Gav's test topic

Instructions

In this activity, you'll explore using composition techniques, elements and principles in your own photography. To start with, you will need to be quite conscious of what you place into your composition and how you compose your shots. So this activity takes a methodical approach.

Remember to post feedback, to help encourage other learners.

You will need to create a discussion topic and post 2 replies to complete this activity.

Task 1

Composition Combos:

Choose one item from each column of the table below, for example: the rules of thirds, repetition and colour. Think about how you can demonstrate all 3 in a photograph. You will need to experiment a little to find a combination that works for your scene or idea. When you're happy you have a working combination, make some photographs that include the technique, principle and element you chose.

 

Composition Technique	Composition Principle	Composition Element
Rule of Thirds	Contrast	Line
Leading Lines	Repetition	Shape
Perspective	Alignment	Form
Subject	Proximity	Texture
Golden Spiral		Space
		Colour
		Pattern

Repeat this activity 3 times with different combinations, then post your best 3 photographs in the forum below. Include a brief description of what you were aiming to achieve, if you achieved the result you imagined and your thoughts on how well the composition works.

Instructions

For all the following shots, use the Shutter Priority mode on your camera. You will need a tripod for parts of this activity.

Remember to post feedback, to help encourage another learner.

You will need to create a discussion topic and post 2 replies to complete this activity.

Task 1

Fast shutter: freeze motion

Find something fast in your environment. Could be a fast moving vehicle, person or animal. Using Shutter Priority and an ISO setting of 800, shoot to freeze their motion as best you can.

Depending on the subject, you may require a very fast shutter speed of 1/2000 or higher. Keeping your ISO to 800 will ensure your photo isn't too noisy.

Post your best image(s), with the sharpest motion. Tell us what shutter speed you needed and the aperture your camera set for you.

What can you learn from your results and the results of others students in this course?

Task 2

Panning and/or light graffiti

Time for some creative fun. If you have the time, try both of these:

1. Create a panning shot - where your subject is moving and you follow it as you shoot. Try to create a nicely blurred background while keeping your subject as sharp as possible. Think about the exposure too - could it be brighter or darker?
2. Create a light graffiti shot - evening, dusk or just before dawn are the best times for this. You'll need to make a long exposure - from 10 to 20 seconds. Using a torch, sparkler or glowstick, move about in the shot when the shutter is open. Think about the light trails you will create - what story could you tell?
   Can you sketch an image in light?
   Post your favourite results and tell us your settings (shutter, aperture and ISO).

Instructions

In this activity, you'll shoot 8 different combinations of the types and quality of light as described in the video tutorials.

Don't worry if you don't have access to fancy strobes or continuous lighting equipment. Make do with what you have available. For example: a couple of desk lamps can be used as artificial light sources. By trying different types of bulbs (compact fluorescent or incandescent) and diffusion materials, you can experiment with soft and hard light.

Don't forget to use your camera flash too - without a diffuser, it will produce a particularly hard light. Similarly, a sheet of polystyrene (styrofoam), corflute or a windscreen sunshade may all be used as an effective reflector.

Post your photographs to this blog, with a few notes on each shot - what equipment you used to control light and any challenges you encountered.

Remember to post feedback, to help encourage other learners.

You will need to create a discussion topic and post 2 replies to complete this activity.

Task 1

Lighting Bingo:

Shoot 8 different combinations of the types and quality of light:

1. Natural / Artificial light sources
2. Hard light / Soft (diffused) light
3. Front / Back lighting

By running through the different combinations as an exercise, you'll experience just how much each characteristic of light can affect your photographs.

 

 

Shoot all 8 combinations:

Natural Hard Front	Artificial Hard Front	Natural Soft Front	Artificial Soft Front
Natural Hard Back	Artificial Hard Back	Natural Soft Back	Artificial Soft Back

You will need to experiment with different times of the day and weather conditions to find all the combinations for natural light. See if you can shoot all 8 combinations with the equipment and locations you have available.