ePortfolio Week 8 - Extra exercise Cam whoring

24.9.13 (Week 8)
Vanessa A/P Ah Lir, (0315830)
Introduction to Photography
Exercise - Cam whoring (Optional)


LECTURE

It was a rather relaxing lecture at first. Mr Vinod taught us how to edit pictures with a very sophisticated editing software, Photoshop. He said it is important that we edit photos in such a way that viewers can never tell if it has been edited before. He also taught us some handy new tricks on an innocent man whose picture was randomly taken from Google Search.

1. Dodge Tool - lightens areas (the man became so fair that girls would have been jealous)
2. Burn Tool - darkens areas (the man suddenly had dark eye bags)
3. Stamp Tool - duplicates certain areas (Mr. Vinod duplicated a nice section of the man's skin and used it to cover up all the pimples)
4. Blur Effect
5. Feathering - making the edges of an object blurred

Then he said we will be cam whoring ourselves. The lecture was suddenly not relaxing anymore.


Instructions

Exercise - Cam Whorring

Students are required to take a selfie of themselves and edit it with Photoshop.

Before editing

After editing

Screenshot

FEEDBACK

Specific Feedback

• The mood of the picture is there but still prefers the one before editing.

REFLECTION

Editing photos are fine by me, but not with cam whoring. I do not know exactly why, but I am never a fan of taking my own photos and erasing the imperfection. Nevertheless, I did learn the basic editing by Photoshop.

ePortfolio Week 7 - Assignment 4b Composition

24.9.13 (Week 7)
Vanessa A/P Ah Lir, (0315830)
Introduction to Photography
Assignment 4b Composition


LECTURE

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

Exercise 4b - Principles Underpinning Composition

4b) Principals underpinning composition (5%)

Marking Criteria: The image must show evidence of the dominant principle used and the supporting principles (if any) underpinning the composition. The principles underpinning the image must be named and should be visible within the image. Students must showcase their knowledge on exposure using the zone system.

Instructions

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

Domination/Emphasis • Isolation • Balance • Repetition • Alignment • Contrast • Rhythm • Symmetry/Asymmetry • Harmony

Print all 4 images on an A4 as instructed in class.

Repetition, Rhythm

[Credits to Chan Yi Qin, Jessy Chen, Jessica Gan and June Chai]

Repetition, Balance

Domination, Harmony

[Credits to Yazmin]

Harmony, Contrast

Screenshot

Exercise 4b

FEEDBACK

Specific Feedback

• Exercise 4b - Picture 1. The picture was appropriate of the principles chosen. Picture 2. The picture showcased the principles chosen. Picture 3. The principles chose were not very applicable and did not quite fit. Picture 4. Acceptable but could have been better.

REFLECTION

Each and every shot is done in different approach to suit and bring out the fullest potential of the subject captured. Whether it is domination or repetition, it is done in a way that it pulls the attention of the viewer - which decides the degree of quality of that particular photograph.

ePortfolio Week 6 - Assignment 4a Rule of Thirds

18.9.13 (Week 7)
Vanessa A/P Ah Lir, (0315830)
Introduction to Photography
Assignment 4a Rule of Thirds

LECTURE

The Rule of Thirds
Source: http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds#ixzz2eSUjUyhc
Source: http://www.ultimate-photo-tips.com/photography-rule-of-thirds.html

1. The photography rule of thirds tells us to align our subject with one of the points where those lines cross. 

2. The subject is one third of the way “into” the picture space – from either the top or bottom, and from either the left or right. It is not in the middle.

3. 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.

Instructions - 4a Rule of Thirds

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.

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)

Shutter Speed: 125, Aperture: 5.6, ISO: 200

Shutter Speed: 20, Aperture: 5.6, ISO: 200

Shutter Speed: 400, Aperture: 5.6, ISO: 200

[Credits to June, Afie, Jia Ni and Yasmin for being a subject matter]

Screenshots

Exercise 4a

FEEDBACK

General Feedback

• A designer needs to be distinctive/ original

Specific Feedback

• Exercise 4a - Excellent for the first two shots but the scenery was weak in composition, the point of interest was discernible.

REFLECTION

Besides determining the best exposure for each and every photo, the positioning of your subject matter is also very important. Different and unique placing of objects can draw the attention of viewers closer into the photo itself. It also adds value to the quality of the photo.

ePortfolio Week 5 - Assignment 3a The Zone System (6 Sept 2013), Assignment 3b Ansel Adam's Shot (15 Sept 3013)

6.9.13 (Week 5)
Vanessa A/P Ah Lir, (0315830)
Introduction to Photography
Assignment 3a The Zone System (6 Sept 2013)
Assignment 3b Ansel Adam's Shot (15 Sept 2013)


LECTURE

1. Exposure meters are dumb.

2. The Zone System chart:

3. Ansel Adams developed the Zone system. His 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. He would then meter, expose the image.

4. The Zone System is to expose film/ccd for optimum image quality— to make sure all the critical information is present. 

5. 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. One zone difference is one f stop difference.

6. Zone System description:

7. Application of Zones:

Instructions - 3a The Zone System

Light, Middle & Dark Tones (5%)

Marking Criteria: The student must show evidence of using the Zone System technique to capture an ‘accurate exposure’ of a subject with light tones, a subject with middle tones and a subject with dark tones. An accurate exposure entails ‘visible tonal values and details’ in all three tonal areas.

Exercise 3a - The Zone System

Choose 3 different subject matters of varying tones.

Tint, Tone & Shade

Photograph:

An Image that has different shades of White

An Image that has varying shades of grey (middle tones)

An Image that has varying shade within a dark area.

Choose one scene for each category (Tint / Tone / Shade) and capture them at what the camera says is the right exposure and another similar scene at what you think should be the appropriate exposure.

(First image: Right exposure according to camera)

(Second image: Right exposure according to myself)

[BRIGHT] Shutter Speed: ¼, Aperture: 8.0, ISO: 200

[BRIGHT] Shutter Speed: 0”5, Aperture: 8.0, ISO 200

[MEDIUM] Shutter Speed: 1”, Aperture: 5.6, ISO: 200

[MEDIUM] Shutter Speed: 0”5, Aperture: 5.6, ISO: 200

[DARK] Shutter Speed: 15”, Aperture: 4.0, ISO: 200

[DARK] Shutter Speed: 2”, Aperture: 4.0, ISO: 200

Instructions - 3b Ansel Adam's Shot

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 3b

Shutter Speed: 250, Aperture: 5.6, ISO: 200

Screenshot

Exercise 3a

Exercise 3b

FEEDBACK

General Feedback

- Try to refrain from being absent
- Attempt exercises even if you are not sure if you are right
- Even if we can assess information and knowledge through the Net, being present in class is also very important because you can have practical, hands-on experience and peer to peer discussion, which makes it an even more effective way of learning.

Specific Feedback

- Exercise 3b - Very interesting composition, subject was a little complex but nevertheless optimum image quality was achievable.

REFLECTION

When I first understood about Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO, I thought that was it to photography. However, when the Zone System was introduced, I realized there was actually more to photography. But then, I should have known earlier because the subject is called 'Introduction' to Photography. The Zone System probably makes the difference between professional and beginner photographers.