Week 4 Task - Landscape Photography
I had an attempt at Landscape Photography, a genre which I am attracted towards but do not feel particularly comfortable doing. I think this may be down to dealing with different exposures, which is a big challenge, and that it is a slow and patient way of shooting, which I am not used to. I feel that I approached the task with intent, and I kind of knew exactly what I was looking for and what I was trying to do.
I chose my spot as the top of Beacon Hill in Leicestershire on 17th April, a spot I had visited 1 week prior with my dog. On a dog walk the previous day, I was impressed with the pink-red evening sky-cloud combos (alas camera-less) after rain, which motivated me to look for a landscape shot at this time.
I used a 50mm lens (77mm thread) and therefore set my parameters immediately. I took a 24mm lens (77mm thread) and a 24mm tilt shift lens (72mm thread) with me, along with a 77mm graduated filter and a really interesting multi-stop 72mm variable filter, which I haven't used before. I also took tripod and remote cable.
I had checked the weather earlier in the day, but when I arrived, it began to hail ferociously!! I checked my weather app which noted a 30minute rain-free window in 8 minutes time, so made a run for the top of the hill as soon as the inclement weather reduced.
I set up on the rocks with some rock for foreground and looked at a variety of viewpoints. I chose this particular one because of the power station and super dark clouds and the gradual lines of light which flowed across the countryside. I was frustrated with the exposure difference between sky and ground, but didn't dare change lens because of the weather, so was stuck with 50mm. I however got to try the graduated filter, which worked really well. It did make the clouds quite black and dramatic, but they were very black and dramatic already. I tried taking photos at different focus distances but used a small aperture which seemed to work well with the graduated filter. I used f/14 - I never usually shoot that small an aperture. I rarely go smaller than f/8.
I then had to go before it began to rain again, and also my dog had been so good in waiting for me, that I felt an obligation to take him for a walk before the weather got too bad. Below is an image of my dog waiting patiently on the rocks.
I stayed to take photos as the sun set too and weather cleared.
In post-production, I cropped the image and centred the farm building on one of the thirds, and did small light adjustments and saturated the yellow a little. I de-saturated the blue after a couple of edits.
In retrospect, I enjoyed setting up my scene and finding a viewpoint I liked. I enjoyed watching the scenery go by and seeing how settings altered the view. I really liked the view I found and this was my favourite of the shots I took. However, I found exposure to be difficult to work with, and I found it difficult to edit the image properly because of the colours. The graduated filter was a great saviour. I think looking at precedents would help set the colours, or the image may be better in black and white, due to the drama of the skies. I would have liked to have tried the variable filter, if weather had allowed.
I am quite keen to try some night-time exposure shots.
Additional patient dog image.
Week 4 Task - Nature Photography
I took this image of a small caterpillar whilst taking pictures of the leaves initially, on my dog walk down and back up again Beacon Hill. I liked how the shapes of the leaves overlapped one another in the sun and created new shapes within themselves. I enjoyed taking pictures of these and seeing the differences with aperture. I worked at f/4 here, which created a great separation from the background.
I took the photo using the 50mm lens I had with me, which I have found success with in the past when it comes to macro photography, although its minimum focal distance is not brilliant. A extension tube usually helps this lens.
I have altered the light to my own taste and I have raised the shadow and saturation of the caterpillar to create a greater focal point. I have not done any other touching up to stick within a natural parameter.
In hindsight, I would have liked to have had a macro lens with me to get even closer to the plant. I had to crop in quite a bit, which has reduced the quality of the image. I would have found a tripod of benefit too, as well as an extension tube. The bug was not moving and there was not any wind, so there was plentiful opportunity to slow the shutter speed right down. I am pleased that I just happened to come across the caterpillar, whilst focusing on the plant. I enjoy that element of unexpectedness to photography.
Week 4 Task - Travel & Tourism Photography
I took this image of 'the locals': 3 alpacas on my dog walk down my local Beacon Hill, however I only had one attempt at time of day. I tried a few viewpoints of the alpacas. This one was my favourite. I like the very 'matter of fact' behaviour of foreground alpaca and that the other two are joined at the head. I used a technique of setting up my shot and then making light clicking sounds and whistling noises to attract their attention.
I decided to work with the limitations set from my above landscape shots, so 50mm lens, but no longer with tripod or filter, as I was walking with dog. I felt it would be a nice contrast to see what I would find, shooting on the move, compared to the slow and steady nature of the landscape. I always find 50mm is very flexible and works well with animals that are dog-sized.
I tried a variety of apertures for depth of field and f/8 allowed me to capture all 3 in relative detail. The ISO however was quite high, and I would have been better taking this sort of shot earlier in the day.
I set it to black and white for a greater contrast between foreground alpaca and the tree. I liked the black tree against white background of the 'landscape' genre set, and I like how the neck of the alpaca bends parallel with the tree branch.
In hindsight, I would have tried a different time of day and seen what effects the light presented and lower the ISO a bit. However, being animals, who knows where they would have been and by the same tree. I could have waited longer to see what other positions they moved into. I could have used a tripod. I could have used a wider angle lens, which may have made for interesting effects; ie bringing the foreground one closer and other two further away.
