I had made a start for this assignment a few months ago but life took over. In fact, the theme of transport started to develop. However, my intention is to race through this first assignment now that I've got some momentum from the previous couple of exercises, and continuing the theme would have been too time consuming.
Instead, I'm planning for a Manchester theme with a view to taking all the necessary shots in one day. A couple of the shots that I'd already taken fit with this theme - notably an image from John Rylands library the represents two contrasts in one (light/dark), and an overhead shot of a multi story car park (rounded).
I'm putting a lot of effort into planning the shots that I want; even going to lengths of sketching them out. This should increase my chances of getting the shots that I want within a relatively small timeframe. I'll post some examples soon.
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Monday, 30 January 2012
Toughest challenge yet!
It was with some trepidation that I agreed to take on my first piece of commissioned work recently – a music gig. To date I’d only taken shots for my benefit, not for others'.
It was an incredibly valuable experience and I’ve captured the key learning points below.
Before lifting the camera
Asking the right questions was critical. Before the event I made a point of speaking to the band to understand what exactly they were looking for; whether there were specific shots that the band wanted; the light conditions that I could expect and how they intended to use the images.
This insight prompted me to research low light photography, specifically ISO and shutter speed settings. This preparation removed much of the anxiety.
Manual vs. Shutter Speed Priority vs. Aperture Priority
Throughout the evening I chopped and changed my approach, but kept coming back to shutter speed priority. Through advanced reading and initial experimentation, it became clear that I needed a shutter speed of at least 1/125 (if not 1/160) in order to capture the band members without motion blur. Fortunately the band stayed relatively still throughout.
The light conditions were so changeable that shooting in manual mode was too tricky as I needed to be able to capture images instantly. The only exception was when I used my fixed 50mm lens, where shooting with shutter speed priority produced an aperture of f1.8 - resulting in the depth of field being too narrow. I therefore experimented with aperture priority and manual.
(Throughout the evening I opted for an ISO of 3200/6400 and relied on reducing noise during post-production.)
Next time I'll start with shutter speed priority and be willing to improved but I've some further reading to do! I guess it also depends on the lens that I'm using at the time.
The more the merrier?
It was an incredibly valuable experience and I’ve captured the key learning points below.
Before lifting the camera
Asking the right questions was critical. Before the event I made a point of speaking to the band to understand what exactly they were looking for; whether there were specific shots that the band wanted; the light conditions that I could expect and how they intended to use the images.
This insight prompted me to research low light photography, specifically ISO and shutter speed settings. This preparation removed much of the anxiety.
Manual vs. Shutter Speed Priority vs. Aperture Priority
Throughout the evening I chopped and changed my approach, but kept coming back to shutter speed priority. Through advanced reading and initial experimentation, it became clear that I needed a shutter speed of at least 1/125 (if not 1/160) in order to capture the band members without motion blur. Fortunately the band stayed relatively still throughout.
The light conditions were so changeable that shooting in manual mode was too tricky as I needed to be able to capture images instantly. The only exception was when I used my fixed 50mm lens, where shooting with shutter speed priority produced an aperture of f1.8 - resulting in the depth of field being too narrow. I therefore experimented with aperture priority and manual.
(Throughout the evening I opted for an ISO of 3200/6400 and relied on reducing noise during post-production.)
Next time I'll start with shutter speed priority and be willing to improved but I've some further reading to do! I guess it also depends on the lens that I'm using at the time.
The more the merrier?
Over the course of the evening I shot 900+ images by using the burst function. At the time this gave me the reassurance that it would increase my chances of getting a greater number of acceptable shots.
In hindsight I should have had greater conviction and trusted my ability as it meant far much more work post-shoot and has brought about a couple of different problem... post-production workflow and storage (I shot RAW).
As for my chosen workflow, I tagged the images, sifted through them and picked out the stronger ones to work on before uploading them to my Flickr photostream. My mistake was not deleting duplicates and shots out of focus/poorly composed. Next time I'll delete those surplus to requirements first.
For now, I've been able to delete a significant number of RAW files but it won't be long before I need external hard drives.
So, in summary, consulting with the band helped immensely but I need to find a more efficient workflow.
As for my chosen workflow, I tagged the images, sifted through them and picked out the stronger ones to work on before uploading them to my Flickr photostream. My mistake was not deleting duplicates and shots out of focus/poorly composed. Next time I'll delete those surplus to requirements first.
For now, I've been able to delete a significant number of RAW files but it won't be long before I need external hard drives.
So, in summary, consulting with the band helped immensely but I need to find a more efficient workflow.
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Fear not, I am still alive
Well, it's fair to say that the past couple of months haven't been the most productive as far as TAOP goes.
It doesn't seem too long ago that my tutor emailed and suggested that he'd be expecting my first assignment by 3rd October. That was in September and I was motoring along. It's now mid-November and it's fair to say that there won't much progress this side of Christmas.
Far from it being all doom and gloom I have taken a few decent shots that will form part of an exercise or the first assignment - one of which is this:
posted on Flickr, it's been viewed 335 times (far more than any of my other images), commented on 23 times and added as a favourite 18 times. Lesson learned? Find relevant groups and get your photos seen. Not only was it a surprising response I've made some great contacts that will undoubtedly lead to more views and feedback on future images as well as inspiration.
It doesn't seem too long ago that my tutor emailed and suggested that he'd be expecting my first assignment by 3rd October. That was in September and I was motoring along. It's now mid-November and it's fair to say that there won't much progress this side of Christmas.
Far from it being all doom and gloom I have taken a few decent shots that will form part of an exercise or the first assignment - one of which is this:
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| 55mm, 1/125 secs at f/22, ISO 100 |
I have done some reading of the recommended texts and I'll endeavour to do more over the coming weeks in the absence of getting the camera out. Watch this space for more.
I'll sign of with details of one field trip in the next couple of weeks. I've been asked to photograph a music gig; something I've never done before. So whether or not the images will come in handy for an exercise I'm hoping to learn plenty.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
New lens
When shooting the for the 'sequence of composition' exercise in Manchester over the weekend I was frustrated that I couldn't reach for a lens with a greater focal range. Up until now my Sigma 55-200 was the furthest I could get.
Yes, greater focal length would have been ideal for some of the F1 car shots, but this wasn't the source of the frustration. I'd never considered using a lens with a long focal length for candid street shots, and it was this inability to get close enough to subjects that caused me to consider purchasing another lens.
So having read some reviews of the performance of current lenses (at a reasonable price) I opted for an old Minolta 75-300 f/4.5-5.6 lens - 16 years old in fact - for a mere £72.
The FA Cup arrives in Ramsbottom on Friday where Ramsbottom United take on Salford City in a preliminary round of the competition. I'll be taking my new lens and turning my hand to sports photography.
Yes, greater focal length would have been ideal for some of the F1 car shots, but this wasn't the source of the frustration. I'd never considered using a lens with a long focal length for candid street shots, and it was this inability to get close enough to subjects that caused me to consider purchasing another lens.
So having read some reviews of the performance of current lenses (at a reasonable price) I opted for an old Minolta 75-300 f/4.5-5.6 lens - 16 years old in fact - for a mere £72.
The FA Cup arrives in Ramsbottom on Friday where Ramsbottom United take on Salford City in a preliminary round of the competition. I'll be taking my new lens and turning my hand to sports photography.
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Photographing movement - the best shot
It's fair to suggest that there is no right and wrong when it comes to static vs. blurred shots - it can be influenced by personal preference, the impression that you intend to give the viewer and the nature of the subject amongst other things.
I wasn't keen on either extreme: the static shots looked a little flat and the panning shots with very slow shutter speeds over exaggerated the speed of the riders.
So for me, on this shoot at least, my preference lay somewhere in the middle.
This shot worked for me on a number of levels. This was a technical aspect of the course and the rider's expression portrays this well, but it also gives the impression of movement with the detail being distinguishable without being rendered static.
Although there is some depth to the scene with the foreground of the large rock, the shot would have been more dynamic if it were taken from an angle (or even if I was at the bottom of the slope from an extremely low position.
Next time I visit the scene I'll be placing much more emphasis on finding the creative shots.
I wasn't keen on either extreme: the static shots looked a little flat and the panning shots with very slow shutter speeds over exaggerated the speed of the riders.
So for me, on this shoot at least, my preference lay somewhere in the middle.
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| 50mm, 1//100 secs at f/7.1, ISO 100 |
Although there is some depth to the scene with the foreground of the large rock, the shot would have been more dynamic if it were taken from an angle (or even if I was at the bottom of the slope from an extremely low position.
Next time I visit the scene I'll be placing much more emphasis on finding the creative shots.
Friday, 19 August 2011
Planning shots & taking my camera everywhere
Today's represented a significant step forward following the receipt of my welcome letter from my tutor. The very mention of a deadline for the submission of assignment one prompted me to approach the exercises in a much smarter way.
Firstly, I spent time reading ahead and brainstorming the subjects I could use for each of the exercises and assignment one, before narrowing it down to the specific subject I intend to use. This sounds like it removes spontaneity - but quite the opposite - as a result I've become much more familiar with the exercises that lay ahead.
I'm already feeling less camera shy and seem to be taking my camera with me wherever I go. This, combined with a greater familiarity of the exercises leading up to assignment one, has already reaped its rewards. Today I managed to take shots that will enable me to complete two exercises and aspects of assignment one.
All good.
Firstly, I spent time reading ahead and brainstorming the subjects I could use for each of the exercises and assignment one, before narrowing it down to the specific subject I intend to use. This sounds like it removes spontaneity - but quite the opposite - as a result I've become much more familiar with the exercises that lay ahead.
I'm already feeling less camera shy and seem to be taking my camera with me wherever I go. This, combined with a greater familiarity of the exercises leading up to assignment one, has already reaped its rewards. Today I managed to take shots that will enable me to complete two exercises and aspects of assignment one.
All good.
Monday, 8 August 2011
JPEG or RAW?
Until now, the vast majority of my photographs have been JPEGs. This has enabled me to share images quickly on social media sites with minimal post-production.
However, I've often heard and read that shooting in RAW is the best option and so I caught myself thinking 'I'll shoot all of my OCA projects in RAW'. This evening I thought it was only right to question this assumption.
The article over at Luminous Landscape gives an excellent summary of the science (what happens immediately after pressing the shutter button) as well as the general pros and cons of shooting in either format... or both simultaneously.
I hadn't realised precisely how much control RAW will give me, so shooting in RAW seems the way to go throughout the course. After all, I have the software to do this. Where storage space is at a premium or when I need to be able to share images quickly with little post-production activity then I'll shoot JPEG.
However, I've often heard and read that shooting in RAW is the best option and so I caught myself thinking 'I'll shoot all of my OCA projects in RAW'. This evening I thought it was only right to question this assumption.
The article over at Luminous Landscape gives an excellent summary of the science (what happens immediately after pressing the shutter button) as well as the general pros and cons of shooting in either format... or both simultaneously.
I hadn't realised precisely how much control RAW will give me, so shooting in RAW seems the way to go throughout the course. After all, I have the software to do this. Where storage space is at a premium or when I need to be able to share images quickly with little post-production activity then I'll shoot JPEG.
Sunday, 7 August 2011
Equipment
For the past two and a half years I've been using a Sony a350 but I was keen to make the step up to an intermediate dSLR.
Not wanting to start a new lens collection by opting for a Canon or Nikon, I bought myself another Sony; this time the a580.
It has an improved sensor, a greater ISO range (and a feature that reduces noise by merging 2 or 3 shots), a larger LCD screen and a pretty rapid 7fps (as opposed to the sluggish 2 or 3 that the a350 was capable of).
It has a couple of gimmicks that I don't see myself using too often - HD video recording and panoramic option.
One thing that I need to understand more is the Depth of Field preview option as I'm clueless at this point. As the study materials suggest, a read of the user manual is in order.
For the record, in addition to the 18-55 kit lens, I have a fixed 50mm, a 70-200 zoom lens and a wide angle 10-20.
Not wanting to start a new lens collection by opting for a Canon or Nikon, I bought myself another Sony; this time the a580.
It has an improved sensor, a greater ISO range (and a feature that reduces noise by merging 2 or 3 shots), a larger LCD screen and a pretty rapid 7fps (as opposed to the sluggish 2 or 3 that the a350 was capable of).
It has a couple of gimmicks that I don't see myself using too often - HD video recording and panoramic option.
One thing that I need to understand more is the Depth of Field preview option as I'm clueless at this point. As the study materials suggest, a read of the user manual is in order.
For the record, in addition to the 18-55 kit lens, I have a fixed 50mm, a 70-200 zoom lens and a wide angle 10-20.
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Revisiting a previous shoot
Although this isn't a formal write up of one of the course projects or assignments, reading through the Getting to know your camera section - in particular the Focus and Photographing movement sections - prompted me to reflect on a recent shoot of an Halfords Tour cycling event in Oldham. Until now I'd not looked at them since uploading them.
Most of the images were taken with a fixed 50m lens, which afforded me the option of a much greater aperture (up to f1.8).
I'd taken a number of shots that rendered the subject(s) static but I wanted a more creative shot; one that emphasised the speed of the cyclists. I spotted the British Cycling advertising hoarding and felt that it could be my primary focus whilst at the same time capturing a passing cyclist.
The first attempt didn't work as the shutter speed was much too quick - 1/320 sec. I also concluded that even with more motion blur, the image wouldn't be dynamic enough.
So for my second attempt I reduced the shutter speed to 1/40 sec and also changed the angle of the composition.
During post production (Adobe Lightroom) I've reduced the blue and purple values in the advertising hoarding to make the colour of the cyclist's blur more prominent and I've also added a small vignette.
I'm pleased with the result.
Most of the images were taken with a fixed 50m lens, which afforded me the option of a much greater aperture (up to f1.8).
I'd taken a number of shots that rendered the subject(s) static but I wanted a more creative shot; one that emphasised the speed of the cyclists. I spotted the British Cycling advertising hoarding and felt that it could be my primary focus whilst at the same time capturing a passing cyclist.
 |
| 50mm, 1/320 secs at f/4, ISO 100 |
So for my second attempt I reduced the shutter speed to 1/40 sec and also changed the angle of the composition.
 |
| 50mm, 1/40 secs at f/10, ISO 100 |
I'm pleased with the result.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
'Study' minus 1 day and counting
Having enrolled with the Open College of the Arts yesterday, tomorrow should see the arrival of my study materials. The Art of Photography will be the first of, what I hope will be, seven modules on the way towards achieving a photography degree.
At this juncture, it's probably worth sharing a couple of things about my current know-how and the genre of photography I enjoy.
Until now I've been self taught and would like to say that I've got a fair grasp of the technical aspects of photography; shooting in RAW and using my camera's manual settings... and getting some decent results.
Portrait photography has been the main focus along with the occasional landscape thrown in for good measure. I'm sure that over the next couple of years one or two others will emerge.
This space is intended to be a place to share my learning and my results.
Enjoy the ride.
At this juncture, it's probably worth sharing a couple of things about my current know-how and the genre of photography I enjoy.
Until now I've been self taught and would like to say that I've got a fair grasp of the technical aspects of photography; shooting in RAW and using my camera's manual settings... and getting some decent results.
Portrait photography has been the main focus along with the occasional landscape thrown in for good measure. I'm sure that over the next couple of years one or two others will emerge.
This space is intended to be a place to share my learning and my results.
Enjoy the ride.
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