20.03.2015 (Week 6)
Felicia Chong Khei Mink, (0322359)
Introduction To Photography
Exercise 4: Composition
Exercise 4a: Rule of Thirds

Lecture: 
In today's class , Mr.Vinod gave us quiz on twitter about Zone system. Then he asked us to have our discussion regarding this topic and come up with some questions. After he came back to the class and asked us what questions did we have,he proceed to brief today's topic -Composition and Rule of Thirds. Today we don't have practical practice but we asked to take some shot by today. Then, assignment was given. 

Instructions: 
Exercise 4a: Composition- Rules of Thirds
Capture three images adhering to the Rules of Thirds

• Using 1 person 
• Using 3 persons
• Using a scenery

When placing the image on the document for printing, place one image with the Rule of Thirds lines visible and another without the lines side by side (as instructed in class)

(Put to use what you've learned on the Zone System exercises here)

4a) Rules of Thirds (5%)
Marking Criteria: The student must show evidence of knowledge and ability to use the Rules of Thirds under the prescribed circumstances. Evidence of composition enhanced by cropping is acceptable in order to heighten the dynamism or intensity of the picture. Student must showcase their knowledge on exposure using the zone system.

Exercise 4

1 person 

F5.6 ,ISO 200 , S1/800

3 person

F5.6 ,ISO 200, S1/800

Scenery

F5.6 ,ISO200 , S1/500

F5.6 ,ISO200 , S1/500

Feedback: -Felica, you mentioned in your lecture outline that "Today we don't have practical practice but we asked to take some shot by today" the shots to be done by that day was your practical

Your attempt at fulfilling the challenges that were set out to test you on your ability to apply the Rule of Thirds were successful by and large. However composition like all art (the art of seeing) requires practise, so I believe if you continue to exercise this newly acquired skill you will eventually develop a good eye in composition. Good attempt!

Reflection:

Experience 

After reading the material , I actually still couldn't understand much about it. But after the discussion, basically I've knew that Rule of third is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds, horizontally and vertically. So, it becomes 9 parts. 

During the discussion, I came up with a question which is 'What is counterpoint? ' but I couldn't find the answer. Then, Mr.Vinod had told me that we can enhance the picture composition even more by creating counter point.So , I think I slightly understood what is it for. 

Besides, there's also other key words like Golden point . Golden points are the points of intersection of the lines. The photo will look nice if we place the subject matter on the Golden points.

Obeservation: 

I found it's hard to take photo using the Rule of third as I did not really know how to place a subject matter correctly. So, I took about 2 photos each and I hope it will be fine. 

Mr.Vinod said that, using the rule of thirds comes naturally to some photographers but for many of us, it takes a little time and practice for it to become second nature.I understand that the more you practice, the more you develop. 

Furthermore,the Golden points is to essential the scene a lot more. 

Findings:

I found that we don't need to maintain Golden points always as photography is not Maths.It's ok to break the rules as long as the photo looks comfortable and balanced. But we are going to maintain Golden points anyway since we just learnt it. Knowing that is just for our own good and we may need to apply it in the future. 

I also found that while doing new exercise, we shouldn't forget about those previous one as those are like the basic that we need to know and apply them when we take photos. For instance, we still need to adjust the F-stop , ISO , exposure , but at the same time we also need to think about the Zone system by not following the exposure given. I've learnt that we gonna trust our eyes more than our camera sometimes.

13.03.15  (Week 5)
Felicia Chong Khei Mink, (0322359)
Introduction To Photography 
Exercise 3a: Zone System
Exercise 3b: The Ansel Adam's Shot

Lecture:
For today, we had a group discussion about Zone system before Mr.Vinod's lecture. We had so many questions about Zone system, even though we had watched the videos and reading materials given, we did not really understand about it. After Mr.Vinod entered the class and started his explanation , I started to know what it is. So, for the practical exercise, we asked to go out to the corridor and take photos regarding our exercise.  All of us did Exercise 3a and then we head back to classroom. Mr.Vinod then assigned another assignment which is aboutThe Ansel Adam's Shot . This is harder compare to Exercise 3a as it need time and sketches to be done. 

Instructions: 

Having learned that the camera light meter is dumb, because it gives you an average or optimized (middle grey; zone 5) exposure irrespective of the subject matter, execute the plan below to prove the theory and record you thoughts on the matter in your eportfolio.

Exercise 3a: Zone System
1. Capture three subjects: one light zones, middle zones and dark zones.
2. Take two images for each subject, one exposure according to the camera's light meter and the other according to the zone you believe the image falls under.
3. Ensure that the subjects you choose for each zone area (light, middle dark) have a good range of tones within the zone's area. As an example if you are capturing a subject that falls under the light zone and the subject is a white wall, it is only going to have 1 shade of the light zone, so avoid such subject matters, choose subjects that have a healthy tonal range within the white zone. 
All pictures must be in black and white. 
  
Exercise 3b: The Ansel Adam's Shot
Choose an image worthy of being called an Ansel Adam's shot (Still Life, Landscape or Portrait).
In using the Zone System sketch and write down the perceived zones in the desired image and indicate the ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed used. Identify the point of interest and state the exposure settings recommended by the camera light meter and your improved settings upon using the zone system. The image captured must fulfill the following criteria:
3b) Ansel Adams Shot (5%)
Marking Criteria: Students must show evidence of using the Zone System. Student must produce 1 black & white image that captures depth and richness in tonal value by capturing light, middle and dark tones while maintaining details (texture and tone) in the dark and light areas of the image.

Exercise 3a: Zone System 

F3.5, ISO 100, S1/30

F3.5, ISO100, S1/60

F4.5, ISO100 ,S0"8

F4.5 ,ISO 100, S1/5

F 4.5 , ISO 100, S1/125

F4.5 ,ISO 100, S1/30

Exercise 3b : The Ansel Adam's Shot 

Following camera's exposure meter.

F3.5 , ISO 400, S1/40 (Zone4) 

Following zone system.

Screenshot of Exercise 3a: 

Screenshot of Exercise 3b: 

Feedback: Felicia, you managed to showcase that the meter is inaccurate under certain conditions (when taking picture of white or black objects/subjects). However your choice of subject matter in the subsequent exercise was disappointing. It isn't called the Ansel Adams shot for no good reason, it is hoped that you would aspire to capture an image that comes close to being as good.
While the exercises by and large seem like it has fulfilled its purpose, I however feel that you can do a whole lot better. Your reflection was good, you tried to explain what you observed and found as a result of your exercise, good. I would like to see more fluency in your descriptions which would require you to contemplate analyse properly before writing your sentences.
Reflection: 

Experience 
At first , I thought Zone system is just about black to white, but after the class, I realized that Zone system is not as easy as I thought. There's something called middle grey which is Zone 5. Camera doesn't really know the tone of the pointed view so the exposure always show us middle grey .In order to change the zone, I need to change the shutter speed. To change to higher zone which is brighter, I need to adjust to a slower shutter speed which allow more light to enter. Thus a brighter image formed. 

Observation : 
I understood about what Zone system is and what is it for. After Mr .Vinod showed us on how to take Ansel Adam shot, I finally know how to do it. Since Zone system only contains black to white, I have learnt how to see colorful things is black and white by following the table. I also observed that if I did not understand the previous lesson well, I would not be able to complete this exercise as I need to adjust the exposure meter in order to get the right zone. Eventually, I realized that it is not a must for the exposure meter to become zero in every photo. Take photo which is rich in tonality , this is what Mr.Vinod told us and I need to keep that in mind. 

Findings: 
What I found out after this lesson is that the zone system actually help  to enhance the quality of the photo, which make the photo look more real. I found that we need not always adjust the exposure meter to 0 as we need to believe in our eyes too. I also found out that if I wanna take photo of the sky, I need to depend on the colour of the sky more as I set it as a major. But at the same time, I can't lose the other things in the photo, so I need to choose shutter speed which is in between, it's a safest choice, so all things can be seen .

11.02.2015 (Week 3)
Felicia Chong Khei Mink, (0322359)
Introduction to Photography 
Exercise 2b &c : Shutter speed & ISO

Lecture:
Today is the last class before Chinese New Year holiday, Mr. Vinod briefed us about what shutter speed and ISO is. After that, he gave us quiz by using App on the topic of Aperture and ISO. Indeed, there're some questions that I really don't know what's the answers since I haven't learn about ISO. Then, we did practice about Shutter speed & ISO, and assignment is assigned. 

Instruction:
Exercise 2b) Shutter Speed
Directions: Choose a room that has good light and a ceiling fan. Keep the fan speed at 1 and capture images using shutter settings from 1/1000th of a second till 1’ of a second. Ensure the ISO and aperture adjusted according to what your camera light meter indicates as the correct exposure throughout the exposures. 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.

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.

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)

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.

Exercise 2b : Shutter speed

Exercise 2c.1:  ISO affects exposure 

F 4.0, S 1/3200 , ISO 200

F4.0, S 1/3200, ISO 400

F 4.0, S 1/3200, ISO 800

F 4.0, S 1/3200 ,ISO1600

F4.0, S 1/3200, ISO 3200

F4.0, S 1/3200, ISO 6400

Exercise 2c.2: ISO affects the sensitivity of image sensor

F 18, S 1/4000, ISO 200

F18, S1/2000 ,ISO 400

F 18, S 1/1000, ISO 800

F18, S 1/500, ISO 1600

F 18, S 1/250, ISO 3200

F 18, S 1/125, ISO 6400

Feedback: Felicia, your attempt of exercise 2b: shutter speed, going by the evidence posted on your ePortfolio does not clearly suggest that you have managed to prove that shutter speed does indeed capture (and freeze) fast moving objects. This is due to exposures that weren't accurate. Your pictures were darker in the beginning and then get progressively lighter when doing the exercise, this indicates there was either less light in your room or your exposure settings wasn't correct (you did not follow the exposure meter). This phenomena was not explained in your reflection nor were your findings articulated in-depth. It is important for you to do so in order for me to gauge whether you have understood the exercise or not, so that I may take remedial measures. As such you will need to do this exercise again. Please take a look at Sonia's work, and ask her how she went about it. See me in class once you have redone your work.
In exercise 2c.1 & 2c.2 you have managed to successfully showcase evidence that ISO does effect exposure when ISO dial is increase without it being compensated by either aperture or shutter, and quality of image when ISO is increased and the image progressively degrades due to grain and noise becoming more visible. Good work. --- The ePortfolio reflection was too brief and as such, didn't give much insight into what you have understood from the exercise. I am therefore unable to know whether any corrective measures need to be taken, for me to help you. In future, please explain and articulate your observations and findings properly. Refer to the example of the students ePortfolio that I posted (Rahila's) and see how she writes a reflection.
Reflections:

Experience:
 I personally felt very happy because it's like 'Finally! I know what to do with ISO and how to adjust shutter speed ! ' . Mr.Vinod 's class is not boring, and I understood what he taught ,always.  But, memorizing is kind of challenging for me.
Basically ,ISO adjust the camera's sensitivity to light and it controls exposure as well.
The image sensor is in the camera body and it controls by ISO.
Shutter speed is basically the duration of time the shutter remains open to allow light to reach a digital camera sensor.

Obeservation : 
I noticed that sometimes there's not only one thing a function can do. For example ,ISO , it can affects the exposure in the same time affects the quality of a particular photo. Sound interesting!
Furthermore, I noticed that for a slower film, it is less sensitive and require more light. For a faster film, it react rapidly and can be used in low light situations. 
Besides,I've noticed that with increased of sensitivity,(higher ISO),camera can capture images in low light environments without having to use a flash.So, for brighter environment, lower ISO will do.


Findings: 
After class, I've learnt that the higher sensitivity, the less light is needed to make an exposure. Shooting with lower ISO number require more light than shooting at higher ISO.
I found that slow film produces sharper, more detailed image but fast film often have higher contrast and grain.
I realized that sometimes, photography may sound hard or look hard while Mr. Vinod is teaching, but it's actually not when it comes to exercises. IMPORTANT: No yawning in the class and pay attention in class then everything will be fine.