In case you thought this was going to be some really extraordinary post, I assure you it will not be. In fact, this is my submission for my Photography elective module. My lecturer will actually be visiting this site to grade my work. Wow, for once, I can use this blog for schoolwork!
Anyway, for those clueless people scratching their heads, this post consists of 2 external and 2 internal building shots, both of which are taken in the day and night, followed by a final self portrait.
Note to lecturer: Click on the images for larger sizes.
Windows (Day)
Windows (Night)
Location: MICA
Techniques used: Rhythm, Negative Space
Comment: What caught my attention of this seemingly aged building was the multi-coloured windows. It’s a wonder how the windows alone can turn an ordinary building into something eye catching. Hence, the link between the windows and the theme, Extraordinary out of the Ordinary.
Rhythm was used in the photo composition. Although the pattern of the windows are identical, signifying how ordinary they are, the varying colours of the windows transform the building into an visual attention magnet, something ever out of the ordinary.
Glass Shower (Day)
Glass Shower (Night)
Location: Clarke Quay
Techniques used: Circle
Comment: The design of the glass panels hanging from the ceiling is pretty unique, appearing like glass is actually dropping from the ceiling. Something as ordinary as the ceiling is now depicted as extraordinary with such an unconventional design added to it.
The circle in the design naturally added the technique of using a circle in a photo. That circle right in the middle eludes the feel of the glass spreading out as they distance themselves further from the ceiling, something like a spiral. This invokes the realistic feel of the glass descending.
Listen
Techniques used: Negative Space, Rule of Thirds
Comment: Negative space occupies more than half the photo as I wanted to keep it simple and plain. The main focus is the headphones, which I chose as the subject to represent me. Almost each time I head out, it will come along with me or I’ll feel awkward due to being unable to listen to music. Simply put it, it’s somewhat a part of me.
—-End of Assignment—-
This assignment proved to be quite a challenge to me as the shots I’ve been taking in the past were mostly human portraits, mainly cosplay. Compared to architecture shooting, it’s quite different. What I’ve been doing mostly in the past was just filling the frame, whereas this time, I didn’t use the “filling the frame” technique at all.
Anyway, do leave a comment if you like the photos so that my lecturer might just give me a better grade, or if you have a suggestion on how I can improve. It’ll be much appreciated.
P.S. Those cheesy comments are there for the grade. I swear!
I still prefer if you did a diagonal shot of the first building both in the day and night. By “diagonal”, you could have shot it from the side that reclines away from the main road, in your first picture it will be the “left side” as seen by the viewer. Taking a shot that encompasses both the reclining and the frontal view in a smooth diagonal will show the colors blending in layers thanks to the windows and the building’s design, though I wonder whether that would have been appropriate for your assignment.
Also, nice circle picture.
Those are some nice pics u took, btw I somehow find the night shoot of glass shower looking better when rotated 180deg
P.S Dear Lecturer, pls give double a better grade XD
yeah~ double his grades… Like.. a double A.
The glass shower night photo has a deep effect!!
Since you asked for constructive comments, here’s my 2 cents worth. Be warned, direct/harsh words ahead. That’s how we either improve or stagnate. The choice is yours.(BTW I am overtly critical towards my work too)
Theme 1
Take note to level the horizon. Keystone effect works better on taller buildings.
I know you want to potray the multi coloured windows, but in this case, the composition is too cluttered. You could go closer to the building and highlight the gradient colour change for a couple of windows. Tilt it, vary the DOF, it’s your call.
Theme 2
1st pic is ok, albeit a little washed out. I prefer darker tones, so I’ll meter the glass ceiling instead.
2nd pic has either camera shake or wind movement. Unfortunately, the lacklusture lights dulls the impact of the chrome fixtures and the overall pic.
IMHO, a pic of a spiral staircase would emphasize the circle theme much better.
Theme 3
Technically, rules of third are followed here, but pic doesn’t emote. You might want to bring one hand to the earcup like you’re analysing/engrossed in the music. The flat lighting doesn’t help either. I’d probably shoot this at night, using ceiling flash bounce and/or flash from the left frame for a silhouette effect.
That’s all for now. Hope you weren’t offended and/or feel discouraged. We all have to start somewhere. ;D
All > Thanks for all the comments so far, be it compliments or suggestions for improvement.
MrMayat > I really appreciate your 2 cents. Just like what you’ve written, my photos are lacking in some way or another. I guess what I lack is experience, and quite a bit in the creative department.
The self portrait was the most difficult of them all, since all I took it myself with the use of a tripod. You don’t want to know how many hours I spent.
There will be 2 more assignments for this module in the near future, and I’ll be uploading them here too. I look forward to your comments on them.
>> I guess what I lack is experience, and quite a bit in the creative department.
This holds true to me too. Even though I’ve been into photography for a decade (on and off, got serious early this year), I’m still exploring my creative limits. Years of rigid education has dulled the creative edge unfortunately…
That said, shoot more, post more, learn more. Survey/Join photography forums to gain ideas. I know that tj_han is doing likewise to expand his photography skills. =D
wow, back when i was in ngee ann poly, blogs are just personal diary. Now blogs are work assignments too? the world really changed. !! and your hawt yaoi photo too!!
Your night shots, did you play around with the settings ? With your dslr , you should be able to get way better results or you got lazy and set to Auto mode and do a p-n-s thing?
The only way to level up is to take more photos. Esp, since you’re a student learning photography and with a dslr. taking a camera around is pretty easy and you can snap anywhere, anytime you like.
I’m learning photography too but nonetheless.
actually for me, i don’t really concern myself with the rule of thumb and stuff. I more concern about getting a clear photo(day+night) and the lighting effects that i want at night. thats why i didn’t really comment on your techniques since i’m not really into it yet.
I almost never shoot on auto when I’m on my DSLR. The only time it’s on auto is when I pass it for those who are totally new to a DSLR.
Yup Mr Mayat, recently I’ve been into photography quite a bit. But rarely post the pictures on my site as they are not relevant to anime generally.
Double, first off, your night pictures are all quite blur. Both the building pictures aren’t very good. The angle is boring, and the use of negative space is awkward/negligible. The night circle is also blur.
My favourite photo of the series is the daytime circle, despite the blown highlights.
Your self-portrait, as Mayat said, has dull and boring lighting and colour. Your headphones aren’t worn properly, though that could be intentional. But the slouch is pretty cool, shows the lack of confidence otaku have towards life. LoL.
I used my blog to score me points in my literature module. The prof loved my essays on anime. LOL.