Animated GIF - Technique Work Diary

Animated GIF - Techniques Work Diary

For my animated GIF, I used a series of images captured during my shoot for the technique of sequencing. I like the outcome and I feel it shows the technique well. I think the fact that the GIF shows someone moving on a zip-line makes the image much more interesting and therefore makes it more eye-catching to the audience and portrays a fun mood. The images were taken using 1/125, F11 and ISO 400.

To create my GIF, I used Photoshop. Firstly, I resized my images to 900 X 599 pixels and set the dpi to 72. I then placed the images one on top of another. I then selected 'window' and then 'timeline' from the drop down list. Once I had clicked this, I chose 'create video timeline'. Then, I set each photo to 5 frames and then continued to stagger each frame for the creation of the animation. I then then clicked the settings symbol and selected loop playback and set the resolution to 100%. When I came to save my GIF, I set the looping to 'forever'.

Progression

If I were to create another GIF, I would again look at doing something which involved interesting images. I liked the fact that my chosen images were fun and attracted attention as they were eye-catching. If I were to do it again though I would be interested to experiment with different amounts of photos. I feel as though a GIF made of many images would look extremely effective, although it would take a very long time to create!

Although I feel the technique was successful and the final result was effective, I do not feel as though this is a technique which I am likely to use in my personal investigation. I do not feel that the technique would compliment my possible idea of documentary photography very well and feel as though it would look out of place. I think that it does look very effective but feel it would not work very well for my potential topic area. However, if I were to explore movement or time, I feel that this technique would be very useful and would allow me to present a series of images in a slightly alternative way.

My Animated GIF

My Animated GIF

I really like this outcome. I like that the GIF is interesting and more eye-catching due to the slightly strange activity which has been photographed. Overall, I think the GIF was very effective and was successful, despite the fact that I found it rather challenging to create.

Animated GIF

Animated GIF Technique

An animated GIF is a series of images which are part of a single file. The frames are presented in a specific order to convey animation. The images are encoded in graphics interchange format.

I carried out this technique using Photoshop using images from the session when we went out to shoot for the technique of sequencing.

Focal Length Experimentation - Techniques Work Diary

Focal Length Experimentation - Techniques Work Diary

Overall, I liked both my series for this shoot, as well as the extra experimentations which I carried out for the 70mm focal length. I had my camera on ISO 100, the shutter speed ranging between 1/60 and 1/160 and the f/stop at around 9. I like the outcomes and feel they worked well to show differing focal lengths. To carry out this exercise, I used a tripod to ensure the framing of my images remained the same.

For this shoot, as I only produced two series, I did not have a least favourite as they were both successful. However, I do have a favourite series which are shown below.

I like the way that this series allows you to clearly see how the images change in respect to distortion, field of view and depth of field with varying focal length. As the focal length increases, the distortion becomes less noticeable and is more obvious at the 18mm focal length which uses wide angle. Also, with a shorter focal length, there is a wider depth of field as the majority of the image is in focus in comparison to the 70mm focal length when only the person is in focus and the background is blurred. Also, the field of view becomes much narrower as the focal length increases.

Progression

If I were to try to carry out this investigation again, I would look into extending my study and using a long telephoto lens to try a wider range of focal lengths including 300mm. However, I still think that the smaller range on my camera was successful at helping me understand and develop my technique involving differing focal lengths. I would also try to photograph a wider range of subjects and not just focus on portraits.
From carrying out a shoot based on this technique, I feel as though it is something I would naturally use in my personal investigation. However, I would not create a series like I have done in this shoot. Nevertheless, I feel the session and shoot on this technique has been useful in aiding my understanding as to how a change in focal length can change the distortion, depth of field and field of view of an image. This would therefore be the aspect of this technique which I would apply to my shoots for my personal investigation.

Focal Length Experimentation - Straight Images

Focal Length Experimentation - Straight Images

Series 1


18mm


24mm


28mm


35mm


50mm


70mm

Series 2


18mm


24mm


28mm


35mm


50mm


70mm

Further Experimentation with 70mm Focal Length -


70mm

70mm

70mm

Focal Length Experimentation Image Bank

Focal Length - Image Bank

Focal Length Experimentation

Focal Length Experimentation

• Focal Lenth - the distance between the centre of a lens or the curved mirror and its focus.
• Field of View - What can be seen. This is determined by the angle of view from the lens to the scene. It can be measured either horizontally or vertically.
• Wide Angle - Involves having a short focal length and therefore a field covering a wide angle.
• Standard Lens - a camera lens with a focal length which is around equal to the diagonal of the negative. This will give a field of view which is similar to real life for the naked eye. In 35mm photography, lenses with a focal length of 50mm are seen as normal as they work without reducing or magnifying.
• Telephoto - a lens with a longer focal length than standard, gives a narrow field of view and a magnified final image.

Sequencing - Techniques Work Diary

Sequencing - Techniques Work Diary

In this session, we focused on the technique of sequencing. We visited the local park to try to get some action shots and used continuous shooting mode to capture a series of images showing an action. For this shoot, I had my camera on ISO 400, F/9 and the shutter speed of 1/125. I also had my camera on continuous shooting mode and used a tripod to keep the background steady. 

I edited the images together using photoshop by cropping areas of the photos and layering them over to fit them together and begin to make a sequence. 

To start with, I really disliked the technique, but as the session progressed I began to like it more. However, despite this, it is not my favourite technique and I found the editing to be rather challenging. 

Below shows my favourite image from the session.

This is my favourite image which I created during the session. It was the first one that I created but I like the mood which the image portrays. It seems quite unnerving due to the fact that the figure is wearing black and you are unable to see their face. These are some imperfections in the sequencing technique but considering this was the first time I had done the technique, I thought the outcome was successful.

Progression

If I were to shoot for this topic technique again, I would look into doing some more stationary sequencing to create more surreal outcomes as I think this would suit my style more. However, if I were to look into motion more, I would shoot the same movement a few times in order to create more options in case one set of images did not work well with each other. I would also use a more stable tripod as I found that with my images, some did not match up how I wanted them to as the tripod had slightly moved during the shoot.

From experimenting with this technique, I feel that this is something that I may like to explore during my personal investigation. I feel that it would be an especially beneficial technique if I were to look at either a topic to do with movement or surrealism. Although I found the technique challenging, I think that I could develop my skills  to try to make the process easier. However, I feel like I could make the technique work and it could also help to perhaps show an alternative perspective to my chosen topic area for my personal investigation.

Sequencing Photography - Straight Images

Sequencing - Straight Images

I like the outcome of this image. I clearly shows the motion of the person moving across the bridge and is made up of four images. I think the figures look quite unnerving due to the fact that they are wearing black and the audience is unable to see their faces.

I like this outcome but it is more simplistic than my other images as it is made up of just two images. It was very challenging to create this with more than two images as the figure constantly overlapped which made it extremely hard to edit. For this reason, I remained with only two images for this sequence.

This is one of my favourite sequencing concepts and looks especially effective from a distance. I like the outcome and it is more complex than the other images as it consists of four individual images which work to make up the outcome. I think this outcome is also effective as it shows an interesting and fun-looking activity.

Sequencing Photography - Image Bank

Sequencing - Image Bank

Sequencing Technique

Sequencing

• Sequencing is when you shoot a series of images where the subject is captured in successive motion. It helps to convey motion within a static image. It can be done using Photoshop.

To carry out this technique, I will need to have my camera on settings to suit the environmental conditions such as lighting etc and also have my camera on continuous shooting mode. Also, I will need a tripod.

Below shows an image which demonstrates the technique well.

Macro - Techniques Diary

Macro Photography - Techniques Diary

In this session, we looked at the technique of using Macro photography. At first, I found this technique to be challenging but after I had taken a few photographs, I was much happier with using the technique. To carry out the Macro technique, I used a Nikon D300 camera. A macro image is when an object looks larger than life size and requires a special lens to create this effect. When I was shooting for the macro technique, I had to get quite close to the object that I was photographing. This involved using a working distance of 10 inches which consisted of 8 inches in the barrel and then 2 in the front of the lens. I used a fairly fast shutter speed to avoid any vibration and lighting was used and set up in the studio to add light to the subject. In addition to the previous factors, I used manual focus in order to get the camera to focus on the desired area.
I was pleased with the outcome for the shoot on macro photography and below shows two similar images which I captured during the shoot.

This was my favourite image for the shoot. This is because it shows the macro technique well and allows the audience to see the delicate and intricate details of the eye, eyebrows and skin. I think that the lighting of the image is good and I especially like how the eye is in good focus while the ear is out of focus. This therefore helps to create a sense of depth and perspective. I also like the edit of the image as I think that the different colours within the eye makes the photo much more thought provoking and makes the overall image more eye-catching.

This was my least favourite and least successful image from the shoot. The image appears very overly exposed due to the fact that the subject was too close to the light source. Although the image does show  a close-up and macro technique, it is not an overall successful image and lacks many of the major components which make an image successful. If the light had been set up differently and had been further away, it is likely that the image would clearly show the macro technique and be a better image.

Progression

I enjoyed using this technique overall and felt that it went well, especially considering I had never done macro photography before. If I were to carry out this technique again, I would bring a wider range of objects to photograph and would perhaps think about linking my work to a similar style as Dennis Pedersen. Although I may not shoot the same objects, I would try and incorporate ideas similar such as the very bright colours against the backgrounds and quite uniform objects arranged in such a way that looks interesting. I think that the colour was the major aspect which was lacking in my shoot which is why I decided to experiment a little with colours in the eyes.
From experimenting with this technique, I think that it is a technique that I would be interested in pursuing in order to allow me to get even deeper into my chosen topic. In this way I would be able to expand my investigation better from a slightly differing perspective to normal images. This would therefore allow me to create an original feel to the work in my investigation. I think this would be especially effective if I were to go down the route of investigating documentary photography.

Macro Photography - Straight Images

Macro Photography - Straight Images

I like this image as I think it shows the concept of macro photography well. Even in the photo, you are able to see the delicate detailing of the coin as well as the reflections. I also think that the red colour within the background adds to the overall effect of the image.

I like how with this image, you can see the intricate details within the eye and the areas surrounding it. I did slightly edit the image using Photoshop to make it a little brighter and more effective.

I further edited this image by making the eye purple. I think it looks very effective and adds a splash of colour into the image.

I then further developed the previous idea of adding a splash of colour and decided to make the eye a blend of blues, purples and pinks. I really like the outcome and feel that it looks much more interesting. In some ways, the colours within the eye remind me of space and galaxies. In this way, the image makes the viewer think more about the meaning of the image.

I like this image but not as much as I like the others. It is very slightly out of focus and does not have the same crisp feel as the other images. However, for my first attempt at macro photography, I am pleased with the outcome.

I like this image as I feel it links well to the first image of the coin. I like the outcome and think that the lighting set up which I had in the studio helped to make the outcome more effective and interesting due to the fact that it was well lit. I like the reflections which this has created on both the coin and the battery.

Macro - Image Bank

Macro - Image Bank