Framing

Cropped

Full Frame

Centered

Off Centered, trees framing photo

Rule of Thirds

Lighting

Low Light

Unique Light

Artificial Light

Colored Light

Warm Light

Aperture

Aperture = 16.0

Aperture = 9.0 (Foreground and background not in focus)

Aperture = 5.0 (Only foreground in detail, shallow depth of field)

                                              

Aperture = 5.6

Aperture = 40.0 (everything is in focus and detailed)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shutter Speed

              Shutter Speed = 0.6

 Shutter Speed = 1/10

Shutter Speed = 1/16

Shutter Speed = 1/2000 (Fast Shutter Speed, Motion is stopped)    

 

Shutter Speed =30.0 (Slow Shutter Speed, Motion is blurred)

Mid-Term

There are two large assignments that are the base of our grade for my Photography class. The first being a mid-term assignment. It consisted of taking 500 photos demonstrating Shutter Speed, Aperture, Lighting, and Framing. Then we were to select the best 5 of each group, edit and present to the class. I've included each theme of photos as separate blogs.

First Photoshop Edit-August 31, 2011

Really enjoying Photoshop CS5, my current editing software consists of the free Picassa. For it's price, its great! Photoshop however, is amazing! I'm also starting to lean towards purchasing a Mac. The second class consisted of learning how to use Photoshop Bridge to retrieve our photos and then some free time messing around with Photoshop CS5. Here is what I was able to come up with on my own as far as using Photoshop is concerned, lol, I found the B/W option!!!

Before:

After:

First Assignment: Take Photos

The first assignment of my photo class was to take any 10 photos. I chuckled to myself when the assignment was given. Here's a few of what I came up with:

Photography 101

I started a photography class at SMCC the end of August (among other classes to fulfill Nursing Degree), 4 weeks later I finally have time to catch my breath and update the blog.  The Associate Degree in Nursing requires an art elective, so it was an obvious choice for me to take a photography class. Especially since I have not had much formal training other than a couple of mentors, books and at home NYIP Photography course (still in progress). My goal is  to finish Nursing degree at SMCC and then complete my Bachelor's degree at UMA and minor in Photography there. The class is going really well, I love the teacher, and my classmates and feel like I've learned a thing or two so far.

August 27, 2011-Great State of Maine Air Show

A great day capturing the sites in the sky at The Great State of Maine Airshow, despite the burns, blisters and bug bites!

Lesson Learned

From this day forward, I promise to put my life, before the life of my camera (yeah right!) I'm debating whether the 2nd degree burns on my face are worth the 1,359 photos, perhaps I could have sacrificed 20 or so to apply sunscreen that was in my camera bag. I look rather foolish, and I'm feeling a lot of pain this morning...

Weekend with Nannie

We had Nannie over to stay for her last weekend before she boarded her flight and headed back to England.  Saturday we took her up to Rockland and visited with my better half's Mum.  We did a light house tour and went to Owl's Head Light House, Rockland Breakwater Light House, and Marshall's Point Light House.  A nice lunch at the local pub,  shopping on Main Street and in Camden, then pizza and ice cream ended the evening nicely.  The following day we had smoked pulled pork in the new smoker and had my parents over for lunch. 

Success!

Thursday I anxiously loaded some Fujica 200 speed film into the Fujica GER camera.  I was so nervous and unfamiliar with film (Its probably been 10 years) that I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't load.  I was trying to put it in upside down.  So finally getting it in right, duh! and the film sprocket holes in place, I closed the film case and said a little prayer to the butterfly gods. It appeared to advance fine and everything seemed to be working according to the instruction manual. It was time to take my first photo. I aimed at our garden, set the distance, focused, pressed down on the shutter release, and advanced the film. A number two appeared in the film window, and I was ready to find my next subject.  I quickly moved around the house and yard, taking pictures of Elle, our 2 year old Golden Retriever, flowers, and anything that seemed suitable for a quick photo. 24 exposures came along very quickly and I found I was at the end of the roll of film.  I pressed in the film rewind button and hand cranked the film, according to the instructions all looked as it should and it appeared that the film was rewinding.  As I opened the back of the camera I expected to see the film all crushed up, broken, or over exposed, but instead found a neatly wound cartridge of film all ready to be developed. I decided to take it to a cheap local chain photo developer and pay the extra 1-hour photo service fee just so I could see if I was able to capture anything, or instead get 24-4x6 sheets of black/white photo paper. I returned to pick up my photos 30 minutes later, paid $7.96, and was on my way out the store.  I was going to open the pocket of photos in the car, but couldn't wait the extra 30 second walk out the door and tore into the package.  To my surprise I pulled out a group of photos that weren't that bad, the first couple you could make out what the intended subject was, they were blurry, but I accounted that to not being familiar with the camera. At this point I was just pleased that it was working.  Then towards the end of the 24 photos I came across three photos that I was pleased with, a photo of Elle that was in focus, and well framed, one of our garden, and one of a basket of flowers. According to Granddad's theory 1 photo out of a roll of film, I was three to the good! I had to hold back the tears as I finished walking out of the store, so pleased that I was able to get the camera working.  I'm now only just coming off of what I call my "photo high" as I write this.  I am so pleased to be able to experience the film world of photography once again, that feeling of waiting for the film to be developed and opening a package of photos, instead of the instant gratification of my digital camera is one that I surely miss. Now I have the best of both worlds, where the two will complement each other quite well.

"Capturing Memories As Life Flutters By..."

Oldie but a goodie

I recently acquired a "new" camera on my hands. It's a Fujica GER rangefinder that was made in the 1970's. It's a fully automatic 35 mm film camera with a lens that is 38mm/f2.8. It survived the trip over from England quite well in my Grandmother's suitcase.  The original mercury batteries are still intact and seem to still fire the shutter release. Included was a leather case, original instructions, a flash and homemade enclosure. Most importantly it belonged to my grandfather.  I quickly thumbed through the instruction booklet, as it has been many years since I've played with film and several scraps of paper fell into my lap.  They were hand written notes that Grandad had written to himself, tears began to well, as I read over his f-stop recommendations, distances and ratios. Something that I will treasure forever! Grandad was an avid photographer and would sit for hours photographing birds, English landscapes, butterflies, and myself.  His love for photography and inspiration was passed down to myself, and I know he would be proud of me today as I grow and develop my skills.  The most important message that I remember he taught me while anxiously awaiting a roll of film to develop was this "Emily, if you are satisfied with at least one photo that has been developed then it is worth all your effort and cost of the entire roll."  Unfortunately he never got to view the photography world in the modern digital era, although he is forever in spirit looking down on me as I enjoy the instant gratification of my digital camera.  I associate butterflies with Grandad, as he taught me at an early age, a respect for nature and love of butterflies.  I get goosebumps every time I see a butterfly, fluttering along, knowing he is still with us.  He will forever be in my heart, and my inspiration for Flutter Focus Photography. I look forward to getting back into film, and giving a go with his camera.  Whether or not I am able to get the Fujica up and running again or if it only sits on my shelf in a collection of old cameras is an exciting adventure I look forward to embark on.  Knowing that I have my little butterfly on my shoulder as I look through the view finder, is the most satisfying and comforting feeling I look forward to every time I pick up my camera, new or old!

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