Assignment 3 and Report

I knew that I wasn't going to find this assignment easy but it was harder than I had anticipated.  After quiet a few false starts I final managed to find all the elements required on an early morning start to Thorpness in Suffolk.

Thorpness was originally a fishing village in the 19th century home to a small fleet of beach-launched  fishing vessels.  It was bought by Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie in 1910 with a large amount of the surrounding area including Southwell and Aldeburgh.  

Thorpness was developed in to a private fantasy holiday village for Ogilvie and his guests in the summer months.  The water tower supplying the village was clad in wood and disguised as a house on a 5 story tower.  The water pump connected to the tower was made in the form of a windmill.

Much of the village is now being renovated including the windmill.  The mill has had extensive repairs to it and currently has no sails as they have been removed for restoration.

The village has a large boating lake known localy as "The Meare" that was dug by hand.  It is only a few feet deep for safety and sill has some of the original rowing boats amongst the vessels for hire.

The nearby village of Aldeburgh still has a small fleet of beach-launched fishing boats and fresh fish can be bought on the beach daily.  The boats are now launched with the aide of winches or tracked vehicles.

Complimentary Colours



1. Orange - Blue

1/4sec  f/16 ISO-640

Sunrise on a clear morning over the sea.  The blue of the night sky giving way to the orange of the rising sun. It was still to be another ten minutes until the sun clipped the horizon.  

The ratios of this combination of colours should be 1:2 which I thin k I have just got away with depending on where you see the graduated exchange of colour.

2. Green - Red

1/50sec  f/10  ISO-400

On the edge of the beach bushes grow wildly.  I walked past this bush three times before noticing the large berries on it.

The ratio of this colour combination should be 1:1.  I have included this photograph as I was so pleased that I saw this colour combination (the hardest combination for me to see) and because the berries were so bright against the lush green leaves.

3. Yellow - Pink

1/15sec  f/10  ISO-100

I first saw this building in the dark and I wasn't sure if it was pink or violet.  Even after sunrise and when I got home I wasn't sure until I loaded it onto the computer and saw it on a larger screen.  I had to walk along the beach looking for the reflection of the sun on the window but I couldn't find it.  I had to wait for the sun to rise more for me to get the shot I had envisaged.

The ratios of this combination of colours should be 1:3.  The ratios aren't quiet right with this photograph, but with the darker windows reflecting warm colours I think it is pulled together.

4. Yellow - Pink

1/15sec  f/10 ISO-100

This is a photograph of one of the traditional rowing boats of The Meare.  Even with an aperture of f/10 I was surprised how blurred the background was in this photograph.  I didn't realise how close I was to the boat when I took the image (2.4meters) and this has thrown the background out of focus with the use of a lens at a focal length of 109mm. 

The ratios of this combination of colours should be 1:3.  Again just falling short of the ideal ratios but with strong lines to keep the eye moving.

Similar Colours

1. Green - Blue

1/13sec  f/10  ISO-400

Thorpness has many houses on the beach painted in very bright colours.  They replace the bright beach huts that can be found at other seaside locations. 

2. Yellow - Blue - Green

1/13sec  f/5.6  ISO-100

As the summer finishes the population of Thorpness falls.  Properties are left empty for the winter and this becomes the ideal time to start renovations and maintain the houses in the village.  

3. Green - Blue

1/40sec  f/5.6  ISO-250

This is one of the more modest holiday homes found in the village.  The gardens are well kept and the appearance of the buildings are kept rustic. 

4. Green - Blue

1/60sec  f/5.6  ISO-250

I nearly put this photograph with the photographs showing colour accent but because the glove is just another shade of the green in the background I kept it with the similar colours.  I'm sure this is something that could be discussed, argued and commented about for sometime.  I look forward to the view of others on this.

Contrasting Colours

1. Blue - Red

1/500sec  f5.6  ISO-250

Known as the "House in the Clouds" this is the now converted water tower of the village.  A large games room can be found at the top of the tower with living accommodation below.

2. Blue - Yellow

1/80sec  f5.6  ISO-125

This is part of one of the tracked vehicles that get the fishing boats on and off the beach.  It's paint in flaking and rust is forming, but in the morning sunlight it still manages to have a soft quality about it. 

3. Green - Violet

1/15sec  f/13  ISO-125

At the rear of the shops, windows that have been boarded up for security have still been given some thought.  This one has had a floral decoration applied to it making it a welcome splash of colour in a drab alley.

4. Blue - Red

1/1000sec  f/5.6  ISO-250

These umbrellas were next to the village inn.  Had they been put out for the rubbish or mislaid while putting away tables?

Colour Accent

1. Yellow

1/10sec  f/10  ISO-100

Predominantly an image that is made of contrasting blue and red, but with an accent of a third contrasting colour of yellow.

 

2. Orange

1/160sec  f/13  ISO-125

Shades of white and grey broken with a splash of orange bringing the eye down the image to the window.

3. Yellow

1/250sec  f/13  ISO-125

A warning sign for fishermen that are trawling or about to put to anchor.  Where the telephone cable could lead to I have no idea.

4. Blue

1/40sec  f/13  ISO-125

The green nets contrast with the orange nets while the blue rope is similar to the green but complimentary to the orange.  I looked at this photograph knowing that I liked it and wanted to include it in this assignment, but I wasn't sure how to address the relationship of the colours.  I feel that I have placed it in the correct category of colour accent.

Report

After receiving my report I am relived that my Tutor saw it in a different light to myself.  I had needed to request a little more time to complete this assignment and I am now glad that I did.  Having a different perception with colours to most people I had a problem seeing some of the colours I needed.  Quite often I would find that I had been staring at combinations without even knowing it, only to realise some days later that I had missed a shot.

I won't copy the report word for word but I will cover all the points that I need to learn from or overlooked.

Again the report is broken into categories:

Overall Comments

Feedback on Assignment

Learning Log

Suggested Reading / Viewing

Targets for Next Assignment

Overall Comments

This is opened with a conformation of the requirements of the assignment.

... "Looking through the body of work you have presented it is self evident you comprehended these associations from just looking at the images. However, more importantly for someone undertaking a photographic course you have elaborated on this with your pertinent annotation.  Some of the notes you have given offered fuller explanations that described your thought process of your approach to how or why you took a particular shot the way you did.  I found this very helpful to confirm (if there was any doubt) that some shots had been given a lot of thought to produce the desired outcome, irrelevant of how simple this may at first glance appear.  Foe example the shot of the rising sun depicting the ratio of yellow and blue.  Initially it might be seen as a lucky snap, however I believe as a photographer you make your own luck.  This is a perfect example of how by taking time and looking at the image then reflecting on what you have learnt over the course you have "made the shot".  By being patient you strengthened the image.

The work overall was accurately exposed, with a variety of compositions that has been enhanced by the effective use of colour (and tone).  The last generalised comment I would like to make is that I noticed how you have stuck closely to the brief.  This again reinforces that the lessons have been learnt and you are carrying the feedback into the next assignment."  ...

Feedback on Assignment

Your assignment opens with a wonderful sunrise.  You have made good use of the graphic shape created by the grass.  This silhouettes well against the colours in the sky.

1/4sec  f/16 ISO-640

I thought the Red and Green balanced out well.  Red being the foreground colour and green, in most cases the background colour.  Therefore only a small percentage of a saturated red is needed to "jump" out of the foliage.  Are the berries in the top right distracting? could it have been cropped?  Maybe there's a follow up experiment there.

1/50sec  f/10  ISO-400

This is a prime example of the problem I faced for this assignment.  I was and sill am unaware of any berries in the top right corner.  Because there is no definition in shape or tone I am unable to see any red in this area.  I understand that having a bright contrasting colour could be distracting so with the help of my six year old daughter I cropped this image.  Also I lightened it just a small amount with curves.

I am assured by my daughter that no more red is in the top right and by cropping the image I feel that the composition has been improved.

The following paragraph I felt was good to hear, knowing that as long I am able to convey acknowledgement of my actions and thought process any problems can be addressed.

Again, if there was proof required that you really have put the effort into this project then the Yellow and Pink is a really good example.  Telling me or the assessor that you knew that you wanted to get the suns reflection is crucial to conveying that you had conceived the idea and then had to work out a way that this would work I think it works well.  You also make an extremely good observation in the annotation of this shot - I wasn't sure if it was pink or violet - It's great to hear people acknowledge situations like this as this questioning of our own understanding of colour helps us learn and improve in the way we recognise, interrupt and construct photographs in the future.

1/15sec  f/10  ISO-100

Number 4 does the job, but appreciating the limited depth of field is the lesson learnt here.

My Tutor went on to comment on checking images before moving on, this I had done as I always do.  It is just that in this case I think I was so preoccupied with colour and composition I neglected the depth of field.

Another lesson learnt.

I also felt that with the thought of composition in mind it maybe did a little more than "does the job".

1/15sec  f/10 ISO-100

What I like about the green and blue houses is how straight your verticals are.  You would not believe how many reports I have written that I have to point out that the shots are irritatingly off.  

1/13sec  f/10  ISO-400

The doorway to the holiday home is a lovely colour study.  One thing to consider with shots that have windows on the edge is do the lines lead the eye out of the picture?  

1/40sec  f/5.6  ISO-250

On this occasion, I think they do rather. Ideally you would be well served to crop on the upright section of the frame and therefore keep the viewers eye in the shot.

I had overlooked the window on the edge of the frame.  I understand the point my Tutor made and have cropped the image accordingly, this stops the eye from being drawn out of the photograph. 

I think the glove and bins would have been stronger had you gone closer in with a longer lens and allowed the greenery to be out of focus and then the shout would really just consist of the colours.  Whilst the greys are natural the eye does follow the diagonal created by the bins down to the bottom right.

1/60sec  f/5.6  ISO-250

It's one of those "I wish I had thought of that at the time" moments.  I could blur the background in Photoshop but I'm sure that's a different course.  As the background is blurred a little I will have to live with it but take note of the advice given for another time.

The contrasting colours set works well.  I suppose the temptation would be to polarise the sky on the "House in the Clouds" to enhance the blue.  Alternatively "beef it up" in post production.  I personally don't think it necessary but it's an option.

1/500sec  f5.6  ISO-250

I had thought of boosting the blue in this image but I felt that it would be best to kept it natural on this occasion.  

The Tracked Vehicle is a great colour study and the soft light crossing over the shot really helps bring out the colour and texture effectively.

1/80sec  f5.6  ISO-125

I love your Green and Violet shot.  I think the composition, scale and colour values are absolutely bang on.  A great piece of observation.

A great compliment indeed.

1/15sec  f/13  ISO-125

I might have gone tighter with the umbrellas... Or push the bin up a little so that they point to the wheel on the bin.

1/1000sec  f/5.6  ISO-250

I had taken photographs of the umbrellas from different points of view, I hadn't thought of moving the bin as suggested   Looking back at the other picture of this set up I feel this showed the coloured umbrellas without the bin dominating.  Having part of the bin completed the story of the scene.   

Had I thought of moving the bin I could have created the same scenario but with a different element of design.

Another lesson learnt.

I can see your Colour accent, but I find the camera settings quite distracting.  However on the proper enlarged version it worked well.  It's a minor point but easily addressed.

1/10sec  f/10  ISO-100

I think the lesson with this one is to view your images at different sizes to see if they are view the same.

The Orange and Yellow accents work very well indeed. 

1/160sec  f/13  ISO-125

1/250sec  f/13  ISO-125

The issue with the Blue is that being a background colour similar to the greenish hue of the net it does blend in a little too much for me.  The annotation says it all really!  You know it's not quite right but you do not find it easy to edit favourites  This one should sit on the blog really.

1/40sec  f/13  ISO-125

I think this is another case of me not seeing as others do.  To me the hue of the blue and green don't blend.  I am aware that they are next to each other on the colour wheel and should do. I need to remember what I see isn't always the same for others.

I need to trust my initial instincts though.  I knew that the combination wasn't right but because I liked the image I used it.  I would replace it with the following image in the future.  This is the clock tower of the boating lake.

1/20sec  f/10  ISO-100

Learning Log

I had a look through your learning blog again this morning and have to commend you on some excellent shots in the exercises.  Part 3 is well organised and a pleasure to look through.

As for moving forward - I think you clearly are and your effort in this section has proved that your biggest hurdle is to keep focused on the task and not deviate to reproducing the "best "photo.  With the exception of the last image you did!.

Targets for next assignment

My next assignment is due mid January allowing extra time for Christmas.