Planning a Picture Project

Garden Practise

Image 1 - ISO 400 40mm F4.5 1/60 sec - Autumn dew drops the colours in Autumn are beautiful at this time of year, the oranges and reds of the leafs are magnificent.

Image 2 - ISO 200 40mm F4.5 1/60 sec - Hidden World - is there a secret world hiding in our gardens ?

Image 3 - ISO 100 34mm F5.0 1/8 sec - Closed for Web - I like the rain drops on the web, over the closed gate on this image, it is my garden gate.

Image 4 - ISO 100 34mm F5.0 1/15 sec - I like the Shallow depth of field in this image, how the dew drops are clear and the background blends and melts out of focus.

Image 5 - ISO 100 25mm F5.0 1/25 sec- Poppy drops - This was my favourite image that I had taken in the garden, I love the black background, how the front of the Poppy is in focus, which draws your eyes in to this area first, and how you then move your eyes to the blurred out images of the poppy.

Image 6 - ISO 100 34mm F5.0 1/8 sec - Sea of dew - I like how the light reflects on the water droplets in this image.

Image 7 - ISO 100 25mm F5.0 1/40 sec - This image is not as crisp, or as sharp as I would have liked it to be, I had a bit of camera shake due to the settings of the shutter speed

Image 8 - ISO 100 25mm F5.0 1/6 sec - Dewdrop skirt

I took these photographs in my garden today, I love when the rain is slow and you can see the raindrops on the plants, flowers and bushes. it has been a damp kind of day, when there has been no bright light, which enhances the reflection in the water droplets. Its quite a magical experience.

Studio Lighting Practise at Home

New Lens - Nikon DX AF-S Micro NIKKOR 40mm 1:2.8G - results

I have taken a couple of portrait photographs of my youngest son, as practise shots for my photo assignments week 3 - portraits - Shallow depth of field. I also cant believe he let me take his photo, so i had to grab the moment while i could.

Image 1&2 - are the same image, one is in colour one is in Black& White - for comparison

Image 2

Image 3 - trying out different lighting effects - Sun light from the window

Image 4 - Light from sun coming in through the window, it was a bright day.

Image 5 - The moody look - sunlight from the window, not as bright, ad changed to Black & White, which gives it the appearance of a moody look.

Image 6 - Taken from a different angle to see how the sunlight from the window falls.

Image 7 - In this image i stood back further from Alex and took the picture - sunlight from window.

Image 8 - This was taken in a different room where the lighting is not as bright. i think this picture is the best one, because it shows more of Alex's face and the shadows have more depth, and the angle of the camera, at which the picture was taken from, close but not too close, and slightly looking up.

New Lens - Nikon DX AF-S Micro NIKKOR 40mm 1:2.8G

I have bought a new lens off my sister, who is also a university student (2nd year).  I enjoy shooting in macro, getting up close to things that cannot be seen in as much detail. I am now trying this new Lens out to see what it can achieve.

A DX-format normal Micro lens for easy, full-fledged close-up shooting

TOKYO - Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the release of the AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G, a normal Micro lens for Nikon DX-format digital-SLR cameras offering a focal length of 40mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8.

As a normal Micro lens that easily enables close-up shooting as close as 0.163 m for life-size images exhibiting pleasing blur characteristics, the AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G is a new model in the DX-format lens lineup. It is a compact and lightweight lens available at a very reasonable price for those new to digital-SLR cameras and those currently looking to add to a lens purchased as a set with a Nikon digital-SLR camera. In addition to a built-in Silent Wave Motor(SWM) that enables the quiet autofocus operation vital to close-up photography of insects and animals, the AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G also offers a number of convenient features, including two focus modes—M/A (autofocus with manual override) and M (manual).

Nikon has long had the support of professional and advanced amateur photographers for its consistent development of innovative products that respond to the demands of users and are equipped with the optical technologies Nikon has spent years cultivating as a manufacturer of optical devices. Nikon intends to continue to expand and strengthen the NIKKOR lineup with the steady release of new, high-performance lenses that offer advanced functions.

AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Primary Features

• A bright and fast, normal Micro lens for DX-format cameras offering a 40mm fixed focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8
• Enables the life-size reproduction and pleasing blur characteristics possible only with a Micro lens
• Enables extremely close-up shooting with a minimum focus distance of just 0.163 m
• Equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for extremely quiet autofocusing
• Equipped with two focus modes: M/A (autofocus with manual override) and M (manual)
• A size and weight that makes it very portable

AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Primary Specifications

Focal length	40mm
Maximum aperture	f/2.8
Minimum aperture	f/22
Lens construction	9 elements in 7 groups
Angle of view	38°50'
Minimum focus distance	0.163 m*(1:1) *from focal plane
Maximum reproduction ratio	1x
No. of diaphragm blades	7(rounded)
Filter attachment size	52 mm
Dimensions	Approximately 68.5 mm diameter x 64.5 mm (distance from camera lens mount flange)
Weight	Approximately 235 g
Supplied accessories	52 mm snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-52, Rear Lens Cap LF-4, Bayonet Hood HB-61, Flexible Lens Pouch CL-0915.

Planning a Photography Project

Photo Shoot - Huncoat Power Station

Monday 24th October.

A couple of students from University arranged to go on a photo shoot to Huncoat power station, on the Monday of reading week. The power station is now an abandoned, vandalised building and is full of graffiti, rubbish, rotting things and broken glass. This is my second visit now to this wonderland. It is a forever changing magical landscape, that changes with the seasons and visitors.

The derelict building and office blocks, have been home to many things for over the last several years, like a children's unofficial adventure playground, a porn movie shoot, graffiti playground, scare and fright night jaunts and much more. I lived in Huncoat until I was 17, it was a working power station then, and if we went near, we would get chased away by security. It is a very interesting place to visit now, and with the decaying and rotting building it makes a very good place to take photographs. There is no security now, but it is a place that should be treat with respect, there is many dangers to be aware of. Man holes with no covers, rotting floor boards and debris. Here is a small selection from this second visit. 22 photos.

Image 1 - ISO 1000 18mm F3.5 1/160 sec - Room with a view

Image 2 - ISO 1000 18mm F3.5 1/50 sec - Black & White

Image 3 - ISO 1000 18mm F3.5 1/100 sec looking through the square window.

Image 4 - ISO 1000 18mm F3.5 1/40 sec - Burnt out !!

Image 5 - ISO 320 21mm F7.1 1/6 sec - Open Doors

Image 6 - ISO 800 55mm F5.6 8.0 sec - This was in a lift shaft, which was very dark. the image is slightly blurred due to not having a tripod with me.

Image 7 - ISO 800 55mm F5.6 1/10 sec - Open stairs.

Image 8 - ISO 800 55mm F5.6 1/50 sec - Lights out !!

Image 9 - ISO 800 20mm F4.5 1/200 sec - Graffiti Bob.

Image 10 - ISO 160 28mm F8.0  1/20 sec - Through the looking glass

Image 11 - ISO 160 55mm F8.0  1/125 sec Huncoat Reflection

Image 12 - ISO 160 20mm F8.0  1/125 sec - black & white paint lines.

Image 13 - ISO 160 48mm F8.0  1/6 sec - Hidden rubbish

Image 14 - ISO 160 34mm F8.0  1/50 sec - Reflection.

Image 15 - ISO 160 34mm F8.0  1/40 sec - As you can see I was taking pictures of reflections of the buildings in the puddles on the roof of the building.

Image 16 - ISO 160 18mm F4.5  1/1000 sec - Black & White Views

Image 17 - ISO 160 28mm F8.0  1/20 sec. I stood on a wall to take this image from a different angle or view point.

Image 18 - ISO 1000 48mm F5.3  1/500 sec - Dexter !!

Image 19 - ISO 1000 42mm F5.0  1/40 sec.

Image 120 - ISO 1000 25mm F4.5  1/400 sec - panels

Image 21 - ISO 1000 38mm F4.8  1/125 sec - Elegant

Image 22 - ISO 1000 18mm F3.5  1/320 sec open stairs.

Planning a Photography Project

Learning How F stops work

I am struggling with understanding the technical side of the camera so I have printed these off ,so I can look at them, and understand them before I start making pictures

Focal Length

Planning a Photography Project

While I was practising my Hyper focal distance assignment, the other day I managed to capture this photograph.

 I was on the roof and was focusing on a single bird and the landscape around, trying to capture the perfect picture, to demonstrate Hyper focal distance.

We have a bird table in the garden and the birds must have been disturbed by something and decided to fly up to the roof. I took the picture at the right moment, and caught them in flight, as well as the sole bird stood still.

I would say this was a decisive moment and the Juxtaposition(2 out of 3) which is the subject we covered in our first picture assignment.

I have edited the picture in light room, maybe a little bit dramatically over processed, but I think this picture looks better in Black and White, because the birds flight motion can be seen as a ghostly image.

I will now research other Photographers works and compare similar images ( will post more later)

PHOTOGRAPHY FACEBOOK GROUP PROJECTS

I have joined a couple of photography Facebook groups, over the last few months. I did this to gain some experience and knowledge from other local photographers, its a good way to see how other photographer's portray their work, what settings they used, and by what cameras they used. It can also help with questions you have to ask but cant find by researching the vast world of the internet. One of the groups, Colne and Pendle photographer (closed group) hold monthly competitions. I have submitted a couple of times a few of my photographs throughout the months here are a couple of my pictures.

Image 1- Buzzing around the garden.

This one I submitted to the Sept 2016 Comp. Bees, Bugs Butterflies & Things. I didn't win, but i am really proud of the picture. I took this with my Nikon D5300 and used a basic kit macro lens, which i edited in light room.


Another group is called Empty Seats, the idea behind this group is to post photos of empty seats, the more unusual the better, this is an Open group and anyone can post, its just for fun, here are some of my entries

Image 1 - Middleton castle - missing you

Image 2 - Quiet Moments - An empty seat in a church grave yard in Trawden

Image 3 - Burnt out - I found this car in the middle of a wood, in Brotherton.

Image 4 - Wet - I took this seat when it had been raining, this was in the pit top park area.

Image 5 - Forgotten - I had the privilege of going into an old mill, in Nelson that is being knocked down, after a fire in the building several years ago.

Image 6 - Empty Seats - This was taken at Warton Stock car race track, this picture made me laugh as it shows empty seats away from empty seats.

Image 7 - Stone Throne- This was taken at Inglebrough on the walk up to the caves, this was the first picture I submitted.

Image 8 - lick o paint - This picture was taken in the Trawden church yard

Image 9 - Garage reflections - As you can see in this picture the reflection of the garage equipment can be seen on the glass and the inside of the car can also be seen

Image 10 - Tea for one - I took this while I was sat watching a wedding of a couple who I didn't know, while I was on a boat trip around the lake in Keswick.

Image 11 - Broken - This was in the mill in Nelson.

Image 12 - Almost empty - Trawden church yard

Image 13 - Camden Town - London café in Camden market.

Image 14 - Fixed - Toilets and tools - garage.

Image 15 - Weathered - Trawden church yard - I love the colours on this picture, how the moss has grown on the bench. 

Image 16 - Demolition -  This made me laugh as its a portable toilet. I thought this was visual irony.

Image 17 - Wheeled - This was taken up New Church, near Pendle Hill, it caught my eye because it looked like an old wagon wheel, which has been made into a bench.