Introduction to Photography - Week 3

17.4.2015 (Week 3)
Farah Wahida Bt Ismail, (0322808)

Introduction to Photography
Exercise 2b: Shutter Speed & 2c: ISO

Lecture

Today, we started the class by answering a few quiz questions regarding what we have learnt last week (Aperture). Then, we proceed to having group discussion. We were told to read and study the topic (Shutter Speed and ISO) a few days before to help us participate in the group discussion and ask the terms or things that we do not understand about the topic. Then, Mr Vinod explained to us about shutter speed and shed some light on the things that we do not understand during the group discussion. After that, we proceeded to doing the exercises given outside of the class.

Instructions :
Exercise 2b: Shutter Speed
Directions: 

1) Choose a room that has good light and a ceiling fan. 

2) Keep the fan speed at 1 and capture images using shutter settings from 1/1000th of a second till 1’ of a second. 

3) Ensure the ISO and aperture adjusted according to what your camera light meter indicates as the correct exposure throughout the exposures. 

4) Repeat this exercise after changing the fan speed from 1 to 2 and the from 2 to 3 and so on.

All images must be in black and white, you can make the adjustment in the camera (if the feature is available) or make the adjustment later in photoshop (Image > Adjust > Black & White). Upload the screenshot of the document only and not the individual pictures for the shutter speed exercise.

2b) Shutter Speed (5%)
Marking Criteria: The student must capture the evidence of the Shutter’s ability to freeze fast moving objects and blur moving objects.

Learning goal: Students are able to prove that shutter speed effects exposure and is able to effect speed, in the captured image.
Learning outcome 1: Students will be able to use exposure settings (Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO).
Learning outcome 3: Students will be able to distinguish a bad exposure from a good exposure.

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Exercise 2c: ISO

Upon reading, viewing and discussing the material on ISO, we have come to agree that ISO effects exposure (Exercise 2c.1) and effects the quality of an image (Exercise 2c.2).

Your task today, requires you to prove that:
2c.1) ISO effects exposure
2c.2) ISO effects the quality of an image by increasing the noise and grain of a picture.

2c) ISO (5%)
Marking Criteria: The student must capture the evidence of degradation of image as the ISO increases in sensitivity. The student also must produce evidence that ISO can directly affect exposure.

Learning goal: Students are able to prove that ISO effects exposure and is controls the sensitivity of the image sensor.
Learning outcome 1: Students will be able to use exposure settings (Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO).
Learning outcome 3: Students will be able to distinguish a bad exposure from a good exposure.

All images must be in black and white, you can make the adjustment in the camera (if the feature is available) or make the adjustment later in photoshop (Image > Adjust > Black & White)

Exercises

Exercise 2b: Shuter Speed

These pictures were captured in my room during a sunny evening. I opened the windows and turned on the lights to let the lights flood into the camera for better exposure (since I was indoor). 

Exercise 2c.1: Prove that ISO affects exposure

I took these pictures at my sister's boarding school. I setup the tripod to avoid the camera from shaking. This exercise was done by changing the ISO number while keeping the Aperture and Shutter Speed at constant. 

1)  F5.6  S1/1000  ISO200

2)  F5.6  S1/1000  ISO400

3)  F5.6  S1/1000  ISO800

4)  F5.6  S1/1000  ISO1600

5)  F5.6  S1/1000  ISO3200

Exercise 2c.2: Prove that ISO affects the quality of image

These pictures was captured indoor but near the sliding window which gave quite enough exposure to execute the exercise. When doing this exercise, I increased the shutter speed as the ISO is increased (while keeping the Aperture at a constant number). 

6)  F5.6  S1/13  ISO200

7)  F5.6  S1/25  ISO400

8)  F5.6  S1/50  ISO800

9)  F5.6  S1/100  ISO1600

10)  F5.6  S1/160  ISO3200

Screenshot of Exercise 2c.1

Screenshot of Exercise 2c.2

Feedback

Farah, your work for Exercise 2b was spot on — Well done! The exposure was good throughout and the different shutter speeds effect on capturing speed was clear.

Your choice of subject matter for exercise 2c.1 could have been better (a more simpler subject matter with less clutter) nevertheless it was clear that you were able to show that ISO does effect exposure. 2c.2 seemed accurate although you could go closer, as the wall was occupying too much space, in that way you will be able to see the grain or noise better. Having said that you reflection provided insight into your thinking and understanding and this was very refreshing and promising. As it seems very clear that you have understood the purpose behind the reflection hence your detailed reflection — WELL DONE!

Overall am very impressed with your progress and your ability to articulate your learning via your reflection. Do keep it up.

Reflections

Experience

It was interesting to have the group discussion with my classmates today as everyone helped to explain the confusion a few of us had, hence making all of us able to grasp what the topic is about and understand it better. The group discussion was fun and I look forward to more group discussions in the future.

The experience today was fun. Apart from the group discussion, I also enjoyed doing hands-on learning by using the DSLR myself and trying to make the pictures come out as needed for the exercises. 

As for doing the shutter speed exercise, I took a really long time and was having a hard time trying to figure out how to do execute the exercise. After consulting Mr Vinod and slowly following his advice, I was able to finish the exercise sooner than I expected. 

Observations

I noticed that doing group discussion helped me understand the topic better because we get to ask questions and discuss about certain questions which we seemed to not find the answer. Like today, when we met with a few problems, my classmates and also Mr Vinod himself helped to enlighten us as to how the problems can be solved. 

I noticed that I was confused when I wanted to change the aperture or shutter speed because I am still getting used to using the features of the camera. I should play with the camera more often to get myself used to it. 

I also noticed that I have to finish my ITP assignment as soon as I can because I have to join the Tioman trip next week. If I procrastinate, I might not be able to post the assignment on time because I have to pack my stuffs for the trip.

As I was doing the quality of image exercise (Exercise 2c.2), I noticed that it was hard to achieve the noise kind of picture. So, I told my brother who wore a dark coloured tee to stand against a plain and neutral-coloured wall. After capturing the photo, however the noise can not really be seen so I have to zoom in the picture.

While doing the shutter speed exercise, I noticed that I need to change the Aperture or the ISO when the shutter speed is increased. That is because when it is increased, the picture gets dark if the Aperture or ISO is not changed. I also noticed that when I reached S1/500 or so, I cannot change the Aperture anymore because it may have reached it's limit. Same goes when I tried for ISO. This matter is solved when I informed Mr Vinod about the problem and he told me to start from s1/1000 and make the aperture as lowest as possible (which is making the aperture leaves open wider). After trying it out, I was able to finish the exercise.

Findings

I realised that I need to understand more of the topic before class is held so that I can participate and understand what is being discussed during group discussion. Also, I realised that I need to study better to answer the quizzes' questions.

I also understand that I need to always experiment and play with the ISO, shutter speed and aperture to make myself understand the topic better and to make myself get used to the functions. 

I realised that I was having a hard time doing the Shutter Speed exercise (Exercise 2b) because I could not get the correct amount of exposure for the picture. After consulting with Mr Vinod, I realised that there will always be a solution to get the correct exposure. As a result, I realised that I have to keep practicing taking pictures with the correct exposure so that I can understand how to use the camera better and improve my skills of using the exposure, aperture and ISO.

I realised that when the shutter speed is set to a slower shutter speed, it results in a blur image (object looks like its moving) and vice versa. Other than that, when using ISO, I realised that it affects the exposure of the picture. This is because the sensitivity of the sensor camera towards light increases as the ISO increases. Because of the same reason as well, the number of ISO can also affect the quality image of an image. The higher the number of ISO, the quality becomes more noisy/grain.