Depth

Empressive

Curly

Sammich

Snowy Topaz

Topaz Park, Victoria

Photography Assignment #2

What I’ve come to realize so far is that although I was looking forward to assignments I actually don’t like them.  Even though the topics are pretty vague and open to interpretation I find it restricting and stressful when trying to get the perfect shot.

I went into this class knowing I may very well come out not having any better skills than I went in with, and I know it’s early but so far I am mostly just confused.  Here’s hoping it gets better for me!

Our assignment #2:  Lines

Yup, that’s it.  Lines.  The rest of the information was the same as last time…get to know your camera, use a tripod, use the self-timer, shoot in any mode you are comfortable with.

I still opted to use manual focus because that requires a ton of practice, but rather than using manual mode I chose to stick with my usual favourite of Av mode (aperture).  He spoke a lot about light last class but I honestly didn’t get any of it…as such I think my shots are a bit too bright or overexposed, but such is life.

My first thought when I read “lines” was quite literal…benches…so I went with it.

Boring, but my subject is in focus.  Too centered though.  Although I do like the fence in the background (more lines) and my horizon is virtually straight.

Still boring but even though it’s just a bench I think it’s more interesting as a close up.  The composition is better too as it isn’t super centered and the focus is pretty clear.

Not sure that I want to hand either of those in tonight though.

I moved to a different bench not 50 feet away and liked the scene better…

…but I’m afraid shooting towards the sun created a bright yet washed out effect that my instructor won’t like.  I kind of dig the rainbow I wound up with but I’m sure that’s a no-no. But…the lines of the bench work, the top corner of the bench leads out of the frame in a good direction, the main subject isn’t smack in the center, and the bench is in focus.  So maybe this is right?

I’m actually seriously considering handing in the black and white version I took…

…mainly because the people walking by make it more interesting overall.  But…the placement of the bench in the shot isn’t awesome.

What’s a girl to do?!

Cheer

Thai Tease

Just you wait for tomorrow’s Embracing Balance.

Walk on By

Pioneer

Assignment Review

So two things came of the reviewing of our photos for Photography Assignment #1 last night.

1. He spent more time discussing composition, etc than he did exposure, focus or aperture.  I actually found it annoying because I was so proud that I had done everything fully manually and it wasn’t even mentioned.  Next time I’ll certainly stick with my strengths and spend more time looking for subject matter that I really like.
2. It turns out that my first photo was actually far better than my second photo.  I was so distracted by that stupid tree in the background that I felt like the shot was ruined, but it was a far better and more interesting shot…plus it wasn’t too bright like the second one.

On the overhead screen it was really obvious that shot #2 was too bright, there’s too much grass, the tops of the shrubs are cut off, and I’ve lost the most interesting feature…that cool wall and corner.

Goes to show I should always go with my gut instinct.  I have a good eye most of the time and I need to trust it.  I’m just so used to taking close-up food photos every day that I struggle with landscapes and portraits.  I suppose that’s exactly why I’m taking the class, no? :)

Photography Assignment #1

I know I haven’t talked much (at all!) about the photography class I started taking…  Mostly that is because we’ve only had two classes, my mind was reeling, and my notes are pretty bad. :)

Our first class was mostly about the course objectives, how an SLR camera works, some websites to check out, and other just general hoopla.

The second class we got into some of the explanations about shutter speeds, aperture, and exposure metering.  Our instructor had us switch off auto-focus and work manually. I felt really smart when I left that class…like it was a piece of cake. Yay! ha. And then I didn’t put any of the new information into practice for oh about 10 days and felt pretty lost when I went to shoot my project photos.

Our assignment (should we chose to accept it):

Winter Scene

1. Work in full manual mode or any one of the automatic or program modes (so on the Rebel that’s Av, Tv, or P), whatever is easiest for you.
2. Become familiar with the different functions on your camera.
3. Remember to use a tripod and a cable release (or self-timer).
4. Keep the images simple and try to have the subject anywhere in the frame except the middle of the image.

Another important thing he stresses is to take notes of your settings while you are shooting.  There are no set answers for which settings to use because every situation is going to be different.  So especially if you are working in full manual mode it is super helpful to make notes as you go.

And that’s exactly what I did!  I brought along my lame little tripod and my cute little notebook and set myself up with some bare trees and Winter mittens.  (There’s not much left around here as far as “Winter Scenes” go).  I don’t have a cable release yet so I was using the self-timer to ensure a nice, clean, wobble free shot.

(I should mention I was shooting with my 50mm lens, so no zoom function…) I started in Manual Mode, with manual focus, and 400ISO. Aperture was set to the biggest depth of field (F1.8 on this lens) and using the metering I matched that to 1/2500 shutter speed. To start I set white balance to “cloudy” but we haven’t learned about white balance yet.

I got a few blurry shots at first but with a few slight focusing adjustments I got this to hand in…

I switched to auto-white balance and fiddled with the aperture and shutter speed for a few shots, but didn’t love anything I got.  When I bumped the ISO to 1600 the shots were awful, but then I used the meter to match the aperture at F4.0 to 1/1250 shutter speed and wound up with my other favorite shot…

I changed the photo composition (subject layout) a bit because I didn’t like that random tree jutting up in the background of the first one.

So all in all I don’t LOVE these photos because they aren’t my usual subject matter and I find them boring.  But I think I covered all of the bases I was supposed to, I followed the rules, I proudly did everything manually, and my subject is in focus (the mittens)!

I hand these in to tonight’s class for discussion…scary!  If they don’t beat me up I’ll come back and let you know what is said. :)

Heartsy Fartsy

This afternoon I drove downtown to get pictures of the cute “candy hearts” that were posted on the fence at Market Square for today’s post…but much to my dismay they were gone already!!

So I had to get a little creative on my own.

Gimme

In my hunt for the perfect puppy to call my own, Clark may have some competition.

Home Spa

Stoopmeister

Growing

Purty!

Here comes the bride…

Steamy

More Tofino

The whole series is coming, I promise!

Tulips

February Sky