Diploma Modules

The AP Diploma module is starting to take shape.

 

  

This is one of the images I am considering submitting as part of the wildlife collection as part of the module work I am undertaking for the Diploma in Amateur Photography. The image captured recently is an example of the final production after going through my own workflow.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, the selection process of images that are suitable for submission is part of the self critique that develops as the course unfolds. Being ctirical of your own work is harder than some might think, because we all think we take good images all the time, everytime. The image above was captured over a period of about an hour, watching, monitoring and then choosing the best angle to capture the animals. I took approximately three hundred images in RAW, using the Sigma 300mm – 800 f/5.6 monster lens. Close up work with htis big lens enables me not to frighten the animals and is not only important but allows me to get the real details that I would otherwise be unable to capture.

I went for this image as an example due to it’s composition, simplicity and above all the animals in their own natural environment, doing what comes a part of their daily routine. Being able to show this type of image gives the viewer more interest and I believe, more time to look around the photo. Yes I have images of them standing, prone, looking about, but being able to show a subject doing something that we don’t often see, for me, tells the story better. 

So, as soon as I process the other images, I will put together a sepaerate mini series of these animals at work, in their environement. The clips, I am hoping will form part of a storyboard and will be posted on this site. The full image has been placed in the wildlife collection on the main portfolio site. Click here to go straight there.

 

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The Portfolio Image – how I did it…

Ok, so the image has been completed and I am pleased with the result, composition and lighting. I wanted an image that was hard in the lighting, emphasis placed on the top and then as the eye worked downwards, the opacity of the lighting faded away. Using the three SB 800’s helped achieve this for me.

The set consisted of a 6′ x 6′ black velvet Lastolite background that folds away into a relatively small bag. When it opens up, it takes it’s natural shape, a large square. I raised this off the floor slightly to allow for the height and positioned a chair in front of it, so I could work out the posture I wanted.

I placed the D3 about ten feet away from the chair, using a tripod and a Nikon 70mm – 200 f2.8 VR lens. The camera settings were Manual Mode f5.6 at 1/60 sec. ISO 200 and Auto WB. The focal length was 74mm.

The secret to gettig the image I wanted was down to the lighting and the position of the SB800’s. The main / key light was placed camera left high up, looking down towards me with a 110 inch transulent umbrella to help soften the light, all placed about five feet away from the subject. The second light was a fill light placed on a floor stand, also camera left and just below the Key Light. The third light was used to seperate the background and the subject, to try and give it a bit more depth.

Filed under: Author, Editor

Portfolio Image Completed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A late post for a Sunday night, but I have just finished the image that I wanted to take for the main home page for the portfolio site. I shot the image using a Nikon D3 and a Nikon 70mm – 200mm f2.8 lens. The lighting was done with three Nikon SB-800’s, on two lastolite light stands. A large 110 inch translucent umbrella was attached the the main light. The kick light and floor light had diffusers placed over the main flash. I shot it in manual mode at f5.6, shutter speed 1/60 sec.

More details of how I did the shoot, the workflow that I did in the digital darkroom and the equipment I used will be posted at the start of the week. For now though, here’s the completed image above, set on the main background for the home page.

Filed under: Author, Editor