Self Portraits and Portraits Review

Step 1:

Tip #1: Bring Something to Focus On

The problem that I saw when I looked through my viewfinder was that I didn't have anything to focus on aside from the items in the far distance. This of course would make for a perfectly blurry photo of me, which isn't at all what I wanted.

One easy solution to this problem is to bring something to stand in your place. Height doesn't matter so much as distance, but try to match it to yourself as best as you can for accuracy. If you have an extra tripod or light stand, these make perfect substitutes that will stand upright exactly where you need them. I was out in my yard so I grabbed a shovel from my shed, stuck it in the ground, focused and then moved the shovel. Rudimentary, but it worked perfectly.

Coming up with ideas:

Time to talk about technique. I think where most people get stuck on self portraits is the coming up with ideas (I know I struggle here). What really got me going was thinking about what I own and how I could use it in a photo. Now I am not just talking about props, but I am talking about features also. One of my prominent features is my bald head. So could I work that to my advantage?Just thinking about my hobbies and past times, inspired all sorts of photo themes. In fact when I sat down and listed items, I quickly had more self portrait ideas than I could shoot in a single month (shooting a theme a day).

Step 2:
Enviromental Portraits: 

 I like this portrait because I think the idea of doing her portrait in her dance studio while posing in a stretch or move is an ingenious idea. I picked it because i liked the setup and composure of the photo.

I liked this portrait because the guy sitting in his house completely captures his environment and having his guitar shows comfort. I picks it because he used a good idea and captured his environment well.

Step 3:

Casual Portraits: 

 I like this photo because the woman looks so happy and i picked it because it is a good representation of a casual photo.

I like this photo because because the girl looks so casual and enjoying whatever she's doing. I picked this photo because i captures the girl in a casual setting.

Step 4: 

Formal portraits: 

 I like this photo because the couple looks so happy. I picked this photo because it is a good representation of a formal setting and portrait.

I like this photo because the man is representing his country and his job. i picked this photo because the man looks strict, formal and serious about the photo.

Step 5: 

Self Portraits: 

 I like this photo because i think the snow or rain in the background of the photo looks really cool. I picked this photo because it caught my eye as soon as i saw it.

I like this photo because its creative and comical. I picked this photo because it made me laugh when i saw it and i thought it was a really good idea.

For my portrait i will shoot my classmate Mia Serrano. I will more than likely shoot my photo outside in the courtyard. I will pose her in a position comfortable looking yet attractive and cool at the same time. Also i will change the aperture and shutter speed to the needed for the  lighting outside.

Rules of Photography Part 2

The Three Pillars of Exposure: Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed

Aperture:
1. The eyes are the part of the body that we should closely relate aperture.
2. The smaller the Aperture the larger the f-number, the higher the Aperture the smaller the f-number.
3. Aperture impacts the Depth of Field by the smaller the aperture brings the background into focus and the larger the aperture blurs out the background
F2.8:

 

F16:

Shutter Speed:
1. a.) For the dunking booth i would use fast shutter speed because there's fast moving balls and when the person drops it'll all happen rather fast
b.) For the food eating contest I would use medium shutter speed because the people eating the food are in a contest and will more than likely be moving fast feeding themselves.
c.) For the rock climbing wall i would use fast shutter speed because people are climbing the wall and more than likely will be moving rather fast so the fast shutter speed would be the best option.
d.) For someone working at a booth i would use slow shutter speed since the people don't have fast moving action going on so slow shutter speed would be more idealistic.
e.) For the DJ/MC working in the middle of the circle i would use slow shutter speed since they're standing there choosing music, it would be easier and more reasonable to use the slow shutter speed.
f.) For the Diamonds performance i would use fast shutter speed because the the girls will be moving fast and dancing with quick motion so the fast shutter speed is whats best.

a.) At the dunking booth in a dark setting i would use slow shutter speed since it will help capture the motion happening as a person falls or a ball is thrown.
b.) At a food eating contest i would use a medium shutter speed since the setting is dark and the people might not be moving fast enough for a slow or fast shutter speed so medium would be a good balance and capture a well enough picture in the dark.
c.) At the rock climbing wall i would use a medium shutter speed since the people would be moving slower because its dark, so the medium shutter speed would be more ideal for a darker slower moving environment.
d.) For someone working at a booth i would use slow shutter speed since the person really isn't making a fast moving motion so the use of fast shutter speed isn't needed.
e.) For the DJ/MC working at the middle of the circle i would use fast shutter speed, because it dark so the lighting is slightly changed and the visibility is limited so using the fast shutter speed will make it easier to capture or freeze the DJ.
f.) At the Diamonds performance i would use slow shutter speed, because when its dark out the slower speed will help freeze the motion better and the girls will be moving and dancing rather fast.

2.) One way to set shutter speed is to have the camera set in auto mode, because the camera will automatically set the the shutter speed. Another way is to set the camera to shutter priority, because with that you set the shutter speed and the camera will automatically set the aperture.

ISO:
1. The advantages to shooting with a higher ISO at night are the it will allow more light to come into the photo since you'll need more light because its dark.
2. The author suggested to use low ISO when there is plenty of light or when it may be dim and you use a tripod.
3. The author suggested to use high ISO when there is not enough light for the picture, so like shooting inside with no flash or super fast scenes.

• F4 - looks best at 1/125th of a second shutter speed. At F4 the background is very blurry.
• F5.5 - looks best at 1/60th of a second shutter speed. At F5.5 the background is still blurry but not as bad as the other aperture.
• F8 - looks best at 1/60th of a second shutter speed. At F8 the background is blurry.
• F11 - looks best at 1/60th of a second shutter speed. At F11 the background is still blurry but not too blurry.
• F16 - looks best at 1/30th of a second shutter speed. At F16 the background is coming into better focus than the other apertures.
• F22 - looks best at 1/15th of a second shutter speed. At F22 the background is in focus and looks well.

At slower shutter speed, the subject is way more blurry than faster shutter speed. The photographer could use a tripod to help combat the problem.

The slowest shutter speed a photographer could use while holding the camera before needing a tripod is at 1/60th of a second.

On the shutter speed test I made a 92%. And on the depth of field test I made a 50%. Yes i understand aperture, shutter speed, and ISO better now.

Great Black and White Photography Part 3

1. Something that caught my eye while looking at my photographer's pictures were his well use of nature and capturing a scenic moment while only using the bland yet powerful use of black and white.
2. 1st photo: I see flowing, rushing waters. I also see my reflection staring back at me through quick moving water.
I smell natural water. And a touch of pine from the trees around me.
I hear loud rushes of water. And the faint sound of my friend yelling towards me.
I taste crisp air. With the nasty water in my mouth managing to make its way at my face.
I feel droplets of water hitting my arm and face. And rushing water under my feet moving quickly just trying to nock me down.
2nd photo: I see the trees and lake pondering near me. The mountains leaning and the reflection of everything up in the lake.
I smell pine needles. With fresh water and dirt wafting lightly.
I hear birds chirping. The scurry of squirrels and the faint sound of the water trickling.
I taste cold breezy air. And the wind brings nasty dirt to my lips.
I feel the wind flowing in my hair. Soft subtle rain falling on my head and the dirt flowing away.
3. I would like to create a poster to show the world my great photographer. I would like to put many information about the photographer and show the many pictures of his fascinating work.

Caption Writing

1. Curits Reagan steals a kiss from Lois Lane on Friday in Time Square in New York City. Reagan snatched a kiss joyfully from Lane after the announcement that the allies had defeated the Nazis, ending World War II.

2. Bryan Wilson drops head first on September 11 from the World Trade Towers in New York City. The terrorists were taking their attacks on the towers so the Wilson decided to jump and sacrifice his life than be crushed.

3. Martin Port stands on a box in early April in a prisoner room in U.S. Port was captured by an unknown source and he was hooded with electrical wires taped to him, and he was waiting for what was going to happen next.

4. Robert Fitzgerald and David Lancey stands on their pedestals in June. They were at the Olympic stadium in Mexico City because they attended the summer olympic games and the men proudly except their award.

5. Marilyn Monroe walks in public on May 4th at New York City's subway station. She was heading to  shop when the air quickly blew upward on her.