I don't know why these images are uploading in a different colour

Baskets with internal lighting

Playing with low lighting, 400 ISO, 1/50 shutter speed, 4.2 F stop

These photos were taken in a low light setting with a tripod, camera lens 14-45mm on an Olympus E500 digital camera.

Midday out door still life experiments

I used a mirror in the garden for these photographs. I placed the mirror upright behind the baskets, flat on the ground with the baskets on top with sky and garden reflections and with windex spray on the mirror under the baskets.

These were the resulting photos.

Still life photograph mounted in class

Mounting Photographs

Mounting photographs for the assessment will be in a 8"x10"format, mounted onto Foam Core board(available from art stores), using "jac paper"( a double sided sticky paper). The photograph will have no border and will be mounted to the edges of the foam core.

Items needed for mounting include:

• Steel or aluminium ruler
• Good quality sharp blade
• Foam Core
• Jac paper
• A straight device to push your foam board up against to keep it straight and still whilst attaching the jac paper.
• Large cutting board
• pencil
• a wide rubber roller

Method:

• Measure the 8"x 10" area onto 1. the jac paper and 2. the mounting board. Check against the photo.
• Hold the steel ruler solidly in place and holding the blade upright cut along each side on a cutting mat.
• Once the photo, the jac paper and the mounting board are all cut to size, place the photo facing down with one edge up against a straight surface to hold it in place. Peel the first inch of jac paper back and place the edge and corners onto the top of the photo. Run your finger along that edge , then move it away from the straight surface to use the roller . carefully peel from underneath the jac paper slowly, rolling the paper onto the photo as you go until the paper is completely attached to the back of the photo.
• Repeat the above process by placing the foam board down against the straight surface, and peel back the other side of the jac paper on the reverse side of the photo. Peel back one inch and line up with the edge and corners of the board. Run a finger along the edge then slide it away from the straight surface and using the roller remove bit by bit the jac paper until the photo is completely adhered to the board.

Black and white versions of my photographs

baskets with leaves, in natural light.

Converting Colour images to black and white or adjusting with threshold in Photoshop

Converting images to black and white can create dramatic effects. Threshold adjustments add an abstract nature to a photograph.

Use of Polarisation in Photoshop

Visual diary entry

My subject of choice for the still life series is woven baskets and mats produced in both Maningrida and Oenpelli. I have incorporated a number of woven items, baskets and mats to create the photographs. I have used natural light, flash, fill and intense afternoon sun in the photos. I have played with shutter speed options and Aperture options, macro and a variety of compositions.

Here are some of the photos so far.....

Diary entry

Visual diary entry

still life photography

things to consider

• 10 still life photographs are to be produced of the same subject
• the 10 images could tell a story or simply sit together as a series
• Print size options small,medium or large, depending on the desired effect for the final presentation, though all prints should be of the same size for uniformity
• Paper choice should be made depending on the desired effect, matt of gloss, though again they should all printed on the same paper
• Photo format, film or digital or both
• the use of scanners and photocopiers should be considered
• Photoshop finishes may be applied, though all layers must remain visible for grading purposes
• Consider playing with aperture, shutter speed, macro and telephoto lenses, use a variety of lighting techniques including flash, fill, reflective, low light with out flash on a slow shutter speed and a high ISO & change the background or backdrops.
• Utilise a variety of Composition and Cropping alternatives
• Consider the nature of the objects and how best they can be photographed

Kathryn Dadd

More basket still life work

basket still life experimentation

Diary entry

Over the past few weeks I have been working through my Olympus E500 manual, learning how to navigate my way through the technical applications. I now know how to access a variety of information for each photo including the format it is stored in, the histogram details, the ISO, Aperture and Shutter speed information. I have also found that instead of the LCD screen displaying the last single image it is also possible to see multiple images on the one screen.

I have also been reading through two photography books "Get the most from your digital camera" Simon Joinson and "John Hedgecoe's complete guide to digital photography". The information along with the class work is giving me a more thorough understanding of the digital world of photography.

I have also pulled out my Minolta X-300 mechanical camera with it's telephoto and macro lenses. I found some film and now I search for a film scanner to see the results of the photos I have taken.

I still haven't decided on my still life subject, but am searching and experimenting. I will know it when I find it!

chair still life sequence

Photographs and technical details

This image is an example of a macro photograph taken up close and zoomed in for detail.

The bottom of this sunset image is framed by the scene and the layout is balanced using the 1/3 spacing theory.

Scanned image

Photocopiers and scanners can be used to capture images, this image was taken on my home scanner and adjusted in windows photo gallery.

Pond light cropped and altered for a logo design

This is the pond light photo adjusted for use as a logo for an art and design exhibition.

Pond light

Points to consider when capturing still life photographs

• Collect images that inspire you
• Simplicity - choose a few objects with a common thread
• Make adjustments with the arrangement, lighting and backdrops.
• Experiment with light, shape, colour and composition
• Start with a favourite item such as clothing, or hobby items and capture them in a unique still life.
• Natural lighting for outdoor still life shots works best at the beginning or end of the day as the light is softer and shadows can be effective.

4 tips:

• Collect still life images you admire
• Experiment with your own still life photogaphs with objects that represent you
• Keep composition simple
• Utilise backdrop elements ( cloth back drops are effective for indoor photos) and lighting to produce strong still life photographs.

Still Life Photography

Still life photography is the arrangement of inanimate objects, typically an arrangement of fruit or flowers utilising good composition, framing and lighting to create a pleasing result.

Shooting still life is one of the best ways to sharpen your photographic skills. The photographer can take their time and experiment as the subject remains still.

Types of still life photography include: appetiting images of food, shiny homewares, and a multitude of other appealing products that are found in magazines, brochures and advertising.

It is important to study still life photos to understand their complexity. Focus on the repetition of lines and shapes that create patterns and the use of complimentary colours.

Still Life Photography

Still life photography