Control the strength of a colour

Part 3 Colour
Project: What makes a colour
Exercise 1
Aim: Show how changing exposure affects colour.
       
This project focuses on colour, and how we can control it with manual camera's. For this exercise, the subject I have chosen is part of the bright red post box in my village. The camera's automatic setting's were 1/200, f7.1 and ISO100. I took 3 pictures each a stop brighter than the average (f8, f9, f10) and 3 pictures a stop lower (f6.3, f5.6, f5). The shutter speed and ISO remained the same throughout the exercise.

1.

1/200  f10

2.

1/200  f9 

3.

1/200  f8 (closest to subject in real life)

4.

1/200  f7.1  (metered exposure)

5.

1/200  f6.3

6.

1/200  f5.6

7.

1/200  f5

The most prominent change between the photo's is the brightness. Image 1 is slightly under exposed, making the colour darker and deeper. The red is noticeably more vivid than the other pictures. As the pictures become more over-exposed they have started to lose detail and contrast. The brightness value has gone up and they are slightly less saturated than the darker ones. The hue has changed slightly to a more pinkish colour than red and would have moved to the orange part of the spectrum had I continued to take higher metered pictures.

In Photoshop  I took an example of the main colour from the same place in both the first and last pictures. Below, you can clearly see the difference in brightness, saturation and hue. #1 is taken from the first photo (f10) and #2 is from the last (f5):

1.  H= 2
     S= 83%
     B= 78%

2.  H= 6
     S= 67%
     B=  99%

This has been a very interesting exercise that has helped me understand the relationships and differences between HSB and how they can be affected. I found this article very helpful as is explains clearly and in detail how colour works in photography: http://www.framedreality.com/color-in-photography-color-theory

Assignment Two: Elements of Design

Assignment 2- Elements of Design

The aim for this assignment was to use what I've learned throughout the past exercises to produce a set of 10-15 photographs of a particular subject showing:

Single point dominating the composition
Two points
Several points in a deliberate shape
Combination of vertical and horizontal lines
Diagonals
Curves
Distinct, even if irregular shapes
At least two kinds of implied triangle
Rhythm
Pattern

I did struggle to settle on the subject at first. I decided on "flowers", then changed to "food". It took planning most of the images to realize that that subject really wasn't going to work for me in this assignment. So I finally chose my own subject, the seaside town of Skegness.  I think it gave me the freedom to get images that were still related to the subject, but more varied than in the other themes I chose before.  I also chose to convert all my images to black and white as in previous exercises to help concentrate more on the elements of design rather than getting distracted by the colour, and in some ways, by the subject. Although I think both the subject and elements of design are equally important and should both be used to compliment the other rather than choosing to focus on just one.

1. Single Point domination the composition 

Keeping my subject in mind, I headed to the sea first to find this post ideal for the single point. I chose to position the wind turbines in the background to keep some other interest besides the main subject without it getting too distracting and risk bringing more points into the picture. 

2. Two Points

I found two points one of the easier effects to find, leaving me with several pictures to choose for this one. I decided on this view of St Matthew's church. I aligned both points so they also make an implied diagonal line through the frame.

3. Several points in a deliberate shape

For some reason, i found this picture the most challenging to find, and I think that's reflected  in the outcome. It's a simple diamond pattern on the side of a house, created in both the shape of the points and the way they're positioned.

4. A combination of horizontal and vertical lines

This was intended for either horizontal and vertical lines or an implied triangle (by perspective), though I thought it better suited the former because of the bold and repetitive lines that make up the pattern on the building. I think it's slightly imbalanced with more verticals than horizontals (probably emphasised by using a portrait frame), but in my opinion, it still works for the assignment criteria.

5. Diagonals

I got this shot from underneath the pier of the metal supports that hold it up. I took several different angles of this, but I like the depth in this one by the lines converging though the frame towards the edge, creating diagonals from both the top and bottom supports and the ones in between. 

6. Curves

The Ferris wheel at the fairground provided a nice curved shape from both it's outline and the multiple "cars" it holds.

7. Distinct, even if irregular shapes

This photo was planned for "curves" but I though it was also suited for "distinct shapes". You can clearly see the flower in the centre, and the circular patterns around it.

8. Implied triangles

Implied triangles formed by both the two bottom points and the top of the lamp (apex at top) and by the shape of the actual lamp (inverted triangle). 

I also tried to create implied triangles using the people on the beach; an exercise which  I found interesting but I don't think it quite works due to the amount of other distractions in the picture that could be interpreted as points themselves. 

9. Rhythm

I like this one for rhythm, but i should have made sure all the posts were properly in focus as only the lamps further away are. To improve this, I would use a narrower aperture to ensure more of the picture is focused. 

10. Pattern

I had a few ideas for pattern while planning the assignment, but went for this picture of the side of St Matthew's rather than the pattern of the pavement or the more regularly shaped bricks of a modern building. I also chose to include the ivy as it adds interest and variation while not becoming too distracting or breaking up the pattern completely. As with previous exercises with pattern, it fills the entire frame, giving the viewer  little or no indication of scale.

In conclusion, I found the assignment very interesting and enjoyed looking for all the effects connected to one particular subject or theme as opposed to taking completely unrelated photo's. I found some of the pictures much more challenging than others. The several points in a deliberate shape and distinct,if irregular shapes I found the hardest, though they are the ones that in theory I think give the most freedom. It was also interesting to find that quite a few of the pictures overlapped in more than one category. For example, the picture I took intended for "curves" I felt better represented "distinct shapes" and "horizontal + Vertical" would have also qualified as an implied triangle. The past module has really helped introduce me to the Elements of design and how to use them effectively, as well as getting comfortable with subjects I wouldn't otherwise have chosen to photograph.

Rhythm and Pattern

Part 2 Elements of Design
Project: Rhythm and Pattern
Exercise 1
Aim: Take at least 2 pictures, one showing rhythm and one with pattern.

It took some time for me to acctually distinguish between pattern and rhythm as they are so similar. They both include repetition but where rhythm is often dyanmic and flowing so the eye follows an "optical beat" through the picture, pattern is more static and less flowing. I think the lines between rhythm and pattern are not set and mostly depend of the subject and/or picture at the time.

1.

These tiles provide a good example of pattern. They fill the frame so it is easy to imagine them continuing beyond what we can see. The slight variation with each of the tiles adds interest but does not disrupt the overall pattern.
2.

 Material showing pattern, an obvious choice but I've still included it.

3.

Rhythm was much harder to find. The line of trees provides rhythm as each trunk stands out well from the background. The leaves between the trees help to break it up slightly so it does not become too much of an exact repetition and more of a pattern.

I found this exercise enjoyable is it was a challenge to find suitable pictures, especially for rhythm. This helped me become more familiar with pattern and rhythm and by the end of the exercise, helped me to distinguish between the two.

Real and implied triangles

Part 2 Elements of Design
Project: Shapes
Exercise 1
Aim: Take 6 pictures showing both real and implied triangles.
         Create triangles in different ways for example by using perspective.

1. Triangular subject- real

2. Triangle by perspective- real

I used a wide angle lens and positioned close to the window to create a triangle by perspective that converged towards the top of the frame. Similarly, if I stood above the window looking down, the triangle would converge at the bottom of the frame.

3. Triangle by perspective- real

It was, as the course materials suggested, slightly harder to find a triangle that converged towards the bottom of the frame. By taking the picture from above this table, the corner created the apex of an inverted triangle.

4. Still life with apex at top- implied

I decided to use safety pins for the still life shots. The open pin forms the apex which is a the top of the frame.

5. Still life with apex at bottom- implied

Again, I used safety pins, this time with the apex at the bottom of the frame.

6. Triangle from people- implied

The triangle is formed by the faces of the three people. It could be improved by having the two lower people the same height with the person at the top, slightly taller. The same for an inverted triangle with two people positioned behind the shorter one in front to form the apex. Also, the triangle could have been made by changing the perspective or angle.

In conclusion, this exercise showed me the effect triangles have of a picture and how important they can be to the overall composition. They give a sense of stability while still keeping the effect dynamic and interesting. That's not to say they are more important than the subject (or vice versa) but should defiantly be considered when composing a shot. After completing this exercise, I looked back through my pictures and it was surprising to find how many triangles (mostly implied) I had subconsciously included in them.

Using lines in composition

Part 2 Elements of Design
Project: Using lines in composition
Exercise 1: Implied Lines
Aim: Find and sketch the implied lines on the two course images.
           Repeat the first section of the exercise with 3 of my own pictures .
          Take two photo's that use specific types of implied lines: eye lines and extension of lines or points.

1. The first of the images from the course notes shows a strong sense of movement through the use of implied lines. I found it harder to sketch the implied lines on this picture, possibly because both of the main points are close together in the centre unlike in the second picture.

2. In the second image, I found 3 implied lines. There is a clear eye line between the man and the horses. The horses eye line and body position both suggest movement and direction in a clear and effective way. I think the separation between the man and horses creates a more pleasing dynamic and also makes it easier to pick out the implied lines.


For the second part of the exercise, I picked three of my own images to sketch the implied lines like in part 1

1.

This picture is similar to the course images in the way that the implied lines show the movement in the picture.

2.

 The paw-prints in the snow create a straight implied line that leads into the frame.

3.

The trees create a curving  "S" shape through the picture. The line is emphasised by the contrastingly bare landscape on either side.

In part 3 of the exercise, I had to plan two images that showed eye lines and an extension of lines or points.

1.

 This picture of water droplets shows an implied vertical line using a series of points.

2.

The use of eye lines in the picture is shown by the little girl looking at the dog. The position of her arms and the lead as well as the returned eye contact also helps strengthen the implied line.










         

Lines: Curves

Part 2 Elements of Design
Project: Curves
Exercise 3
Aim: To take 4 pictures showing curves to emphasise direction and movement.

1.

This picture of bollards in a car park has a curved pattern that is emphasized by the contrast in colour.

2.

The seeds on this plant show repeated curves from both the shape of the seeds and the curved pattern on them.

3.

These paper clips show multiple curves in a simple yet very clear way.

4.

The curves in this road are emphasized by both the markings and the verges on either side.


In conclusion, I think that curved lines create a very different impression on the photo than straight lines. Where straight lines are rather harsh and sharp, curved lines are much more flowing add more movement to the image. I think it's harder to find curved lines than straight lines, though I found some curves are more subtle, so making them harder to notice.

Lines: Diagonal

Part 2 Elements of Design
Project: Lines
Exercise 2
Aim: Take 4 pictures showing diagonal lines.
          Try to create the diagonal lines in different ways, for example by tilting the camera to show lines at an   angle.

For this exercise, I wanted to include both implied and physically diagonal lines as well as a combination of single and repeated lines in the pictures.
1.

By taking the picture from an acute angle, these hay bales make a diagonal line. Although they are 3 separate points, the eye still sees them as an diagonal line.
2.

This picture was again taken at a slight angle to create the impression of a diagonal line. The track through the field contrasts with the background causing the line  to stand out.
3.

The roof of this building creates a strong diagonal line. The tiles above and vertical lines below it also help to emphasise the diagonal.
4.

The pattern in this fence shows many repeated diagonal lines.

Lines- Horizontal and Vertical

Part 2 Elements of Design
Project: Lines
Exercise 1


Aim: To take 4 pictures with horizontal lines and four of vertical lines.
          Take care not to repeat the same subject for different lines.

Before I started this exercise, I had thought it would be easy to pick out either vertical or horizontal lines in a picture. When I started though it became harder than I imagined to make the distinction between horizontal or vertical. What could be a horizontal line, could just as easily become a vertical line when portrayed at a different angle. For example, I was taking pictures of the road outside my house, intended as a horizontal line, but when I took it from the centre of the road at a high viewpoint, it became vertical. This ambiguity between the angle of the lines, based on how you look at it was both a blessing and a curse. In some ways it made things easier, if I needed a horizontal or vertical line to complete the exercise, I could turn whatever object/scene was being photographed into either, making it easier to get the pictures for both sets. I had wanted to make sure the pictures I used clearly reflected whichever line I had gone for-horizontal or vertical- but as some subjects could be portrayed as either, it became too unclear which I was showing.
1.

2.

I was going to use a road for horizontal but by standing in the middle, the lines were emphasized in a vertical way.

3.

4.

Although there are both horizontal and vertical lines in the picture, the vertical line is much stronger and the thin horizontal lines help to draw the viewers eye to the main point/line.

1.

Probably the most obvious, but the horizon is a very strong horizontal line. The vertical lines in the field below  draws you eye to the horizon and also emphasises the line.

2.

These wooden panels in a fence make nice horizontal lines which are mirrored by the also horizontal grain in the wood.
3.

Horizontal lines in the grill on a car.

4.

Pencils arranged so they form horizontal lines across the frame.

In conclusion, I found this exercise encouraged me to look more for the lines in the picture than the actual subject. Also, I found it interesting that I found vertical lines easier to find than horizontal.