Aragon - Digital Photography 

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Using a shallow depth of field with Macro Photography.

*Remember though....you are ABSTRACTING (making less recognizable).

Tips
  • A tripod is essential when using long exposure times.

  • Though the use of flash reveals fine details, it can also cause hard, unnatural shadows.


ABOVE:  readjusting your aperture for your background

– wider to blur it more, and smaller to make objects more identifiable.

-There is no cookie-cutter rule to this as each situation is different

– in some photos, you may want to focus in on the background a bit since it has elements that compliment your main subject (like in the image below), and in others you may want to use a wider aperture to completely blur out your environment.

PHOTO HUNT 

  1. Download File here (to add your photos)
  2. Add your photos from Tuesday's scavenger hunt.

Example below of Part 1 from Tuesday,9/27

Blog #4: 
Compare & Contrast

I. Steps:

1. In groups of 3, compare and contrast the two abstract macro photos below.


2. Choose the strongest photo.


3. Using complete sentences,write 3 reasons why the photo you chose is the strongest.

1.

2.

3.


B. Using complete sentences, think of 2 ways photo could be improved.

1.

2.


4. Be ready to share your results with the class.


5. Save this file as: last name first initial.doc (bnelson_compare.doc) and Turn into school loop under Assignments –


Project #3

Your World - Unveiling the Beauty in the Everyday.

I. Project Description: 


1.Take SIX photos that represent your world. What do you find beautiful? What surrounds you that makes you complete? Is it nature, inanimate objects, people, tools, food, soft clothes, etc.


2. The 6 photos must be close-up photos that focus on abstract texture and pattern/repetition. The goal is to make the objects, your subject, unrecognizable.


3. One final composition will be created with your 6 photos. 

    *See student example above. One color scheme was created to create unity.

DUE DATES


1. Due by Monday, Oct. 3rd: 10 MACRO photos of your objects in your world. Edit photos. 


2. Due by Tuesday, Oct. 4th: Choose 6 photos and create your final composition.

 

3. Due Wed. Oct. 5th (P.1) and Thurs.Oct. 6th (P.2): Final edited 6 Photos. 


TURN IN DIRECTIONS: 7 images total 

 (6 photos and 1 jpeg file with all 6 photos)


  1.  Make a FOLDER titled: Last name first initial_abstract  (ex.      nelsonb_abstract)

B. Place each of your 6 photo files inside folder.  Make sure they are jpeg files. 


C. Place your jpeg file with all 6 of your photos combined into one composition.


D. Zip file the folder   (CTRL - Right click-Zip File)


E. Submit to google classroom Assignments: Final Macro Project


Project Details & Tips to Understanding:

Macro photography often has an extremely shallow depth of field, so sacrificing some resolution is usually acceptable.

BACKGROUND
In macro photography, the background is often so out of focus that it appears as a solid or smoothly varying patch of color. It's important to choose a background which complements the color and tone of your foreground subject. Fortunately, one can often pick a different background by simply shifting the camera's vantage point. One should also take care to avoid placing distracting out of focus highlights or other objects behind their subject

CAMERA MODES to USE!
1. Portrait mode chooses a large aperture (a small ‘f’ number) which will make the depth of field (the amount of your shot in focus) smaller.

2. For shallow depth of field and nice blurry backgrounds choose a large Aperture (the smaller the number the larger the aperture). With digital SLR cameras, aperture settings of f/11-f/16 provide a good trade-off between depth of field and resolution, but f/22+ is often necessary for extra (but softer) depth of field. Compact cameras can get away with much lower f-stop values, such as f/5.6-f/8.0.

2. Try taking a few shots at different apertures and see how it affects the background of your shots – this is the best way to learn how to get more creative control in your shots.

If you forgot how Aperture, modes, ISO and shutter speed work, go back to this website! http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-exposure.htm

MACRO LIGHTING

The type of light can play an important role in either enhancing or concealing the appearance of detail. Pay careful attention to the contrast, color and direction of natural light. Higher contrast (more localized) light tends to enhance texture, but its direction also plays a role:


  • Back lighting can create silhouettes or halos around subjects — emphasizing shape.
  • Front lighting ensures that shadows aren't clearly visible — resulting in a flat and two dimensional appearance, but also illuminating everything which is visible.
  • Side lighting casts distinctive shadows — enhancing surface texture, but often also concealing other details behind dark shadows.
  • Bottom and top lighting are often least ideal, primarily because they have the disadvantage of deep shadows, but often lack the advantage of giving a three-dimensional look to the subject. On the other hand, if the light source is sufficiently diffuse (low contrast), then this lighting direction can also achieve good results.

Turning photo monochromatic (1 color) using Photoshop

Resizing Photos using Photoshop

  1. Add each photo. You will have to decrease the image size using free transform.

    -Command T (Short cut)

    -OR…select >Edit> Free Transform

      *Hold shift key to maintain size and not distort


C. Final composition measurements: 11"x14" inches (Landscape or Portrait orientation)

          *Go to File>new

          -Change to 11 inches by 14 inches (width and height - you decide orientation)

          -Select "background contents" and select transparent or white.

          -300 Resolution.


DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO SUBMIT MACRO PROJECT: 7 images total 

(6 individual photos, 1 image with all 6 photos on it)

A. Make a FOLDER titled: Last name first initial_abstract  (ex. nelsonb_abstract)

B. Place each of your 6 photo files inside folder AND your final composition with all 6 on one document.  Make sure they are all jpeg files and set at 300 resolution.

C. Zip file the folder (CTRL - Right click-Zip File).

D. Add your 6 individual and final composition with all 6 to your website. Please label the project as macro.