Week 17: Softbox Studio Lighting

21.11.2013
Wan Mohd Danial 0316570,
Intro2Photography
Softbox Studio Photography

For the final class, Mr. Vinod wanted to show us how to use softbox lights. The knowledge of its usage is said to be essential in our degree as many lecturers from the degree courses would require you to shoot photos using these lights. We were given a fairly early warning that if we handled these lights in the wrong manner, our picture can look terrible.

Firstly, Mr. Vinod demonstrated the flash that emits from these softbox lights. All I can say is," The light.... It burns.......!". Then we moved on to taking a picture, and this time our model was Cheryl again. I was helping with the lights, adjusting its intensity so that the lights gave out equal amount of exposure. However, we were not able to achieve equal amount of exposure on both sides of the model.

It turns out that the lights didn't go off at the same time. When one light emits the light, the other light did not. Mr. Vinod was almost close to end the class early until he revelaed a shocking revelation....... We actually have new lights, from a brand called Profoto in Germany. These lights are expensive. I'm not sure of the precise amount but it costs around 4 to 5 PS4s. 

As these lights are new, we had to install them ourselves. Here's the video to our hilarious attempt at light installation.

There are also a few photos of the situation here:

The lights are controlled by this huge power supply box

One of the softbox is missing a button

The problem was solved using Faizah's and Shazreen's broaches

Profoto, the brand of these amazing lights

This time we have Shazreen as the model for our photoshoot using these lights.

Shazreen waiting to be tortured by these lights

Figuring out the lights was quite difficult at first. Then, we managed to work everything out with the power supply and we were handling these lights like a pro. When I finished playing with the settings, Mr. Vinod then continued by taking pictures of said model. 

Here are the products of the said photoshoot that I have a particular liking to:

Landscape

Portrait

Reflections

The first picture has a pleasant looking circular gradient around the model. This gives the picture a very dynamic look that you can find in fashion magazine's. The soft greyish background also gives the picture a pleasant looking contrast that is not harsh to look at. Other apparent things are the different value of tones achieved because the model was wearing three different tones of clothing. The pose is also very vogue looking, which we're able to achieve through taking a surprising shot of the model.

The second picture is not as up to snuff of the previous photo. It is however the decent one out of the batch of portrait-sized pictures of this session. The second picture was taken up close and the light gave the background a very light grey which created quite a harsh contrast between the positive and negative space. However, the different tonal values of the clothing were still achievable despite the harsh white background.

The overall experience of assembling these lights and using them was quite honestly tremendous as this is my first time handling these lights. I did not only watch the process unfolding but actually participating in it by testing and manipulating the intensity of the lights. The skill of handling these lights will be tremendously important in the next chapter of my study.

Week 16: Theme Based Project Real Submission

21.10.2013
Wan Mohd Danial 0316570,
Intro2Photography
Theme Based Project

About This Series:

Batu Caves, a limestone hill containing several caves and cave temples in the Gombak district, 13 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The origin of its name comes from the Batu River, which flows past the hill. The series tries to capture the different essence that makes up Batu Caves. Giving the series an extensive look into one of Malaysia’s famous landmarks.

Taken inside a cave that was off-limits to the public. The first picture was definitely about trying to capture the texture of the limestone cave. The picture was taken with a very slow shutter speed. One picture of this nature would take me around half a minute to wait. The slightest movement would cause the picture to blur. Patience is certainly a virtue in photography that will result you with this wonderful picture.

Oil lamps are used by the Hindus for their prayer. The inclusion of this particular photo is to show that Batu Caves is not just a tourist attraction because it is still a place of prayer. The oil lamps represent a state of calmness that is brought from the extinguised fire. Metaphorically giving the sense that this is the place where they seek peace. The picture was shot with a multi-point composition in mind to show an abundance of oil lamps, showing that many people visits the temple to pray as well.

The fire strengthens the religious aspects of this renowned attraction. The huge flame near one of the temples is caused by a high number of people praying. The flame also showed a strong presence in the picture, different from the previous photograph that went for a more serene look. The flame was shot with a slightly fast shutter speed to freeze the flame yet maintaning the glow of the flame. A low Aperture was used to blur out the background, isolating the flame from the background.

The three statues show the amazing details in the craftsmen’s carving and painting. As these statues were inside a cave, I had to shoot with a slow shutter speed to get a right amount of light in the picture. To me, the focal points of the picture are the eyes of the statue, which are small yet quite frightening to look at especially at night. The picture has a triangle composition that is achieved by having three focal points.

Concluding the series is a picture of a monkey calmly looking down the flight of stairs. Showing a soother side of it, this monkey was sitting in that position for quite awhile; giving me the opportunity to get different angled shots. The monkey represents a big part of Batu Caves. They are a mischievous bunch that’ll steal your food the minute you opened your bag zipper. Getting this type of shot is not as common as people might think.

Week 15: Theme Based Project Submission

10.11.2013
Wan Mohamad Danial (0316570),
Intro2Photography
Theme Project: Lego

When you're down on your luck and your mood is low, you'll start go to things that made you happy in the past. Rummaging through the storage room I found these Legos and decided to incorporate them into my project.

About this photograph:

The first thing in the mind of a person seeing Legos would be something that is quite childish in nature. As they interpret these blocks as toys that children play around with. However, this series tries to capture portrayals of serious matters whilst being veiled with a more cartoonish look. Some of the photographs were taken with a black background to enhance that dark mood and tone. Using Legos also allows me to put them in a quite surreal position. Having this juxtaposition between the serious and strange gives the series a distinctive feel to it.

The photograph of a skeleton balancing itself on a handrail scrutinizes the fact that people feel that they need to be perfect to be able to achieve something prodigious and rewarding. The skeleton, expressively symbolizing an imperfect human body is able to support itself even without an abundance of muscles. This photograph was taken from a lower angle to be able to achieve a unique angle and also a small sense of verticality. One light is shined from the top and a white base is used as a reflector.

There is a glowy light area surrounding the point of interest in the second paragraph. Representing the people that place themselves in the spotlight, risking their anonymity and even their lives at one moment or another for the sake of popularity. Taken at a lower angle, and using A3 paper as a fill light, the details of the shirt can be clearly seen.

Death is certainly inevitable but some are even enslaved by death. The photograph captures the fear of death. How some people are too afraid to die, only making things more worse for themselves. As people who have an intense fear of dying would lead them to live an unhappy and stressful life.

Eaten by a shark has more of a comedic tone to it but the message here is quite similar to the previous photo, which is the inevitability of death. The calmness of the lego man at the left conflicting with the situation on the right shows how one’s life can be taken away in a matter of seconds.

The chef holding the metal detector if perceived from afar, it looks as if he’s on the ground. However, looking closer at the photograph and you’ll see that it’s actually a fruitcake. Just to show how different objects are to be perceived from close and afar. Symbolising how people see each other, as people who are close to each other judge themselves differently compared to strangers.

Week 14: Lighting

5.11.2013
Wan Mohd Danial 0316570,
Introduction2Photography
Lighting/Studio Photo

Lecture

We were given a lecture about the different types of lighting in studio photography.

Main Light

Illuminates a major portion of the image. All the other lights are constructed around this light. Essentially, it's the first light that we position in the studio.

Fill Light

The light that fills the shadow areas that's produced from the main light. It reduces the contrast of the picture giving more detail in those shadow area and makes the picture feel less tense. Usually produced using a reflector that bounces the light from the main light.

Rim Light

Often mentioned as the highlight which is the light that creates a silhoutte around the subject to give off a shape. Also makes the object have more form and structure.

Hair Light

You would've probably guessed that this light has something to do with illuminating the hair areas. If you did, congrats. You are correct. This light is used to relieve the shadows of the around the hair to avoid it looking like one black mass (especially Asians).

Studio

Situation

To our dismay, the studio was in shambles. One of the backgrounds fell of the roller that holds it and was on the floor. The chairs were out of its normal arrangement and the place was full of trash. We had to clean the place and even had to bring the background back to its roller which is high up near the ceiling.

Exercise

We had to imitate lighting that's present during the 40's and 50's since those times had very nice lighting compared to some modern photos. Each of us had to choose a picture from that particular timeline and imitate the features such as pose, clothing, makeup, and hair that the picture has. Then another person would take the picture to imitate the lighting from the picture and it will be in their portfolio.

Portfolio Photograph

For my portfolio, I was tasked to take Jason's picture.

Original Picture

Jason's Picture

Feedback

The picture could've improved if I increased the exposure by 1 focal stop or even more. There should've been more fill light present to lighten the area around Jason's right shoulder (his right) and also the right side of his face. Different tonality of papers and more soft light can help the photo to have a colder temperature feel to it.

Reflections

Studio photography is definitely fun to do. I enjoyed it a lot maybe because I was able to manipulate the image to my liking. However, this type of photography is definitely difficult even with a crew. Having a crew is substantially important as I was able to have other people's opinion and discuss them on the fly to get the picture that I want. I also got a chance to become a crew member myself and my opinion and help mattered a lot in shooting the pictures. For my photo, I'm a bit disappointed that my picture doesn't have the same tonality as the original picture even though it looks good. Maybe in the near future I might get a chance to do this again. I hope so.

My Photo

This is for those who were wondering how I looked like with my photoshoot. I choose an Arab photographer for my picture and the results are.

Reflections

The beard is a little bit too fake. Ok... It looks tremendously fake alright. However, no one can argue that this photo looks good. Damn...... Son!

Week 13: Theme Project Progress

29.11.2013
Wan Mohd Danial 0316570,
Introduction2Photography
Theme Project Progress

Trial Run

Birds

Feedback:

The second picture doesn't fit into the series quite well. Some poinst of interest are not interesting.

Reflections:

Since these pictures are just collections of previous unsubmitted work. It is not really what I want to do more of.

Week 12: Theme Project Progress

24.10.2013
Wan Mohd Danial 0316570,
Introduction2Photography
Theme Project Progress

General Feedback

Mr. Vinod talked about our ethics when going to take a picture. He said not to just go around and take pictures, hoping there will be 5 good ones for a series as you might get 3 really good ones while the others not so much. He even talked about research that we can do to get very great shots, which is by study the people or situation that surrounds the place so that you'll come prepared the next time around. If you're taking pictures of people, it's best if you can achieve a bit of manipulation of the people to get the shots that you want. 

Trial Run

Kids

Feedback

The thing about these pictures are that it doesn't have that substantial amount of manipulation. These pictures are mostly just me reacting towards the kids' reaction. Where the photos would be a cliche' since these photos could be easily taken by their parents or other family members.

Reflections

I had strong feelings for this picture but it's not wrong that the pictures are quite mainstream since other family members of mine are also Photography enthusiasts. Making it highly likely that these types of pictures were already taken and posted on social media sites.

Flame Movement

Feedback

I might have to avoid these types of pictures in most educational evaluation situations as these pictures are quite abstract which leaves less for someone to judge it by the four main criterias of Intro2Photography: exposure, composition, consistency and editing.

Reflections

I had stronger feelings for this one but I do understand that it is quite difficult to actually adjudicate it with those criterias as these can only be evaluated through it's artistic value. I would like to keep it though for my portfolio or as a submission to a competition of sorts.

Week 11: Pangkor Simulation

21.10.2013
Wan Mohd Danial 0316570,
Introduction2Photography
Pangkor Simulation

Instructions

The same as the instructions at Batu Caves, which is try to get 5 final pictures that are astounding. Later, post it on the blog.

Results:

Feedback:

My pictures had a very good consistency and exposure. However, it was achieved with a price of good composition and points of interests. The points of interest is not strong enough to gain the viewer's attraction, making the composition very weak.

Reflections:

It's hard to achieve a good consistent series when you don't have that many good pictures. It's also difficult to have a good series when you only think of one series in mind or just trying to take a pictures and hope you can make a series out of it. A mistake I made in my part is that I went to the beach without preparation, thinking I would have time to retake the shots later. Turns out, I didn't even retake the shots as I was unmotivated to do so. Which is a very regrettable decision I made.