TAOP Part 1 - Exercise 9 Cropping (Dividing The Frame)
The purpose of this exercise is to find different pictures within photographs through cropping
Image 1
This is the starting image with the wrecked train carriages on the upper horizontal third and the train tracks leader the eye through the image.
Image 1a
Cropping the bottom 2 thirds of the image make the train carriages the prime subject in the photograph and there is still enough of the train tracks that have a curve almost now in parallel to the carriages. The image has less depth now but the viewer is still taken through the image from right to left following the line of the carriages.
Image 2
The original image where the foreground grass bank, water and sky all equally share one third of the image. The water taken the viewer through the image but I think there is little of interest in the grass bank in the foreground
Image 2a
In this image the grass foreground has been almost completely cropped from the bottom of the image and so has the sun which was borderline over exposed. With the sky now accounting for almost 75% of the image the eye is now overwhelmed with the beautiful colours of the sky at sunset with cloud structure adding almost texture to the sky in contrast to the glassy effect of the water.
Image 3
In this image the harbour wall has been included and without a person standing on the wall in silhouette the wall could now instead be a distraction to the overall image.
Image 3a
Here the bottom third of the image has been cropped out and there is just enough of the main element in the image to help anchor it. In this image now the sun and its rays is much more clearly the prime subject in the image.
Exercise Learning's
a) Cropping of a picture can enable elements of the image become stronger or easily the main element within the image
b) When composing the image in your pre-visualisation you may already have decided that there are elements in the image within the viewfinder that aren't required in the final image so that cropping is already planned in before the post processing has started so that in the same way as part of this exercise we are seeing a picture within the photograph, when taking the image with the camera we may also be seeing the picture we want within the boundaries of the viewfinder
c) Cropping out elements of a photograph may create a scene that is totally different from what was seen as a whole when the shutter release button was pressed. This could create a false view for those present at the scene at the time, but for those viewing the cropped image at a later date we could instead trust the image in front of our eyes as a true image. Reportage photography in some tabloids / magazines may perhaps take advantage of this post processing element
TAOP Part 1 - Exercise 8 Vertical and Horizontal Frames (Dividing The Frame)
The purpose of this exercise is to take 20 photographs of subjects where each is taken both in a horizontal and vertical format. There is a natural trait to take images in a horizontal format as the view matches more what our eyes would naturally see, in addition there is I'm told (Michael Freeman) to place the weight of the subject in the lower part of the frame as opposed to the centre. Some subjects will best suit vertical frames rather than horizontal frames.
What I've not done is to take all 20 images first in horizontal format and then return later to take again in vertical format; this didn't seem practical given the number of images and it appears that most students, per their learning logs, perhaps have thought the same. I hope this doesn't detract from this exercise.
The majority of these images were taken on a car tour one afternoon stopping at various locations going through Lydbrook. Eastbach and Lower Lydbrook. I had no preset ideas what images I wanted before leaving and just stopped when I saw something of interest. I hope I have captured a variety of image types.
Image Pair 1
In these images the weight of the subject I feel is central, the vehicle tracks not quite as prominent as I thought they would be to add more interest to the image. The horizontal image is more appealing I feel but would further benefit with a crop to the bottom to remove some of the field.
Image Pair 2
With the barbed wire running horizontal then the horizontal frame suits the image best. I the horizontal image would look best now cropping the sky out completely or have in the camera position to do this when the image was taken.
Image Pair 3
This pair of images were taken using a flash and whilst the subject may not appear particularly interesting the contrast between the yellow marker and the green foliage initially appealed. In both images I've tried to place the yellow marker on a zing point; for me the vertical format works better giving some background interest (even if minor) with trees.
Image Pair 4
I think the images for this subject work in both formats but I feel the vertical image is better as it contains a drive which allows the viewers eyes to flow into the image and toward the house, much as you would if driving or walking to the house.
Image Pair 5
The subject is central which is not where I would normally place it but in the horizontal image I have tried to frame it with the trees either side and the background has more interest. In both images there is to much foreground grass and would be cropped normally from both but I think the horizontal image is slightly better
Image Pair 6
A bit of a disaster in terms of subject and composition I think but as its an exercise I've included it. In hindsight I should have chosen the subject as the left hand flower and focused on that using the wide aperture. This would also have been better suited to a vertical format of the image. Additionally the over exposed sky adds nothing to the image so would normally be cropped or as mentioned above, better composed. Always looking for ways to learn from mistakes!
Image Pair 7
I was drawn to the postbox by the contrast of red and grey. Both images were taken placing the letter box on the right hand vertical third of the image. At the time I took this pair of images I felt the horizontal image would work best when out of the camera I feel the horizontal image works better.
Image Pair 8
The blue of the sky and the tractor's attachment attracted me though I think in hindsight I should have crossed the fence and got closer to the tractor. No great images but I think the horizontal image is better as it removes much of the uninteresting soil. Poor composition by me in these pair of images I think.
Image Pair 9
I've selected this image for its obvious vertical element. If I had more control of the situation I think I would have used a smaller aperture and brought the window into focus if it had someone inside so the the top of the post could lead the eye to the window. I didn't want to look like a stalker! Looking at the image now it clearly works better in the vertical format and also with the post better place on the left hand vertical third.
Image Pair 10
This scene appealed to me as it looked like the grass bales would roll down the hill. I think this is better emphasised in horizontal format plus has the building as additional interest within the image which helps confirm the camera was level and not tilted to cause the look of a slope.
Image Pair 11
This scene has dynamic diagonal lines and contrasting colours with foreground interest with the varying vehicle tracks. Both images could work but the key element being the diagonals then the horizontal image I think works best here
Image Pair 12
I like the way the arrow of the sign post pointed up the hill and directed the viewer up the diagonal of the border between grass and wheat. Critically I used of removed the stinging nettle in the first image or clone stamped this out and in the second I should have removed the cobweb from the sign post which contained small flies that have been caught; not so obvious but it is there. Additionally a smaller aperture or using manual focus and setting to infinity would have brought the background into focus. That said the vertical format is best suited to this image and I have at least got the signpost ending on a vertical third and the top ending on a zing point. Better use of focus and exposure could have made the vertical image a lot better.
Image Pair 13
In hindsight not a good image to use as it likes a main subject subject and with a zoom lens the first image of this pair could be considered for a "many" in the Contrast assignment. Too much wasted space with the grass in the vertical image (and also the horizontal image to be honest) so as with most landscapes horizontal format often works best
Image Pair 14
The focus of these images is the 3 contrast elements of wheat, grass and stormy sky both in texture and in colour, for me this works best in horizontal format, I do clearly need some more images more focused on the vertical
Image Pair 15
The vertical image gives more of a natural flow to the image so that the eye more naturally follows the curve of the road through the image
Image Pair 16
A clear case of what is seen by the eye is not always captured by the sensor. I've gone for the colour contrasts of thirds of road, buildings and sky with colour between the 2 greys. The red and white umbrella's have not been as significant as they seemed in person; horizontal format works best here
Image Pair 17
I think both images could have worked though I've cut-off the top left bend of the river in the vertical image. In both images the sky is over exposed though I have managed to get the canoes on a zing point. The key aspect to both images which works is the river flowing from the right to bottom left to take the viewer through the image I think. Nice idea but poorly executed
Image Pair 18
An image at contrasts (attempted) between water, foliage and sky. I think this works better in vertical and the sunlight on the trees top third is more visible
Image Pair 19
A clear subject for a vertical framed image which doesn't work in horizontal format. In the horizontal image I would have had to walk further back to incorporate the whole telephone box which would then have been smaller as a result in this composition.
Image Pair 20
I took these images, as I did the others, using a 50mm. I think you can see from these images as I've tried to include elements of the subject of tilted the plane of the sensor which can give a building a leaning back feel. Out of these 2 images the vertical image works best but I think I should have stood back further as it feels looking at the image that I've cut too much of the church out at the sides.
Exercise Learning's
a) There is a natural tendency to take images in the horizontal format as this is more like what we are used to seeing with our human "binocular" type of vision with eyes side by side. However sometimes photography is also about taking images in a format that we are not used to seeing either because it doesn't fit in the frame or perhaps we want to do this create an effect or feel to the image. Image Pair 10 show how using a horizontal frame an effect of the bale rolls perhaps getting ready to roll down the slop can be emphasised to the image viewer.
b) Most camera's(pro camera's aside) have the shutter on the top if the camera making taking horizontal images easier but not so when taking them in a vertical frame. Taking more image in a vertical format would help me to get more used to pressing the shutter release button and better develop a comfortable way of holding the camera in this way
c) Some subjects / views will appear to suit either vertical or horizontal framing but it is worth also considering the opposite sometimes as this can have a different effect in the image or perhaps focus the viewer onto something perhaps they would not at first consider
d) Landscapes often appear better in a horizontal frame but in the case of Image Pair 14 the effect of colours and textures in thirds in the vertical format it can be equally appealing and perhaps more emphasised in this case.
e) I am again reminded tot to rush my image taking and to take care to explore a potential image considering both major composition elements as basic as a horizontal or vertical frame or simple changes such as a few steps closer or further back. The key here is also take images of all variations (being a digital camera and not a film camera) and as I learn the art of photography allow myself the freedom to explore this and then review the images when back home; not only to see which works best in this case but also to learn what could work at another time or location
f) I have at times focused on one element of the image I'm capturing but at the expense of something else. Image Pairs 5 and 6 show where I've forgotten why a centrally place subject in the image doesn't sometimes work well and subject focus should be better considered and explored.
g) When I compose an image I should look carefully to help identify elements which could detract from the final image. Image Pair 12 have both a stinging nettle and fly filled spider's web which with a little care could have been removed and so not captured in the images
TAOP Part 1 - Exercise 7 Position the Horizon (Dividing The Frame)
Find a viewpoint outdoors that gives a reasonably interesting landscape in which there is unbroken and clear horizon. Take a series of images of the horizon in different positions and note whether you think it works.
Living in the Forest of Dean means the majority of horizons will have trees on them :D
This set of images were taken at Eastbach, the track in the foreground leads to a small airfield. It was an overcast and cloudy day and started raining hard just after I finished taking these images.
The overcast day however it has meant I've been able to capture some drama in the sky and using a 20mm lens has assisted this. In these images I've converted them to black and white and adjusted the structure to give some drama to the cloud elements in the images.
Image 1
The horizon placed high gives focus to the ground element and much less to the sky. The black and white conversion method gives a good range of tones and adds to a desolate and exposed feeling
Image 2
The horizon is placed a little low, now on the upper horizontal third. The landscape still dominates the image.
Image 3
The horizon is now almost centred, just above the middle so that now neither sky or landscape dominate the image
Image 4
The horizon now just below centre so the sky dominates the image. The brightness of the sky is making exposure more difficult hence the darker foreground. To help avoid this a graduated ND filter would help with this
Image 5
The horizon is now placed on the lower horizontal third and now makes the sky the dominant element in the image.
Image 6
The horizon is now placed lower in the image and the sky is obviously the dominate element in the image. The foreground is under exposed as the sky dominates the scene and also the camera's exposure processing. The layer effect of the cloud captured in the image in this way does seem to give an enclosed feeling
Using the 1/3, 2/3 rule then images 2 and 5 conform to this but for me Image 4 appears best to my eye where the horizon is between a bottom third and halfway. This will no doubt vary from image to image depending on what is in the frame.
Image 4 works best for me because it captures a dynamic cloudy sky which dominates the image and there is much iinterest I think in this for the viewer but there is sufficient landscape within the image to give an overall feeling of exposre and isolation with the track in the bottom right perhaps restoring a feeling that isolation may not be permanent. Overall this image for me appears to have a better balance than the others. The black and white conversion gives a good range of tones and textures across both sky and landscape.
Exercise Leaning's
a) Dividing the frame using the horizon can make the chosen element of the image more dominant and therefore subject to the photographer's visualisation will be the stronger theme in the image.
b) Balance within a frame using the horizon is often best placed when on an upper or lower third though as we have seen in other exercises these "rules" are not rules but simply guidelines and the photographer is free to create a balance that is key to his eye.
c) Exposure is a major consideration as the camera will often have difficulty exposing both a lighter sky and a darker landscape and invariably one will be over exposed or under exposed in order to correctly expose the other. Graduated ND filters will assist this say by letting less light from the sky hit the camera's sensor and so help enable both to be correctly exposed. I've not used any filters for this exercise
d) A 20mm lens can help capture good drama in cloudy skies, especially when post processing includes some structure changes
e) Horizon positioning can completely alter the feeling given to the viewer of the image
f) As always with digital cameras its good to take multiple images and even if the key position has already been decided upon. Taking multiple images with minor horizon postioning changes can be helpful later when looking over these to decide if one works better than the others even if the change is minor.
