In summary... this unit we learned how our cameras worked with value through black and white photography, working on exposure by using the exposure meter and the three adjustable properties of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. We learned "bracketing", which is shooting where the meter says we should, then 1 tick on the meter above and below, to get all of detail of the highlights and shadows that would have been lost otherwise.

Post-processing... I usually started with the most "usable" image meaning one with the most defined and varied highlights because I found it easier to work with the dodge tool, and then considerably lightened the darkest areas to bring out the details. I made some sparse highlights as well to define edges but mostly focused on lightening the dark areas.

In the class critique... I was caught out for this when Leah Okusipe said I could dodge my highlights more in the birdhouse picture, and agree that I could focus on highlights more to remain true to the interesting values in the picture.. Lillie also seemed to have an issue with the lack of contrast in my birdhouse photo as they said I could darken the house more for contrast and that some of the shadows distracted them. I agree that the birdhouse picture shadows looked a little muddy, like I put some kind of filter on it, and that made me lose some of the interest in the birdhouse. I will try to pay more attention to how the full picture looks contrast-wise next time.

Originals:

In summary... this unit we learned how to use compositional elements such as natural framing, rule of thirds, rule of odds and cropping, alongside much more. We took pictures in a way focused on achieving each of these elements in at least two of our photoshoot pictures to train us to look for them more commonly in daily life and add interest to our photography. We also learned how some of these elements related to cropping and photo content can be accentuated in post-processing using various selection tools such as the magnetic lasso tool, quick selection tool, object selection tool and magic wand tool.

Post-processing... I had surprisingly less pictures to choose from due to the realization that I needed to focus on achieving two of each of the principles, so my post-processing focused on trying to sharply differentiate the main subjects of the photo against the background and edit my composition with the selection tools, using the Quick Selection tool to paint similar sections to figure out what parts of the photos needed more differentiation.

In the class critique... Most of my notes were labeled "Best Natural Framing" for the bottom photo - sometimes being obvious pays off. I received a "Use of Depth" and a Critic's Choice "Most Eyecatching" for the tomato photo from Sol and Allison and a couple Critic's Choice-based compliments for the cuteness of my dog from Will and Emma. Silence spoke louder than words this time in an award-based criticism session - I think the picture of the hornet not receiving any kind of praise tells me it didn't speak to the audience. It had too little contrast to catch any attention and I perhaps would have chosen a different picture given more time, as my heavy lightening didn't do much to improve it. I think my goals for improvement will be to continuously practice my cropping and taking shots in various points of view and with various levels of zoom, just in case, as well as generally using the composition principles to improve my expression of the subject. High detail is really one of my favorite things about photography.

Originals:

In summary... this unit we began to work with color, learning to be aware of what colors mean and develop photographic sensibility of how composition and color work together in real time so we can spot and create the right shots in many situations. We learned about visual weight, contrast, hierarchy, relevance, and emotional associations related to color, and were asked to shoot and post-process intentionally to only include objects and colors that benefit the mood of the photograph. We also learned that some combinations of colors can affect the perception of the photo. Monochromatic and analogous schemes give off a unified, harmonious feeling, while complementary and triadic create bold contrast and are eye-catching.

Post-processing... In post-processing I often found myself using the Saturation tools such as the sponge and the adjustment layers, especially Vibrance and the Hue and Saturation tool. I also continued to use Exposure and Contrast sliders to find a light balance that benefited all the colors I wanted to emphasize. Some of them did still come out a little faded or oddly changed on the photos, but I feel it actually made one of them better - the cyan shadow on the side of the shell showed up more. The most beneficial tool to me overall, however, was the Selective Color tool, which enabled me to specifically select and adjust some included colors. I found that even if I didn't "see" a color there, like the Magenta in the top photo that I saw as purple, I could still adjust it with the Selective Color sliders. I feel it gave me the most creative freedom out of all of the tools without spot-adjusting, which might give weird effects on improperly selected edges.

In the class critique.. I received one review by Kacy which recommended a lot regarding my use of framing and depth of field, including changing the framing of the third and fourth. However, they also said they appreciated the bottom one's rule of thirds and leaving space, saying it worked together to give a more laid-back mood. I feel the monochromatic color scheme may have also contributed to this idea about it. They also believed the top one was the most effective because of the heavy contrast in colors pushing more focus onto the subject.

Originals:

In summary... this unit we worked especially with aperture, focusing on aperture effects such as bokeh and forced perspective. We became more deeply aware of the factors that determine depth of field - aperture, focal length and focal distance. You can achieve a deep depth of field through narrow aperture (higher numbers), a far distance and a low focal length (little zoom.) A shallow depth of field means less of the distance will be focused, and you can create it with a wide aperture, close distance and high focal length. These effects work well to trick the mind into seeing some interesting things combined with different light sources, mirrors and holes in paper.

Post-processing... My goal for post processing was to avoid the bane of having my photos turn out darker and less saturated than I wanted, so I pumped up the saturation (and slightly brightness) to somewhat "be truer to what I saw than what I saw." I enhanced the warm tones in close to all of them as well, besides the monochromatic one, which I just made more heavily green, and made sure all of them had heavy contrast. Selective Color is still one of my favorite tools.

In the class critique... I got 5 Best in Shows for my use of bokeh and color especially, two more Uses of Color, one Most Creative, and one Best Bokeh or Shallow DoF. I also received a custom one for my use of Point of View! I think overall understanding DoF like this has helped me come up with really creative setups and that my saturation editing also contributed in a luckily very eye-catching way!

Originals:

In summary... this unit we worked especially with shutter speed, utilizing various speeds to create Stop Action, Panning, Light Painting and Ghosting. We learned about the timing for each, and other factors that will affect the amount of blur, such as subject distance, subject speed, and camera movement. In Stop Action, everything is crisp, because high shutter speeds are used and camera movement does not matter. In Panning, medium shutter speeds are used and the motion of the camera follows the object, so the object is crisp but the background is not. In Blurring, which Light Painting and Ghosting are effects of, you use slow shutter speeds, but must steady your camera on a tripod to prevent shake.

Post processing... I found these photos didn't need much editing to feel "correct", as there was no specific way for the coloration to improve the appearance of the light-painting, and the coolness of the last photo feels correctly alien-like. It's interestingly unifying. If I had been able to use some of my other photos there were a few that I would have edited to have less yellow tones due to my daylight white balance. However, this was close enough to an outdoor light source.

In the class critique... the only critique I received was that "Both the photos are a little blurry." But I don't know, I think they are actually very blurry! Because that is what was required for the light-painting assignment - specific, focused blur of light that ends up coalescing into one picture. So yes, they are blurry. They also said that my perspective is good, which I appreciate.

Originals: