Final
18 Photos
Enrolling into a photography class was a great decision. I have always worked with cameras shooting photos and videos. I bought my first low end professional DSLR three years ago and it was the Canon 70D. I bought the camera for the obvious reason…better quality and control but I also bought it without knowing the proper mechanical functions that the DSLR came with. The buttons, settings, letters and numbers all didn’t make much sense to me, I just learned to take a photo or video with what worked. Taking this photography course however helped me understand the mechanics of the camera as well as apply them to the compositions I had to take. A lot of these compositions simulate real world scenarios such as objects, sunlight, etc.
Doing the DITCH project, we learned a lot about the basics of lighting and objects. We worked with objects such as wine bottles and had to go an unorthodox way about shooting. Instead of taking photos of wine bottles, we used the wine bottles to create shape within the composition and use lighting to define, emphasize the shape that was being illustrated. Fast forward to the next project after DITCH, we took on the fundamentals to other endeavors. The next one was called aesthetic and control. This is where we learned a lot about the DSLR mechanics and functions and how to use them for the photos we took. This is where I benefitted the knowledge most because as said before, I bought a DSLR without any DSLR button functionality knowledge. We used other objects as well such as bones. It was a relief to get a clear understanding on how to properly use my camera for better quality photos. The next project dealt with scaling the key lights. Simulating a real-life sun scenario. We used other objects such as pinecones, color cards, spoons, key lights, etc. to apply our knowledge. Following the sun project was fun because we brought everything, we learned in a room to the real world around us. We used our knowledge and applied it to real life experience. Professor Alexander also said that is very important to have basic to expert knowledge and experience to make up for it when we become photographers and videographers.
Doing the DITCH project, we learned a lot about the basics of lighting and objects. We worked with objects such as wine bottles and had to go an unorthodox way about shooting. Instead of taking photos of wine bottles, we used the wine bottles to create shape within the composition and use lighting to define, emphasize the shape that was being illustrated. Fast forward to the next project after DITCH, we took on the fundamentals to other endeavors. The next one was called aesthetic and control. This is where we learned a lot about the DSLR mechanics and functions and how to use them for the photos we took. This is where I benefitted the knowledge most because as said before, I bought a DSLR without any DSLR button functionality knowledge. We used other objects as well such as bones. It was a relief to get a clear understanding on how to properly use my camera for better quality photos. The next project dealt with scaling the key lights. Simulating a real-life sun scenario. We used other objects such as pinecones, color cards, spoons, key lights, etc. to apply our knowledge. Following the sun project was fun because we brought everything, we learned in a room to the real world around us. We used our knowledge and applied it to real life experience. Professor Alexander also said that is very important to have basic to expert knowledge and experience to make up for it when we become photographers and videographers.
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ReplyDeleteHi Jay! I totally agree, enrolling in this course was definitely worth it and we all were able to learn at least one thing -although I feel like all of us learned a lot more than that. When I purchased my camera, I did for the same reason to shoot and create better pictures/videos- and I too had no idea how a majority of the settings worked. With this class I was able to gain a better understanding on how aperture, shutter and ISO all work together to create a great photo in our second project assigned- I too benefited most from the information taught since previously I had no idea of any of the settings worked. I faced the issue of making sure not to take pictures of bottles, but shapes with different variations of lighting in our first project. I agree it was great getting to bring all the knowledge we gained from the class into the world and put it to the test. My favorite pictures you have presented are the third eleventh and the eighteenth image. The third image is able to focus beautifully and gradually blur out- the colors and details are immaculate. The eleventh photo presents a monochromatic image of bones in which has nice shadows and detail on the bones with a dark background which makes them stand out even more. The last image I love the darkness it offers to the viewer, focusing primarily on the middle and blurring out like the third image- it is a nice touch. Overall I feel that you did learn and grow in understanding through the projects. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you for leaving a response! It's always great to see other students at the same level as you have the same feelings or situations...like buying a DSLR and not really knowing the functionality of the camera. That was one thing I struggled with and didn't feel 100% comfortable shooting high end projects for other people. I didn't want to look or feel amateurish when if I encountered a button function or setting malfunction problem with the camera. Thanks to professor Alexander, you and I and plenty of other students grasped on to the knowledge of NOT ONLY knowing how to work the camera but how to apply that tweak for better photos and videos!
DeleteHi Jay, sounds like we were both in the same boat and both interested in gaining better knowledge and understanding about our equipment. You are absolutely correct, a DSLR camera is filled with a lot more functions and buttons than your average “Point and Shoot” cameras. My initial purchase of the DSLR camera was so that I could take better quality pictures of my ceramic wares for my portfolio and be able to create good looking images under various conditions. This class has definitely helped me with learning about the many functions and the capabilities of my camera, plus get a much better understanding and all that it offers. While shooting photographs in manual mode has its appeal, but in all honesty, sometimes trying to control both, shutter and aperture together can be tricky. Plus, I really was not sure what I was doing. So, learning about the priority modes, like Aperture and Shutter Speed and what they do definitely helped me realized the benefit of each one and their time and place. I also enjoyed learning about the light positioning and playing around with the shadows and shapes.
ReplyDeleteI like your “Follow the Sun” pictures, you did an awesome job capturing texture of that tree bark. I think I am safe to assume that you had taken that image during the twilight/blue hour. Your mixed color picture from the “Scale the Key” is gorgeous. Really great at capturing that red. Did you use the matte or the glossy paper? I personally had hard time with those cards. I think you have a good eye for intriguing compositions, and I do like the way you have set up the images of the bones and those bottles. Great job and happy shooting.
Hi Jay,
ReplyDeleteIt really sounds like we have the same ideas about photography and just wanting to take clear pictures so we bought a professional cameras. I feel like also of us learned a lot more then just what you are describing and it was really hard for me to see that until I took totally new images for the final. I think all of your images through out the semester were wonderful and you can see how you continued to grow. I do agree with you that learning the controls was truly a life changer when it came to understanding photography. I wish you the best on the rest of your education and happy shooting.