Assignment 2: Elements of Design

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 1

All the pictures have been taken in RAW format and processed with camera RAW. In some cases this means just the automatic process, but it generally includes cropping where it is considered to be necessary, and some contrast and colour enhancement. All the relevant EXIF data of the pictures has been added below each one, and in some cases even edited and modified, because this data did not reflect the wireless triggering of the flash. It is noted that where the Canon 5D has been used the EXIF data shows the name of the previous owner of the camera (I bought it second hand). The general subject of the assignment is flowers, and care has been taken to have all the pictures placed in this general context. Many of the pictures have been taken at home without any studio material, and with the corresponding limitations implied by that fact. The ones that have not been taken at home, were shot in different places in the Netherlands and always within the time period of the corresponding unit of the course (in other words, no one has been taken before starting with the exercises of the second part of the course). Following the tutor instructions none of the pictures has been converted to B&W. Also following the recommendations of the tutor, many different things have been tried out for each shot, and every shot has been taken with the intention of fulfilling the corresponding task header (no 'a posteriori' classifications). Last but not least, I have tried (also following my tutor advise) to put as much of myself in every one of the photos, and even in the snapshots (e.g. the ones taken in the flowers auction), the ones chosen (in most cases coming from a burst with the camera) have been trough an attentive selection process. These are likely the points where I need more improvement. The text under the photos are shortly describing part of the things tried and not tried, but for a more detailed comment, to see the process, and some other results visit the blog: http://leopinsocalcos.blogspot.com/

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 2

PREPARATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The assignment is so broadly defined that becomes difficult. In the beginning I was feeling like a blind man trying to find a deaf man in an open space. Every one of the shots was planned well in advance and carefully meditated in terms of the execution. One of the problems was that during the whole block I did a lot of technical experimentation, but always focused in the method and execution but forgetting the message. It was nonetheless better than the first assignment in terms of the boundaries (this time at least I knew some of the things that I should not do). However, if I am honest I prepared the assignment more motivated by the fear of the future evaluation and a possible crash than for the pure enjoyment, which os probably not correct. I read the following books: Michael Freeman, "The photographer's eye", ILEX, 2007 This one particularly useful to understand the rhythm and pattern concepts. R. Mapplethorpe, "The complete flowers", teNeues, NY, 2006. Many ideas for photographs came from this book. There are many other things that I would have loved to try, or to further experiment with, such as the flowers with smoke, and different light angles to provide different shadows within the same photograph. Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, Paul Fuqua, "Light Science & Magic. An introduction to photographic Lighting", Focal press (Elsevier), 2007, Third Edition. From this book I learnt some of the characteristics of light and it influenced the locations for taking the photographs (in terms of the light source), and that's also where I got the idea for the home made lightbox and some of the flash experiments. I ordered two more books, one of K. Blossfeldt and one of E. Weston, but they didn't arrive in time, so I browsed the web for some of their photographs. I also visited several flower shops and watched the kind of vases thy use (in fact, that is where I bought the ones that can be seen in the photographs, and some more that I didn't use at the end for the simple reason of lack of time).

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 3

Single point

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date:

Canon EOS 5D EF70-200mm f/4L USM Shot at 200 mm Manual exposure, 1/25 sec, f/8, ISO 100 Off, Did not fire July 30, 2011

This is a created photograph, where both the elements and their positions have been carefully staged so that their addition is telling a simple but nice and suggestive story. The point is the flower, which is given further prominence by the water and glass bowl around it, one could even say framing it. The flower is pin sharp (the picture was shot with the camera on tripod). The stem of the flower, and the scissors, slightly out of focus do not detract from the prominence of the flower in my opinion, and they create some nice triangles adding not only to the narrative, but to the composition. I personally like the colour combination of the orange flower with the blue cardboard in the background. The location was also selected to have natural light coming from a window on top and diffused (through a fabric), and to avoid any harsh and undesirable shadows or reflections.

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 4

Two Points

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date:

Canon EOS 5D EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Shot at 100 mm Manual exposure, 1/4 sec, f/11, ISO 100 Off, Did not fire July 7, 2011

Shot with the camera on a tripod and the light coming from a window (on top of the composition) above. The reflections of the vases have been blurred with photoshop because they were considered disruptive and detracting from the main elements in the frame (the flowers). The whole picture is staged. Many different versions of the same subject were taken (and many of them are in the corresponding entries in the blog). I like a lot this simple arrangements with plain backgrounds and where the flowers and the vases become the main and only subject. These shots were inspired by the book R. Mapplethorpe, The complete Flowers, teNeues, NY, 2006. The black background emphasizes the flower colors and shapes. The photograph transmits me a feeling of solitude and sadness, which os surprisingly contrasted with the use of strong colour flowers (red and pink, no less) and vases.......however the black and blue background trigger the sadness feeling in my opinion. I prefer simplicity and minimalism in the compositions.

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 5

Several points in a deliberate shape

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date:

Canon EOS 5D EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Shot at 80 mm Manual exposure, 1/13 sec, f/6.3, ISO 100 Off, Did not fire July 7, 2011

Again a carefully staged photograph. Black cardboard on the floor under a window, the vase in position, I added the flowers one by one (with different trials), and fixed them with tape. Then I added the water. The camera was on a tripod focusing downwards (as perpendicular to the ground as I could to have a depth of field that allows all the flowers in sharp focus) . The flowers form all kind of shapes but basically they are a triangle with the basis on the lower part of the frame. It is noted that the flowers could be blurred (not focused, or moved) with no effect in terms of the presence of multiple points, however, because I like the flowers I prefer to see them focused. What I se in this picture is flowers escaping from darkness and moving to the light. It seems that they are blossoming from the water in the vase and approaching the camera.
Leopoldo de Castro The Art of Photography Assignment 2 Page 6

A combination of Vertical and Horizontal lines

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date:

Canon EOS 5D EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Shot at 135 mm Manual exposure, 1/160 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200 Off, Did not fire July 7, 2011

This picture is different from the previous ones in many aspects. It was shot ouside with natural light and no tripod, and the background is not so plain. Additionally, these are flowers on living plants. Shot on a cloudy and windy day. One of the things that i probably should have tried is to increase the depth of field so that all the lavender flowers are sharp (and the background still unsharp).

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 7

Diagonals

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date:

Canon EOS 5D EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Shot at 80 mm Manual exposure, 1/4 sec, f/5, ISO 100 Off, Did not fire July 10, 2011

I also tried to build my own light box and to shoot something inspired somehow by K. Blossfeldt famous plant's shots, but my own style. Using a glass, a white cardboard, and some lamps lying on the ground, some patience, no technique, and loooooots of enthusiasm, that is what I managed to achieve......

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 8

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date:

Canon EOS 5D EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Shot at 80 mm Manual exposure, 1/4 sec, f/5, ISO 100 Off, Did not fire July 10, 2011

As usual, all of them taken using a tripod, and processed in camera raw. The white balance was dramatically modified, cropping, levels, contrast and some color boost. This second one was taken with an additional light (apart from the one coming from the 'lightbox' ;) ) of a zenith flash activated manually at minimum power. As it can be noticed immediately the light of my home made lightbox is far from being homogeneous (or uniformly diffused), but I like the results nevertheless............

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 9

Curves

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date:

Canon EOS 5D EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Shot at 135 mm Manual exposure, 4 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100 Off, Did not fire July 12, 2011

Camera on tripod, main light coming from a window above and falling in the stems, not so much in the white background. Flash manually triggered slightly from the left side. One of the things that I could have tried (but I realized long later) was to use a mirror on one side and to point the flash so that part of its light would hit that mirror, and then I would have double shadows (and more curves). I also tried many other things such as use several flash shots from different positions with a snoot......some of the other results can be seen in the blog. The stems look like snakes looking at the viewer and each of the three mysterious shadows have the shape of an inverted number three.
Leopoldo de Castro The Art of Photography Assignment 2 Page 10

Distinct, even if irregular shapes

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date: Canon EOS 5D EF50mm f/1.8 Manual exposure, 1/60 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100 Off, Did not fire July 9, 2011

This photo shows many things such as triangles or diagonals and it has in my opinion, as a whole, a nice mixture of different (straight and curved) shapes. In the lower right part of the frame the top of a socket can be seen, but it is not very remarkable because it is in the shadows, and I think it does not disturb too much. The photo coveys to me a feeling of rest and balance, harmony by the end of the day......although the triangle formed by the stems of the flowers is inverted, I think the thick vase with the water give stability )it doesn't look likely that the triangle moves left or right. The position, flowers and vase are staged.....thus, although it might look a natural snapshot it isn't really it.

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 11

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date:

Canon EOS 5D EF70-200mm f/4L USM Shot at 91 mm Manual exposure, 1/125 sec, f/5, ISO 100 Off, Did not fire July 9, 2011

I also used the few minutes of nice light to experiment with other objects such as this candle support....... The photos were taken with the camera on tripod. In this second one, the flower vase and the candle support are on top of a pile of books, because the light was moving up (as the sun was coming down in the horizon). Insects, water and flowers they go well together, they are linked naturally to each other, and they are also linked in our minds. The shadow of the insect candle support is framed by a nice triangle and surrounded by other triangles. The shadows (particularly the flower shadow) are strong diagonals. The composition has some symmetry as well, which to me provides balance (flowers in the middle, insect to the left, insect shadow on the right).

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 12

At least two kinds of implied triangle

These were the most difficult ones of the whole assignment.
Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date: Canon EOS 5D EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Shot at 105 mm Manual exposure, 1/160 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400 Off, Did not fire July 15, 2011

This one was shot in daylight with the camera hand held. Not only the main flower has a triangular shape (abstracted), but the smaller one on the left of it, and stems also form triangular shapes. The focus in this photograph could be a matter of argument....would it be better to focus on the stem? Or to have a little more depth of field?....well I like it as it is!!! The light tones of the flower are very remarkable against the dark background. The photographs induces in me a feeling of intimacy and also isolation (may be because of the unsharp background).

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 13

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date:

Canon EOS 5D EF17-40mm f/4L USM Shot at 17 mm Manual exposure, 1/20 sec, f/4, ISO 800 Off, Did not fire July 15, 2011

This one was shot in a flower auction in Westland (The Netherlands), so the subject is still related to the overall subject of the assignment (flowers). Many triangles can be seen but the two more important ones in my view are created by the ceiling structures with basis on the horizon' line, and the other one with the horizon line and the two fences in perspective (an inverted triangle). This photo was taken with the camera hand held and processed in camera RAW (levels and black point shifted in order to reveal some details in the dark parts). The emptiness and darkness of the corridors contrast strongly with the lit busy part in the middle, where the flowers are. No human figure is present, and the right moment was chosen for this, because it would focus all the attention of the viewer.

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 14

Rhythm

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date:

Canon EOS 5D EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Shot at 135 mm Manual exposure, 1/30 sec, f/5.6, ISO 800 Off, Did not fire July 15, 2011

Also shot in the flower auction (see the blog for more details), I believe that this photo transmits rhythm in a number of levels. First, the sets of boxes within every container level, then the row of containers (horizontally), then the rows of flowers between the rows of containers (vertically and a bit in diagonal)...... Taken with the camera hand held in difficult light conditions, with the camera strongly held, and the elbows on a fence (like the ones that can be seen in the previous photo). The f number could not be lowered (for the focal distance), and looking to the focal distance and the shutter speed it is a miracle that it is not blurred (although the lens is stabilized). It could be argued whether a lower ISO value could be used.

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 15

Pattern

Camera: Lens: Exposure: Flash: Date:

Canon EOS 5D EF28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Shot at 135 mm Manual exposure, 1/160 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400 Off, Did not fire July 15, 2011

I think that it can be argued whether or not actually represents pattern (or rather rhythm). Certainly there is a repetition of the little white (almost hexagonal) bunches of white little flowers, but they leave empty spaces in between and specially close to the borders of the frame. The little insects (where the focus was actually set) adds some variation, and it is easily remarkable (not because of the size, but because of the red colour). Taken with the camera hand held, in day light, but late in the evening (with the sun quite low) and under the trees (again the ISO value could be a matter of argument). White and green are almost the only tones (apart from the little red point of the insects). It seems as if the white spots are moving from the centre to the sides of the frame, where they disappear. When I see it my eyes move with no particular direction all through the frame looking for something, until they find the reddish little insects, where they rest.

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 16

FINAL NOTES ON THE ASSIGNMENT

The photographs that I personally like the most are the ones for the different even if irregular shapes. These photographs say more of me, in my opinion than any of the others. I also feel proud of the ones for rhythm and pattern because I think that I was able to understand the difference by myself. On the more negative side, I have to learn to communicate more with every picture individually, and with the whole set of the assignment.......I concentrated a lot in doing different things instead of focusing in a message. It is always difficult to show our own feelings and to express them properly, but this will be my own challenge for the next assignment. Difficult assignment not only because of the fact that I was not used to see in terms of the design elements (lines, points, etc...) but also because of a lack of a specific destination. By the end, just before the delivery time, I was exhausted.

Leopoldo de Castro

The Art of Photography

Assignment 2 Page 17