After my tutor report for my Assignment 1, I realise that I still need to practise my lighting techniques. This I am planning to get back to, and retake some of my Portraits. I have for now carried on with this second project so as not to get behind. As soon as this is complete I shall return to my retakes. Errors seem so obvious when someone points them out, its all a learning curve, along with my own critical assessment, this is something that I have never done before, so need to get to grips with that too.
I have purchased a couple of books this month, my tutor recommended that I look at the work of Karsh, his portraits and lighting techniques, the book is A Biography in images By Karsh. Its a beautiful book which I have only just flicked through but will make Karsh the next photographer that I look at and write about.
Other books I have are a small book of Henri Cartier-Bresson a scaled down version of his book which is great just to flick through. Another is Street Photography Now, Sophie Howarth & Stephen Mclaren. Lastly, as recommended by OCA, Context & Narrative by Maria Short. So Id better not let my Husband see all these books or he'll throw a fit.
Also I have visited 2 Exhibitions in London which I have written about under the Exhibition heading.
Here to follow is my assignment 2 ... I am starting to feel more relaxed about taking photographs and more comfortably with my camera, each outing is less challenging in some respects.. but also each outing raises new issues, and questions of how to do this or that, and leaves me wondering why some pictures don't go quite to plan.
ASSIGNMENT 2 : PEOPLE AND ACTIVITY
Here are my final 10 images of different people at the same event. The event was a weekend County Show, one weekend when the weather was good. When I uploaded the photos to my computer I realised I had more pictures of just animals than I had planned, without the accompanying people.
I felt less self conscious here, everyone had cameras, and they were all far too busy with all that was going on to worry about what I was up to.
I took two lenses with me, my standard lens 18mm to 55mm and a zoom lens 70-300mm. What I noticed was at times with the first lens I felt I wasn't quite close enough, but when I had the zoom lens on I was often too close and it was a bit tight to fit the shot in the viewfinder. I wanted something inbetween but I expect you always want what you haven't got. I found that the quick movement of the people and events, it always seems you want the other lens and need to change it. I did get a spec of dust in at one change over which was annoying, (soon solved). I know the answer is two cameras, but I shall have to do with one at the moment.
The quick movement of the animals makes it more difficult to fill the viewfinder correctly, you have to be quick, which is difficult when you're trying to remember all you have learnt, making camera alterations, focus, then .. oooopppps you missed it !
Luckily there was plenty of new opportunities available. With the standard lens on other people are aware of you taking a picture and will generally try not to walk in front of you. However when you have you zoom lens, people are not so aware and they tend to walk across your shot ruining you picture. Also with the heavier lens you have to take care not to wobbly and make your pics out of focus.
Girl on Bike
1/1000 f 4.0 70mm ISO 200
The girl on the bike shot I was happy with, it was how I had imagined and planned. The movement of the ride was a factor and I didn't if possible want the face of the child to be visible. I also had the issue of people walking across the lens. So all in all, the ride not moving, the child not looking, and no intruders!
Its a colourful cheery shot, it reminds me of many occasion waiting for a ride to finish, remembering the joy it give the child, simple pleasures.
As the girl is in the shade it may be a little flat, but the sunshine i the background gives the photo depth.
Hot Dog
1/500 f 10 140mm ISO 320
This was one of those snapped moments. To take this shot before anyone got in the way, knowing that the dog or the woman could have moved at any moment, although the dog does look quite comfortable, and possibly too hot to move. I did have another shot with a wider angle lens showing a second umbrella above this one, shading also. I felt this second picture was less cluttered, it still showed the dog at the dog show, trying to keep cool - which I should think is impossible with all that fur. It was more focused on the dog and umbrella with a hint of spectator in the background, awaiting also for the show.
I feel the tone is good here with both sun and shade.
Blue Jump
1/400 f 10 70mm ISO 400
I am pleased with this shot, showing the horse and rider in action, the horse just about to take off. I feel it s positioned correctly in the frame. My criticism would be that the horses head is lost a little against the trees in background, and another horse and rider clutter the background also. It is difficult to get the perfect backdrop unless you have permission to enter the ring and even then due to the whole nature of the event it would be difficult to get a perfect shot. I could have shown the movement of the horse with a slower shutter speed, but one step at a time, i'm happy with the exposure, it would have been nicer if the sky had been more blue...
Girl & Horse
1/400 f 8.0 165mm ISO 400
I really like this photograph, I think a little more light on the horse would have highlighted his detail, the sun is catching the girls shoulder and the horses ears. Both girl and horse look relaxed and calm. I like the way the light is behind them, and its one of those moments when you just catch someone, you will have to advise me where I am wrong technically, if I am.
Polo
1/500 f 16 53mm ISO 400
Here the two teams are going after the ball, all running towards the camera. All the payers are in focus and have the sun lighting them from one side. They are possible a touch underexposed if anything. There is quite a lot of darkness with the trees and the horses, and I would have to be careful not to overexpose the marquee.
Hounds
1/500 f 11 130mm ISO 250
This was one of those moments when my zoom lens started off OK but as the hounds moved forward i felt stuck. I did take a lovely photograph of the lead horse but it was just his head and because of the lens restriction it was very tight in the frame, too tight. This was a shame because it was a lovely picture.
I had a selection of the above picture, I chose this one as it showed both the horses, all of the hounds and the dog handler. They were entering the show ring and the caravans were a bit distracting but they are all part of the show atmosphere. The sky is a little flat maybe.
Girl & Cow
The girl here is awaiting to 'show' her cow/calf. She is looking a little apprehensive, the cow is relaxed and the sunlight is highlighting his coat. This is another picture which I like which I wouldn't have been able to take from any other angle.
Horse in the shade This shot Cancelled after tutor report
Again another picture I like and I am not sure what the rules are - they are meant to be keeping cool in the shade with all the light in the background. The picture shows the horses and handlers resting and keeping cool between events, with the man gently stroking the horses nose. It shows the trailer, make shift fencing and the show in the distance, showing different aspects of the show.
Learn to fish This shot cancelled after tutor report
I had thought about cropping this picture closer to the sign but I felt this gave a better view of the lake and surrounding trees and grass. I like how the people are silhouetted, sitting on the haystacks, waiting whilst others learn to fish. The sky again here is a little uninteresting but luckily it doesn't dominate the picture.
Man & Boy
1/1000 f 5.6 54mm ISO 200
I was really pleased with this, this is the sort of picture I like, but it was one of those moments when the boys mother was looking at me wondering why I was taking a picture of her son - luckily she didn't come after me ...
The man, wiser with years teaches the young boy to fly fish. He shyly watches and learns, slightly nervous, feet dangling in the water. Both men in blue, and the ripples show clearly on the water. The weedy grass also in focus in the foreground. The sun shining softly from the side. Sadly, no sign of fish...
Two Replacement images to be included for my assessment
Beautiful Bull
1/640 f 4.0 70mm ISO 200
This is one of my favourite photos, he is not actually an official person, but isn't he beautiful. The picture I thought, exposure good showing the texture of his hair and harness. His fringe looks like he has had the rollers in ... I hope he won a prize.
Late Afternoon
1/400 f 5.6 225mm ISO 200
I nearly didn't take this picture as I was leaving the show and my camera was away, I noticed the three of them as I walked past. Luckily I made the choice to stop and take it.
The late afternoon sun brushes through the hair of one of the men and highlights the face of another. It shows the men relaxing, enjoying the warmth of the late sun, after a long day attending to their steam engines at the Country Show. This sums up well how the people feel at these shows, after a very active and enjoyable, but tiring day.
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