Manchester Rain

So yesterday I went on a 2 day course to learn how to use manual mode on my SLR.

I have to say I seriously enjoyed it! I was also the youngest one there. All the others were over 50 apart from one girl who was 27.

Saturday, we learnt how to use our camera's in full manual mode as well as using 'correct exposure'. This is created when using the ISO, Shutter speed and f-stop.



When taking the photo, I learned to use the Light Meter. I had always wondered what the hell it was for and now it is so useful!



So for 'correct exposure' the needle has to be at 0. Obviously you can still overexpose or underexpose if you choose but doing photos this way means that even if you move the camera a little bit, the needle moves because the light is always changing. So you have to change the shutter speed or f-stop to get it back to 0

On the first day we learnt all this and took photos just using these settings. We used long shutter speed and short shutter speeds on water too. We also practiced portraits but I already new a bit about that anyways.

















Then for Homework. YES! HOMEWORK! We had to do self portraits. I hate doing self portraits and really struggled to do them. I did eventually get some but I really didn't like them. The two people running the course, Richard and Peter, really liked my last one.



Today we did about composition and things like pattern, colour, shape, texture, thirds and viewpoints. I knew most of this before but never really put it into practice with photography. So that was a real nice change. We had to do a session on pattern and then we could choose from colour shape, texture and lines. I chose texture and I really enjoyed it











Then we stood around the G-Mex and took photos using what we had learnt that weekend :D








This one is my favorite one from the weekend and was one of my last photos

We also practiced panning. Making the moving car a still image and blurring the background instead :D



I have really enjoyed this weekend and I am so glad I did it, even at the cost. I feel now that I can take technically better photos which in turn will help me to take good photos. I am hoping that this will also means I have to do less photoshopping on my images (unless I want to obviously lol)

I hope you can see where I am coming from

Fiona xx

Camera And Computers

I've been wanting to write about this for a while. I figured now I had a blog, I could say things from my point of view.

I am a beginner in Photography and even I know about the debate between photographers who rely solely on their camera skills and those who use computer programs to achieve different ideas. I am not siding with either as such but I do fall into the edits with a computer. There are reasons why though.

The reason personally is that I am very used to working that way. Computers were made so they were able to achieve these things that some people have yet to learn to do with a camera/not have the right equipment. My degree in animation was something I did with a lot of digital work and so that is easier for to comprehend. I have only had my camera for a month and a half. In that time I have improved in the actual taking of my photos but I enjoy experimenting with what I can do to photos to make them more interesting.

An example:


As you can see with this one, all I did was up the white and dark, using the curves in Photoshop. Nothing else was done to that photo it was a good photo the way it was. Some of the things that can be done in Photoshop though, I don't see as being able to do on a camera itself (certainly not on my D3000) Saying that though, I am learning to use my camera in manual mode, getting used to the setting and knowing what I need for shots so that over time I can cut down on the amount of Photoshopping I HAVE to do. I still WANT to play with some photos though.

An Example:



I love the composition of this photo but with it made into black and white it becomes so much more interesting with subtle changes in shades. Making photos black and white/grey scale is something that is acceptable to do with computers I think. It just adds a little bit of class and I think that change can make a photo.

Of course there are more edits you can do with photos to change the feel of a photo all together. These kind of edits I don't use all the time but I like to experiment as I don't have anything other than a computer to use to attempt anything in the actual photo taking process. I take macro photos in a little corner of my room, with two regular lights so I don't have much to work with. The English weather certainly doesn't help so even if I go outside and boost up the settings to get more light in my photo, that can only do so much.
Even with light outside, you can't always get the colour's you want for your photo. Sometimes the idea only comes to you after the photo and you put it onto a computer. I think this is where a computer and software shines. It makes the impossible possible after a shoot. Especially if your model has gone home for example.

An Example:



As you can see with this one the whole atmosphere is different. The reds and earthier colour's rather than greens give it a somewhat eerie feeling. It also ties in nicely with her dress in this particular photo.

So in some kind of conclusion, I am for both sides. Some would argue that I can't sit on the fence. Well I am. I would love to achieve perfect photos on my camera but I am new and am still learning. I have the basics of how to set up a photo and composition which is also a huge factor of taking a photo don't forget. I am going to use what I know to build upon but I don't think there is anything wrong with using what we have to help us achieve what we want.

I know that was very much from my own point of view but i think people forget that there are many different types of photographers out there, each with their own opinions, ideas and views. That is my insight into the whole issue and I hope one day to not have to use Photoshop as much.

Fiona

xx

My Current Standing Point.

So I though I should start off with photo's I have already taken so you can get a feel for what I like to do

I have an obsession with Macro photography. Nature and objects. I shall share with you a couple of my favorite photos I have taken so far.

Nature Macro











Object Macro











I am also very interested in Portraits and got the chance to work with Charlotte from http://www.girlnextdoorfashion.net/ who was my first model. I hope to go more into this area of photography as I carry on.

Portraits





















You may have noticed that my photos have 'MidnightBlueTopaz' on them. The reason for that is that is the DeviantArt name I go by because Midnight Topaz was already taken. So these are my photos, just in case you were wondering.
You may have also noticed I like to try different things and I also love experimenting with editing. As well as improving photography I want to get involved with photography and touch upon subjects such as computer editing from a beginners point of view etc.

I hope you all stick with me

Fiona xx

Come rain or shine

Hello!

I have finally sorted out my blog, which I have been meaning to do for ages!

I'm still sorting it all out from the old layout when it was just an image blog. This blog will have long posts about what photo's I have taken. Follow my journey and I hope one day I can inspire someone else to become a photographer

Take Care

Fiona xx