pattern in the back of this chair.





f5.6-1/250-125-179mm

The rotten old post shot from this angle are shown to create a diagonal line.




f11.0-1/125-100-17mm

The projected lines along the roof line, window frames (top and bottom) on all levels and the ground all converge to illustrate diagonal lines.

Horizontal and Vertical Lines

In this exercise I had to go out and photograph different objects and scenes that were made up of Horizontal and Vertical lines without repeating each type of image.

HORIZONTAL
f4.0-1/250-100-28mm

A flight of steps illustrate horizontal lines perfectly.





f5.6-1/800-100-250mm

Perhaps the most obvious horizontal line ... Horizon.
I choose a bridge in distance to add detail.




f4.0-1/30-640-17mm

Line of shoes laid out horizontally.








f5.0-1/500-100-135mm

The slates on this roof accentuate the horizontal lines.








VERTICAL
f5.0-1/800-100-90mm

The tall reeds here extend nicely from the bottom of the frame upwards, giving the appearance of vertical lines.







f5.6-1/800-100-180mm

From this angle the vertical lines of the steel gantry sign and ladder towering above the nearby trees helps illustrate this point.







f4.0-1/60-1600-40mm

Vertical display case of sunglasses








f5.0-1/500-100-40mm

The trees planted in row helps highlight their standing position and trucks (vertical) while the tracks in the rapeseed field disappear in the distance, giving another set of vertical lines.

Multiple Points

Continuing on the 'Points' theme here I have to set up a still life composition made up of several similar small shaped objects. By introducing each object in turn the idea is to finally end up with a grouping avoiding regular shapes but ensuring the image hold together.
The camera had to be fixed so composition was altered by moving the object alone.

f1.4-1/25-400-50mm

I decided to use chocolates and arrange the box in the top corner so that I could have an area (plate) to arrange the chocolate 'mini' display.







f1.4-1/25-400-50mm










f1.4-1/25-400-50mm










f1.4-1/25-400-50mm

Here I decided to move one of the chocolates from its original position in the 3rd shot and slightly rearrange the others.







f1.4-1/25-400-50mm

Again several of the object were re-positioned to give a more pleasing outcome, while trying to stay away from regular shapes.







f1.4-1/25-400-50mm

Chocolates rearranged again.








f1.4-1/25-400-50mm

Final arrangement.
Again I wasn't overly happy with my previous shot, with the introduction of another object I decided to rearrange the entire layout until I finished with what you see.

I found this quite difficult at first, as when introducing more objects to the scene I wanted to arrange them logically in a pattern.

The relationship between points

In this exercise as with the previous one I had to photograph similar situations, however this time focusing on 2 points of interest and the relationship between them.
We are reminded that this type of  image can lead to ruined composition as the eye can be attracted to different points of the frame, each conflicting with one another. However one should always over shadow the other.

f5.6-1/320-200-250mm







In this image the two daisy's are the main focus, while the grass and surroundings remain fairly in focus, the colours and shape detract the eye from this and help focus the attention towards the front daisy.

f4.0-1/60-100-40mm







Here I am using the lines within the image to help attract the eye to the points where they meet with the architecture. The cluster on the left appears to stand out more, however as the eye scans the image the lines and structure within the image detract from this and lead you to the second focal point.

 f5.6-1/2000-100-250mm







Zooming in on the two church spires of a similar scale has lead to more of a conflict, as each subject within the frame draws the eyes attention fairly equally. I feel the church cross draws slightly more attention as it is attached to the main buildings roof which itself comprises of nearly a quarter of the frame. However equally the pointed spire is separated from the cross enough so that the colours and shape attract the eye strongly.

Positioning a Point

In this exercise I had to locate a suitable subject and photograph it to illustrate a Single Point of Interest.

f4.0-1/800-100-40mm










I have chosen the main focus of this photo to be the grave stone in the foreground. The colours of the stone stand out well compared to the grass together with the background slightly out of focus help draw the eye towards the main point (Gravestone).

f5.0-1/2000-100-131mm










Here I decided to minimise the background clutter and focus in on the seagull perched on the nearby concrete ruin. I wanted to keep the horizon within the frame so that the image had a sense of scale.

f5.6-1/1000-100-250mm







Again I have opted to completely remove any background from the image in order to give a direct comparison between all three images. Choosing the a different AF point and panning the camera while following the bird enabled me to capture  the image so the bird is photographed in the lower left of the frame.

Thursday 5 May 2011

Tutor Feedback for Assignment 1

Well, its been awhile, since my last post.
I was waiting to receive my feedback from my tutor, so that I had some idea if I was going in the right direction with my photographs and writing/blog etc.

In the mean time I have been out and about taking photographs of local wildlife, visiting various National Trust places and viewing art galleries. Making sure my passion for photography continues and I don't get bogged in the course and forget why I am actually doing all this.
Pretty pleased with some of the shots I have taken, making sure I try to use what I have learnt so far, and incorporating that in every shot. I can definitely see a change from taking a photograph and having it as part of an album as opposed to having something that really makes you look at the photo and admire it, whether that's for its colours, composition or just because you managed to capture the true essence of your subject.

So ....
My tutor Report ..... To quote a well known phrase OMG!
If I were to say I was extremely happy with the comments, that would be an understatement!
Overall comments were well presented, good notes and technical info with excellent blog.
Each photograph within the assignment was commented on, with both good and constructive comments, some very good comments which I was surprised at (although I strive for perfection, attaining it in something I am relatively new at can be tricky ... need more self belief ).
My weakness was noted ... an area I know I need to improve on, and I shall ensure that over the duration of this course this improves.
All in all very positive, very happy with everything discussed and looking forward to getting starting on Assignment 2.