Final 5 Pictures for the Project - Theme Based and Rationalet (week 16)

25.7.14, Week 16
Tia Nellisa Binti Noor Badrol Akram (0320027)
Introduction to Photography
Final 5 Pictures for the Project and Rationale

Final 5 pictures for the project. Theme: Nature (Trees)

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/125, ISO: 200

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/800, ISO: 400

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/320, ISO: 800

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/1600, ISO: 400

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/640, ISO: 200

A Vision of Beauty

About The Photographer:

Tia Nellisa Binti Noor Badrol Akram (born November 1996, Malaysia) a student who’s studying Foundation in Design at Taylor's University Lakeside Campus. I was interested in photography since I was little because I love capturing those beautiful moments as a token of the memories itself. There are times that I think that photos speak louder than words. Even though I love photography, I always used the auto scene for shooting and joining this class really helps me a lot. To be able learning even deeper knowledge about the photography, I’m really glad I took this class. 

About The Photographs:

The theme I choose for this project is trees. The reason why I choose this theme is because it’ll show others how beautiful nature really is. Since most of the people around us always focus on the beauty of flowers, I want something different. “Why don’t I use trees instead?” I told myself. This particular theme was not as easy as I thought it would be. I was trouble at first but Mr. Vinod told me to never give up and keep going forward. It makes me realize that he was right and took up his advice. 

The first photo was a bit tricky as I would a need specific time to get this shoot. I need to find a suitable angle to make the outline of the leaf seem as if it’s glowing. I also need to know the background at the same time because having a noisy background wouldn’t bring out the best of this photo; however it depends on what kind of environment as well. To be able to catch the sunlight shines makes the photo even more interesting and it bring out the beauty of photography itself. 

The second photo was the hardest because I need to tilt the camera about 95 degree. Since the tree was quite short, making it even harder as I can’t see through my viewfinder. It was not easy to get the same shoot over and over again with this method as I require a tripod to do so. I also had to move around the tree to find a nice angle with the branches. I also use the element of perspective into this photo.

The third photo was what we usually see when looking up the sky while surrounding with trees. For this particular photo, I had to set my ISO level higher than usual to get the effect of a high contrast between the sky and the tree branches. It might look quite messy from other point of view but I like this photo because it’s very abstract-looking.

The forth photo has the same method as the third photo, looking up towards the sky. This particular tree has less leaves than other trees, I’m not quite sure whether if it’s dying or just in its normal state, but I love how it turn out in the end. 

Last but not least, the fifth photo was more about the texture of the tree since its leaves were different from rest of my series. I also like how the natural lights shine on the surface of the leaves making the texture even more stand out. 

As a conclusion, I think this theme was quite challenging for me as I was more of an indoor person and I hardly went out adventuring. I wanted to try something different and that’s one of the reasons why I choose this theme in the first place. In the end, I had so much fun being adventures and it was a great experience for me.

(Screen Shots)Hardcopy of Exercise:

Reflection:

Experience:

At first, I wanted more time for this project but Mr. Vinod said that it’ll disorganize with other deadlines of our finals assignment. So, I tried my hardest to take a few more shots and add some into my final 5 chosen photo for this project assignment. In the end, I was quite glad with the outcome but sometimes I wondered if I had more time, it would be even better, is what I thought. Writing the rationale was quite confusing at first because I have no clue how to do it. After some research and reading the example, I managed to do it. I wasn’t quite sure about my title of my final 5 series to be. I wanted to put something with a ‘Nature’ word but in the end, I choose a title that can relates with the purpose of my theme instead. I wanted others to see how beautiful the trees are, like how I see with my own eyes. To be able to capture that and share with others makes me happy.

Observation:

I notice that this project makes my photography skills better than before, and not just me, but also my other course mates as well. Seeing others photos makes me want to try my hardest as well. It gave me motivation and advice from Mr. Vinod helps a lot. The rationale wasn’t an easy task, but to be able to finish it make me realize that, how did I manage to do that. The first try, I kind of wrote too many words and I have to edit it. It made me realize that, keeping it short and simple is important.

Findings:

Picking 5 photos for the final series and writing the rationale was a new experience to me. I would have never thought that we would need to write a rationale like that. I just hope that it can be accepted. On the submission day, we would need to hand in our hardcopy and I hope I won’t miss anything. Double checking is also important. 

Progression on Project - Theme Based (week 15)

18.7.14, Week 15
Tia Nellisa Binti Noor Badrol Akram (0320027)
Introduction to Photography
Studio Lighting (Soft Box and Beauty Plate) and Progression on Project - Theme Based

Lecture:

In today class, Mr. Vinod taught us how to the studio flash lights.
Before we start, he carries a black box, and told us that this is used as the power source of the flash lights. He shows us how to plug it in and what each of the buttons is for. He also did mention about a device to plug it in into the camera as the connecter with the flash lights. Not every camera has the socket for it, however, there’s this little device Mr. Vinod show us that can be used as the connector of the flash lights. After explaining, Mr. Vinod becomes the model for our exercise for a while. After that, we started shooting others of our classmates. Mr. Vinod even helps us with our group shoot photo together before we clean up the studio. Then, we all gather in the center and show him our test print photo. He also gave us some feedbacks along the way. After all the issue with Photoshop, burning the cd and hardcopy was done, class was dismissed.

Ungraded Exercise: Studio Lighting (Soft Box and Beauty Plate)
Mr. Vinod and some of the volunteers

Aperture: 16, Shutter Speed: 1/25, ISO: 3200

That's a wrap!

Final 5 pictures for the project. Theme: Nature (Trees)

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/125, ISO: 200

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/800, ISO: 400

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/320, ISO: 800

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/1600, ISO: 400

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/640, ISO: 200

(Screen Shots)Hardcopy of Exercise:

Reflection:
Experience:
Early in the morning, Mr. Vinod asks everyone ‘Why everyone looked dead?’ I’m not even sure but I think it’s because of a lot of assignment we needed to get it done with for finals. Since our studio lighting was done last week, most of us thought that we’re not going use our camera for today, but then Mr. Vinod said that we going to learn how to use the flash light. We were quite worried that Mr. Vinod would get angry with us, so we ask for those who haven’t arrived yet to bring the camera. It was a miracle that Imani, my course mates, actually bought her camera and with that we are ready to start with this exercise. During experimenting with the flash lights, I manage to learn how to plug in another cable into the black box and as I volunteer it myself. At first I was confused but it’s actually not really that hard. Mr. Vinod volunteered himself to become the model of the day so that everyone will understand how it was done. Later on, we have about 3 flash lights, 2 at the sides and one at the center, just behind the photographer. Some of us become the models for a while and change photographer. After that, we all took a group photo, thanks to Mr. Vinod, even thought we wanted him to join the shoot as well.
As for the test printing for the final design, most of us went to the printing shop together and got our prints yesterday. There were a lot of problem we face that day and I begin to become irritated but in the end everything settles right. We show our test print to Mr. Vinod today and he approved it. He even gave us feedbacks of our photo for this week.
With regards of the project assignment, I try to take a few new shots for one last time. I wanted to take even and explore more after fasting, but the submission is next week (week 16). I just had to try my best and I took quite a longer time to actually pick out my final 5 photos.

Observation:
From what I observed, I realize that flash lights can also use like normal studio lighting as well. It was quite amazing at the same time as different lighting can be used as the same thing. When we did a rim light effect at Mr. Vinod, I was quite amaze by the outcome. Then, I found out there’s a tool for estimating the amount of lights used by each of the flash lights, so that it’ll help us to actually balanced the lights since not every light source have an equal amount. Since there was a lot of wires used for the flash lights, we need to be extra careful not the tripped it over.
As for the test print we did, I realize that we need to understand how it was done and make sure to double check the photos again. I don’t want to repeat the same thing again later onwards in the future. It’s great that this is only for test print.
Regarding the final photos of my project assignment, there’s another thing we need to do rather than taking photos, we need to explain why we choose this theme and so on; a rationale. It’s similar with other classes that we need to speak up about our work.

Findings:
On yesterday trip to the printing shop with my course mates and today’s class, I learn that we need to be prepared on everything. For the printing shop, we need to be careful with our photos, the boarder frame, size and quality. As for the today, we need at least someone to take turn on bring a camera for the whole class or asked Mr. Vinod beforehand. It seems like everyone become a bit stressful as finals are approaching near and we have a lot of assignment needed to be done. Even some of us came to the studio on weekends to do the assignment. It’s tough but we would need to learn how to manage our time more carefully.

Progression on Project - Theme Based (week 14)

11.7.14, Week 14
Tia Nellisa Binti Noor Badrol Akram (0320027)
Introduction to Photography
Progression on Project - Theme Based

Lecture:
In today class, we all went straight to the studio and continue with our photo shoot based on what we learn on studio lighting on previous week. When waiting for the others to get ready for the shoot, Mr. Vinod gave comments about the feedbacks; he gave us a day before, for those who were present in the studio at that moment. After that, he asked everyone to gather around for a while as he gave us some briefing about printing our final project soon. He told us that we will need to do a test print first before printing the final 5. We were told to do a frame border in case if during printing, it’ll crop out our picture instead. Around 12:30pm, we were able to finished the photo shoot and the class was dismissed after we clean up the studio.


5 pictures for the project. Theme: Nature (Trees)

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/4000, ISO: 400

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/80, ISO: 400

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/4000, ISO: 400

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/800, ISO: 400

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/800, ISO: 400

Extra:

These photo I was quite uncertain whether it fit my theme or not.  

 This is what I to do sometimes, reading books outdoors.

 This is actually the roots of the tree, it start growing out from the ground and follow the pattern of the road.

 I'm not quite sure about this photo fit my theme or not. It's actually some of the dead leaves I collect from the ground 

(Screen Shots)Hardcopy of Exercise:

Feedback :
Specific feedback:
Mr. Vinod said I would need to study even more deep on this theme and by then; I will be able to understand some tips and concept of it. He told me to don’t gave up and try a little more before the submission by next week. He said that editing is also part of this assignment project, thus, I would need to edit some of the photo I’ve took. 

Reflection:
Experience:
During the photo shoot, I helped my friend, who was the model of this week. It was quite fun but at the same time we were quite serious, since we wanted to get it done quickly. I even did help my friend with their makeup a bit. In the end of the day, we manage to finish everything and clean the studio.
As usual, I woke up early in the morning to do this project. It was tough since I slept pretty late the day before but that doesn’t stop me from doing this project assignment. It was a bit cloudy as usual in the morning and since its weekends; there are a lot of people. I wander around for hours and I have to be patience when people are passing by. I even saw a stork that day, strangely it was alone.

I wasn’t able to go near it since I’m scare I will fell down the hill instead. I even some pigeon, a lot of them. I only able to get this perfect shot as they are flying here and there. I should have brought some food for them that day.

In the end of the day I was exhausted, so I went home. I had fun. 

Observation:

From today class, I notice than besides being the photographer, the other person who assigned for the makeup, hair or maybe helping the photographer out was quite an interesting task and I had fun. Every one of my course mates are amazing in their own way, helping each other throughout the very end. 

As for my assignment project, I notice different type of trees I usually didn’t see often, or maybe I didn’t even realize it. Since I’m not great knowing in type of trees we had in our country, I was quite amazed by it. 

I kind of like this tree's texture.

Since I hardly pay any attention on nature itself, I was quite happy when I discover something new. Mother nature is really beautiful. 

Findings:

Again, I have to admit, teamwork is important. We have to work together when we wanted to achieve something. No matter how hard it is, we can’t give up. Everyone work hard on this photo shoot and it was fun. I’ve learned a lot from it, I know that it will be useful for me in the future.
From today’s class, I was able to find new different ways to show my theme, even though there’s still a lot of thing I need to learn. I hope I will be able to achieve that someday. I’m going to try my best and work even harder than before.

Lighting and Progression on Project - Theme Based (Week 13)

3.7.14, Week 13
Tia Nellisa Binti Noor Badrol Akram (0320027)
Introduction to Photography
Ungraded Exercise: Lighting and Progression on Project - Theme Based

Lecture:
Today’s class, I came in 10 minute late and they were doing the usual group discussion about ‘Lighting’. After that, as usual Mr. Vinod gave us a little briefing about lighting used in the studio. In photography, there’s a different between lighting and light. For light, there’s Main Light, Fill Light, Rim Light, Background Light and Hair Light meanwhile for lighting, there’s Split Lighting, Loop Lighting, Rembrandt Lighting, Butterfly Lighting, Broad Lighting and Short Lighting. After most of us understand how the light and lighting works, Mr. Vinod took us to the studio to start on doing the photo shoot. Few weeks ago, he already told us to find 1940s to 1950s portrait photography and we would have to recreate it. Each and every one of us takes turn in our roles, whether helping with the lights, make-up, hairdo, being the photographer or other things, we worked together. After it is done, Mr. Vinod gave some feedbacks for those who he haven’t got theirs about the project. The class was dismissed.  

Presentation: Studio Photography Portraits [Ungraded Exercise]

Instructions:
1.Choose a 1940s - 1950s photo that you like
2.Post it on Facebook
3.Pose similarly like the subject in the photo during photo shoot session

The photo that I would have to recreate 

My photo

Photographer : Nguyen Minh Nghi (Jannie)

Prove:

The photo that I photographed and recreated :

Model: Nguyen Minh Nghi (Jannie)

5 pictures for the project. Theme: Nature (Trees)

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/1600, ISO: 400

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/250, ISO: 400

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/320, ISO: 800

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/1250, ISO: 400

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter Speed: 1/500, ISO: 400

 Extra:

(Screen Shots)Hardcopy of Exercise:

Feedback :

Specific feedback:

Mr. Vinod said that the first 4 pictures, the consistent in that subject matter or the point of interest was clear. He said the series looks decent when it viewed together, from 1-4. He told me to keep shooting and I will need to study it some more to achieve more depth in the results. 

Reflection:
Experience:
During the photo shoot, I was one of the models for this week.  Seeing the others did before me, it makes me a bit nervous. When it was finally my turn, I try to stay calm as possible during the shoot. Surprisingly, I just need to stay still while the others re-arranging the lights, background and such. It was not easy to actually stay still but I somehow manage it. I also did try to become the photographer and I think it’s not that bad. Being a photographer, we need to just need to see the model itself from the viewfinder while the others will fix the lighting, background and such. All I need to do it stay focus and order everything so that it’ll end well. Being a photographer is almost like a leader.
Regarding with my project assignment, after I researched (again) some of others photography based on the theme I choose, I begin to think of new ideas and ways when taking a photo. It was a bit cloudy on that day, due to haze and all. However, I managed to do my work despite that there were a lot of people  on that day.

Observation:
During the photo shoot, I realize that everyone have to work as a team to actually get things done, doing by yourself might takes a longer time to finished it. Being the photographer would be the hardest among the others because it acts as a leader, even though I think it doesn’t. We just need to be confident with ourselves when the others are relying on us during the shoot. I notice that my classmates who were the models for this week did a great job, same goes to the others.
Regarding with my project assignment, even though the weather is a bit cloudy due to haze, it doesn’t stop me from doing my project. There were a lot of people that day since I went during the weekends, but it doesn’t stop me from doing my project as well. I also notice that when I try something I don’t usually do, it makes a whole lot different when comparing with my previous ones.

Findings:
During the photo shoot, teamwork is important. It’s part of our daily life, nothing can be done by only one person. I think everyone knows that already. Being the models is not an easy task, same goes to the photographer, but together they’ll produce a beautiful photo, of course it’s thanks to the people who helped with the lights, hair, makeup and more.
Regarding with my project assignment, I’m not confident with the photo I took this week since I try something I rarely do. It may be a bit challenging at first since I’m not used to it yet and I’ll try my best in the future. I also need to do more research to get more ideas and motivation as well.