In part one of The Art of Photography, the aim is for me to demonstrate some basics in terms of framing shots, aperture, full frame and horizontal framing and some other aspects such a movement, balance, the difference the change in focal length makes and composition sequences.
Aperture f5.4
The purpose of the series of shots that follow the above, is to demonstrate the changes that are affected by focusing on one point but changing the aperture of the lens. In the above photo, I have decided to concentrate on a series of pillars that form the boundary to a Cricket Field in Shrewsbury. It was a nice day, but a storm was soon to be approaching, so I didn't have a great amount of time to take most of the shots. I decided to run a series of photographs, with the pillars running to the left and top right and then another set, running from right and going to the top left. The Aperture on above was set at f5.4.
This time with the aperture set at a higher number, we begin to notice a change in the focus of the image, it's starting to shift away from us and objects that were further and blurred previously are now beginning to come into focus, despite the fact that we haven't change the focus of the camera.
Aperture f11.0
The Aperture is increasingly adding more clarity to images that are nearer to us. We can see the grain in the posts, namely the first four posts that much more now and in some ways, as we start to lose the blur created by a small aperture setting, a low 'f stop' we notice that the image has in some way become less dramatic. There is now no real sense of depth as there was previously.
Aperture f18.0
As we approach the max Aperture of the lens, we note that there isn't a huge amount of difference, marginally perhaps, between what we see in f11.0 and now using f18.0. Perhaps the image of where the f18.0 stop is bringing clarity, is just inside of the other post which you could say is a bit clearer.
Aperture f22.0
Here we are using the max aperture setting available of f22.0 and we can see that the image is mostly in focus. Even though that the focus of the lens is only adjusted to make the first pillar/post in focus, we can now see and understand clearly how bringing aperture into the mix, draws other objects into focus too. In many respects now, the image for me personally has lost all sense of depth and all we are seeing is a collection of posts.
As previously stated I have taken a similar number of photos in these aperture shots, but adjusting the side of which I took the shots. We can not from the above and the following number of photos that we currently have a feeling of depth in them, but as we increase the aperture, this increases the focus and pushes out that focus further into the photograph, by doing that, it for me, removes the sense of depth we get.
Objects in Different Positions:
The basic principle of the following images with the life bouy, is for the first photo to be a reference, a marker for what the key point of the photo is, the focus. The first image, shows it on it's own, battered, dirty and no sense of setting. The following photographs then place that very same item in its setting. I chose this because of the contrast in colours at that it would be easy to make out in the series of photographs. We are not hunting around to figure out what we are looking for in a kind of 'Where's Wally' type photo.
Position The Horizon
Whilst I was at the Cricket Ground, I used the expanse and the trees to take some photos that used a change in horizon and horizontal and vertical frames to see what changes that would result in the photo. Ideally, I will actually use the same techniques or requests in the unit, to take some of a sunset, which I feel would better demonstrate the affect and mood.
Balance
The two photographs below are there to give a sense of balance and framing too. The trees are acting as a form of equal size and shape and to then act as a balance for the photo. Combining with their colour and the white building, we see a contrast. The contrast too is taken further with there being natural images of the trees going in all directions, organic and growing and then the fixed, white, dead nature of the building, almost sterile sitting there in the frame.
Balance.
The following set of photos, we are using balance in the stucture of the photo. The balance is the repeating nature of similar trees. It leads the eye to the centre of the photo and gives the photo depth as they eye is drawn in.
Focal Length
In the following series of photographs, I used a telephoto lense at its lowest focal length of 45, all the way leading up in steps to 200.
Once more for Focal Length.
Here we have a lovely tudor farm building. First we see it in it's surroundings as the focal length is increased, we zoom in and begin to see more detal.
Composition Sequence
I used a simple tree standing in the Cricket Field to act as my squence shot. The aim of it was to be the main focus in all the photos. I wanted to have the viewer look at the tree as a whole, then when and as we draw closer, the more details about the tree come to life, as we get up close and personal and can see the bark and the colours within it.
Contrasts
Contrasts can be anything from soft / hard, to lines and cuves and extremes in shape and form. In some of the photos below, I've actually tried to provide the contrast in the same photo, rather than pairing them up, which I need to do for my first assignment.
The end of the World!
I took this on top of Grinshill [hill] in Shropshire, UK. I wanted to try something different with probably what most people take photos of - namely the incredible view which you can see plenty of other photos here. However, this time I focused on the rock giving the impression that it's hurtling towards the Earth. Overly contrasted B&W adds to the doom and gloom of it.
The top is sadly covered in chiselled out initials and names, some going back many, many years, others newer, some wearing away with the rain.
Additional Photos:
Obviously when I am out taking photographs for the units that I am working on and I am trying to show my understanding of concepts and techniques being asked of me, I also as I am looking for subjects and things to take photos of, tend to find nice photos, or nice things to take photos of, that may not have anything imparticular to do with the unit. The following photos were taken on the same outing when I took the above photos.
Panorama
This rather beautiful photo was actually taken with an iPhone 5. Incredible really, as it's not bad and I haven't played with the colour of the sky, it really was that colour.
