3rd Week: Exercise 2.1a & 2.1b

23.8.2013
Wan Mohd Danial (0316570),
Introduction2Photography
Exercise 2.1: Aperture

Lecture:

Aperture

Today we learned about the Aperture of the DSLR. What it does is that it controls the amount of light entering the lens. The aperture is housed in the lens and is represented by the focal stops. Focal stops are a value that represents the size of the lens' aperture. The lower the number of the focal stops, the bigger the size of the aperture. While the higher the number of the focal stops, the smaller the size of the aperture. Smaller aperture leads to less amount of light entering the lens and larger aperture brings in more amounts of light.

The function of the aperture is to control the depth of field (DOF). A bigger aperture would give more clarity on the focused object but the background will be more blurry. On the other hand, a smaller aperture would make the background appear much more clearer.

We also learned to manage the light meter on our DSLR's. The light meter measures the intensity of light being reflected from an object into the lens. When the marker is going towards the negative, it means less light is entering the lens. If the marker does the opposite and goes to the positive, more light is entering the lens.

Exercise

Exercise 2.1a

For the first exercise, we had to take a picture of any image starting with the right exposure combination of shutter speed and aperture. We had to start shooting with our aperture setting from the lowest number (mine is at F5.6). We can't change the shutter settings as the aperture is increased.We also had to keep the lens fixed at 50mm(If our lens was a Zoom lens). 

Other things that we were reminded of are don’t move the framing when you mount the camera on the tripod till the exercise is concluded, the focus must be at the same point from the first image right until the last (DO NOT ADJUST IT!), and keep a record of the settings for each image shot.

Here are the images from the Exercise 2.1a:

Shutter Speed 1/200
ISO 200
F5.6

Shutter Speed 1/200
ISO 200
F8.0

Shutter Speed 1/200
ISO 200
F11

Shutter Speed 1/200
ISO 200
F16

Shutter Speed 1/200
ISO 200
F22

Feedback 2.1a

Mr Vinod asked me to explain to him the situation of these pictures. I answered that the higher the number of the aperture, the smaller the size of the aperture. The smaller size of the aperture means that less amount of light is entering the lens which in turn makes the picture underexposed. He said I was correct.

Reflections 2.1

From exercise 2.1a, we can see that the higher the focal stop we use, the darker the photo. Since higher focal stops means smaller aperture, this proves the smaller the aperture size, the lesser amount of light will enter the lens.

Exercise 2.1b

Now for exercise 2.1b, we had to take a picture of any image starting with the right exposure combination of shutter speed and aperture. We had to start shooting with our aperture setting from the lowest number (mine is at F5.6). This time we can change the shutter settings as the aperture is increased.We also had to keep the lens fixed at 50mm(If our lens was a Zoom lens). 

Here are the images from exercise 2.1b:

Shutter Speed 1/200
ISO 200
F5.6

Shutter Speed 1/100
ISO 200
F8.0

Shutter Speed 1/50
ISO 200
F11

Shutter Speed 1/25
ISO 200
F16

Shutter Speed 1/13
ISO 200
F22

Feedback 2.1b

This time, Mr. Vinod ask me and Arif about what do we understand about the 2nd exercise. With us struggling for answers, he then reminded us about a keyword which is depth of field. Its easier to remember it that way.

Reflections 2.1b

If you compare these photos from top to bottom, you'll see the rails at the end of the left side becoming clearer. This shows that a small aperture is able to capture an object in a wider view. This also reduces the blur that is associated with the background.

Screenshots of the hardcopy portfolio:

General Feedback

Mr. Vinod also sternly advises us to start on our e-portfolio for those who haven't (if you did, update it) and to follow the guidelines when we do our hardcopy portfolio. Since I got proof that I did the e-portfolio and updated, I'm not that worried (yet).

General Reflections

I generally felt like I learned something today because now I don't have to rely on the Auto option (a.k.a. stupid mode) on my DSLR to take a great picture. I also felt that we ask more questions today compared to the other days of Photography class. I'm guessing the introduction of all the photography terminologies made us a bit baffled and curious. Which in return made us scared of not being able to catch up, so we tried to understand them better by asking all those questions.

Mr. Vinod also started asking us questions which may have helped instilled fear of not asking the question correctly in ourselves. Which is a very good thing in my opinion. Now, I won't be sleepy in class. Hopefully, by Wan Mohamad Danial Bin Wan Mohd Hisham. 

1st Exercise: Presentation

For the first exercise, we were instructed to prepare and present 5 pictures of our own and 5 pictures from 5 different photographers in the class. We have to explain the reasons we like about the chosen pictures, and what we found interesting when taking/choosing or after taking/choosing the picture. We also have to choose pictures that are not our own as well but must credit and explain the circumstances of the picture. Below are the marking rubric for this exercise:

1. Content (3%):
Marking Criteria: The presentation must showcase a variety of pictures: personal(5 self shot), landscape, portrait, still life, etc. AND from 5 different photographers. All pictures must be credited and explained.

2. Clarity of presentation (2%):
Marking Criteria: The student must be clear and concise in their delivery and explanation of their pictures. Evidence of understanding can be deduced by their analysis, explanation and confidence of their delivery.

So here are my chosen photos from my own arsenal:

Baby Says No

The boy looks like he is about to tease the baby, but

the baby puts her finger up and says,"No".

The baby and the boy cutely depicted an event that is most

likely to happen to adults, where a man wants to tease a

woman and the woman says no to him.
Shooting the boy from the side, sends a message
that he is a stranger.

A Link

These two girls who only met for the first time, formed

a friendship by a gaming device called the 3DS.

It shows the positive side of technology which is
it can bring people together.
This photo is also cropped to focus more
on the girls instead of the background.

The 'O' Face
This photo shows a girl doing the 'O'face which is
an alternative of the infamous duckface.
The photo compares the 'O' face to a normal smile.
The photo pokes the notion of girls doing the
duckface, and the orangey vibe gives the
photo a more laid back feel and complements
the humour well.

 Speeding
The little boy looks as if he is moving fast in his motorcycle.
The blurry background helps the motorcycle have
a sense of movement.
The contradicting colours of the boys clothing and 
motorcycle (red & blue) against the background 
(brown & yellow) makes the subject more revealing.

Youth Uses
The photo compare the boys (who represents the youth)
of their use of the communication technology.
One of them seems busy, he is talking on the phone
and using his tablet to plan his projects well.
While the other two boys are taking selfies (self-photo)
using a smart phone and he will later post it on Facebook.

Now, here are the 5 pictures from 5 other photographers:

Lee Towndrow, Young Artists
From his collection named Kids Take Over.The premise is to put kids in position higher abovetheir age.
The photo has a little bit of humour where the painting
is just swishes of paint on a canvas.
The variety of colour makes the photo feel
vibrant and fun.
The light orange lighting makes the photo
feel less serious.
 

Martin Parr, Life's A Beach
This photo is part of Martin's collection named
Life's A Beach,
where he went to the beach and just take photos.
This photo adds humour to the subject
of self-conciousness in male and female.
Where the female seems to take control of herself
and looks really boney, while the male
looks like he's full of meat.

Philip Jones Griffiths, Vietnam Inc.

 Taken during the Vietnam War, we see a boy crying

over his sister's death.

Showing a contrast between today's generation and the

past generations where they care for their siblings

instead of being busy fighting with each other.

This photo is part of Philip's book named Vietnam Inc.

His work was also said to help stop the Vietnam war.

Tim Walker, Story-teller

A photo of the wicked witch cracking Humpty Dumpty in half.

The wind effects on the witch's fur clothing makes her

more menacing.

The cloudy background complements the menacing look of the witch.

The egg yolk prop on the ground complements

the Humpty Dumpty prop very well.

Ciril Jazbec, Waiting To Move

A family from a modern Eskimo community, the Shishmaref

 community playing a PS3 video game console.

Located in the northwest corner of Alaska, these

Inupiaq Eskimo community are waiting to be relocated

by the government to a nearby continent.

No news regarding their relocation but the community

seems to live their lives normally.

The Handouts:

After everyone has presented their photographs, Mr Vinod gave us his criticism of our presentation. He told us to get out of our comfort zone and speak more in class. Provide more interaction between the student and the lecturer. Don't sit down and keep quiet, ask questions if there's anything that needs explaining. He told us learning is more of a two-way interaction and not a one-sided one.

He also told us to plan our presentation beforehand. It's not that you can't do an impromptu presentation but make sure our improvisation is based around our script, plan, or the presentation scheme. We also got reminded to provide the necessary elements in describing photographs which are, the names, analysis, and even the situation of the taking of the picture.

Another advice he gave was to be more smart and professional in the way we dress, the way we speak, and the way we present we work. Failure to do so, might make other people perceive us to be less intelligent than who we really are because every person has different thinking capabilities.

He also showed us professional photographers that have been inspirations for his work. Herb Ritts who is very skilled in black & white photos, Mark Seliger from Rolling Stones in the 90's, and Prabhuddha Dasgupta whose work looks very honest in displaying the clothing and the model. Before class ended he reminded us to update our e-portfolio (which is this blog, actually) and to follow the requirements in making the hardcopy folio.

Class is starting to get a little serious and it seems Mr. Vinod has high but very achievable expectations in us. I do think it takes time to get in that mindset but a little more effort can really make this transition between these mindsets seamless.

I don't think I did that well in my presentation. I should've make notes but I decided to keep all of the things that wanted to say in my head. There were things that I forgot to say, things I said wrong, and also things that just suddenly popped in my head in the middle of the presentation but I didn't execute it well enough (especially the impromptu jokes). However, I hope to improve in the next time I do a presentation

1st Class

8.00 a.m. - We entered the Photo Studio, dragging our feet in the process like zombies from the walking dead. Unlike other classes, we need a key to open the Studio. Inside the studio, there are lots of photography equipments, an Xbox 360, a PS3, light stands, blue screens, and 3 television sets (No wonder it's locked).

Mr. Vinod introduces himself as our lecturer on Introduction of Photography. He listed down the mark distributions on this subject which is:

   

40% – Exercises

5% − Exercise 1 (Presentation)

15% − Exercise 2 (Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO)

10% − Exercise 3 (Zone System)

10% – Exercise 4 (Composition)

40% − Project: 5 Thematic Pictures

25% − Exposure

15% − Composition

5% − Editing (software manipulation)

5% − Consistency in the series

20% − Portfolio

-A personal academic blog (which is this exact blog)

-A hardcopy portfolio

Mr. Vinod also lectured us on what makes a good DSLR. Criterias that we should look out for a good DSLR body includes the CCD size of the DSLR and the effective pixels. Preferably find a DSLR that has an APTS-C sized CCD first instead of just comparing the pixels. 

We also got around to know which lens should we buy.The power of the lens and how it effects the quality of the picture. The difference of quality between standard lens and zoom lens.

I learned a lot about cameras and it's specs. With this knowledge in mind, I hope to be able to know how to compare camera models and buy the ones that suit my needs.

At the end of the lecture, we were given our first assignment which is to prepare a presentation of 10 photographs(5 from our own collection and 5 from different professional photographers) for the next class.

Welcome

Welcome to my humble academic blog on one of the subjects that I'll be taking this semester which is Introduction To Photography. You'll find me writing about my classes, what I've learned, and my input on the things that I've learned. I'll also post photos that I shot or updates about a project I'm working on.