Heather's Photography Notebook: 2009

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

My Photos - Movie Stills

The movie still to reproduce:

14 seconds
AP 8
Filter 2

The digital test strip

This photograph was pretty hard to reproduce because in the original film still was located outside and there was much more space between the people. Our "set" was very small so I had to work with the limited space that I had. That required me having to stand up on a chair to get a higher angle at a farther distance. Also because the original movie still was outside, there was a natural light setting. So to recreate this, I had lights placed higher up on both sides of the people. A problem with this photograph that I should have noticed was that there are white wooden boards in the background and it makes the photograph look very messy.

The movie still to reproduce:

6 seconds
AP 8

The digital test strip

This was a hard angle to capture on my camera without zoom (my camera doesn't have a zoom). The set-up of the subjects is still not quite right because the person with the back of his head at the camera is not leaning in enough and his face is not turned enough. But as for the lighting, I put a high light on the the right side of the talking person's face and so there would be more shadow on the left side of his face. And also a soft box on the others person's top part of his hair.

The movie still to reproduce:

4 seconds
AP 3.5

The digital test strip

This photo was a very simple set-up with the lighting. It was placed indoors at a restaurant or something, so there is lots of lighting surrounding him. But there is also one light shining directly on the upper lift side of his face. So since there were already room lights, I just placed one lamp high up, beaming down on his forehead. But I think the black and white print is too dark.

Image Bank - Film Photography

Shooter (2007)

Kimberly French

Kimberly French was born in Canada in 1967. Her passion for photography started when she was only seven. She studied at many different schools and many different subjects including literature and philosophy. But when she studied at North West Film and Video Training Centre, she worked under mentor, Phil Hersee, a still photographer in the motion picture industry. She worked as an assistant for several years and then went on be a still photographer herself. Her latest works in film photography include New Moon, Love Happens, The Uninvited, Shooter, and Brokeback Mountain.

I chose this picture because, in relation to still photography, it is a very good representation of the movie and his character. He's running and the ground next to him is getting blown up but all the action is caught with great detail. You can see the specks of dust and dirt flying up and his facial expression clearly shows the feeling of the photograph.

The Kite Runner (2007)

Phil Bray

Phil Bray is very well known in the motion picture industry and has made several beautiful pieces of art with the movies he has worked with. He has a long list of major works including The Chronicles of Narnia, Milk, Death At a Funeral, The Kite Runner, Bee Season, Rent, Cold Mountain, Bicentennial Man, and many more.

I chose this still photography by Phil Bray because I really like the sun coming from the behind the two boys and how it lights up the kite. The kite is a key symbol in the movie and to have it lit up like that draws the attention to it. The setting is also very nice. I like the water and the make-shift bridge they are walking over.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Elliott Marks

Elliott Marks is one of the most respected photographers in Hollywood. He started his career as a wildlife photographer but slowly moved into motion picture still photography after he moved to Los Angeles with his wife and son. His career in Hollywood lasted 25 years, ending with his death in 2003. But many of his works still live on today. He worked with companies like Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Miramax Films, Columbia/Screen Gems, Touchstone, and Disney Studios. Some of his last works in still photography included Starsky & Hutch (2004) and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003).

I chose this photograph mainly because it is from one of my favorite movies. And this scene happens to be one of my favorites parts of the movie. The main thing that stands out to me are the colors of the sky. It is very pretty but also compliments him in a way of making him look more regal and important.

Jaap

Mirjana Vrbaski

Mirjana was born in Canada and grew up in Canada and Serbia for most of her life. She now lives in The Hague, Nl, where she studies at the Royal Academy of Art. One of her most known photographers is in the National Portrait Gallery in London. She has works featured in many different galleries from Holland to London.

This photo is a part of a series that she did for a play called Long Day's Journey Into Night. These works are portraits of the actors in character. I particularly like this one because after I have seen her other works, I noticed that this one is slightly different from what she usually does. Most of her portraits are very clean and controlled with not too much expression in the face and no part of photo that stands out too much. I think that is something that makes her work stand out more. What is different about this one is his position in the chair. He is slouching in his chair and looking relaxed with his body. Also, the way his hands are placed makes him look quizzical and makes him look like he has some emotion. It brings out his character in a very subtle.

Darkroom Diary - December 10, 2009

For this project, we had movie stills from a movie that we had to recreate. This was a new challenge because we had to use different kinds of lighting situations to recreate the set. Throughout the process we got better and better at being able to determine where the light should be placed, what angle its coming at, and its intensity. At first, this took a long time to get perfect, but after a few times of repeating the process with each new situation, we were faster and more accurate as we became more comfortable with what we were doing.

This project definitely should me how the lighting of the subject is very important and I feel I have payed more attention to those kinds details now. Also, I have now learned that I can control and manipulate the lighting around me if it's not what I what.

Theory Notes: Movie Stills

Casablanca (1942)

Movie Still

This movie still from Casablanca is similar to my original movie still in the ways of the set-up of the people and the lighting. There are two people predominately in the front talking, and then random people (3-4) in the background talking. However, in lighting it is not as similar. In the Casablanca film still, they are located inside and in the other photograph they are outside, so the lighting is automatically different and more lighted. Inside the bar, it is dimly lit and the only light source appears to only be coming from the lights on the walls. In the original, the light source is sun light and most of the faces are evenly lit.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Movie Still

This movie still from Lawrence of Arabia is very similar to a film still from another movie. They are seated in the same position and they are both seated inside so there is not outside source of light, like the sun. There is a light beaming directly on the upper left side of his head in the other film still, however in the Lawrence of Arabia film still the light source is directly on his face and in front of him.

The Holiday (2006)

Movie Still

These two photos are similar in the way that they have the same basic screen shot, an over-the-sholder shot, but they are different too. For one, the position of the person talking in the movie still from the Holiday is reversed from the original film still that we had to replicate. They are also standing instead of sitting which changes the composition. However, the lighting situation is very similar in both. The face of the person talking is lighted more, which focuses the attention to their face. And the person who is listening is more in the shadows and the back of their head has no direct light on them.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

My Photos - Hairstyles (Lighting III)

Hair #1

52 seconds
AP 2.8

Test Strip

45, 47, 49 seconds
AP 2.8

This is my angle shot. The light was coming from behind the subject so the light highlights her hair in the back. And because the light was behind, there are slight shadows created on her face. With the sunlight, the texture of the hair stands out more and you can see individual strands and waves. Though I think I could have added a little more time but I was afraid her face would get too dark.

Hair #2

2 seconds
AP 5.6

Test Strip

1, 2, 3, 4 seconds
AP 5.6

This is my print with two subjects. I wanted to show the contrasting straight and curly hair. So I chose two people with similar hair color, but completely different types of hair.

Hair #3

2 seconds
AP 5.6

Test Strip

3 seconds
AP 5.6

This photo is slightly unfocus in the center of her hair which is annoying because it takes away from the effect of it being the main subject of the photo. It was a slightly overcast day and I was in a shadowed area so you can not see much of the available light. But the light does do enough to differenciate between the tree in the background and her hair and also show the detail of her curly hair.

Contact Sheets

10 seconds
AP 5.6

43 seconds
AP 2.8

Image Bank - Hairstyles (Lighting III)

Untitled
by Clayton Bozard

Clayton is from Orangeburg, South Carolina and this is where he found his passion for photography. His photographic career began as a hobby but over time he honed his skills and has become a professional with his skills in using lighting and surroundings to create his photographs. He focuses on capturing “true emotion, personality, and intensity” in each of his subjects.

I like the usage of the sun as a backlight. And the backlight on the hair helps bring out the detail and texture of the hair, to the point where you can see individual strands. There’s not really a specific “hairstyle” being advertised here, but the since her hair is in her face, it automatically draws the audience’s focus to her hair. So the hair is definitely the main focus of this photo.

Untitled
By Mark Lobo

Mark Lobo is currently working on a project called ‘BNE’. It is a series inspired by the people of Brisbane. It started out as capturing the people from suburbs in Brisbane to tell their stories. But as it carried out, Mark realized that all the subjects knew the previous subjects in one way or another so he decided to let his subjects select the people for his next shoot, inspired by the idea of “six degrees of separation.” Mark believes in the phrase “a picture tells a thousand words” and makes it his challenge for his work to tell the stories of people’s lives in his photos.

This was taken as part of a photo shoot for a hairstylist. The lighting here gives the appearence of pale and washed out and this helps to compliment the hairstyle because it shows the texture of the hair (the unruly teased waves and the contrasting pin straight bangs). Also, with the color compostistion being pale and beige, the photo blends together and flows with the exception of the long, dark eyelashes.

Untitled
By Albert Watson

Albert Watson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is blind in one eye but he has overcome the odds with creativity and hard work. He has work published in magazines such as Vogue, Newsweek, and Rolling Stone. He also works with some of the leading brand names such as Revlon, Levi’s, and Chanel. He not only works in fashion photography, but he also writes about photography.

I love the colors in this, especially the colors in the hair. Its blue and green and with the contrasting red background, the hairstyle really stands out as original and creative and the actual photo reflects that.

Darkroom Diary - October 14, 2009

The darkroom was super chill this time. Only a few glitches. For example, the first day in the darkroom, my times were all 10 seconds. I did my contact sheet and first print at 10 seconds. Then the next day, I redid my first print, and suddenly 10 seconds was way too much time. So I had to find all new times, which turned out to be about 2 or 3 seconds. This set me back a little. I think the reason for this was the developer was changed, and I just didn't get the memo.
But then the next day, I had to re-shoot and then my times were completely different, about 50 seconds, which was very irritating.

This time I was going to focus on not rushing through my prints just to get them done, but actually take me time to make sure it is done right and fix any small errors. And I think I did try harder to make sure that I was taking my time on them.

Theory Notes: Flashes and Light Meters

Flashes

A flash produces an instantaneous flash of artificial light typically around 1/1000 to 1/2000 of a second. They are mostly used to help illuminate scenes that do not have enough available light to expose the photograph. Flashes are used for other reasons such as capturing quickly moving objects or creating a different temperature light.

With the combination of a flash and fast shutter speed, these water droplets of running water look frozen.

Light Meters

A light meter is used to determine the proper exposure for a photograph. It allows the photographer to determine which shutter speed and aperture to set their camera to in a certain light situation and with a certain film speed.

First, set the light meter to the correct film speed you are using. You place the light meter a a point where the light is brightest on the subject. The light meter will tell you what the aperture and shutter speed you should use for a more accurate exposure of the film.

For a more detailed demonstration on how to use a light meter, watch this video.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

My Photos - Fashion (Lighting II)

Clothing

Clothing #1

27 seconds
AP 4
Filter: 2

test strip

25, 3o seconds
AP 4
Filter: 2

I used a natural light source for this photo. The cardigan is the main subject of this, and i attempted to achieve that by having her look down at it slightly.

Clothing #2

35 seconds
AP 4
Filter: 2

test strip

36, 38, 40
AP 4
Filter: 2

I wanted to subject the jeans and wanted to think of a pose that would compliment them and make them stand out. However, it just turned out as an awkward pose, though i still really like it. I did two final prints of this, one was lighter and the other was darker. I chose the lighter one because, even though the darker one had stronger blacks, the lighter was just easier on the eyes.

Clothing #3

32 seconds
AP 4
Filter: 2

test strip

28, 30, 32, 34 seconds
AP 4
Filter:2

The actual final print of this was too light and slighly grey, but i guess it scanned into the computer well. There was not a direct light source coming from one direction because it was kind of an overcast day, so the minimal sunlight was spread evenly across the sky.

Shoes

Shoes #1

28 seconds
AP 4
Filter: 2

I wish I hadnt gone so dark on this one even though I needed to, to get the black to be black. The composistion is pretty basic too but I think it does the job to make the shoes the subject and I guess advertise the shoes.

Shoes #2

24 seconds
AP 4
Filter: 2

test strip

24 seconds
AP 4
Filter: 2

This is my favorite one because of the composistion. Shoes was the hardest section for me because they all looked the same, so this was just different from the rest, so I liked it. But I do think it is a little too dark. I was trying to get blacker blacks and whiter whites but it just ended up being too dark by her legs and on her feet. And I think there is too much depth of field by her hand, which was kind of an accident.

Shoes #3

32 seconds
AP 4
Filter: 2

This area where I took the photo was a little darker then the other places because I didn't have as much sun light, so 25 seconds (which was my default time) was too light. I opened the aperture on my camera and then when developing it, I still had to add more time.

Accessories

Accessories #1

22 seconds
AP 5.6

test strip

25 seconds
AP 5.6

This is a nice simple compostion showing her necklace. However, I think it is still too gray. Unfortunately I didnt use a filter for this one, which I probably should have. This was taken on a slightly overcast day so I did not have much available light. I turned the subject so that the sun that was actually out would be on the necklace/chest area.

Accessories #2

26 seconds
AP 4
Filter: 2

test strip

25 seconds
AP 4
Filter: 2

I had originally intended this to be a photo for shoes but after I printed it, I thought that the accessories on her hand stood out more. This was an easy print to do because her shoes, shirt, and nails are black against the lighter grass and that enabled me to tell if i had enough black and white contrast.

Accessories #3

27 seconds
Ap 4
Filter: 2

test strip

24, 26, 28 seconds
AP 5.6

So I did a test strip for this one without the aperature and filter. But then I decided that it would need a filter and i would have to open my aperture. And it then after I had established the correct filter, etc., I used these settings on the rest of my prints because it looked better and all of my photographs were taken at the same time and location.

Contact Sheet

25 seconds
AP 5.6

Image Bank - Fashion (Lighting II)

Untitled
by Albert Watson

Albert Watson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is blind in one eye but he has overcome the odds with creativity and hard work. He has work published in magazines such as Vogue, Newsweek, and Rolling Stone. He also works with some of the leading brand names such as Revlon, Levi’s, and Chanel. He not only works in fashion photography, but he also writes about photography.

I really like this photo because it is different from others advertising accessories. Instead of wearing the necklace, she is holding it in a seductive manner I guess. Her hair color, her ivory skin and the green necklace with the brown background all compliment eachother and give this photo an earthy feel, even though it is advertising a probably very expensive necklace. So I like the contrasting ideas.

Untitled
by Donald McPherson

Donald McPherson is a very high profile fashion photographer. He started his career as an assistant with several other photographers and has transformed his career to become one of the most renowned fashion photographers in Europe. He has worked published in The Russian Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bizaar, and other leading fashion magazines. He has also worked with celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Keira Knightly, and Gwen Stefani.

I chose this photo because I love the lights in the background. The whole scene sets an atmosphere for the photograph and it compliments the dress. The lighting in this would be very important because, the scene helps advertise and represent the dress.

Untitled
by Richard Warren

Richard Warren was born in Houston, texas and later he moved to the pacific northwest. He is now based in Manhattan’s Fashion District. Warren was 26 when he made his first break in Milan, he had a 40 page Couture editorial in Itailian Bazaar photographing Valentino and other top name couture designers.

I chose this because i think her stance is a quirky way to model the shoes and make them look good. The stance gives the appearence of marching and this emphasizes the shoes, without drawing too much attention away from the whole outfit.

Untitled
by James Hickey

James Hickey is based in Los Angeles. He specializes in advertising, beauty and glamour photography. His styles include vivid color and lots of beauty.

I really like the dress in this photo and so I chose this photo because of how well the dress was photographed for it to really catch someone's eye. The pale blue lighting is really pretty and with the flowing of the dress, this photo has a fairy-like quality.

Untitled
by James Nader

James Nader is based in the UK and has worked all around the world, New York, London, Paris, Milan and many in between. He has been working on honing and developing his own unique editing style and has so far been very successful because he stands out among others with his creativeness. He works with many art directors and editors.

I really like this photo because of the oddity of the pose. It really stands out to me. I also like the single spotlight on her which creates great shadows and gives a nice personality to the photo. The shadows don’t take away from the detail of the bag, either, which is the main accessory being advertised.

Untitled
by David Leslie Anthony

David Leslie Anthony began his fashion photography career in Los Angeles, Ca in 1990. He started off self-taught. But in later years after working in LA and Canada for a while, he moved to Europe to further his photographic education and career, mainly focusing on fashion. He has been very successful and getting his name around. He is now settled in Chicago (after Paris and Madrid) while primarily working in New York, Paris, London, Toronto, Miami, and Los Angeles.

I really love this photo. The clouds and the blue sky behind her are beautiful. The light from the sky almost makes her look washed out but I think it is effective in this way. The light also makes the dress look lovely, especially where she is holding it up and the light comes through.

Untitled
by Adam Rowell

Adam Rowell is based in San Diego, California and dedicates himself to fashion, advertising, and art portrait photography. Adam’s photography production studio in San Diego specializes in fashion, beauty, and glamour photography and has many ad agency and fashion designer clients.

I chose this photo because I really like the back lighting. It sets a clear contrast between the subject and the background, and with the backlight, her hair is lit up just right, effectively adding definition and texture. The accessories are not over done and I think the lighting really compliments the necklace because it appears dark against her skin and really stands out.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Projects