This blog post (written by me, Timo) outlines the technical skills that I have developed, both online and offline, and how I developed them, in the process of our projects production.
Triangle of Exposure:
The Triangle of Exposure is a fundamental concept in cinematography and photography that involves understanding and balancing three key elements: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These three elements form a triangle because changes to one element necessitate adjustments to at least one of the others to maintain proper exposure. After conducting research I understood the role of each key elements with:
Aperture referring to the size of the opening in the camera lens through which light passes. It is measured in f-stops. A lower f-number (e.g., f/1.8) represents a larger aperture, allowing more light to enter. On the other hand, a higher f-number (e.g., f/16) indicates a smaller aperture, restricting light. Aperture also controls depth of field, affecting how much of the image is in focus. I then experimented to showcase this effect by using 3 objects, a lego, a plushy, and rubiks cube.
shallow depth of field (lower f-stop)
wider depth of field (higher f-stop)
Whereas, shutter speed determines the amount of time the camera's shutter remains open. It is measured in seconds or fractions of a second. A fast shutter speed (e.g., 1/1000s) freezes motion but allows less light to reach the sensor. A slow shutter speed (e.g., 1s) captures more light and introduces motion blur. Shutter speed is crucial for controlling the perception of motion in the photograph. As well as, ISO, which measures the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. I then experimented by recording myself moving a stick.
higher motion blur (lower shutter speed)
less motion blur(higher shutter speed)
A lower ISO (e.g., ISO 100) is less sensitive and suitable for well-lit conditions, while a higher ISO (e.g., ISO 1600) increases sensitivity and is useful in low-light situations. However, higher ISO values can introduce digital noise or graininess to the image. I then experimented with recording a static teddy bear.
higher iso leads to more digital noise (grainy effect)
Balancing these three elements is essential to achieving a well-exposed photograph. Adjusting one aspect of the triangle impacts the others, and finding the right combination depends on the specific lighting conditions and desired creative effects. Learning the triangle of exposure enables me to achieve the desired creative effects and maintain proper exposure in various shooting conditions.
Physical Equipment (Reflector):
Since a large portion of our project was shot outdoors, we mainly relied on natural sunlight. This means that there would be harsh negative lighting, also known as underlighting or top-lighting, this occurs when the primary light source, which in this case is the sun, illuminates the subject from above, casting shadows on the lower part of the face or the scene. This type of lighting can create unflattering shadows under the eyes, nose, and chin, leading to a less appealing look. Knowing this, we prepared by using a reflector, however I had to learn how to use one.
reflector we used in our project (GODOX RFT-02)
the crew and I using the reflector
After conducting research I have found the most effective way to use a reflector, which is by:
Position the Reflector:
Identify the direction of the primary light source causing the negative lighting. It's typically from above, as in overhead sunlight or artificial lights.
Place the reflector on the opposite side of the light source, directing it towards the shadows on the subject.
Tilt the reflector to find the optimal angle that bounces the light onto the shadowed areas. This may involve some experimentation to get the right balance.
The reflector should be positioned in a way that it doesn't create additional harsh shadows or unwanted highlights.
It is important to note that reflectors come in different colours, silver, gold, and white. Using a silver surface will create more bright and cool tone, a gold surface creates a warmer fill, and a white surface creates a softer will where it slightly diffuses the light.
Embeding PDFs into blogger:
I've gained online skills during this project, such as integrating PDFs and presentations into Blogspot. I acquired these skills by watching tutorials on YouTube.
I then summarized it into these simple steps:
Upload PDF to Google Drive:
Share PDF
Inside Google Docs, click on "File" in the top-left corner, and select "Publish to the web."
Click on the "Embed" tab and adjust the dimensions if necessary.
Click on the "Publish" button.
Copy the Embed Code
Embed on Blogger/Blogspot:
In blogger, switch to HTML mode by clicking the "HTML" tab in the post editor.
Paste the copied embed code where you want the PDF to appear in your blog post.
Preview and Publish
Switch back to the "Compose" mode to see a preview of your embedded PDF.
Adjust the placement or dimensions if needed.
Once satisfied, click "Publish" or "Update" to save your changes.
Reflection:
Firstly, learning the triangle of exposure has allowed me to become a lot more confident in handling camera equipment. With this skill, I am now able to adapt easily to a variety of different conditions. This skill will prove to be very useful in the future. Secondly, learning how to use equipment, specifically a reflector, allows me to be more hands-on in my filmmaking process, if I were ever to direct another project I can easily teach others to handle a reflector. Learning to embed PDFs onto a website was a pivotal technical skill that significantly enhanced my capabilities. This skill empowered me to creatively present comprehensive information directly on my website, enhancing its accessibility and user experience. In conclusion, looking beyond the technical aspects, honing these skills instilled in me a sense of accomplishment, confidence in tackling challenges, and a mindset of continual learning and growth.
.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment