Portfolio 4 (Flash Photography)

DESCRIPTION:

This unit, we looked at flash photography. This branch of photography is mostly done indoors, in a studio. This way light can be controlled and it can help the photographer create art. Flashes can be used in many different ways, as I will discuss in the next section.

NOTES:

On-Camera Bare Flash

Off-Camera Bare Flash

Off-Camera Bare Flash w/reflector

Diffused Flash

Snoot

Grid

Flag

Cookie

Gel

Multiple Flashes

In class we looked at terminology that we needed to be familiar with for this project. Some were parts of the actual flash. Strobes and speedlights are synonyms for flash. Head, body, foot, shoe and contact points are all parts of the actual flash. We also learned the three ways to activate a flash. One way is the electrical trigger, where the flash is either mounted on the camera, or is connected to the camera by a cable. Another trigger is the optical trigger, where a strobe flashes when it senses another one go off. The third trigger is the radio trigger. A radio is mounted on the camera, and it sends a signal to the flash when the shutter button is pressed on the camera. We also looked at different accessories that can be used. Umbrellas are used the most usually in studios. The can be either reflective or diffusing. We also looked at other accessories like diffuse lights, reflect lights, block lights, filter lights, snoots, grids, gels, flags, cutters, and cookies.

RESEARCHED IMAGES:

A snoot was probably used to simulate sun rays passing through a window. The light is harsh, not soft as real sunlight would look like. The light in the background serves as a leading line to the book, the subject of the image.

The studio was set up so as to only light up one part of the boy’s face. A snoot or grid was probably used, because the light is harsh, no smooth as it would be if a reflector or diffuser was used.

More than one flash was used in this photo. One had a blue gel covering it, and the other had an orange gel. The flashes were probably high, because no light reaches the area immediately under his cap.

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY CONTACT SHEETS:

I used different subjects during this shooting. I also used more than one flash. I used different subjects. I used the 10 techniques that we were supposed to employ. All of them were taken in a corner of a cross-like object, so as to avoid distractions.       I used the plaster head because I wanted to use something that looked human, so I could at least some experience if I ever needed to take a portrait in a studio.

FINAL SELECTION:

In this image, I used one flash through a diffuser. Since the flash was close up to the diffuser, the change was minimal. The left side of the head’s face is lit, but as the light reaches his nose, it starts to dissipate. The right side of his face is completely invisible. This is used for more dramatic portraits.

In this picture, I placed a flash by his left side and one behind his head. This is similar to the technique I used in the previous photo, but the light from the left is more diffused and the light from behind outlines the shape of the head. The light also makes a halo-like circle behind the figure.

DESCRIPTION OF LEARNING:

During this portfolio, I learned that the only way to improve photos, is to keep taking, nonstop. Each time you take one picture, you think about how to make it better, and you improve it every time.

DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS:

In the future, I want to take pictures with shadows. This will make pictures more dramatic, and will make leading lines.

Photo Portfolio Design Elements

PASM MODES:

P mode is useful when something happens and there is no time to set up the camera. A mode is useful when you want an image that has a shallow or deep dept of field. S mode is useful when you want to either capture motion and freeze it in time, or to portray motion with motion blur. M should be used when you do not want the image to have a gray tone.

MATRIX, CENTER WEIGHTED, SPOT METER:
Matrix should be used when you don’t have time to use spot meter. When you use this though, it turns the picture into a gray tone. Center weighted should be used when you don’t not have much time, but you don’t want the entire picture to be gray. Spot meter should be used to have more accuracy in the image. If you do not have much time to meter the image, this mode is not the ideal tool to use.

HISTOGRAM:
The histogram allows the photographer to confirm that his or her picture to have equal amount of black and white, and to make sure that details can still be seen. If a spot on the image is too black or too white, details will not be noticeable. Usually it is best for the histogram to be evenly spread, unless the photographer thinks that more or less light will enhance the subject.

DESCRIPTION:

The elements chosen were texture and complementary colors. Both elements encourage the viewer's focus to be on the subject.  Texture adds detail to an object, immediately making an object look more inviting. Complementary colors cause contrast in the image. This automatically alerts the viewer as to what is important in the image.

NOTES:

Texture can add detail and value to photos, but it can also be a distraction. When taking pictures with texture, it is often best to have a deep depth of field. This allows more texture to be captured from further away. On the other hand, if a shallow depth of field is used and the focus is on a subject with high texture, the importance of the subject will be more clearly expressed.

RESEARCHED IMAGES:

This picture is an example of texture. The fur of the animal, possibly a leopard attracts the human eye, making the picture look more entrancing. The aperture seems to have been large, as some texture is out of focus indicating a shallow depth of field.

This picture also has texture. The photographer decided to use black and white photography. This can sometimes deliver the artist's message in a more powerful way. The artist intentionally used a shallow depth of field, so the wood in front is in focus, while the back gradually fades away.

This picture is my personal favorite out of the three I have chosen. The water is captured, but not completely frozen motion is still visible in this image. The red strawberry contrasts with the green background, making it stand out of the picture.

TEXTURE CONTACT SHEET:

When looking for texture possibilities, I looked for natural formed scenes. I opted for images with a shallow depth of field, so as to direct the viewer's focus to subject.

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS CONTACT SHEET:

When I took pictures with complementary colors, I wanted to take pictures of nature. Unfortunately, I found that complementary colors were not as common as I had previously thought. Consequently, many of the pictures that I took of this element were of manmade objects.

FINAL SELECTION OF TEXTURE:

I have always preferred to take pictures of nature. When this picture was taken, it was the middle of the day. I was about to take the picture, but then I realized that it had potential in being darker. Therefore, I took pictures of it with a shallow depth of field, trying to fool the viewer's into thinking that it was taken during dusk. I took several pictures, until I was satisfied with this one. The texture in this image is the leaf, and the boards around it.

Some people might argue that this photo has no subject, or that the texture itself is not 'good'. I disagree. Most people never stop to appreciate their surroundings. The bark of this branch is cracked and broken because of the constant exposure to the elements. The designs on the bark itself are superior to any of that made by man.

FINAL SELECTION OF COMPLEMENTARY COLORS:

Out of the pictures I took, this is by far my favorite. I finally got a picture of nature, and the simplicity of this flower struck me. It was white with spots of purple. I was the only in a bush. I decided to use the purple to contrast with the green background so that the flowers would stand out. I also used a shallow depth of field so the background would not serve as a distraction to the viewer.

I took this picture because the red poodle contrasted with the green grass and the bushes in the background. The shadows under the bushes also provided contrast with the dog. The white reflections on the dog also serve as beacons, to which the human eye is attracted to.

DESCRIPTION OF LEARNING:

During this portfolio, I learned to pay attention to everything. Everything has potential; people just have to find it. I scrutinized everything I came across. I also realized that I had underestimated the power focus has on a subject. Having a shallow depth of field emphasizes the importance of subjects in a picture. Consequently, most of my pictures had a shallow depth of field.

DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS:

In the future, I might consider continuing to utilize a shallow depth of field. I will also try to take pictures of common objects, maybe some which are common in a household. I might also use a slower shutter speed, in order to illustrate motion.

Photo Portfolio Design Elements 2

DESCRIPTION:

The elements chosen were depth of field and motion. Depth of fields concentrates the viewer's focus of the selected subject. Motion gives movement to the image, preventing it from becoming static and boring.

NOTES:

When taking pictures of a particular subject , it is often best to have a deep depth of field. This allows more texture to be captured from further away. When using a shallow depth of field, it is best to leave the subject to a side, so as to employ the rule of thirds and to show the lack of focus on other objects.

RESEARCHED IMAGES:

The photographer used a shallow depth of field, focusing only on the firefly and on the stick that it is resting on. This directs the viewer's eye to the subject. This prevents the viewer to look aimlessly around the frame.

This photographer also used a shallow depth of field. This directs the viewer's attention to the subject; the doll. If a large depth of view was used, the entire picture would have been in focus, defeating the purpose of the image itself.

This image is an example of motion. The shutterspeed used was slow, so that there would be blur. This gives the viewer the illusion of motion.
MOTION CONTACT SHEETS:

I did not have a lot of possibilities to take pictures of motion. I tried to work the best I could with what I had. One of the main problems I encountered was that as my shutter speed got slower, my images were blown out. They appeared almost completely white. I also tried to capture motion, as I did with the water fountain.


DEPTH OF FIELD CONTACT SHEETS:

When taking pictures of depth of field, I wanted to take pictures of nature. I later decided to also take images of mad made objects, do my whole collection would not be monotonous and boring. I tried to take pictures of common household objects; objects that people usually do not take a second glance at. That  is why I chose the pen as my favorite photo. 

FINAL SELECTION OF MOTION:

I decided to use a picture in which I froze motion as my final selection. I have always preferred pictures where a moving object is frozen in motion, capturing the detail that was present for a fraction of a second.  As I was walking, I was thirsty, so I drank from the fountain. I then stopped, and wondered, how many people are actually aware that this was here, how many people recognized how convenient it was? I then stepped on the pedal, and took a picture of the water that flowed ever gracefully from the tap. 

When I was relocated to Pattaya because of the floods, I paced around my hotel looking for opportunities to take picture with motion. As I was by the lobby, I came across a pond. People walked by it without much thought, ignoring it completely. The more I looked at it, the more I realized its size, and its potential. Unfortunately, when I used slower shutter speeds, the whole picture blew out. I then decided to use this picture, so as to have a picture with frozen motion, and one with implied motion in my final selection. 

FINAL SELECTION OF DEPTH OF FIELD:

As I was taking notes in class, I stopped and looked at my pen, realizing that It was extremely useful. I decided to express it, but the challenge was how to set it up? I over heard a friend of mine come up with the idea of placing a pen next to writing and taking a picture of it. When I did, I took several pictures, most of which aren't in the contact sheets above. The challenge I faced was to focus on the writing, because its small size made it hard for the camera to pick up. 

As I was walking around ISB, I was looking for anything that wasn't green and had potential. I then happened across a couple of purple flowers in a bush. I realized that not only could I use a shallow depth of field, but the purple flowers would serve as complementary colors. After a few attempts, I came up with this. The other flowers are out of focus, and they also serve as leading lines to direct the viewers attention to the biggest flower.

DESCRIPTION OF LEARNING:

During this portfolio, I learned to pay attention to common objects which other people over look on a daily basis. I decided to look for potential in everything, but I also learned that even though most things have potential, it is not necessarily easy to bring out that potential and use it.

DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS:

In the future, I want to use the rule of thirds more often, and to employ leading lines towards the subject on the side of the frame. I will also try to take more pictures of one subject before giving up and moving on.