14) Project: Cropping and extending. Exercise: Cropping - Page 46.

Deciding the subject.

Similar to the balance exercise, this exercise required shots already taken, then to be cropped to alter the image.  Chosen were three different subjects as required

Setting up.

None required the crop was done digitally.

Equipment used.

Camera: Canon 500D
Lenses: Canon 18mm-55mm
Tamron 70mm-300mm
Picasa (digital crop)

Settings and results.

IMG1102ee – Original Image

Camera setting: Shutter Priority
Focal Length: 92mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 146mm
Shutter speed: 1/500
Aperture: f/4
Flash: Not Used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 400
White balance: Auto






IMG1102e – Cropped Image

You can see from the original image to the cropped image, all I have done is removed some of the water to the right and below the bird in flight, thus placing greater emphasis on the bird itself.


IMG1714ee – Original Image

Camera setting: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 55mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 87.7mm
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/5.6
Flash: Not Used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 3200
White balance: Manual













IMG1714e – Cropped Image















The choice of crop here was to place an even tighter crop on the child’s face, bringing out the finer details of the child.  I was once told, when doing certain portraits “when you think you are in close...get in closer” and I think on this occasion by doing just that using the cropping tool you can see that it has worked.

IMG3982e – Original Image

Camera setting: Shutter Priority
Focal Length: 70mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 111mm
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/10
Flash: Not Used
Metering: Spot
ISO: 400
White balance: Manual






IMG3982ee – Cropped Image











You can see my choice of crop on this photo doesn’t conform to standard photo sizes, however, I feel this shot lends itself to almost a panoramic type crop.  Elongating the track and removing some of the excess grass behind the vehicle really, in my opinion, brings out the best in this shot, to make it the type of shot I can see hung on a wall on a custom made canvas!


Findings and conclusion.

This being about the only type of editing I know how to do with ease at present, I love the way you can take an image and alter it completely.  The uses of cropping is so vast, from changing the entire composition of a shot, or simply removing a little of the edge to make the subject appear bigger, brighter and make the image perhaps a more dynamic one.  I really enjoy seeing the results of cropping an image, perhaps an image you were not so fond of but can change so dramatically that it can become a favourite.

13) Project: Frame shapes and sizes. Exercise: Vertical and horizontal frames - Page 43.

TO BE UPLOADED!

12) Project: Dividing the frame. Exercise: Positioning the horizon - Page 39.

Deciding the subject.

Although I realise I have chosen perhaps the easiest subject choice for a horizon photograph, it would have been wrong of me not to photograph the beautiful beach in the place I live.

Setting up.

Minimal set up was required just me, my camera, lens and the beautiful scenery! 

Equipment used.

Camera: Canon 500D
Lens: Canon 18mm – 55mm

Settings and results.

IMG4550ee

Camera setting: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 55mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 87mm
Shutter speed: 1/1000
Aperture: f/5.6
Flash: Not Used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual







IMG4551ee

Camera setting: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 55mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 87mm
Shutter speed: 1/1000
Aperture: f/5.6
Flash: Not Used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual







IMG4552ee

Camera setting: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 55mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 87mm
Shutter speed: 1/1250
Aperture: f/5.6
Flash: Not Used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual







IMG4553ee

Camera setting: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 55mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 87mm
Shutter speed: 1/1600
Aperture: f/5.6
Flash: Not Used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual





Findings and conclusion.

When photographing the horizon, I did find it challenging to take more than 4 photos, so I stuck at 4.  The reason being is there was so little difference in the movement that it really added no value to the exercise. 

It was easy to find 3 distinct positions in where to place the horizon, one on each 3^rd line and one across the centre.  Easily adding one more shot to this really showed good variation of the subject and what happens when you place the horizon at different positions within the viewfinder.

IMG4550ee places the horizon at possibly the highest place within the frame, whilst still keeping the break between land and sky.  This in my opinion is a pleasing shot, it has foreground interest with the sand and the sea, which then leads the eye to the breakwater, which is then followed by the sea and sky.  You can see on a day such as this the sky really is so clear and has very little definition, so this shot potentially works better by removing something that adds little value to the shot.

IMG4551ee is of a similar nature, yet revealing a little more of the sky and a little less of the foreground sand.  This shot in my opinion is my favourite.  I feel it could be made better by choosing a day where there is some clouds and movement in the sky and also this is shot in possibly the day’s harshest light, so this could lean itself to perhaps some softer lighting.  I feel the balance works better in the composition of this shot.

IMG4552ee is really placing too much emphasis on a very blue, yet boring sky.  The eye really gets lost and I feel like I am left wondering what the point of the photograph is.  Although you can tell it’s the sea and the beach, the foreground has lost itself to the overwhelming sky.

IMG4553ee is simply 2 tones of blue.  You can just make out that it is a picture of sea and sky, but really this shot has very little interest to capture the viewer.

11) Project: Dividing the frame. Exercise: Balance - Page 38.

Deciding the subject.

This exercise required me to use half a dozen of photos I had already taken previously, so I set about choosing some I personally like, to allow me to assess the balance in each and perhaps further my understanding a little of why they ‘work’.

Equipment used.

Camera: Canon 500D
Lens: Canon 18mm - 55mm
Tamron 70mm - 300mm


Settings and results.

IMG2665e
Camera setting: Shutter priority
Focal Length: 41mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 65.5mm
Shutter speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/5
Flash: Used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 400
White balance: Auto






How the shot balances:

IMG2799
Camera setting: Manual
Focal Length: 42mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 67.1mm
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/5.6
Flash: Used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 400
White balance: Manual






How the shot balances:

IMG2999
Camera setting: Manual
Focal Length: 55mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 87.7mm
Shutter speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/5.6
Flash: Used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 400
White balance: Manual













How the shot balances:

 IMG0068

Camera setting: Programme
Focal Length: 42mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 67.1mm
Shutter speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/5
Flash: Not used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 1600
White balance: Auto





How the shot balances:

IMG3564e
Camera setting: Programme
Focal Length: 100mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 159mm
Shutter speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/4
Flash: Used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 1600
White balance: Manual









How the shot balances:

IMG1445Camera setting: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 40mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 63.9mm
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture: f/8
Flash: Not Used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 800
White balance: Auto






How the shot balances:

Findings and conclusion.

It was definitely easier to identify how the balance works in some photos rather than others, I am confident with how the balance works in most of the shots, however the shots I am not so confident on my balance choice is IMG1445 and IMG0068.  When the shot clearly shows the balance, it is then easy to interpret how this works well to the viewers eye.

10) Project: Focal lengths. Exercise: Focal lengths and different viewpoints - for cameras with variable focal lengths (with a zoom or interchangeable lenses) - Page 32.

Deciding the subject.

I was going to use my fruit bowl as the subject for this project, something with a variety of colour and texture, however on a day out and taking a picture of this beautiful lighthouse I saw the potential of this exercise being completed with this subject.

Setting up.

No setting up was required for this, it was a simple point and shoot once I had the desired composition in the frame.

Equipment used.

Camera: Canon 500D
Lenses: Canon 18mm-55mm
Tamron 70mm – 300mm

Settings and results.

IMG4428e
Camera setting: Shutter priority
Focal Length: 84mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 133mm
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/20
Flash: Not used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual



IMG4431e

Camera setting: Shutter priority
Focal Length: 18mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 29mm
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/16
Flash: Not used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual














Findings and conclusion.

I absolutely love these shots, however, due to the subject I chose, I didn’t get the opportunity to use focal lengths that were further apart as these only have a difference of around 66mm but even so, the results illustrate the different perspective very clearly.

IMG 4428e is taken using telephoto lens at the focal length of 84mm.  This shot is taken with the subject filling the frame to the best of my ability without cropping the image at all.  To enable me to fill the frame, it was necessary for me concentrate on the top of the lighthouse, where the light itself is contained.  In my opinion, this beautifully shows the character of the lighthouse yet it really doesn’t show that I was indeed some distance from the lighthouse when taking this shot.  It illustrates that I am looking up to the lighthouse, but this appears to be very slight, it gives more the indication that I am near on level with the lighthouse and quite close to it.

IMG4431e is taken using the wide angle lens at the focal length of 18mm.  This shows the sheer size and magnitude of the lighthouse and in comparison shows how relatively small I am by comparison.  It adds grandeur and shows that the lighthouse is vast and needs me to look up though I am as closer to the lighthouse in this shot than in the previous shot, I am indeed as close I am able to get.

I am amazed looking at these images, how the same subject can be made to look so different using different lenses, clearly showing that you can indeed control how the subject looks and is perceived by the viewer, by choosing different lenses.

9) Project: Focal Lengths. Exercise: Focal lengths - for cameras with variable focal lengths (with a zoom or interchangeable lenses) - Page 31.

Deciding the subject.

For this exercise, I had a few subjects in mind, perhaps a lighthouse as per the example, a shed in the distance at the local park, a central island at the same park or a windmill.  However, whilst on a family day out, this sign caught my eye, knowing that it had been there forever, I never thought for one moment I would ever photograph it.  Once I began taking the photos, I become increasingly satisfied that I chosen a nice subject.  There are many different elements, textures colours within the photos, which were really unexpected.  I am pleased I chose to photograph something, I had previously not considered at all.

Setting up.

Setting us was very simple.  I used a miniature tripod set up on the breakwater.

Equipment used.

Camera: Canon 500D
Lenses: Canon 18mm – 55mm, Tamron: 70mm – 300mm
Mini tripod.

Settings and results.

IMG4438e

Camera setting: Shutter priority
Focal length: 18mm
Equivalent in 35mm:
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/14
Flash: Not used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual







IMG4439e

Camera setting: Shutter priority
Focal length: 34mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 54mm
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/16
Flash: Not used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual







IMG4440e

Camera setting: Shutter priority
Focal length: 55mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 87mm
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/16
Flash: Not used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual







IMG4441e

Camera setting: Shutter priority
Focal length: 70mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 111mm
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/14
Flash: Not used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual







IMG4442e

Camera setting: Shutter priority
Focal length: 104mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 165mm
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/14
Flash: Not used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual







IMG4443e

Camera setting: Shutter priority
Focal length: 192mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 304mm
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/14
Flash: Not used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual







IMG4445e
Camera setting: Shutter priority
Focal length: 300mm
Equivalent in 35mm: 476mm
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/10
Flash: Not used
Metering: Matrix
ISO: 100
White balance: Manual







Findings and conclusion.

The results of this exercise are clear to see and the photographs really speak for themselves, in the fact that you can see the difference in each shot that you seem to be drawing closer in onto the main subject, as the focal length increases.  The one thing I love about these images, is that fact that even though you are being ‘drawn’ closer to the main subject being the signpost, you can also see that the breakwater on the right hand side of the image also changes in the fact that they become closer together and more blurred as the depth of field changes.

I am very pleased with the results of the exercise the choice of subject being something that I have seen frequently, but never contemplated photographing and I think illustrates the exercise fully.

8) Project: Looking through the viewfinder. Exercise: A sequence of composition - Page 28.

Deciding the subject.

It would seem, living by the coast, really does have a lot going for it.  Due to the time of year, I was struggling to think of a way of photographing people in ‘the street’.  This is not an easy task to try and find some kind of parade in March, market places are few and far between, however, I got the break when we got a couple of nice sunshine days, which sends all us Brits to the beach donning shorts and t-shirts.
   
Setting up.

There was no set up here, it was me, my camera and my family enjoying some time at the beach.

Equipment used.

Camera: Canon 500D
Lens: Tamron 70mm-300mm

Settings and results.

IMG5202 & IMG5203

IMG5204 & IMG5209 

 IMG5210

IMG5211

IMG5212 & IMG52143

 IMG5214

IMG5216 & IMG5217 

IMG5218 & IMG5224

 IMG5225

 IMG5234

Findings and conclusion.

This exercise for me was the most difficult one so far for various reasons.  Firstly, perhaps I was looking into it too deeply, but I found it tough to find a suitable place to shoot this series of shots.  Secondly, I also found it ‘challenging’ to take photos of people I didn’t know and felt that perhaps someone may object at any moment and question what on earth I was up to!  Finally, I found it difficult to complete a series of photos (20-30) all linking together, when I found something I wanted to concentrate my focus on relatively quickly, so I didn’t reach the required amount of images (after a few failed attempts!!)  You can see this how the series is broken somewhat after IMG5214, IMG5216 almost starts a new series, even though it is a continuation in the series.

First reviewing the series, I was disappointed in some of my images, simply because I don’t think I produced shots to the best of my ability, as I was more concerned of simply getting the shots done as I felt uncomfortable, however, the more I look at the images, the more I like the series and I am pleased it captures the essence of the day and where I was.

It is very difficult for me to say why I ultimately moved from one shot to the next...because it was simply a case of me looking around with my camera, using the viewfinder as an extension to my eye, which I can honestly say I enjoyed more than I expected.

I very quickly saw the abandoned bucket, once I began the series of shots and I just loved the way it was just sat there casting a small shadow seemingly abandoned, almost asking me to photograph it, why else was it just sat there, untouched for what seem like an age.

Once I had taken a shot of the bucket, I continued to pan the beach to see what else captured my interest, this is where you can see my attention turned to the promenade rather than the sea and sand, finally focusing on the flag, which is, beside the bucket, is my favourite shot as it shows so much detail, evening showing the creases, telling us that the flag is seemingly new and has been taken out of its packaging and simply hung, for the start of a new summer tourist season on the south coast, yet blowing in the wind in all its glory, makes you proud to be british doesn't it?