Birmingham City Council Offices Spire

Not sure if this is the format Steve is looking for - could use advice - but in any case here goes.

 Original copy of the photo

Early one fine November morning, headed into Birmingham looking for photo opportunities to add to my “ancient” group within the first set of the Assignment 208 - Theme 1a, the built environment photographs.

Liked the way the sun provided interesting shapes and textures on the spire and attempted to make an interesting viewpoint to add a difference to the shot.

Needed very little adjustment to the end shot other than some minor cropping and colour adjustment.

Taken with 75-300mm lens with an ISO of 100. Needed the zoom to capture the shot from street level. Aperture set at f/11 to give a reasonable focal length and a shutter speed of 1/60

Final Copy.

Winter in Warwick - 7th Dec 2010

On a very cold day, I happened to be in Warwick and took the opportunity to take som eramdom pictures of the cold scene. Took a range of pics from landscapes to close ups to try and convey the temperature (about -7 deg C)

Pleased with the results which are presented here unadjusted

The first couple are views up and down the River at Warwick. Both taken with my 10-24mm wide angle lens with /8 setting and ISO 100. The shutter speed was set to suit.

 

Sunday 27th Nov.

Out again today looking for opportuties to create interesting pics. Really liked the photo from the Chris Herring research. The picture shows attention to shape and colour. The theme is somewhat secondary to the creation of the mass of colour, texture and shapes and shaddows.

Herring Pictures

ISO 100, 18-55mm lens with +10 close up added. f?5.6 at 1/200 speed.

Although being somewhat closer the end result is similar. The picture creates the "abstract" array of colour and shape evident in the reference pics that I was looking for. Really like the variety of shaddows, tones shapes and colour.

Shoot Results

Sat 26th Nov 2010 Dave and I headed off to the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham armed with all our gear, tripods and new macro lenses. +1, +2, +4 and +10 close up lenses to add to our 58mm dia lens.
The day was not as bright as had been forecast but then by 9.00 when we arrived it was OK. Set off in search of suitable opportunities. Snow was on the ground so we were looking for good contrasts in the colour against the white snow background. Also wanted to make sure the sun was creating good shapes and shaddows.

Didnt spot as many as we had hoped and we were further scuppered when the sun disappeared at 10.00. Nevertheless some pleasing results but also good experience in using the macro lenses.

All the pictures were taken with my Canon 400D camera and the 18-55mm lens with in the main the +10 close up macro lens added. Mostly f/5.6 with varying shutter speed. 

Theme 2 Nature Assignment Planning.

On the advice of Steve last week, I am planning a trip to the Botanical gardens on Saturday am to try the nature pics.
Spoken to them this morning and they are happy for me to do the photos providing they are for my own use and not to be used commercially. The place opens at 9.00 which is a little disappointing as I had hoped to get there earlier and use the early light and (anticipated) frosty conditions. Oh well will have to work with what we have.
I am aiming to emulate the photos of Guy Edwards on my blog with close up, macro type (without the macro lens). Will be particularly looking at light, colour and compostion as these I believe are the secrets of taking good nature pics.
Will also be mindful of the work of Chris Herring as I will try to create pics with abstract composition, shapes rather than specific objects.
Will take all my gear mentioned in the "theme" plan including the high vis jacket to alert the public to my presence, and my mate Dave to share the experience.

Vikas Malhotra - Famous Indian Photographer

Another interesting photographer. Many different aspects of photography but particularly liked this of the lilly.

As with the other nature photographs they have a very clear focal point and interesting tonal ranges. Again the colour makes the picture and especially the black background exagerates the whites of the flowers.

The texture of the flowers can almost be felt

ISHAN KHOSLA Photography

Just looking up "historical Architecture Photographers" and found this chap. Really liked the work. It is detail and shapes.

His use of shapes again makes the picture seem abstract and creates which can be interpreted in a variety of different ways.

The focal point and the colour range is well defined and the shapes add interest.

Justin Kercher Photography

Again liked the simplicity of these pictures. The colour and shapes almost make the pictures abstract.

More Nature Photography research

Now back at College and gathering together some more research into the Nature theme. Was looking around the internet last night and came across these two photographers. Really liked the work for its simplicity and lack of clutter.

Recently bought Guy edwards book "100 tips for shooting good nature photos" and he says the main focal point should always be uncluttered and well defined.


He also noted the time of day as being vital in the making of a shot. Early morning and late evening (not very grey November days) are recommended as adding interest.

The first is Chris Herring. Once again the subject in each case is simple, it is the view point, angle of light, composition and shades which makes the interest. Particularly impressed with the acorns. Simple but very effective. The shades, colours and shadows  really make the shot. As does the composition and the tonal range.

The view point of the first picture and light make the shot and it reads well from left to right.

The second is Steve Street. Again the focus is simple and straightforward. The interest in the picture is made by the lighting, shadows and tonal range.

Colour features heavily in all the shots and naturally that leads to great contrast in the range.

John Devises photography

Quote from John "I have been obsessed with wildlife and the natural world for as long as I can remember. Over the years I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge that has enabled me to understand my subjects sufficiently well to be privileged to enter their world. I get such a thrill, when through patience, or perhaps a little edible bribery, a normally timid species accepts me sufficiently to enable a close approach and to allow me and my camera to capture something of their essence. Every picture on this website has a story behind it, and my aim is to hopefully share with others, something of the beauty and wonder of the natural world that I have been honored to witness and photograph during my years as a wildlife photographer."

 These pics are simple but effective. The use of colour and shapes makes the pic and the and focal point is very specific. I like the shadows and contrast the light produces.
Composition is clean with little to distract the eye from the main subject.