ePortfolio Week 12 - (Attempt) Theme Based Project and Overall Feedback

25.10.13 (Week 12)
Vanessa A/P Ah Lir, (0315830)
Introduction to Photography
'Tree Bark Textures' Attempt and Feedback

Instructions


Choose a Subject of Interest, i.e.: Architecture, Landscape, Peoples, Person, Still Life, etc. and capture a series of 5 pictures and print them.

When all your 5 pictures have been approved you shall then begin the final phase of the project, which is to print your pictures from a photo lab and then present it in class.

Presentation method: 5 printed photographic prints, Full frame pictures with a white border around the image. Size 8×10” Matt or Glossy. Please Submit all 5 printed copies in an A4 Clear book


'Tree Bark Textures'

FEEDBACK

General Feedback

- Know what topic you will be focusing on before starting on the photography session. This will ensure that you will take a lot more similar shots that will make a good series rather than taking random shots and making a series out of them.

- ePortfolio is extremely important. Do not have the mindset that portfolios need to be done because of the marks alone. When we reach a higher level of education, we probably need to hand in our portfolios to be assessed.

- We might need to visit a place or subject matter several times before we can get the exact  few photographs we want.

- Photography is not about approaching a subject matter and take lots of pictures about it. It is also about studying and researching the nature and behavior of the subject matter itself.

- Share feed backs with the class! Embrace peer to peer learning!

Specific Feedback

The theme 'Tree Barks' is not really that interesting and I did not manage to make my photos attractive enough to pull the attention of viewers.

Taking photos in the afternoon sun is a bad idea.


REFLECTIONS

I think it is better if I change my subject matter to a rather different theme. I would be heading to Kelantan in a week's time and I think that place shows a lot of potential. Unlike the urban feeling of a big city, Kelantan is a quiet and quaint place where traditional and cultural values can still be seen clearly even if we are now living in the 21st century. It will definitely be more of an attention puller compared to tree barks.

ePortfolio Week 11 - Pangkor Island

18.10.13 (Week 11)
Vanessa A/P Ah Lir, (0315830)
Introduction to Photography
Exercise - Final Five Pangkor Island pictures


Instructions

1. Visit Pangkor Island

2. Take pictures of the elements of the island and choose five final photos

1. A broken net buoy

2. A random fisherman

3. Feet soaked by sea water

4. A rope knot

5. A makeshift swing

Screenshots

FEEDBACK

Overall: It's not a very "tight" series, meaning consistency is there but not very strong as to the direction or the point of interest.

Fig 2: The man fishing was placed to far in the corner

Fig 3: The shot of the feet in the water was best exposure and composition wise.

The other pictures were okay, the picture of the rope with the flotation thing on the beach was also nice.

REFLECTION

I think I have got a little hang of what makes a series. It is an improvement from the last exercise and I will definitely get better shots in the future in terms of composition and exposure.

ePortfolio Week 10 - Chow Kit Street

11.10.13 (Week 10)
Vanessa A/P Ah Lir, (0315830)
Introduction to Photography
Exercise - Final Five Chow Kit Street pictures

Instructions

1. Observe Chow Kit street - the people and its surroundings
2. Take pictures and choose five final photos

1. A barber and his shop

2. A bicycle by the shrubs and fence

3. An old tricycle

4. People at the wet market

5. A lonely chopper knife

Screenshot

FEEDBACK

Mr Vinod commented that the market workers (Fig 4) and the chopper knife (Fig 5) could have made a good series if I had continued with that area of focus. The bicycle (Fig 2, 3) and barber (Fig 1) do not fit with the above two mentioned. 

REFLECTION

I must learn to understand which pictures are able to fit as a series and which do not. I think I am doing alright so far with exposure. However, it is still quite difficult for me to decide how I should capture certain subjects - from which angle, composition-wise,. The entire process takes time, yet subjects can change or be interrupted in matter of seconds. Another tip to be a good photographer - be proactive and efficient.

ePortfolio Week 9 - Batu Caves Trip

4.10.13 (Week 9)
Vanessa A/P Ah Lir, (0315830)
Introduction to Photography
Exercise - Final Five Batu Caves pictures


Instructions

The instructions were to capture five images that maintain a level of consistency in topic area. Put to use what you have learnt in regards to exposing (zone system), composition and editing (Photoshop). Post all results and update your ePortfolio by Sunday.

1. Burning incense

2. Damp brick floor

3. Two people sitting cross legged facing opposite directions

Credits: June Chai and a random guy who happened to be there

4. Classmates' shadows

5. A bicycle by the brick road

Screenshot

FEEDBACK

Specific Feedback

Picture 1 and 4 - Very well exposed and composed.

Picture 3 - Failed to pull it off

Picture 5 - Fine, so-so, not much interest

Picture 2 - Normal texture and lacking point of interest


REFLECTION

Capturing photos in a practical environment is more difficult than I expected. The key is to capture the right subject at the right moment, and that moment might just come and go so fast that you are still in the middle of fumbling for your camera. What to capture and how to capture is also a difficult task. That subject you are taking might be static, but you have to figure out a way to shoot that photo so that it looks exciting and alluring.