Final Blog

I met my photography goal in this photo because I captured the light on film. This was also my favorite lesson, painting with light, because I learned a lot of new techniques about shutter speed I had never known before, such as bulb mode. This was really fun to me to play around with the different shutter speeds and try and design different things using light. It was also difficult because you could not see what you were drawing until the picture was done taking.

Portrait Photography

For this portrait photo of Christian, I chose a lower angle and a close up to focus in on his face and hat. I had him make direct eye contact with me and give a mysterious look. This sets the mood for the photo and draws the viewer in. I used a low aperture and fast shutter speed. Also, it was easier to communicate with him what I wanted him to do or how I wanted him to pose.

The dog was obviously harder to communicate with because he can not understand if I tell him to pose. I had to use a faster shutter speed to catch him in action. I also used a lower aperture and an ISO of about 400. I had to change the white balance to a fluorescent lens as well to bring out the white in the dog's fur.

Painting With Light

Technique: Moving a light source so it shines directly on the camera lens allows you to "pain" with light. It requires a slow shutter speed, a low ISO around 100 or 200, and a low aperture around f5. Also, the camera can be used as a sort of paint brush and using light sources as the palette.


Definition: Creating exposures with light by moving a light source or hand held camera.


Tools: Any sources of light can be used, such as flashlights, light pens, candles, matches, glow sticks, and fireworks. A tripod is helpful when using long exposure and slow shutter speed.


Ideas: Create balls/orbs of light by swinging a light source; Writing words with light; Outlining objects with light.

Painting With Light Lab

At the beginning of the lab, it took time to get used to writing the words fast enough and backwards. Also, it took time to figure out how long to set the shutter speed for. Once we got that down, it was easier to focus on the designs of the pictures. Bulb mode also really helped because we could make the pictures more exact by controlling the shutter speed.

The positives were having a partner to draw the words for you, as well as having a tripod to keep the camera steady and the picture clear.

The negatives were having to write backwards and not being able to actually see your drawing as you are drawing it.

If I did this lab again, the things I would change is to make the room darker so the light comes out better, and also get rid of any distractions in the background like the light of a computer screen.

Retouching

Original Photo

Photoshopped Photo

To edit this photo, I first started in camera raw mode and used the luminance, sharpening, brightness and contrast tools. I made the brightness and contrast greater, and sharpened the photo as well. Then, I opened the photo in Photoshop and used the blur tool to blur the background. I also cropped a few distractions out of the background. Lastly, I used the levels tool to fix the colors in the photo. This made a huge difference in the picture because the colors became more realistic and bright. Also, the focus of the picture became more apparent and clear, as well as bringing out details in the shoe.

Fill Frame by Peluna on Flickr

This photo fills the frame with the puppies, which eliminates all unnecessary objects and distractions in the background of the photo.

Visual Balance by Rami on Flickr

This photo demonstrates visual balance because it has varying colors and composition; the size of the objects in the photo also demonstrates their importance.

Vertical Composition by Tom Wiebe

This photo is in a vertical composition to show the depth of field in the object being photographed.

Horizontal Composition by Kasia Sokulska

This horizontal composition is used to capture the landscape and horizon.

Leading Lines by Coy Aune

The perspective and leading lines of this photo take you on a journey down the dock because you don't know where it begins or where it ends.

Rule of Thirds by Shaun Gillies

This demonstrates the rule of thirds because the puppy off centered and aligned where the points on a grid would intersect if placed over the screen.

Natural Framing

This picture demonstrates natural framing really well, because it uses the window panes to frame the landscape in the background. The raindrops on the window also add a cool effect to the photo. This is the best retouch because the contrast brings out the raindrops, and the focus is on them by keeping the background blurry.

Comparing Scene Mode and Aperture Mode

Both of these pictures were taken inside, so the apertures were both f/3.5 to let in more light. The portrait picture of my dog has a slower shutter speed, however, while the aperture picture has a higher ISO speed.  The picture on the top was on aperture priority scene mode, and the picture on the bottom was portrait scene mode. The portrait picture is a little bit clearer than the top, though. The colors in both are mostly bright, but the picture on the bottom is a little darker than the top.

Photography Goal

Jim Zuckerman

Cityscapes/Skylines

I chose this photo because it's captivating; I like the way the lightning was captured and the color of the sky.