L3 CERTIFICATE IN SPECIALIST PHOTOGRAPHY & PRESENTATION

Following a brief discussion with Mr Steve our tutor, I have decided to go for the above certificate which has one mandatory and one optional unit, the mandatory being Unit 211 Photo image presentation.

The optional units consist of Unit 305 Photo image capture, Unit 306 Studio Photography and Unit 307 Location photography.

I will be undertaking unit 305, Photo image capture which is made up of two tasks;

Task 1a  -  select two themes from a given list and produce a minimum of 10 images on each theme together with a statement of intent for each theme to include ;
 - title of theme to be undertaken
 - brief statment as to the professional application of the photography to be undertaken
 - reference to stimulus material (work of other photographers and other influences)
 - overview of equipment and materials (media) to be used
 - brief explanation of techniques to be used and why
 - brief explanation of how lighting conditions can be used advantagiously
 - brief assessment of risk and health and safety consideration

Task 1b -  provide a written account for each folio of images which includes ;

 - statement of intent
 - information on research undertaken and influences
 - preparation and planning undertaken
 - how the equipment was used to capture images
 - why the final images were selected
 - relevant documentaion used
 - risk, health and safety, legal and ethical considerations

The two themes I have chosen are INFORMAL PORTRAITURE & ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS & EXTERIORS.

I am off to Italy very shortly and intent to take as much of my photography equipment with me as my partner will allow (he always deals with the luggage carrying etc), and hope to come back with a good stock of pics to work with.

In the meantime here are a few from a previous trip  to Italy taken with my Sony Cybershot.

EQUIPMENT

I now have three cameras available to me after purchasing a Canon EOS 5D MK11, yipee!!

(The other two are a Panasonic G1 with 14-45mm lens, and a Sony Cyber-shot)

After much discussion with friends and collegues, I decided to go with the 24-70mm f2.8L lens.  Since this is a full frame camera I should be able to get a good panorama and at f2.8 a nice shallow depth of field with plenty of light entering the lens.

Specification

- Digital single-lens reflex, AF/AE camera
- CMOS sensor 36x24mm

- 21.1 megapixels

- Aspect ratio 3:2

- Focus system TTL secondary image-registration, phase detection
- Focus points 9 point AF plus 6 assist
- Crop factor 1.0X
- Lens mount EF
- File type JPeg,Raw,SRaw1, SRaw2
- Sensitivity ISO 100 - 6400 (expandable to 25,600)

- Storage CompactFlash

- Focus types One-shot, A1 servo, A1 focus AF
- Metering system TTL full aperture
- Metering types Evaluative(selective AF point) partial, spot, centre weighted
- Exposure compensation /-2EV in 1/2 or 1/3 increments
- Shutter speed 1/8000sec - 30sec, bulb
- Frames per sec 3.9fps
- Flash Hotshoe for external ex speedlight
- Image stabilisation Lens based

- Integrated cleaning EOS integrated with fluorine coating

- Live view Yes 100% coverage
- Viewfinder Optical, pentaprism with approx 98% coverage
- Monitor 3ins TFT colour liquid crystal
- Interface Hi-speed USB
- Power LP-E6 li-lon battery
- Size 152x113.5x75mm
- Weight 810g

I also have a Canon Remote Switch 60E3


60cm cable
Two stage release function (1st stage focusing, 2nd shutter release)
Long exposures and continuous shooting modes

Having completed NCFE level 2 earlier this year, I found my Panasonic Lumix G1 had certain limitations.  It has been a great, portable DSLR but the micro 4/3rds system means that the sensor is smaller and this has the effect of increasing the focal length of the lens by two, with a standard lens of 14-45mm equating to 28-90mm on  a full frame camera.  Having a passion for landscape,  I found it a little frustrating that I couldn't get the panoramic shots I wanted.  In addition, I enjoy informal portraits and couldn't get the shallow depth of field necessary to draw the viewers eye to the important part of the scene.


Panasonic Lumix G1 overview                                                              

45 - 200mm Leica lens

Lumix G Micro System-Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera
4/3 type 12 Megapixel Live MOS Sensor
Full time Live view
Venus engine HD image processor
Advanced AF featuring iA(intelligent auto)mode
Built in Dust Reduction System
Supplied with 14 - 45mm F3.5 - 5.6 Leica lens (I also have a 45 - 200mm F4-5.6  Leica lens)
Dimensions 124 x 83.6 x 45.2mm
Weight 385g (body only)



Sony Cyber-shot

10.2 Megapixel
4 x Optical Zoom
8.8 cm Xtra Fine LCD
25mm Wide Angle Lens

FILTERS

I also have  Cokin filters, these fit on the lens with an adaptor ring and give me several options.

POLARIZER cuts down reflection from water or leaves and enhances colour.

NEUTRAL DENSITY GRADUATED will darken skies

NEUTRAL DENSITY  reduces the amount of light reaching the film, good for slowing

movement as in water, or darkening a brightly lit scene.

EQUIPMENT - TRIPODS

In order to avoid camera shake and therefore blurred images when slower shutter speeds are used, a tripod is essential.  This should be sturdy enough to hold heavy camera equipment but suitable for carrying for long periods, if like me you want to take landscape shots.

I have a Giottos NTL 8361B carbon fibre tripod with maximum height of 150cm, minimum 29cm.  It has a detachable centre arm which can be inserted horizontally for overhead shots, with a bag hook for extra stability.

Tripod heads come in either pan and tilt, or ball and socket or slight variations on these.  I originally had an aluminium tripod with  pan and tilt head which was very stable but heavy to carry, so have now changed to carbon fibre with a Giottos ball and socket MH1302 - 652 head, which has a quick release plate.  Once the head and tripod are fixed they can be carried in a custom bag.

First Blog

This is my first blog for City & Guilds Photography Level 3.