Digital Photographic Practice
Assignment 1
Assignment 1
Tutor Report Form
Student name:
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Jan Fairburn
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Student number:
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505391
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Course/Module title:
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Digital Photo Practice
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Assignment number:
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1
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Overall Comments
Hi Jan,
Thank you for sending in your first assignment which you have thoroughly understood and handled it very well. Your work flow is fine, but the only thing I did read somewhere in your blog is that you print in Pro Photo RGB. If you are happy with this then that is fine but beware that the color space is so large that many colors are not printable or viewable on your monitor and you may need to do complex editing on subtle colors that are not printable. Smaller color spaces are restricted to colors more likely to be printable, so color changes are fairly small when converted to print. For now I would use sRGB and as you gain more experience switch to Adobe RGB. However, please find below my comments on your images:
Feedback on assignment
Image 1
This image is technically perfect and tells the viewer what is happening. There are nice catch lights in the models eyes and the make up artist is included so that the viewer is aware of the activity involved. A fairly wide aperture has been used to render the background out of focus, thereby keeping the eye on the main subjects themselves. Nice one.
Image 2
A similar shot the previous image, this time the models face is half in shadow but it does high light the work of the make up artist. Nothing wrong with that but if you wanted to add a little sparkle you could have used fill in flash. To do this set your separate flash gun at two stops less than the camera, ie if the camera is set at f8 set the flash to f4. this would add catch lights to the eyes and help “fill in” the shadow area.
Image 3
As in all your shots the exposures and color balance are very accurate indicated by the skin tones of the models. In this shot the dark back ground has forced the viewers eye to concentrate on the model. Well done.
Image 4
Again you have a good catch light in the models eye and apart from the make up you have a good profile of an attractive model. However the high light area in the back ground is a little distracting and should be toned down a bit in Photoshop.
Image 5
This one is a good candid image of the two people having fun and totally unaware of the camera. A very effective but simple composition. Nice one.
Image 6
I don’t think this is quite as good as some of your other images as it is a bit untidy, but nevertheless it is in keeping with the subject matter. As a viewer I would like to see a bit more of the models face but apart from that there is nothing else to say.
Image 7
As you say in your notes the eyes do match the back ground very well. This is a better shot than the previous image as the model is nicely positioned within the frame and again there is “sparkle” in her eyes. Another nice one.
Image 8
Again this one could do with a touch of fill in flash to give that extra sparkle to the eyes, but you do have a nice diagonal composition with the head tilted to one side. This adds further interest to the image.
Image 9
Again you have a competent image and the model is nicely cropped within the frame. The direct sun light is a bit harsh but in this case that adds more interest to the subject matter.
Image 10
An unusual low level shot and the models pose has formed a nice triangular composition. As you say in your notes the depth of field is excellent indicating that you have used the correct aperture for this subject.
Image 11
This one could do with either a more full length view to include the models limbs, or, going in closer for a more deliberate crop of the upper body and head. As it is it looks just like a grab shot without any thought to composition.
Image 12
For me, the back ground is a touch too light and detracting and the back grounds on most of your other images are better. Also the models heels have just been chopped off slightly, which looks a bit untidy. In situations like these go in closer for a deliberate crop, or zoom out so that all the subject is included.
Learning logs/critical essays
Suggested reading/viewing
Other
Thank you again for allowing me to comment on your work which I have thoroughly enjoyed doing. Your work flow is fine and your images are excellent, but from your notes you say that viewing and deleting files in camera reduces the cards life expectancy and can corrupt files. I have been doing this for years and never had a problem, in fact I have never heard of it before, so don’t worry too much about that. Please note I am away from 15th. Nov. to 27th. Nov, but in the meantime if you have any queries please get in touch.
Kind regards,
Peter
Tutor name:
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Peter Jarvis
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Date
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29th. October 2010
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Next assignment due
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11th. December 2010
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Assignment 2
Tutor Report Form
Student name:
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Jan Fairburn
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Student number:
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505391
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Course/Module title:
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Digital Photo Practice
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Assignment number:
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2
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Overall Comments
Hi Jan,
Thank you for sending in your second assignment and you have demonstrated that you have understood the requirements and carried out the work accordingly so well done for that. All your images are technically perfect and if you continue in this manner for the remainder of the course you will do very well at the assessment if you decide to go for it. Anyway, please find below my comments:
Feedback on assignment
Image 1 Health
This image is a high dynamic range shot as you say in your notes and the exposure is very accurate. There is nice detail in the highlight areas and the subject stands out nicely against the jet black background. It also demonstrates what you can do with a simple lighting set up. Pictorially the image is not that exciting and you could afford to lose one of the paper packets in the background to tidy it up a bit.
Image 2 Wealth
This shot reminds me of my life savings (!). Again you have shown what can be done with a simple set up, and who is to tell that this shot was not taken with an expensive studio flash unit and soft box? The lighting on the broken piggy bank is just right and the whole image is nicely positioned within the frame. Well done.
Image 3 Happiness
You quote David Cameron as saying “There is more to life than money”, but that’s not bad coming from a multi millionaire! However, this shot is in the low dynamic range because there are no highlights as such. The colors and texture are lovely and this is a fine “still life” shot.
Image 4 Hobbies
Another low dynamic range subject which has been well handled. I particularly like the red lettering on the camera and the red plastic toggle at the end of the strap. This is the only bit of bright color in the image and therefore draws attention to the viewers’ eye. The camera is also nicely positioned on the right hand third with the surrounding film and cassette adding further interest. Brilliant.
Image 5 Celebration
This one is a mid range shot which again has been well lit. However, pictorially for me it is a bit untidy. The plastic poppers are nicely placed in the frame, but you could get away with fewer streamers as they tend to clutter the image a little, but this shot does have the makings of an interesting image. Try it with fewer streamers.
Image 6 Romance
This is a normal contrast image which again has been well carried out. The ring is nicely placed within the subject and the circular court stamp echoes the ring. The torn up wedding shot also adds interest and the components of the image combine to tell a story. Another winner.
Learning logs/critical essays
Suggested reading/viewing
Other
Thank you again for allowing me to see your work which I have very much enjoyed looking at. You have clearly shown that you are up to the mark and I hope you find the comments helpful. If you have any queries please get in touch, but in the meantime may I take this opportunity to wish you all the best for Christmas and New Year.
Kind regards,
Peter
Tutor name:
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Peter Jarvis
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Date
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5th. December 2010
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Next assignment due
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15th. January 2011
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Assignment 3
Tutor Report Form
Student name:
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Jan Fairburn
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Student number:
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505391
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Course/Module title:
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Digital Photo Practice
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Assignment number:
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3
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Overall Comments
Hi Jan,
Thank you for sending in your third assignment. As usual I have had a brief look at your images on your blog and they are of a very high standard indeed, so it is going to be difficult for me to advise you as to how you can improve. With quality images like these you should do well at the assessment if you decide to go for it. Anyway, here goes:
Feedback on assignment
Going to Work on an Egg
This image is perfectly exposed and pin sharp as all your images are. The background is a very clean white and the reflections of the subjects add more interest for the viewers eye and you have a nice tonal range with the contrast spot on. To improve pictorially, I would remove one of the traffic cones so that you are left with five components of the shot; for some reason odd numbers always give a slightly better composition than even numbers. However, that is only a minor point and this is still a very good image.
Pay Peanuts, You get Monkeys
Another well thought out image. The components of this shot are all well placed within the frame and again the shot is technically perfect and your side lighting has evenly lit the subject. Another winner.
Painting by Numbers
From your notes you say that you have decided to add shadows and they certainly add a bit more interest for the viewer and its also nice to see that you are prepared to experiment with lighting a bit more, so well done for that. If I were to nit pick I would say that the fern in the top left hand corner is just a fraction too close to the edge of the frame, but again that is only a very minor criticism.
Cool as a Cucumber
The side lighting on this image has ensured that the texture detail in the cucumbers is really nice. What few highlights there are in this shot are not burnt out and there is good separation between the darker areas and the black background. Brilliant.
These Boots are Gonna Walk All Over You.
Again you have lovely texture detail in the hiking boots and the letter “u” goes well with the title. The subject matter is pin sharp and nicely placed within the frame and the whole image is very well thought out and executed. Another brilliant shot.
Gravy Train
This one to me is not quite as good as some of your other shots, but it is still very good. Technically perfect, I would liked to have seen the train on the bridge come just a bit more into the frame so the viewer could see the Oxo cube a bit better. The only other thing that bothers me slightly is the way the track continues out of the frame as it tends to lead the eye out and is therefore a bit distracting. Other than that you have another fine shot.
Learning logs/critical essays
Suggested reading/viewing
Other
Thank you again for allowing me to comment on your excellent work and as usual I hope that you found the comments helpful as they are intended to be. Please get in touch if I can be of further help and in the meantime I look forward to your next assignment.
Kind regards,
Peter
Tutor name:
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Peter Jarvis
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Date
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20th. January 2011
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Next assignment due
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26th. February 2011
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Assignment 4
Tutor Report Form
Student name:
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Jan Fairburn
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Student number:
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505391
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Course/Module title:
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Digital Photo Practice
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Assignment number:
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4
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Overall Comments
Hi Jan,
Thank you for sending in your fourth assignment via your Flickr account and blog.
This particular assignment is so well done it is difficult to improve upon and this is a credit to your hard work and understanding of not only this assignment, but all your previous work also. Anyway, please find my comments in more detail:
Feedback on assignment
Overall it was a good idea to get some ideas from another magazine, even though it was a photographic magazine. The colors go very well together and are kept to a minimum, ie not a mixture of color to clash and confuse the eye. In the photograph itself there is “noise” but that does go with the dramatic image and the anti bullying contents of the magazine. The image is also a bit flat and would benefit with a bit more contrast and at first the fist in the mouth in the form of teeth is not that clear. I would paint the fist the same color as the yellow text so that the viewer recognizes them as “teeth” ant this will add a bit more impact to the image.
On the text side for me it is perfect, but I would replace the “o” in “Order Your Copy Now!” with a capital “O”.
Other than that there is little else that I can say except well done for completing an exceptionally good assignment.
Learning logs/critical essays
Suggested reading/viewing
Other
This assignment proves that you are very competent in Photoshop techniques and photography. You are prepared to research the subject and apply the techniques that you have learnt in a very skillful manner and for that you are to be congratulated. If you have any questions please get in touch and I look forward to your next assignment in due course.
Kind regards,
Peter
Tutor name:
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Peter Jarvis
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Date
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23rd. February 2011
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Next assignment due
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2nd April 2011
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Assignment 5
Tutor Report Form
Student name:
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Jan Fairburn
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Student number:
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505391
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Course/Module title:
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Digital Photo Practice
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Assignment number:
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5
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Overall Comments
Hi Jan,
Thank you for sending in your fifth and final assignment. As usual I have just had a brief look through it and it is very much up to your usual high standard. All the images are very accurately exposed and biting sharp and you have also chosen an unusual but interesting subject matter. Anyway, please find below my comments in more detail:
Feedback on assignment
Image 1 (1960s)
For me the lighter area at the top right hand corner is just a bit too bright and you could afford to tone it down a bit. You could also afford to crop off the gate area at the top right as it is a little too distracting. However, the shoes are nicely positioned in the frame and the texture detail is excellent.
Image 2 (1960s)
As you say in your notes, direct sunlight can be very harsh, but in this case it has produced a very colorful image that suits the subject matter very well. The bright red vertical bars contrast very nicely with the bright blue sky and the shoes are again nicely placed within the frame and accurately exposed and sharp. The use of a fairly wide aperture has rendered the background slightly out of focus, thus forcing the viewer to concentrate on the main subject. Well done.
Image 3 (1970s)
Another bright and colorful image that is difficult to fault. The components of the image are nicely placed within the frame and there is good separation between them. Again the red of the pool ladder and pole in the background add a nice colorful contrast to the bright blue sky. Another winner.
Image 4 (1980s)
This is another very nicely composed image with obviously a lot of thought behind it. As you say in your notes you did not really want the sun to shine because of the crematorium subject matter but nevertheless there is still detail in the dark clouds to add interest to the scene. I think I would have positioned the tower of the crematorium a little more inside the first wooden framework for a slightly more pleasing composition, but this image is still a very good shot.
Image 5 (1980s)
Again you have another colorful and interesting image. However, the church in the background is just a little too tight in the frame and could do with a bit more space around it, particularly at the top.
Image 6 (1990s)
Very nice reflection on the shoe in the foreground and the red matches very nicely that of the London buses. You could afford to crop off the pedestrian on the far right who is partly out of the frame anyway. This would make a tidier composition.
Image 7 (1990s)
The trainer shoes are nicely placed in the frame and the shadows of the tree and framework form interesting patterns on the building. Again the image is nicely lit with the hint of a nice blue sky. Although you say in your notes that the building is a swimming pool there is no indication of the buildings use to the viewer as there is in the crematorium shot.
Image 8 (2000s)
Another interesting and unusual shot that is attractive to the viewers eye. The only problem with this one is that the building is leaning to the right and is distracting. For a better effect straighten the image so that the verticals on the mansion are upright.
Image 9 (2000s)
I like this shot very much. The colors of the sky and water are lovely and the silhouetted foreground boots add the interest. I think that you could afford to crop a little off the darker area on the left hand side so the viewer concentrates on the boots and the color of the scene.
Image 10 (2000s)
Again you have another effective composition made with very few components. The structure on the left acts as a “stopper” and breaks up the distant horizon nicely. The shoes are well placed in the foreground and the color goes very well with the beach pebbles. Another fine image.
Learning logs/critical essays
Suggested reading/viewing
Other
This assignment has been very cleverly thought out, documenting periods of your life by the type of shoes you wore at the time. Both technically and pictorially you have handled this assignment very well indeed and you have created some unusual and interesting images, so well done for that. As this is your last assignment may I take this opportunity to wish you well for the future, but if I can be of further help at any time please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards,
Peter
Tutor name:
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Peter Jarvis
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Date
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29th. March 2011
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Next assignment due
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