Camera Craft Creative Challenge - Week 6

Summary

This assessment task is designed to enable you to apply what you have learnt from Module 2: Photography & the Electronic Image, specifically the use of camera craft in the capturing of digital photographs.

· You are required to attempt each of the three (3) challenges and submit your best image for each challenge

Important information

You must attempt and submit work from all three (3) Challenges. All challenges require you to use a digital camera.

You will need to shoot a new image for this assessment (remember - we can see in the metadata when the image

was shot!). Make sure the settings on your camera indicate the correct date. If you submit an image taken before the semester period you will have to resubmit, with an assessment penalty of 50%.

Purpose and Instructions

Challenge 1: New Moments

The Shutter Speed is wonderful for creating new moments, or capturing the world in ways that we would otherwise   not be able to view with the naked eye.  In this task, we use the idea as a way of creatively identifying a scene and   object where we can apply this principle.  For example - pour water over a friends head and capture every drop as it hits them (make sure you ask them first!).

What you will need;

A camera or app with manual controls, and one where the shutter speed can be set to more than 1/500 sec. Instructions;

1. Choose an unusual subject that is either in motion, or can be photographed in motion, like water or someone    jumping (try and be more creative than that). An object that you are able to control would be an advantage, but not essential.

2. Compose a frame. that will include the motion of the subject or object

3. Set the Camera Mode to Shutter Priority, and select a fast shutter speed (one that exceeds 1/500 sec) the

camera will then set an aperture and ISO to correctly exposure the image at the determined shutter speed.  For best results do this outside in sunlight.  You may need to increase the ISO to 400 or more.  Be aware that a fully  open aperture may compromise the effective amount of focus in the image.  Try a few combinations until you get a result you are happy with.

4. Try and compose the movement into an interesting background to get the most appealing effect.  If your camera has a drive setting that allows for Continuous, then use it.

Remember - we are looking to capture motion, NOT blur it.

Jeff Wall Milk 1984

Challenge 2: Portrait effects

For this challenge we are shooting a portrait, and using lens effects to highlight the subject and blur out the background.  This is a common method in photography.

Controls and settings;

· A camera or app with aperture control

· A long lens, or zoom (variable focal length) lens with at least 70mm at the longest (85mm if using an APS-C or

other non full frame. camera) with f/stop control Instructions;

1. Use a friend or class mate to photograph.  Find a location where you like the lighting (be aware of this), and where the background is full of information (rather than a blue or overcast sky for example).

2. With the camera set to Aperture Priority, set the aperture to the highest value on the lens (lowest number - so f/5.6, f/2.8 or higher if available) Some lens apertures can go as low as f/1.2.

3. Set the ISO to a suitable value for the lighting situation, or choose auto.  If hand held, you will need a shutter speed of at least 1/125 sec.

4. Position the camera close to your subject, and make sure your subject is further away from the background than you are to them (greater than a factor of 2 will provide the best results)

5. Capture your image(s).  If possible, move the subject around to respond to the lighting to explore different results.

Emmet Gowin Edith, Danville, Virginia 1963

Challenge 3: Motion Blur

The idea here is to capture a moving object with focus and clarity, with a background that is blurred to heighten the effect of movement and motion.  The background will appear to be in motion because you will move the camera as you capture the moving object.

Jacques-Henri Lartigue Le Grand Prox A.C.F. 1913

Controls and settings;

· A camera or app with aperture and shutter speed control

· A standard lens, 50mm on a full frame camera or example Instructions

1. Choose a moving subject, like a bike, car or even someone running (not too fast though).

2. Set your camera focus to Continuous Auto (or tracking).  If you do not have this feature, set the focus to manual, then lock it off on a spot you predict the moving subject will enter.

3. Set the Mode to Shutter Priority, the ISO to Auto (optional) and the Shutter Speed to 1/10 Sec.  If you don't set the ISO to Auto, you will need to check the exposure and make sure you are capturing enough light.

4. Track the subject as it moves towards you or the focus point, and shoot off a couple of frames.  Make sure you continue to pan (track) after you finish shooting to ensure 'fluid' captures.

5. Try and compose the movement into an interesting background to get the most appealing effect.

How to submit your work

1. Capture and edit images. Resize your images in Photoshop to fit within 2000 pixels on the longest edge.  Please save your images as jpg files.

2. Compile images into a PDF, one image per page and the following information about each challenge:

1. Challenge number for the image

2. Metadata - date, shutter speed, aperture, ISO

3. Histogram from your final image (open final image in Bridge, Photoshop, Lightroom, Camera Raw or similar take a screenshot and paste next to image)

4. One line explaining your intention and creative inspiration for the photograph.

3. Upload pdf into canvas via the submission button.

Feedback and grades

Feedback on your assignments will be given to you via canvas.

Penalty for late submission

Late submission or presentation of assessable work without an approved extension or special consideration will be penalised as follows;

· Completed work submitted 1 to 7 days late will incur a penalty of 5% per day · Work submitted after day 7 will not be assessed

· Weekends and holiday periods are included in the calculation of the late penalty

How the penalty is calculated;

Example - Work is submitted 6 days late, incurring a penalty of 30% (6 x 5% = 30%).  The submission receives a result of 60 out of 100.  60 - 30% = 42.  The numerical result for that assessment submission is modified from 60 to 42.  The result of 42 is used to calculate the final grade for the course.