Babbling
shutter 1/10 aperture f7.1 iso 100 FL 105mm
Planning:
I wanted to basically get another water scene for my manipulation part of the course , in keeping with some water scenes I had attained within my nature theme, so I went out one early evening to a local brook within a field. When taking the shot I decided to centre the brook and simply frame it with the shades of green foliage. I stood at my height level and lowered my legs slightly to get the view within a gap between the foreground foliage so that I could clearly see the water falling down its little ledge, to give a slight movement feel, and with this in mind I shot handheld. The light was good because I had chosen dusk to go this venue knowing it would be at this time the brook would receive gently low light. This gave me the colours I was after and I was able to use a low iso setting. I chose a mid aperture to show some detail, which gave me the necessary shutter speed.
shutter 1/100 aperture f4.0 iso 100 FL 105mm
My reasons for choosing Lilac flowers to combine with Babbling are because I thought the tall flowers would blend in well and their delicate colour may work because the brook water appears to have a hint of lilac to it already, caused by the sun's light on the watered stones.
Planning:
I had shot Lilac flowers on a trip out when I went in search of flowers for my theme 2, so I had gone out specially in search of colours that took my eye at Calke gardens. It was actually on the way back from this trip that I saw my best flower shots, within someone's garden, whereby I found a place to park up and go near enough to shoot them from the path. I used my zoom to full capacity to get in as close as I could, iso on 100 again because it was the dusk light that I like, and an eye level angle to feel as though I was amongst them. Then I filled the frame with the flowers I wanted a shallow depth of field to keep a soft background, and this in turn determined my shutter. The shot was taken handheld but I managed to steady my arm on a wall. At the time I took this image I was in search of my 'dreamy' image and so would experiment with a a gentle move as I took the shot, in the hope to render a slight blur effect. Now in choosing this image for manipulation it will serve good purpose in helping to give that sort of look.
The following screen grabs show clear descriptions of the processes I used and their effects, together with the history list of actions taken:-
I experimented with this level increasing and decreasing its effects. I also experimented with the 'fill' level underneath and again increased and decreased its effects. Then I went back to the opacity level to amend that again and then the fill level....until I was happy with the result.
Reflecting back to when I converted an image to black and white, I decided to just check what the scene would be like without colour, just to compare. Even though I found this effective, I consider the coloured image better because it showed the brook within the scene more, and all the colours make a bolder statement, lending to its feel.
My last adjustment was to increase the brightness to 9 and the contrast to 61.
Giving this result.
I think the 2 images worked quite well together because they created a fantasy look with effects that resemble impressionism, and this is what I have been researching and trying to achieve, so it ties in with my themes. I have achieved it here and you can still see the brook clearly, drawing the eye into the centre of the picture. It holds colour and light throughout the scene again adding to an impressionistic painting effect. Interestingly, the combining of these images brought about a white, lady like, face being created towards the middle top of the frame. I can also see her arms coming up and around the brook, in the purple/blue flowers, all of which determined its name: I see a sweeping figure, made of flowers, bringing her light to the brook.
Preparation:
With loaded camera I had gone out locally to take scenes within a few hundred yards of home, for about an hour, with the intention of shooting hand held nature images in order to try to attain dreamy like effects that I have been researching throughout this course. I am happy with this combination.
Technique:
In both cases I set the aperture I wanted, letting the camera set the shutter speed. This worked with the available light with the use of 100 iso. I like to use iso on 100 where I can, with relevant light, ie dusk golden hour, aiding better quality images, then varying the aperture in accordance with the depth of field I am wanting to attain.
File Format:
Both images were already in a jpeg format to start, and after combining them together I saved the completed result in jpeg too, knowing it would not require further amending before presentation on my blog.
Health and Safety:
I am very safety concious whilst working and have a self pre-requisite check list which includes:-
Not straying too far from the car.
Holding and using equipment carefully.
Not placing the tripod in any precarious unstable positions (when in use) so as to not endanger the camera or anybody.
Being careful where I park and tread on foot, not to upset any living creatures habitats.
Always keeping a look out for passers by.
Taking my time with the set up and then packing away promptly and leaving when I have finished my shoot.
Not carrying too much equipment at any one time.
Not going out alone in the dark.
Taking my mobile phone in my pocket.
Ensuring I wear relevant clothes/ footwear to suit current weather and forecast conditions.
Carrying snacks/drinks in the car for any long planned stays out.
Abiding by any venue rules and regulations.
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