Introduction to Photography - Week 8

29.5.15 (Week 8)
Farah Wahida Bt Ismail, (0322808)
Introduction to Photography
Exercise 4b Principles Underpinning Composition

Lecture
Before the class started, I asked Mr Vinod about the problem that I faced when I was taking photos of my classmates (who are in the Human Communication class) as they had a Hat Parade going on around campus. Mr Vinod then solved the problem. The class then started 30 minutes late because everyone was waiting for the students who are still coming. After being briefed about the 'Principles of Underpinning Composition', we all went outside to walk around campus for 'photo hunting'. After visiting a few good spots in campus (to take photos of), we all were dismissed.

Instructions
Exercise 4b: Principles underpinning composition

Capture 4 Images adhering to any of the mentioned principles below:
Domination/Emphasis • Isolation • Balance • Repetition
Alignment • Contrast • Rhythm • Symmetry/Asymmetry
Harmony • Perspective

Print all 4 images on an A4 (for hardcopy folio) and upload and reflect on the images on your respective ePortfolio.

(Put to use what you have learnt in the Zone system exercises here)

4b) Principals underpinning composition (5%)
Marking Criteria: The image must show evidence of the dominant principle used and the supporting principles (if any) underpinning the composition. The principles underpinning the image must be named and should be visible within the image. Students must showcase their knowledge on exposure using the zone system.

Learning goal: Students will be able to use the above mentioned rules or principle to make or capture interesting, dynamic or subtle compositions.
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.
Learning outcome 2: Students will be able to use the Zone System exposure technique to achieve desired results.
Learning outcome 4: Students will be able to apply the Rule of Thirds and principles underpinning composition.

Tutorials

1)  ISO400  F5.6  S1/3200

2)  ISO200  F4.5  S1/125

3)  ISO200  F5.6  S1/2000

4)  ISO200  F5.6  S1/1600

Exercise

Repetition

5)  ISO200  F5.6  S1/125

Perspective

6)  ISO200  F5.6  1/15

Contrast

7)  ISO200  F5.6  S1/15

Domination, Balance

8)  ISO200  F5.6  S1/30

Screenshots

Feedback

Farah, you must number the shots uploaded to your site for me to easily refer to them. I would like to say that the shot in campus that you took for Joharris (with the sy in the background) was well exposed and composed and the image looks fantastic. The other shots were ok.

With regards to the assignment, the starbucks shot (domination and balance) Repitition and perspective shots while technically adhering to the the principles mentioned were not visually captivating. Remember that composition is all about captivating and visually engaging images. So when doing the exercise you need to find visually stunning images that have these principles inherent within them, which is the reason it also looks good.

Overall i'm glad you liked the photo-walk exercise and I do hope you improve in your composition skills the more you practise it. Images like the one you shot of Joharris are testament to you potential.


Reflections
Experience
It was my first time to experience walking around campus doing 'photo hunt' and it was fun!! Tutorials was very beneficial as I learnt a few things to do good composition while being guided by Mr Vinod.

While doing the exercise (off campus), it was raining so I did not really get to take the pictures the way I wanted it to be. I was also hoping that the sky would not turn out dark as it was raining at the moment, thank goodness it did not grew darker even though it still rains. Since it was dark, we (Sarah, Hazel, Lana and I) tried our best to get shots even though we were in limits of the point of interest (because we can not go out to the park as it was raining). So we tried our best to find the simplest things which has the 'principles underpinning composition' + point of interst to be photographed. 

Observations
I noticed there a few good spots in campus that Mr Vinod brought us to. Also, I noticed that most of the simplest things are photography-worthy. Which means it doesn't have to be something superior or amazing to create a good picture. For example, even taking picture of a shadow or a sunlight rays reflecting on a glass could create a good picture (composition hv to be applied).

While taking photos on campus, and also off campus, I noticed that applying composition is so important to the picture. A good composition of a photo makes me satisfied.

Findings

I found out that a good picture needs an appropriate composition (by applying rule of thirds), and it does not necessarily have to be an object that looks superior or such.

I realised that while executing the exercise, I tried to keep it simple and take pictures of stuffs that are not too extravagant but still photography-worthy.