Assignment 206 (conclusion)

Finally my landscape/flower days are over...I`ll going to miss this even if it`s just a couple of months. Saying that I have to come to some sort of conclusion with 206 part as well.

Double checking once again all requirements for this task I am satisfied because more or less all from them is covered on my blog posts. All what is left to do, put some post about Health and Safety, but that will I do in the very end.

So yes - I done it. I produce 10 images for each of the themes, I research good, professional photographer works, I talked about my equipment and materials used techniques - influences etc. 

All this give me a lot of experience and knowledge about photography, probably even more than on Level 1 when I just only started to getting know everything. Now I feel more confident about myself - I know what I doing right, what is my mistakes, what I have to do to improve them. Its lots to learn and lots to achieve as I am only standing on the first step with thousands more above me.

There is two of my recent landscape / flower images what I wanted to post here as a nice ending to this assignment.

Assignment 205 (conclusion)

I already produced my final images for my both of the themes using my modest equipment. If I think about it - nothing much I can say - as I didn't write before on my previous posts, but I had to some how put full stop on this assignment, as college is nearly over.

As I mentioned below, all this time I was using my Nikon D3000 camera and two lenses what I got - wide angle kit lens and tele zoom Tamron lens.

I bougth also one of the Cokin P series filter and hoping to get my hands on similar products in the future, but like you know is all and always about money.

My simple tripod also was very useful, even now when I going somewhere - if I get chance I take it with me, as image quality is more or less depends on it.

I am now very familiar with all my camera modes - giving preference to Manual and all this time keep baying books I intend to read them and learn even more before I start again in September my Level 3 course.

For me image capture comes very naturally....I see it and I make it work in my photographs. I really hope one day I can do it as my main job.

....that's all my materials, what was very helpful to me during this course...even if I don't reed all page by page I couldnt do whit out it....

 

....probably twice as that I was borrowing time after time from library as well. Also Internet was very much my best friend, mostly providing me with excellent photographs of greatest photographers....

Principles of photo imaging output 210 (Theme II)

Conwy via Llanddulas

(for Assignment 206-2)

So that’s it... today I received my final prints for theme II - Landscapes. It come more or less satisfied quality and I can put them on screen now. 

If I have to be honest that was not what I meant to do as my final for Landscape theme.... my intention was capture sunrises, but as I researched more and more I quite understand that to get decant sunrise I have to live on a field or a hill, buy more better equipment and most of all it will take me ages as you all know sunrise in England is hard to catch as there is mainly cloudy then sunny weather conditions....

So when I decided to put sunrises a side...I start to look for new options and exactly that time I went for small day trip to Wales with kids...I didn't bring my tripod as I thought I won’t be able to capture something with my kids racing around. So we all went to small town Conwy, what I wanted to see for a long time. As history lover I admire old places and I was really keen to see Conwy castle,... and also on our way back we stopped near seaside in Llanddulas.

Whether was nice and sunny, probably too sunny and I thought I won’t be getting any nice picture in this light and I was right...I went home and I didn't like any of them, except for a few... All my images was dull... too bright and absolutely with no any feel as a good photograph.... as I remembered a couple students in my group was doing black and white photography and I decade to try convert them in black and white... when I talk to my tutor he was quite happy to accept my Wales trip black and whites.... so I began to improve them, which is a bit shame as its not make me a good photographer, anyway.... they there are.....I am pleased with result - even if it wasn't what I meant, but I have many years ahead, so this will do for now and I`ll improve my skills for future so I could do without computer post-processing.

Setup	All photographs were taken in Wales - in town known as Conwy and by the small village Llandulas seaside.
Lighting	It was midday when I get there, so not the best part of the day - bright sun all over the place.
Lens	Nikon 18-55 mm VR lens. (purchased together with camera)
Camera Settings	Manual Mode –  Image quality -  JPEG-Fine.
Accessories	Cokin Gradual Grey G2 Light (ND2) filter

Image Nr 1

/remembrance/

Camera Mode:     Manual

Shutter Speed:     1/100 sec

Aperture:             F 7.1

ISO:                   100

Lens Length:       38mm

White Balance:    Auto

Meter Setting:     Pattern

Quality setting:    JPG

Light:                  Daylight only

It is part of a boat and originally was vertical (portrait) position,...I took a picture of it when I walked down to Conwy bay- there was boats everywhere and I was looking for some nice lines and patterns when I saw that....

When I get home I turn it to black and white (already in my camera - as it has option like this), add some contrast and sharpness on a compurer with HP MediaSmart Photo... and it looked good to me, but there was one problem, it was portrait layout and if I wanted to include this image in my final part I had to change it for landscape to suit my other images.

Fallowing advise from my tutor I crop it using Photo Shop.

I quite pleased with the image itself, only thing that worries me, that I probably made it darker that should be, as I added some more contrast. Well what’s done done…that time I was satisfied, now not so much…you decide…

Image Nr 2

/two/

Camera Mode:     Manual

Shutter Speed:     1/100 sec

Aperture:             F 8

ISO:                   100

Lens Length:       55mm

White Balance:    Auto

Meter Setting:     Pattern

Quality setting:    JPG

Light:                  Daylight only

Same story and same location- Conwy bay…these two was so adorable that I couldn’t resist not to take a picture….originally was in colour, same as Nr 1 added contrast and a bit sharpness, what makes same problem, it`s looks dark, well it didn’t, when I post-processing, probably my experience growing in days.

Image Nr 3

/nets/

Camera Mode:     Manual

Shutter Speed:     1/100 sec

Aperture:             F 7.1

ISO:                   100

Lens Length:       50mm

White Balance:    Auto

Meter Setting:     Pattern

Quality setting:    JPG

Light:                  Daylight only

 

Conwy bay...bunch of fishing nets - excellent pattern. Same as my Nr 1 boat originally shoot in vertical position and then cropped in photo shop to suit my needs.

Also I added sharpness and contrast, with help from HP Media Smart Photo and  created soft focus around the edges, placing main in the middle...that way I liked image more and I things it`s works very well...

 

...whitaut soft focus it looked a bit pale and boring...but thats only my opinion...

Image Nr 4

/seagulls/

Camera Mode:     Manual

Shutter Speed:     1/125 sec

Aperture:             F 9

ISO:                   100

Lens Length:       40mm

White Balance:    Auto

Meter Setting:     Pattern

Quality setting:    JPG

Light:                  Daylight only

Just by a chance this photograph get to the final...it was least on a list, but my tutor insisted to put it between my final 10...originally colour, turned to black and white it just doesn’t work for me and I didn’t like it...I tried different ways to improved but all was the same...nothing much you can change there is it???

So I come up with idea to darken the edges with same HP Media Smart Photo software effect tools- choose vignette option and result was more than better…it gives something else to that image than just plain reflections of plain sky…

Image Nr 5

 /albion/

Camera Mode:     Manual

Shutter Speed:     1/125 sec

Aperture:             F 8

ISO:                   100

Lens Length:       40mm

White Balance:    Auto

Meter Setting:     Pattern

Quality setting:    JPG

Light:                  Daylight only

Probably one of my favorites, and not just from Black White’s, but I quite liked in colour as well… as I was about to leave Conwy I past this boat and was touched by the colours, lines, shapes - ideal subject for good image….

On a computer I add a bit more contrast and sharpness, silly of me, I don’t think now that was necessary, but well as I already printed it’s too late for regrets….

Like you see isn’t so bad at all, and which one I like more is hard to say, even if they are the same, these images are very different…

Image Nr 6

/stonebeach/

Camera Mode:     Manual

Shutter Speed:     1/160 sec

Aperture:             F 9

ISO:                   100

Lens Length:       55mm

White Balance:    Auto

Meter Setting:     Pattern

Quality setting:    JPG

Light:                  Daylight only

Not the best of mine, as I can say…in colour look even more boring, but transforming to black and white create nice grey tone passage, which I pleased about, as it gives to some temper to image itself.

That was one of the first scenes which I captured, when we all get down from our car in outskirts of a small village Llanddulas, (hard to even pronounce that). Sun was shining upon us and I already, that time, given up to get anything decant from this trip, so I just shoot everything, not even much think about it. But like I said….as a black and white is somehow worked for me – what I find rally surprising….

Image Nr 7

/loneliness/

Camera Mode:     Manual

Shutter Speed:     1/160 sec

Aperture:             F 11

ISO:                   100

Lens Length:       20mm

White Balance:    Auto

Meter Setting:     Pattern

Quality setting:    JPG

Light:                  Daylight only

Same old problem, I think I over use a contrast and not only on black on white – on my colour image as well. At the beginning it was without any contrast, a bit overexposed and if you count that awful light than nothing good was even possible. Can you imagine same scene in the sunset, probably will be stunning, but well….maybe I am so self-critical, but I could done something a bit different.

There is my both images and you can compare them…first – originally less of colour, pale, without any contrast at all….bellow after my corrections, which I overdone….after when I change it to black and white is made it a bit too dark…Sometimes is too hard to realize in the work progress, but more often I see my final ten – more critical I get. With flowers I dint have problems like this, I knew what I was doing and I didn’t need any corrections as well….when I went to Wales I didn’t know that I`ll be coming back home with my themed photographs, but that’s life- more you live more you learn….

Image Nr 8

/abstraction/

Camera Mode:     Manual

Shutter Speed:     1/200 sec

Aperture:             F 11

ISO:                   200

Lens Length:       55mm

White Balance:    Auto

Meter Setting:     Pattern

Quality setting:    JPG

Light:                  Daylight only

Same story, but a bit better composition, - which I pleased about. Why my ISO is 200 is hard to tell, what was on my mind beck then I don’t remember. 

I added contrast and sharpness after change to black and white. 

Black and white photography from one point of view seems easy, especially in digital, but making these images I realize, I have so much to learn more. 

Black and White itself should consist form black and white colours, bur now looking closer my images it seems to me more Black and Grey. Printed out it looks better but on screen I am not very keen about results.

Image Nr 9

/irresistible/

Camera Mode:     Manual

Shutter Speed:     1/160 sec

Aperture:             F 9

ISO:                   100

Lens Length:       55mm

White Balance:    Auto

Meter Setting:     Pattern

Quality setting:    JPG

Light:                  Daylight only

I`ll be honest this irresistible image looked better in colour – seriously, but then it won’t be suitable along with others. No matter now, that it has same problems with contrast this photograph is very dear to me – tiny, week flowers making thru the stones…

Originally was a bit pale, I added contrasts, same to Image Nr 7, and then changed to black and white .

Image Nr. 10

/the perfect/

Camera Mode:     Manual

Shutter Speed:     1/160 sec

Aperture:             F 11

ISO:                   100

Lens Length:       40mm

White Balance:    Auto

Meter Setting:     Pattern

Quality setting:    JPG

Light:                  Daylight only

My favorite – the perfect. I didn't done anything to that photograph – it was already captured in Monochrome setting, never been in colour, never been post processed and that’s way I liked the best.

 If you looked the image is nothing special appears, but all lines and small holiday home structure makes perfect composition.

I remember, sitting by the sea that time, I was fed up from colour images from my camera, which I didn't like at all, so I decide to go through some options on camera display, what lead me to Monochrome setting…. glad did choose to experiment- it lead me to even one good image.

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So that's about it....all images was printed (order took a place with DS Color Labs) and mounted. I already had mounts ready size 8x10- leftovers from Level 1, which I didn't get a chance to use then. Prints was satisfied quality and am really pleased. I took a picture to let you know what exactly I am talking about.

 

I choose that kind presentation method as I thought it`s very suitable for black and whites...even more probably will be real frames, but considering that is not for some kind of exhibition but only for a assignment it works well.

Now only whats left - to finish off  my blog and start waiting for results...hope good ones....:))

Presenting Photo Images ( Assignment 211 part III)

 ...for assignment 206-2....

The journeys end for any photographer is the final print. Sometimes that journey is short and sweet, but often it’s a long and winding road that we must travel to reach our destination…and we don’t always know how it’s all will turns out in the end.

Already in previous posts I mentioned about my bad experience last year, when I spend so much time and effort to make my final images and come across with difficulties to present them in appropriate quality. First I choose to order my prints in Boots online photo kiosk…they come back to me in poor quality and not the right size…then I gone for DS Colour Labs service….I didn’t even receive my prints…I was so devastated that I end up printing all my work at college on one A3 sheet…

However despite my bad luck this year once again I choose DS colour labs for my final landscape prints….last year this photo printing provider was recommended to me by one of my college mates. I didn’t even get a chance to see haw the quality is, but no matter what I am risking again…and for some reasons….

 

First of all it’s easy to set up, upload and order….you doesn’t have to download special software to do so, as I did before creating my book from Jessops.

Second, but not least it quite cheap…and these days, when everything comes with astronomical price tag this is very important….for me anyway….

Of course, still I don’t know what a quality prints it will be, but like I sad before, I had to try to explore that area to find the best one for my future photographs…even if it will take me a while….

More important, what probably make me to try again with DS colour labs is that I have some more options to choose a paper type, because most of average photo labs offer you standard glossy, which not always suits your needs….

Below I listed all what you can get for your many:

• Next Day service for orders received before 1pm. (Large orders allow 48 hours lab time)
• Glossy, lustre or Pearl finish
• Full range of  Print sizes from 5 x 3.5 - 52x40
• Royal mail/Courier delivery options
• New 1 Hour Time slot for Courier service via email.
• Fuji pro paper for quality digital prints
• Collect from store option
• Technical staff at the end of the phone
• All Prices Include VAT

So all what I can do now is wait and hoping that everything will be alright, nothing will goes wrong and I`ll be satisfied with a quality….

  

http://www.dscolourlabs.co.uk/index.cfm

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While I am waiting for my final prints I would like you to take  a look on some other printing service -The Print Space,  what so far is one of my favourites...even I haven't ordered from them any image yet....but instead I received they sample pack with 10 paper examples - what they can offer and I have to say, its stands out behind my wildest dreams....

 

The paper and print quality is outstanding and is wort to pay for sample pack just to see how it can be produced with maximum quality .... 

Every paper suits to appropriate photography style and depends on you which you will choose...  

In my opinion its great place where to order you portfolio images. But be prepared to pay for it, as quality, choice and style doesn't come cheep....

I am considering to order some of my final prints just to see how it will look like and probably afterword’s leaving them for my portfolio, what I intend to make over a summer holidays.

Apart from that you have choice of frames and mounts what you can order together with your work.

 

 

 

 http://www.theprintspace.co.uk/

As you can see you have a lot of options and a lot of choice, but you had to pay a price, what is far from a little!

Reviews of digital photo printing services are increasingly rare, and few sources have been updated in the last year. So in order to find one what’s suits you – you have to research more and try each one to know what you get for your money. 

Wishing everyone good luck with a final prints….