Sunday, March 25, 2012
Assignment 2 - Proposal for folio
The proposal I have for my folio is based on Elliott Erwitts’ view ‘that you
should always let people be themselves.’ Elliott was probably talking about
photographers placing their subjects exactly as the photographer wanted
them within, possibly, a contrived scene and that this may not be the best way
to photograph them. Several of his photographs show well-known people in a
completely different light. An example of this is the photo he took of Countess
Wolf-Stomersee – an aging Sicilian aristocrat in financial decline. He was able
to show that the world sees her as a Countess but really she was an aging
lady with a large financial debt and a decaying home.
However, this idea made me think that people who have a professional career
and have an image that they portray to the wider community may not be
showing their true identities. Quite often the lives that people live outside of
their profession may be a truer insight into the personality of that person.
I plan on taking pictures of people performing their professional duties in their
place of employment. By contrast I will take pictures of them doing what their
passions dictate in their private lives. If possible (and where appropriate) I will
try and take some pictures of the person undertaking what they really like to
do dressed in their professional attire e.g. a stone mason in his work clothes
drawing a picture.
Examples I have in mind are:
1. My local butcher – as well as running a successful butcher’s shop he is
also heavily involved with sheep dog trials on a national level
2. An air traffic controller – this person works shift work but still finds the
time to commit to his fly fishing passion
3. The stone mason – this person has the skills necessary to collect rock
and fashion it into buildings and walls but performs regularly in a band
and creates beautiful charcoal drawings
4. The waste disposal manager – he looks after the local tip by day but is
well known for his music and poetry
I think that a portfolio of this nature would be able to clearly demonstrate the
diversity of these people’s interests and be able to show their real passions. I
will also be able to show my own passion.
As well as being interesting, I think that this portfolio will add to my skills as a
photographer.
It will require me to negotiate with a variety of people with potentially diverse
backgrounds and obtain their consent to photograph them. In addition I think
that the subject matter will be challenging in the variety of conditions I will
need to photograph them in. This will include indoor locations, such as a
butcher’s shop, outdoor locations and also possibly night locations. Lighting
will be varied including daylight, tungsten and maybe some flash.
I believe that this portfolio would meet the requirements of the documentary
folio assignment.
Assignment 1 - Inspiration
One of the photographers that inspire me is Elliot Erwitt. As well as being a photojournalist he
was also well known in advertising and architecture. When he was working he always tried to
get a personal photograph as well - he called these anti-photographs.
Kitchen Debate - Elliott Erwitt -
http://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/kitchen-debate/
Elliot Erwitt -
http://www.silberstudios.tv/blog/2011/08/photographer-elliott-erwitt-showcases-favorite-images-innew-
nyc-exhibit/
Jackie Kennedy - Elliott Erwitt -
http://www.johnclearygallery.com/Elliott_Erwitt/elliott_erwitt_arlington_kennedy_photo.php
Erwitt also believed in 'letting people be themselves'. This is the basis for the idea I have for my
portfolio. I plan on taking pictures of people in their normal day to day job - how the world sees them with their public persona's. In contrast to this I will also take pictures of people doing what their passions tell them to do - how they spend their time away from their professional careers.
was also well known in advertising and architecture. When he was working he always tried to
get a personal photograph as well - he called these anti-photographs.
http://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/kitchen-debate/
Elliot Erwitt -
http://www.silberstudios.tv/blog/2011/08/photographer-elliott-erwitt-showcases-favorite-images-innew-
nyc-exhibit/
Jackie Kennedy - Elliott Erwitt -
http://www.johnclearygallery.com/Elliott_Erwitt/elliott_erwitt_arlington_kennedy_photo.php
Erwitt also believed in 'letting people be themselves'. This is the basis for the idea I have for my
portfolio. I plan on taking pictures of people in their normal day to day job - how the world sees them with their public persona's. In contrast to this I will also take pictures of people doing what their passions tell them to do - how they spend their time away from their professional careers.
Week 6 - 10 Questions
1. Does size matter with sensor arrays?
Yes, but bigger is not always better.
a. An APS-C sensor uses more of the centre of the lens which
normally has the better optics
b. Smaller lenses can use smaller and lighter lenses
c. Larger sensors normally have less noise as the pixels are larger
d. Larger sensors have a shallower depth of field
e. Crop factor can also influence lens choice e.g. a 1.5 crop factor
sensor using a 50mm lens would be the equivalent of a 72 mm lens
on a full frame sensor.
f. The viewfinder is normally larger and brighter on a full frame sensor
g. Larger pixels normally have a higher dynamic range
2. What size, in millimetres, is a full frame sensor?
36mm x 24 mm
3. What does ‘crop factor’ mean when talking about sensor arrays?
It is the sensors diagonal size compared to a 35mm full frame sensor e.g.
you have to multiply an APS-C sensor by 1.5 to equal a full frame
sensor.
4. If crop factor is the longest side of full frame dimension divided by the
smaller sensor dimension, then what would be the crop factor if the full
frame dimension is 36mm and the small sensor dimension is 23.6 mm?
1.5
5. Is resolution lower or higher with large photosites compared to small
photosites?
It is higher with large photosites as diffraction occurs at smaller
apertures.
6. What is digital noise?
It is the signal to noise ration that occurs on a photosite and appears
similar to grain in film. Small sensors normally have higher noise as
well as higher ISO.
7. What is blooming of photosites?
This happens when a photosite has reached its maximum charge and
photons spill over over into other photosites. This appears as
overexposure.
8. Define dynamic range in relation to sensors.
The level of shadow detail and highlights a camera can record. It can
also be defined as ‘The dynamic range of a sensor is defined by the
largest possible signal divided by the smallest possible signal it can
generate.’ – (Vincent Bockaert)
9. Does the human eye have a better or worse dynamic range than your
camera?
Better – it can see over a dynamic range of about 24 f-stops.
10. What is bit depth?
The number of bits that are used to determine colour (or shades of
grey) e.g. a bit depth of 1 will only have two values as opposed to 8 bits
which have 256 values. 16 bits has a possible 64K values.
Hyperfocal distance – the near limit of depth of field for a given aperture when
the lens is set to infinity. It can also be described as the focus distance which
places the maximum allowable circle of confusion at infinity. It is normally set
by putting the infinity mark on the relevant depth of field scale for the aperture
that is in use. However, people like Harold Merklinger argue that the circle of
confusion used to determine depth of field scales is too large for modern day
films and sensors.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Eleven Questions
1. What are the limitations of a focal plane shutter?
• Distortion of fast moving objects with slow shutter speeds
• Slow flash synch speeds
• Noise
• Camera shake
• Life expectancy
2. Should a between the lens of leaf shutter be cocked during lens
attachment/removal?
The Hasselblad 500 c/m manual says it should be cocked.
3. What is the max speed of a BTL shutter?
Normally about 1/500
4. What is the definition of depth of field?
‘The nearest and furthest parts of a subject which can be rendered sharp at a given
focus setting.’ – The Photographers Handbook – John Hedgecoe
5. How is depth of field increased?
Reduce the aperture or decrease the focal length of the lens.
6. Why is the automatic diaphragm fully open until the shutter release is pressed?
To allow maximum light through to the viewfinder.
7. What are the two types of sensor arrays? And briefly describe the differences
between the two types.
CCD – charge coupled device
CMOS – Complimentary metal oxide semi-conductor
A CCD is an analogue device and transfers each pixel’s charge sequentially to a
common output structure, which converts the charge to a voltage.
In a CMOS the charge-to-voltage conversion takes place in each pixel. (CCD Vs
CMOS – Facts and Fiction – Dave Litwiller)
8. What does a photosite record?
a) colour
b) a level of light
c) grey tones
d) all of the above
I'd say D if you include the Bayer filter.
9. What is interpolation?
Interpolation is used when making an image larger or smaller. A mathematical
formula calculates what the missing pixel information should be by sampling the
pixels nearby.
10. Explain step by step the process of RAW file capture.
• An exposure is made
• Light is captured by each photosite on the sensor
• The intensity of the light is recorded at the sensors bit depth
• Each photosite is covered by a colour filter array (Bayer – green-red-green-blue)
• Photon->electron->voltage->digitized
11. What is the difference between jpeg and RAW files?
A RAW file is the information that the sensor has captured. It has only red, blue or
green pixels, as it has not been through demosaicing. It allows greater flexibility in
the development of an image.
A JPEG is a compressed file format (8 bit) that has been demosaiced, white balance
applied and other changes. It could be done in camera or by software such as
Photoshop/Lightroom.
• Distortion of fast moving objects with slow shutter speeds
• Slow flash synch speeds
• Noise
• Camera shake
• Life expectancy
2. Should a between the lens of leaf shutter be cocked during lens
attachment/removal?
The Hasselblad 500 c/m manual says it should be cocked.
3. What is the max speed of a BTL shutter?
Normally about 1/500
4. What is the definition of depth of field?
‘The nearest and furthest parts of a subject which can be rendered sharp at a given
focus setting.’ – The Photographers Handbook – John Hedgecoe
5. How is depth of field increased?
Reduce the aperture or decrease the focal length of the lens.
6. Why is the automatic diaphragm fully open until the shutter release is pressed?
To allow maximum light through to the viewfinder.
7. What are the two types of sensor arrays? And briefly describe the differences
between the two types.
CCD – charge coupled device
CMOS – Complimentary metal oxide semi-conductor
A CCD is an analogue device and transfers each pixel’s charge sequentially to a
common output structure, which converts the charge to a voltage.
In a CMOS the charge-to-voltage conversion takes place in each pixel. (CCD Vs
CMOS – Facts and Fiction – Dave Litwiller)
8. What does a photosite record?
a) colour
b) a level of light
c) grey tones
d) all of the above
I'd say D if you include the Bayer filter.
9. What is interpolation?
Interpolation is used when making an image larger or smaller. A mathematical
formula calculates what the missing pixel information should be by sampling the
pixels nearby.
10. Explain step by step the process of RAW file capture.
• An exposure is made
• Light is captured by each photosite on the sensor
• The intensity of the light is recorded at the sensors bit depth
• Each photosite is covered by a colour filter array (Bayer – green-red-green-blue)
• Photon->electron->voltage->digitized
11. What is the difference between jpeg and RAW files?
A RAW file is the information that the sensor has captured. It has only red, blue or
green pixels, as it has not been through demosaicing. It allows greater flexibility in
the development of an image.
A JPEG is a compressed file format (8 bit) that has been demosaiced, white balance
applied and other changes. It could be done in camera or by software such as
Photoshop/Lightroom.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Garema Court - 6 March
The first three photos show pictures taken against a white
background. The first photo had 'correct' exposure according to the
meter.
The second one was plus 1/2 stop and the second was plus 1 stop.
Metered exposure
Plus half stop
Plus one stop
The next two photos show a dark background exposed according to the meter and also minus one stop.
Metered exposure
Minus one stop
Some other photos taken on the day.........
Canberra Centre
Bikes
More Bikes
Garema Court Man
Coffee Shop
Whippet
Monday, March 5, 2012
Exposure Week 4
Questions to research and answer before next week’s Location Class on 5/6 March
1. What are the two ways exposure is controlled? And what are some other factors that play a role in exposure?
Exposure is controlled by the aperture of the lens (f-stop) and the shutter speed. These can be used in various combinations to get the desired effect. A large aperture will have a narrow depth of field as opposed to a larger depth of field with a small aperture. Shutter speed can be used to freeze action or create motion blur.
Exposure can also be controlled by the ISO of the film/sensor (sensitivity) and the intensity of the light
2. You have an ISO of 400, a shutter speed of 1/125th second and an f-stop of F5.6.
a) I ask you to open up the aperture to let more light in by 2 stops. What would you change your reading to? F2.8
b) Now, back at your original setting, close down three stops. What is your setting now? F16
3. What are three ways you can measure exposure?
In camera meter
Handheld meter
Histogram
4. If in a given situation ‘correct’ exposure is achieved by using 125 @ f8 at ISO 100, indicate the new shutter speeds required to provide ‘correct’ exposure for the other ISO settings below.
Film Shutter speed Lens aperture
ISO400 f8 1/500
ISO200 f8 1/250
ISO100 125 f8
ISO50 f8 1/60
ISO25 f8 1/30
5. If in a given situation ‘correct’ exposure is achieved by using 125 @ f8 at ISO 100, indicate the new f-number required to provide ‘correct’ exposure for the other ISO settings below.
Film Shutter speed Lens aperture
ISO400 125 f16
ISO200 125 f11
ISO100 125 f8
ISO50 125 f5.6
ISO25 125 f4
6. When you use a high ISO you get image degradation. With film this is called increasing the size of the grain. With digital we don’t refer to grain, we refer to ‘noise’ or ‘signal to noise ratio’
7. On your camera, what is the difference between AUTO mode and MANUAL mode?
In Auto mode the camera will select the shutter speed and aperture (and maybe the ISO). In Manual mode each setting is made by the photographer.
8. All in-camera meters try to render the scene as a mid-tone. So if the mid-toned scene is rendered appropriately, what will happen to the light toned scene (white)? And the dark toned scene (black)?
White will look grey and dark toned scenes will appear lighter.
9. What type of metering do built-in camera meters use?
Canon DSLR cameras use
Evaluative – the camera divides the scene into zones and averages them
Centre weighted average – measures the whole scene but gives more importance to the centre
Partial – measures a small area near the centre of the scene (8% on the 5D)
Spot – weighted at the centre (3.5% on the 5D)
Source: Canon EOS 5D Instruction Manual
10. If you are using ISO200 how more light sensitive will your exposure be if you change this to ISO400? (HINT: This is equivalent to 1 stop)
Twice as sensitive
Questions to research and answer before next week’s Location Class on 5/6 March
1. What are the two ways exposure is controlled? And what are some other factors that play a role in exposure?
Exposure is controlled by the aperture of the lens (f-stop) and the shutter speed. These can be used in various combinations to get the desired effect. A large aperture will have a narrow depth of field as opposed to a larger depth of field with a small aperture. Shutter speed can be used to freeze action or create motion blur.
Exposure can also be controlled by the ISO of the film/sensor (sensitivity) and the intensity of the light
2. You have an ISO of 400, a shutter speed of 1/125th second and an f-stop of F5.6.
a) I ask you to open up the aperture to let more light in by 2 stops. What would you change your reading to? F2.8
b) Now, back at your original setting, close down three stops. What is your setting now? F16
3. What are three ways you can measure exposure?
In camera meter
Handheld meter
Histogram
4. If in a given situation ‘correct’ exposure is achieved by using 125 @ f8 at ISO 100, indicate the new shutter speeds required to provide ‘correct’ exposure for the other ISO settings below.
Film Shutter speed Lens aperture
ISO400 f8 1/500
ISO200 f8 1/250
ISO100 125 f8
ISO50 f8 1/60
ISO25 f8 1/30
5. If in a given situation ‘correct’ exposure is achieved by using 125 @ f8 at ISO 100, indicate the new f-number required to provide ‘correct’ exposure for the other ISO settings below.
Film Shutter speed Lens aperture
ISO400 125 f16
ISO200 125 f11
ISO100 125 f8
ISO50 125 f5.6
ISO25 125 f4
6. When you use a high ISO you get image degradation. With film this is called increasing the size of the grain. With digital we don’t refer to grain, we refer to ‘noise’ or ‘signal to noise ratio’
7. On your camera, what is the difference between AUTO mode and MANUAL mode?
In Auto mode the camera will select the shutter speed and aperture (and maybe the ISO). In Manual mode each setting is made by the photographer.
8. All in-camera meters try to render the scene as a mid-tone. So if the mid-toned scene is rendered appropriately, what will happen to the light toned scene (white)? And the dark toned scene (black)?
White will look grey and dark toned scenes will appear lighter.
9. What type of metering do built-in camera meters use?
Canon DSLR cameras use
Evaluative – the camera divides the scene into zones and averages them
Centre weighted average – measures the whole scene but gives more importance to the centre
Partial – measures a small area near the centre of the scene (8% on the 5D)
Spot – weighted at the centre (3.5% on the 5D)
Source: Canon EOS 5D Instruction Manual
10. If you are using ISO200 how more light sensitive will your exposure be if you change this to ISO400? (HINT: This is equivalent to 1 stop)
Twice as sensitive
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