Embedded Files
For this project, you will get to use a telephoto (55-200mm) lens. NOTE that you will also need to use the FTZ adapter in order to use the (older) telephoto lenses.
Here is example of background compression at work. Notice that while the subject (milk & cookies) stays the same size, we see less of the background as the focal length increases. The photographer had to stand further back as the focal length increased. This is the effect we will reproduce in today's project.
This is just an example! You've been assigned specific focal lengths that aren't the same as this.
Source: http://learnmyshot.com/telephoto-lens-perspective-compression-and-the-angle-of-view/
HOW TO CHANGE A LENS
PROJECT: Background Compression
You will take FOUR horizontal photos of your chosen subject (can also be your camera partner), each at a different focal length, and each at a different distance from your subject. You will then present the images side-by-side in a single "filmstrip"-style document with labels.
This project is intended to be completed outside. If, for whatever reason, the weather is not co-operating and must work indoors, you must use a tripod.
The focal lengths to be shot are:
- 55 mm
- 105 mm
- 135 mm
- 200 mm
Your goal is for your subject to fill the same relative frame space in each image. This means that after your first shot (55 mm), you the photographer must back up enough so that the next shot (105 mm) has the subject taking up the same amount of frame as the first shot. You will continue this pattern until you are far away from your subject for the 200 mm shoot.
WARNING WARNING WARNING!!! Note that you don't just zoom in more and more on a subject. You must change your own position too or else all you're doing is taking close-ups. That's not the point!
What's the point? To demonstrate the concept of background compression. Even though your subject should take up the same amount of frame for each shot, you should notice less and less background being included in the frame as the focal length increases.
Other important shooting point: Have your subject stand well in front of the background. You can only see background compression if there is enough distance between subject and background. So don't have your subject stand against a wall, door, trees, etc.
CAMERA SETTINGS:
Shooting mode: A (aperture priority) mode
ISO: Your choice (high for low light, low for bright light)
Composition: Subject centered, if using a person as your subject shoot tight enough to see head, shoulders, torso only
HOW TO MAKE A FILMSTRIP IN PHOTOSHOP:
1) Open all files at once by going to File > Scripts > Load Files Into Stack. Select the files you want and open them.
2) Go to Image > Canvas Size. Set the width and height values to be given in percent instead of pixels or inches).
3) Set the width to 400% (Since we're working with four images). The height should not change. If it does, you may need to "unlink" the height value from the width.
4) One by one, drag your layers to the proper spot (left to right). Be aware that Photoshop is generally helpful in showing purple guidelines that "snap" to what it perceives as the edges of other objects/images.
5) You may wish to create a black background layer in case there are visible "cracks" around the edges of the individual images. To do this, simply create a new layer (bottom right, next to trash can button), drag it to the bottom of your layer stack, then select Edit > Fill and choose Black. This will hide those cracks.
6) Time to re-size this image, now that it's 4x bigger than we need. Go back to Image > Image Size and change the resolution to 72 ppi. This should work. The issue is that jpgs larger than 20MB won't post on your site properly. You can check this when you save in the next step and go back and reduce the image size if necessary.
7) Use the Type Tool (T) to create labels on each image, giving the focal length. See examples below.
7) Save as a .jpg! (File > Save a Copy, under "Format" select ".jpg"
VIDEO TUTORIAL
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Note that this tutorial is a generic example that works with any number of images. For this project, adapt all the numerical values for four images specifically.
TO HAND IN:
1) Complete the "filmstrip" 4-photograph image in Photoshop and save as .jpg.
2) Open up Classroom and open the assignment.
3) Add the .jpg directly to Classroom.
4) Complete the rubric.
5) TURN IN the assignment! Voilà!
STUDENT EXAMPLES:
This is what we're going for. Notice that the subject is basically the same size and in the same position in all four shots. This makes our demonstration/comparison of background compression more accurate as other variables are more controlled.
This worked pretty well, but if you look closely not all subjects are quite the same size. Close!
This also worked out well. Still, you can see that not every subject is quite the same height. Remember to constantly check (review) your previous image while composing the next one so you have an immediate comparison!
Do you see the problem here? There is no space behind the subject and so the background doesn't compress at all. Remember to choose a subject that has significant space (depth) behind it or else this technique will not work.
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