1.3 Landscape/Chosen Area of Photography

I have been looking at the photography of Fay Godwin and Charlie Waite and decided after discussion with Steve my tutor, that landscape is the area of photography I would like to concentrate on because I would like to reproduce the dramatic effect they achieve in their photographs and experiment using filters.

I will use my Panasonic Lumix G1 camera with tripod and 14-45mm and 45-200mm lens.

I have taken some exploratory pictures on a trip out to Calke Abbey and Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire.

It was a very cold and grey winter day, with occasional bursts of sunshine. I found this awkward since I had to constantly adjust shutter speed to compensate for changing light. I tried to get some interesting cloud formations and interest in the distance but since there wasn't much colour in the scene they all look a little grey. Perhaps if I changed them to black and white they would appear more dramatic.

To see the images click here

1.6 camera techniques

I took these photos to illustrate depth of field and how objects fall in and out of focus using different f stops. The first is at f16 and all the picture is in focus, the second is at f3.5 and the items in the background are out of focus.

1.4 Practicing Techniques

I decided to take some photos of moving water in order to illustrate the effect of different shutter speeds. I used my panasonic Lumix G1 camera with a 45-200mm lens and a tripod.

There was a fishing/observation platform a short distance from the waterfall so I set my tripod up on this in order to provide a firm base for my equipment and me, bearing in mind my own health and safety, whilst I was adjusting settings etc., I did not want any danger of slipping into the water or tripping over riverbank debris or spare equipment so made sure my bag was in a safe place. The longer lens also enable me to set up at a safe distance.

The first photo at the top used 1/5 of a second and has the effect of blurring the water making it appear white. I have gradually reduced shutter speed with the last one at 1/250, slowing down the water until it appears almost static.

1.2 photographic research /FAY GODWIN

I have today been researching work by Fay Godwin. I am particularly drawn to her black and white British Landscape images which can be viewed on http://faygodwin.com/. Born in Germany with no formal photographic training her pictures in the "Land" series are particularly magical.

Wide open landscapes with atmospheric skies, very serene.

Although in black and white the range of colour and texture is apparent with a pleasing arrangement of proportion of land to sky, using the rule of thirds.  The stubble field above has very strong pattern in the lines, creating depth leading you into the horizon, with the tree on the skyline adding perspective.

It is the pattern of the scoops in the grassy landscape above that are interesting, the small building leads you into the centre and then you explore the whole image travelling round from the white areas up to the sky.

Pattern and texture in the stone wall is interesting here, with the snow lined hills in the distance forming a bowl in the landscape.

The grassy mound in the pool is interesting and forms an intriguing pattern together with clumpy grass in the forground and a dark pattern of spots leading away to the hills in the distance adds a feeling of depth and perspective.

This is a stricking monolith in an otherwise almost flat landscape, it could almost be someone cast into stone.
The surrounding landscape and rock face has some interesting textures.

When I go out with my camera I shall be looking for interesting shapes, patterns and textures to add depth and interest to my photographs. I have a DSLR with a 14-45mm and 45-200mm lens which should enable me to take some comparable photos.

1.6 Experimenting with Shutter Speed, F-Stops, Depth of Field and Focal Lengths

Following my previous experiment with different f-stops, shutter speeds and iso I have decided to go out into the field with my camera and take a series of photos to illustrate different focal lengths.

I will be using a Panasonic Lumix G1 camera with a 14-45mm lens, a 45-200mm lens, and a tripod.

I will carry out a health and safety check before starting, for example, carrying the equipment safely over rough terrain, ensuring safety of myself and others whilst on the shoot and setting up equipment. Am I wearing appropriate clothing and shoes, cold/wet weather gear, walking boots, safety shoes. Can I contact someone if I get into difficulty, do I have a mobile phone and will it work where I intend to go. Have I informed others of my destination and what time I expect to return.

I have taken some images click here to view, I used different f-stops in an attempt to illustrate focal lengths, the tree on the left falls out of focus when a higher f-stop is selected and the middle distance is slightly out of focus when a shorter f-stop is used.

I then moved indoors to take some images using different shutter speeds again using a tripod. With the vase I used f3.5but then changed the shutter speed from 160 in increments up to 4sec. I also set the white balance to tungsten to compensate for the indoor lighting. The results show a darker image at fast speeds gradually lightening as the speed slows letting more light into the lens.

Elements of Picture Design 1.6

This week in class we looked at elements of picture design such as Colour, Shape, Texture, Pattern, Framing and the rule of thirds.

Bold primary colours tend to dominate and draw the eye so consideration needs to be given to where in the composition they are sited and if they distract from the main elements.

Here the two red ships draw attention making you look from one side to the other.

Shape is the most fundamental of the compositional elements and the simplest outline if often enough to enable the viewer to recognize an object.

This shot was taken on a very bright carribean beach and flare has thrown the view into sillouete.

Texture and pattern add interest and novelty since many patterns occur in everyday life which we may not readily recognise.

Pattern is formed by the anchor ropes and gangplank and also add depth and perspective.

Here pattern is evident in the side of the ship with people adding scale.

Framing can have a great impact on the finished picture by eliminating unnecessary detail and emphasising the main elements.

The rule of thirds refers to where in the finished picture the dominant components are placed.  Sky occupies two thirds of the shot with interest on the horizon in the form of clouds and receeding ship.