Annotation

Carsten Peter

Taken in Inlands, Greenland in 1995, this colour photohraphy image is of 3 people climbing back up the deepest ice shaft on the planet. This photo may suggest that these people like to go on adventures and discover and see extraordinary things. From the position the image has been taken in it looks like the photographer was also climbing up and has taken this of his friends climbing up to show them all on this adventure as well as to show how deep it was. In a way the lighting of the image goes from darkest at the bottom to bright at the top. The position this has been taken in also shows how far down they was and the perspective shows how big this ice shaft is because the people that are further up than he is are almost impossible to see. I like this image because although it is a simple image, to me it shows a big story in this one image and shows a lot about this photographer and his friends, and also shows a lot about the ice shaft that they had climbed into.

This photograph taken close to vents of an active volcano after a hazardous descent down an almost vertical, fragile 1,476 feet deep crater, also shows adventure as well as danger. I like the way this photo has been captured with the black silhouette of two men at the bottom then all the colour above this of what looks to be the eruption of the volcano which is a different contrast of colours. I also like the moment in which the photographer has caught the volcano erupting and how it looks. It is a very dark and dangerous photograph but at the same time there is also brightness and colour. The image displays that these two men, or maybe women, have dangerously been down a deep crater and are now coming up out of it and have seen this volcano erupting.

The top image which is of the effect of a volcano which melted through the 1,968 feet deep ice cover which is Europe's biggest glacier because the heat of the volcano was intense. This image is a colour photography image but is a very dark image. I like this photograph because it looks dark and mysterious and the way he has caught this image from so far above it is possible to see the cold which shows that this was very high. The lighting in this image is a mixture of high and low lighting, the bottom is darker whereas the top is a little brighter where is it more cold. The blue and white colour portray the image that this is a very cold photograph. I would think that to take this picture a fast shutter speed would of been used because everything in the image has been caught still, nothing is being showed moving and there is not much light in this image. I think that for this image the photographers intentions like the two previous is adventure and to also show the effects what this volcano had on parts of the earth above this.

The bottom image has been exposed for three minutes on a moonlit night of a volcano which has lava half the heat of other volcanoes. This coloured photograph has a mixture of dark and light colours which gives this image a range of different lights. I do not like this image as when I look at it I don't know what to think or where to look, I think that there is no excitement in this image apart from the bright orange bits of lava, but apart from the lava I don't find anything about this picture interesting or anything that I like. By looking at this I cannot see the photographers intentions for this photograph or what the message is,

Shutter speed activity

Experiment 2: Abstract motion blur
For this experiment we was asked to set our cameras to shutter priority and shutter speed to 1 second.

For the first task of this experiment we was asked to zoom the lens whilst pressing the shutter, this gave the effect of the image from different distances. I tried this twice and I think that the first one was unsuccessful and I do not like this image because it doesn't show much and is too much of a blur. I like this second image because although it is blurred, it isn't too blurred and it gives a good effect which I feel makes this image successful.

For the second task of this experiment we was asked to take a portrait of someone whilst rotating the camera using the same settings as we did for the first task. Although this is very blurred I feel that it was successful and I like this image. Because I had a longer shutter speed of 1 second and moved the camera for the whole length of taking this photograph it gives it a blurred ghost like effect, and I feel that the lights in the background also give a good effect to the photo, I did not intend to include these lights in the image but with them blurring into the person and only being able to see the bottom half of him I think it gives this photo a different style.

For the third task of this experiment we was asked to take a portrait of someone whilst shaking the camera. I tried twice and have taken two images for this task. I feel the first one was more successful than the second because although they are both blurred, the second one is too blurred and doesn't show anything and to me doesn't give a good effect. Out of the two I like the first one better because there is more detail and it works a lot better. 

For the forth task of this experiment we was asked to take a portrait of someone whilst rotating and zooming at the same time whilst taking the photograph. I also have taken two images for this task and  in both of them it has had an effect that there is a shadow of the person in the photograph in all different directions from the original position, this could be used for the effect that the person is coming out of its original body. I like the first photo better as it has more detail and shows a lot more. I feel the first one was successful but could be a lot more improvement made and could use a lot more experimenting with, and I think that the second one was unsuccessful because there isn't much to show in the image.

Experiment 3: Light writing and painting
For this experiment we was asked to work in a dark room so we went into the studio, we was asked to set our cameras to Manual exposure mode, set the shutter speed to 4 seconds or use the B setting, set the aperture to f8 and use a torch and coloured gels. We used a tripod for this and followed these rules, setting the shutter speed to 4 seconds but whilst trying to use this we found that 4 seconds wasn't long enough to use this to write anything longer that one letter so we changed this setting to the B setting and found this worked a lot better as we can choose how long the shutter stays open for. We also used the torches on our phones and to change the colours of this light we found blue and green material to put over the lights to make them different colours.

For the first task of this experiment we was asked to produce at least 3 images of light writing, for this we produced one each writing our names. I feel that mine was successful as we could choose how long the shutter was open for so we
got the whole thing in without the shutter being open for too long or not long enough. I like this image because it is very clear and easy to read and I think that it looks like a good image.

For the second task of this experiment we was asked to produce at least 3 images of light painting, for this we produces three each making different shapes and images.  For this task we set the shutter speed to 4 seconds so that it wasn't open for too long and didn't create too much light. For my first one I got a piece of blue material and placed it over the light of my phone and rotated it in the shape of different sized circles, which I like and think was successful as the light is very bright and clear and creates a good image, it isn't too bright or has too much light and isn't too dull and has too little light. For my second one I used the same material to create the same light and another member of our group got a green coloured material and placed it over another light and together we created a combined circle of lights looping into each other which we created by creating circles with our lights overlapping partly. Although we could of gone a bit closer to the camera or created bigger circles I feel that this was successful and I like this image because of how the lights combine and that we have two different coloured lights. For my last image of this task we did the same thing except we didn't create circles, we decided to jump about and wave our lights about to see what this created, although it doesn't look very structured this image was successful and I like it because of the combination of two different coloured lights and the way they fill almost all of the frame but not too much.

Experiment 4 - Ghosts
For this experiment we was asked to work indoors so we worked in the classroom. We was asked to set our cameras to Shutter Priority, select a shutter speed of 4, 6 or 8 and keep the steady absolutely still so we used a tripod.

For the tasks of this experiment we was asked to photograph a stationary person who rushes out of shot half way through exposure, then repeat with a different shutter speed to get a better effect then repeat but make the person appear more transparent and then repeat but make the person less transparent. We started off by using a shutter speed of 8 seconds and walking out half way through at 4 seconds, we then decided to shorten the shutter speed to 4 seconds and again walk out half way through at 2 seconds to try and make it more transparent. We then changed the shutter speed to 6 seconds but only walking out after 5 seconds to try and make the person appear less transparent. This took some experimenting with the shutter speed and the timing and from this we got a range of different images. This experiment was successful and I like the images that we created as they give a good transparent and ghost effect.

Experiment 5 - Frozen motion

For this experiment we was asked to work outdoors and to set the camera to a fast shutter speed and if the images are under-exposed then increase the ISO to 400 or 800.

For the first tasked we was asked to take a portrait of someone jumping to freeze the motion. We set the shutter speed to 1/125 and had the ISO on 100. The only thing that I did wrong with this task was that I had the camera setting on manual instead of shutter priority and didn't have the setting on the right exposure so the background was too bright. But other than this problem I think that the first two photographs I have taken for this task have been successful, I caught it at the right time and it isn't blurry, the third one I had taken was taken to early so it wasn't caught at the right time, but the first two images I like and am happy with.

For the second task we was asked to take a picture of someone running to also freeze the motion. For this I experimented with the shutter speed and started with it on1/125 which worked ok but was a little blurry which didn't freeze the motion. I then changed the shutter speed to 1/500 which worked a lot better and again although the exposure settings weren't correct so the sky in the background was a bit bright this was successful, wasn't blurry and caught it in a freeze motion. I like these images but something to improve on for next time would be having the exposure settings correct.

For the last task we was asked to take a picture of someone running but choose a shutter speed to give
someone a motion blur. For this we used a shutter speed on 1/4 which gave a complete blur to the person and I think gives a good effect. I think that this was successful and I like this one because it gives the person a complete motion blur and not the background.

Styles of photography

Architecture:

Architectural photography is a genre of photography based on buildings or anything that has been structured, which involves the use of controlled perspective. The traditional cameras used for this type of photography are view cameras but more recently DLSR cameras have been used. The rule of thirds would be a good rule to use for this type of photography.

An example of a successful architectural photographer is Simon Kennedy, whose work has been exhibited and published widely including on the BBC. With the experience of working as a qualified architect and teaching post-graduate architectural studies it has given him a unique understanding of architecture and an amazing photographic vision.

Another photographer whose work fits into this genre is Matt Livey, he photographs a range of different architecture such as the interiors of buildings as well as the exteriors, construction and the details of different architecture.

I like both of these photographers because I enjoy the style of architectural images they take and they both have a range of different architecture in their work.

Portraiture:

Portraiture is based on photographs of a person or a group of people; it is usually focused on the face but can include any part of the rest of the body. This involves focusing in mainly the face, parts such as the eyes and mouth. The constructionist, environmental, candid and the creative approach are the four approaches that can be taken in portraiture. A good rule to use with this type of photography would be the triangles rule or the rule of thirds.

An example of a portrait photographer is Annie Leibowitz, who is mostly known for rock and roll portraits which include many taken for Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair and she was also a photographer for American Express charge cards in the 1980’s.  Her photography is very bizarre and I feel she tries to express a lot about a person’s personality through her portraits.

Another photographer whose work fits into this genre is Mary Ellen Mark, she has published in many publications such as New York Times Magazine, The New Yonker, Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair. She has created images that reflect a high degree of humanism by travelling the world. I feel that her work reflects a lot about the way of life and parts of it shows how other people work and live. Her project ‘20x24 Polaroid’ shows how every person can be expressed differently and a lot about the person through a photograph.

Photojournalism:

Photojournalism is used as way of expressing journalism, through photography; it uses images to tell a story. A photojournalists creates pictures that will contribute to the news, everyday things that are happening that he or she would think should be shared in the news and media. For a photojournalist to get there stories and photographs is can often be dangerous, as they have to carry photography equipment and can often be exposed to things such as crowds or physical danger.

An example of a photojournalist is Daniel Berehulak, who is an award winning photojournalist. He has covered history shaping events in over 50 countries. He was also a staff news photographer from 2005-2009. His work has covered events such as the Iraq war, child labor in India, Afghanistan elections.

Another photojournalist is Ed Kashi, is a photojournalist as well as a film maker and educator. I particularly like the ‘Sandy: 1 year later’ project, he has compared photographs from when the hurricane was happening, and how each of those places looks one year later. Which shows the public the effects of the hurricane and how it affected people and how everything has had to change since this happened. He also publishes a lot about public and political issues, which expresses to the news and media what the world is like in these times.

Documentary:

Documentary photography is used to express historical events and everyday life, it is similar but also very different to photojournalism, where photojournalism is current events published to the news, documentary photography is stories of things happening in the past or things that happen on a day to day basis. This type of photography is most often photographs of people, in which the photographer will produce a truthful story.

An example of a documentary photographer is Ed Thompson, whose documentary photo-essays have been published in magazines such as Newsweek Japan, The Guardian weekend magazine, National Geographic Magazine and The Sunday Times Magazine Spectrum Supplement (UK). He has documented events such as Syrian refugees in Lebanon, in this he spent six days interviewing refugees in camps. His ‘England till I die’ photo essay included photographs documenting the ‘E.D.L’ which he had followed since 2010 and photographed them on eight occasions.

Another documentary photographer is Erica McDonald, whose photography has been exhibited worldwide and is commissioned for magazines nationally and internationally.

Composition

Rule of thirds:

The rule of thirds is a grid of made up of two horizontal lines and two vertical lines and two used as a guideline to align different sections of an image. A horizon is a good and easy example because the bottom line will sit onto the horizon making the proportion of the image a lot better and easier to make sure the rule of thirds is followed correctly. The rule of thirds makes sure that everything in the image isn’t in one corner and gives it more balance and gives each part of the image its own section to bring it all together and look a lot better.

Triangles:

The triangles rule is mainly more powerful whilst taking portraits as you can position every person correctly to create triangles, which helps to draw the attention towards the subject and boosts the composition. This rule is used as a great way of combining different compositional techniques which helps to make a more interesting and structured photograph. It makes the photographs more stable and less unstructured. 

Rule of even and odd:

The rule of even and odd is used to make the image easier on the eye, for example a portrait of 3 or 5 people would make the photograph more balanced. An odd number of items draws a person’s attention and makes the photograph more attractive. If there is 3 objects/people in a photograph a person would focus on the middle object, to the left then to the right. The rule of odds does not always apply if the photographer is creating the perfect shot with an even number of objects, but otherwise it makes the photograph look better.

Leading lines:

Leading lines are lines within a photograph that lead the eyes to the main point of the image; they usually start at the bottom and lead the eye upwards. Roads or paths are usually the easiest to find leading lines but can be creating any way possible. Photographers use leading lines to guide the viewer to the main point of the photograph, which makes it more interesting.

Looking and space:

This rule is used to give the subject you are photographing breathing room and space to look and give space as the name of the rule suggests. If the subject is focusing on something off camera, although this focusing point is not visible it is important to give some space to look into. This helps to create a better image as it gives the subject more space to focus.

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed is the length of time the camera’s shutter is open during the time of the photograph being takes, if the camera is set on a low shutter speed time the photograph would be taken straight away. For example if the shutter is open for a time of 1/1000s of a second the photograph would be taken straight away of that moment. Whereas if the shutter is open for 6 seconds the photograph would record whatever is happening in front of the camera within those 6 seconds. A short shutter speed time is used to freeze fast moving objects, whereas a long shutter speed time is used to blur/capture a moving light or object. Shutter speed combined with the light exposure has a big effect on how the photograph turns out, the light exposure has to be correct or the photograph could be overexposed or underexposed. A higher f number doubles the amount of light coming into the camera and a lower f number gives a lower amount of light into the camera, therefore the shutter speed and the f number have to be correctly balanced to get the photograph right which may take time.  An extended exposure can be used to catch flashes of light such as lightening.

This photograph is an internet example which was taken with a slow shutter speed.

I have also produced my own example, using a shutter speed of 8 seconds and an f number of 22. I used the light off my phone and spun it in a circle so the camera captured this light and created this photograph.