Post 13 - Self Portrait and Layer Self Portrait Projects

Although I completed these projects some weeks ago I forgot to blog them - too busy taking photo's and not paying enough attention to the admin side of things.

I've really enjoyed this class and have gained invaluable knowledge and skill development. I know understand the balance ratios of aperture, shutter speed and ISO setting how adjusting these creates different effects with picture taking. I've also learnt to consider composition principles when taking photos such as the rule of thirds, lead lines, diagonal lines, careful application of cropping parts of the picture out (ie my windmill), texture, colour palettes and different angels to shot from. With cropping parts of objects out of the picture, careful consideration needs to be used. In some instances cutting an edge of the object out you increase the dramatic composition but other times such as cutting to close to the side of a face can be somewhat annoying to the viewer. Whilst driving, walking around etc I've started to see 'focal lines' everywhere - from a group of buildings to trees etc. I've also found that I've started to really look at the detail in things - hints of colour or texture etc. A number of times I took a photo and reviewed it on the camera screen and thought it was quiet good only to discover when viewing larger on the computer, the image wasn't that good, out of focus, unwanted subjects in the photo. Now I just have to wait til later in the year to get my own Digital SLR... I'm hooked on the quality and creativity they offer when taking photos.

This is my self portrait photo without my body/face. I'm trying to show that I'm a bubbly, coloured and somewhat vibrant person that follows my own path,intuition and direction not limited by my own fears.








This is my layered self portrait project completed in class. I think I should have thought more about my body placement with this exercise to maximise the applications effect.This application could be used in a variety of ways to create unusual effects, for example take a photo of an empty sink, another photo when half full and another photo when full. Then editing the three layers you could create a unrealistic affect of various water levels within the sink.

Post 12 - Butterfly & Cocoon Sculptures

I really enjoyed taking photo's of a windmill and following that, I went to my local park to photography some Butterfly and Cacoon sculptures. Whilst the sculptures themselves are very visually appealing I actually found it much harder to photograph these sculptures with a creative photographic approach. It was very difficult to portray the art as the photo itself not the sculpture being photographed. I wanted to viewer to be able to identify a artistic photographic display of the sculpture not that I'd just taken a photo to show some Butterfly Sculptures. I really had to experiment and consider composition to achieve this. By standing right underneath the sculptures or on top of playground equipment I was able to access different, non standard viewing angles, of the sculptures. By also carefully cropping out parts of the sculptures it furher demonstrates a creative vision of the sculptures. These photo's still require further enhancing in Photoshop/Raw to highlight interesting features such as the textures in the metal, the intricant screws and threads.

Blog 11 - Local Beach

Yesterday I went to my local beach which is not particularlly attractive and pretty to look at however I discoverd that by carefully selecting angels to shot from, composing my pictures using the rule of thirds and then enhancing the photo colours with Photoshop I ended up with some very interesting and visually appealing photos.

Blog 10 - Sunsets

I love the colours of the sky at Sunset and the resulting silohuette effect given to objects such as trees. I have increased the vibrancy and saturation in Photoshop to increase the effect.

Blog 9 - Shadows

The 4th of April I focused on shadows using both natural and artificial light. Unfortunately due to anti-virus software setting I was unable upload these pictures then.



I love all the lines in this photo - the brick work lines, shadow lins, the line created where the concrete meets the bricks. I also believe the difference in angles from the wall to the ground creates an interesting perspective in this picture. I have edited this picture to reduce some of the white glare in the brick work and enhanced the shadows for a more dramatic effect.

I find this picture very peaceful due to the subtle colour palette. This was taken in my loungeroom late in the afternoon. Very little editing was done to this photo, only the contract increased to emphasise the shadows.

I stumbled across this picture whilst photographing my front garden. I think its an excellent use of the concrete lines to define the rule of thirds in this picture. I love the subtle colour variations from the dark blue tones in the shadows to the orange type stain in the concrete - the result of having mulch delivered on our driveway. I have used the extra layer and soft lift editing process to define the concrete joinery lines and the shadows.

This shot was taken very late in the afternoon in my backyard. Its surprising how ordinary, boring everyday objects can become very visually interesting if composed well in a photo. Once again I used the extra layer, soft light manual editing process to define the shadows. I love that both the clothesline shadow and the planks of wood on the ground present rule of third lines.

Playing around with more focused lighting to create and explore shadow work - this picture having two seperate light sources. I find it interesting how the shadows created from the knife edge and two light sources, have provided a visual reference to the rule of thirds. The detail in the knife edge with light reflecting off it creates a strong focus point for this picture.

Blog 8 - Reflections

I love the sky's reflection in the pond - its hard to believe this pond is actually a very muddly brown colour but the light and subsequent sky reflection disguises the rather unattractive looking water. When composing this picture, I used the rule of thirds but on a sloping angle for an alternative approach - resulting in a very interesting picture.

This is a photo of a truck trunk with peeling bark. The photo was taken at Sunset and I have played with the colours in photoshop to enhance the glow lighting. I love the rich texture, colour and shadows in this piece and the different angle created by shooting in a birds eye position.

Whilst walking around the pond I discoverd this huge tuft of grass. I loved the symmetary of the grass and the contrasting colours within the grass. I also love the bold, heavy lines in the actual grass blades yet the brown dry seed blades are very delicate.

I discovered these green seed pods whilst at a park with my children. I loved their shape, colour, pattern and texture. They sort of remind me of prickly watermelons. I used the Macro settings on the DSLR and arranged on a bright dirt background for contrast. I have tweaked the colours in Photoshop and cropped the picture for a more narrower pictu to further enhance the seed pods. Whilst at the same park as above, I was able to capture this little scene of dead dock weed with a muddy pond in the background. I love how the colours compliment each other and the muted tones give a feeling of peace.

A closer shot of the dead Dock weed and I've played the colours up in Photoshop. I used the Macro camera settings hence one is able to note the detailed spider web on the dock weed.

This is a shot of a Conifer tree branch. The Macro setting was once again used and only the exposure was altered in Photoshop - the colours are as they were. I love the rigid structure of the leaves and the resulting pattern created.

Same as above, but different angle.

Blog 7 - SLR Len's Visual Explaination

Being a strong Visual and Kinaesthetic Learner, I was struggling to grasp the concept of how SLR len's work and therefore in various photography situations, where each lens was better suited. After reading several text based explanations I understood the basic principles but failed to understand how they all worked together. I came across the following two diagrams that really helped me understand how lens work and therefore the effects they can give you when structuring a photographic shot.