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.

Week 10: Chow Kit Expose

12.10.2013

Wan Mohd Danial 0316570

Introduction2Photography

Chow Kit Study

Instructions

Safety

This week we went to Chow Kit for our excursion. Chow Kit was named after Chow Kit, the man who brought up this area. We are here to learn how to behave and adapt ourselves to the situation at Chow Kit. We were told that we had to wear duller clothing to blend in at this area. It was also important to bring a knapsack or a bag that you can quickly keep or access the camera. Note that your bag should not have a logo of any camera company as it is the same as holding up an advertisement that says 'Rob Me'. We also had to be stealthy. Other than that, we have to be wary of our surroundings and try to walk in groups.

Task

We have to observe our surroundings and take pictures that we have deemed worthy to take out our cameras and take a shot. Then, we have to compile 5 final pictures that are consistent in a particular series or theme. 

Process

We went around the alleyways, the roads, and the market. Some of us got lost in the market. Some got lost before entering the market (T_T). Some people got very weird and angry reactions. After all that, we ate at an arab restaurant.

Results

ISO 800  F 5.6  SS 1/200

ISO 800  F5.6  SS 1/15

ISO 800  F4  SS 1/400

ISO 200  F4  SS 1/500

ISO 200  F4  SS 1/500

Screenshot

Feedback

It is clear that my series has consistency with its theme/subject matter. However, I should try to engage with my subject matter even more to get better reactions that would give an effect towards the viewer.

Reflections

It was hard to take pictures in the market area as things were moving very fast and there was not much light to take advantage of. I didn't want to use a very high ISO to compensate for the lack of light, so I had to be careful with my hands to not shake my camera as I was shooting with a slow shutter speed. However, the picture turned out great in my opinion.

To be really honest, we were not ninjas. When someone found an awesome subject matter, we herd ourselves to that particular spot making the public weirded out or even camera shy therefore are avoiding to take pictures from us. We stood out like a peacock in a chicken farm, which was a very funny sight to behold. Heheh.

Week 9: Batu Caves Expedition

05.10.2013
Wan Mohd Danial 0316570,
Introduction2Photography
Batu Caves Study

Instructions

We were told to take 50 to 100 pictures here at Batu Caves. In the hopes of receiving 5 really good pictures that will represent our Final 5 in a series. We were also told to find good points of interests such as other visitors, the souvenir vendors, or even architecture. We were also encouraged to find compositions that are unique and different from others. We can also edit our pictures to get the right amount of contrast and to show more details of the photo.

After choosing our Final 5, we are to post them on the e-Portfolio and print them on a hardcopy.   We were also required to show those pictures to Mr. Vinod through Facebook to receive feedback on our work.

Results

ISO 100  F11  SS 30"

ISO 200  F8  SS 1/160

ISO 100  F1.8  SS 1/500

ISO 100  F11  SS 8"

ISO 400  F11  SS 1/125

Feedback

Mr. Vinod said that the ones of the fire and oil lamp suits the series that it's in compared to the other photos. Nevertheless, it was a very good attempt.

Reflections

In general, I'm really satisfied with my photos (298 in total) even with the ones that didn't make it to the Final 5. The only problem I had was that I don't have enough good pictures that encompasses a certain subject matter to make a good series. Guess what that means? I may have to take more pictures (500 maybe). Oh nose....!!!!!

Albums

Coloured Album:

 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.738784762804538.1073741844.100000190630495&type=1

B&W Album: Coming Soon

   

Week 8: Theme-based Project

1.10.2013
Wan Mohd Danial 0316570,
Introduction2Photography
Theme based Project

Project

We have to choose a subject matter: landscape, architecture, nature, animals or dolls. Then, we have to shoot a series of 5 pictures and print them.

If our choosen subject matter is cats, we have to only take pictures of cats. This work will then be edited in Adobe Photoshop, printed and presented to the class. Of course to achieve a series of 5 pictures we will have to visit the topic several times before achieving pictures of good quality (Exposure and Composition). It is through this process that we will learn to plan your shots before actually shooting them. A picture from a digital camera is only half baked if it has not been edited in a photo editing software. There are a few good photo editing softwares out there in the market and we shall be using one of the best, “Adobe Photoshop”. Demonstrations will be given during the course of Project. When all our 5 pictures have been approved we can then begin the final phase of the project, which is to print our pictures from a photo lab and then present it in class. 

Presentation

5 printed photographs, full frame pictures with a white border around the image. Size 8×10” Matt or Glossy (our choice).

Submission 

We have to submit all 5 printed copies in an A4 Clear book (prints encased in a plastic sleeve filed in a black/grey/etc file).

Week 7: Editing

26.08.2013
Wan Mohd Danial 0316570,
Introduction2Photography
Exercise : Camwhore

Lecture

Photoshop 

We learned a few things about editing this week. By going to the Image tab on the top, and go to adjustments, we can find the controls to edit our picture into monochrome, sepia and etcetera. From those options as well, you can control different exposures for different tones in the images. If your picture is already in Black & White, then click on the levels to edit your picture for it to have the tonal value that you want. 

Changing the tonal value to get a good exposure

We also learned how to blur out an image. Go to Filter, then Blur, and then you pick the type of blur you want. For educational purposes try out the Gaussian Blur.

Using Gaussian Blur

To blur out only the background, make a copy of the image. Bring the blurred copy to a higher layer, then cut off the part you want it to be sharp using the Lasso Tool.

Removing the blurred image

End Product

We can also remove unwanted textures (cough... cough... pimples) in an image by using the clone stamp tool or the healing brush tool. Observe:

Before

After

Exercise: Camwhore

We need to take selfies applying most of the things we learned in class. Post two of them, one is unedited and another one is edited using photoshop. Let the pimple clearing... I mean the editing begin.

ISO 100  SS 1"3  F10
BEFORE

ISO 100  SS 1"3  F10
AFTER

Reflections: Camwhore

From the picture above, we can certainly conclude that the use of editing software like Adobe Photoshop can increase the quality of your picture. We can also see that editing can help us get the best exposure for our photos.

Week 6: Composition

14.09.2013
Wan Mohd Danial (0316570),
Introduction2Photography
Exercise 4a & 4b : Rule Of Thirds & Principles Underpinning Composition

Lecture

Rule of Thirds

We start off with the rule of thirds, which Mr. Vinod told was more of a guide instead of a rule for photography. It is the act of aligning the subject matter with one of the points where the lines cross.

Which mean that our subject matter is one third of the way into the picture space. It can be from either top or bottom, and from either the left or right. It means the subject would not be in the middle.

Counterpoint

We also learned about creating a counterpoint to enhance the picture composition. It is done by placing a secondary focal point at the diagonally opposite thirds position of the primary focal point.

Triangular Composition

This is a method of placing a secondary and tertiary focal point alongside a primary focal point to enhance the image. It gives a sense of depth into a photograph and may show dominance in an image. Which is trademarked by our very own Mr. Vinod

Madonna, Da Vinci

Principles Underpinning Composition

There are also principles of Design that underpin composition. These principles can also be used when composing or considering elements within a picture.

The principles are:

•Domination/Emphasis

•Isolation

•Balance

•Repetition

•Alignment

•Contrast

•Rhythm

•Symmetry/Asymmetry

•Harmony

Exercise

Exercise 4a

There are 3 images that we have to capture using the rule of thirds:

1. Using a person

2. Using 3 persons

3. Using a scenery

We also had to place the image with the Rule Of Thirds lines visible and another one without the lines side by side for one image.

Using a person

SS 1/125  F16  ISO 200

Using 3 People

SS 1/50  F16  ISO 200

Using a scenery

SS 1/80  F13  ISO 100

Screenshot:

Reflections 4a

From all the pictures above, I think the Rule of Thirds gives the focal point a relationship between it and the background or a secondary focal point. It creates an image that has tension on its focal point yet still has a lot of room for the image to breathe. Which in turn, gives the image a very nice composition.

Exercise 4b

Following the principles of design as stated on the above, we have to capture 4 images that underpins the principles of composition and print the images on an A4 paper for the hardcopy.

ISO 200  SS 1/200  F5
-Contrast
-Proportion 

ISO 200 SS 1/15  F11
-Asymmetry
-Rhythm

ISO 200  SS 1/15  F20
-Repetition
-Rhythm

ISO 200  SS 1/200  F16
-Balance
-Repetition

Reflections 4b

We can definitely see that photographs that underpins certain principles of composition will make the photograph very interesting.