Exposure

Exposure, is basically, the amount of light that hits the sensor of a digital camera or the film in a film camera. The main reason for correct exposure is to have the photo correctly balanced to the way the eye actually sees the moment captured. There may be some reasons why you would over or under expose a photo, but the most important aspect to a good looking photo, other than composition, would be the exposure.

In a digital camera, such as my Nikon D80, there is a light meter that reads the input of the light. This meter, wants to automatically adjust the light to a 18% gray scale (white balance). This is the auto calibration, and when it sees something, it automatically wants to adjust it to that color. This has to be manually adjusted in most instances, because the camera does not know what the subject is.

The exposure in a camera can be helped determined by using different apertures in the lenses, different ISOs or light sensitivity that the sensor can detect, and the shutter speed. By adjusting all of these, a correct exposure can be found. For example, in lower lights, you will most likely use a longer shutter speed, with a wider aperture, and quite possibly a higher iso. While in brighter lights, a quicker shutter speed can be used with lower ISOs and a smaller aperture if necessary.

My Nikon D80 has manual controls and automatic controls to make the adjustments made easier for the photographer. The A, S, and M modes are most used on my D80. The A mode, allows the aperture to be adjusted, while the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed. The S mode adjusts the aperture, while you adjust to shutter speed to create a properly exposed photo. The manual feature, is probably the hardest to use on the camera, but it gives complete control to the photographer. By using this mode, the exposure completely depends on the photographers take on the light and how they feel it should be represented.

Exposure is a very important part of photography and must not be overlooked. By knowing the basics, it is easy to come up with a good photograph with good color, tones, and detail added to it.

Iphone Photography

http://iphonephoto.us/

I have decided to blog about this site, which shows how people take photos with a very simple camera, such as the iphone. By using a camera such as this, you are very limited to what and how you photgraphy objects. This phone allows you to think outside the box to create a great photograph. With all the attention to all the high specs and the great cameras, sometimes it might be good to just step back and simplify what they are doing. This site allows people to upload photographs from their iphone to the site. By doing this, we can grasp more creative, fundamental pictures, that most people pass up because they can edit it later with photoshop. I believe that by taking an approach such as this, we can learn how to take better photographs. By slowing down and allowing ourselves to really comprehend what we need to shoot, there will be better overall photographs.

Trail Running

This week I decided to use my roommate as a model for me. I had him sign the release forms before we went on the photo shoot. The snow made this project really difficult for me, because I did not know where I could do this project that could work out well, yet I didn't want to go to a place such as the rims where someone could easily slip.

In the morning at late sunrise, we went out and I had him jog around some places down our alley and a few other streets. This was not to interesting to me, and I felt like there was better options out there. We decided that he would run inside the ditch next to 13th and Poly, so I could obtain a more interesting viewpoint. With so much snow around, the exposure was sort of difficult for me to get, and there was some instances where I really blew out the highlights in the snow, which I know is easy to do. Because of this, I decided some of the photos were better edited in a different color format such as black and white, which would keep the white snow, but really show the contrast with the runner.

I feel some of these photos show a different angle, which enhances the photo by making it more unique. It was interesting to try and figure out how I could make some of these shots work, and trying to be creative. It was good practice to take me out of my comfort zone. I feel that the more I do in this style will be able to help me progress and overall be a better photographer.

2009 St Patricks Day Parade

Yellowstone Touring Busses

This past St Patricks Day parade I tagged along with my father and two other people during the parade in downtown Billings. In this parade we showcased our 1927 Ford Lincoln touring car. There were 7 cars with ours being the prized edition!! These cars are being restored by the Busses of Yellowstone Preservation Trust.

I have never photographed these buses and was very excited to when I had a chance with all of them together. I think someone told me it was the first time all these busses have been together in Billings since the 30's at the latest, which was exciting to see history starting to be preserved.

While taking these photos, I tried to give the cars a vintage look, but keep the beauty that these machines are known for. It was fun being able to shoot these by being able to represent history, that not many people get to see.

An article from the Billings Gazette can be found here.

Property Release Form

This form along with the Model release form below is based off of the forms found Here. These forms are free to use and offer many different types of forms in different languages. The reason I favored using these as a template were that they were very descriptive and and contained a lot of information that is there to protect both parties. I took out very little in these, mainly to avoid clutter here on the site and to simplify it somewhat, but if I was to have someone sign this, I would most likely use the whole form.

Property Release

Property Release – January 2010

As owner or authorized representative of the Property and by

signing this release, I give Ben Sherman and

Assigns my permission to create and use the Content depicting the

Property in any Media, for any purpose (excluding defamation and

/ or pornography) which may include, among others, advertising,

promotion, marketing and packaging for any product or service. I

agree that the Content may be combined with other content, text

and graphics and cropped, altered or modified. I agree that all

rights to the Content belong to the Ben Sherman and /

or Assigns.

I agree that I have received Consideration for the rights granted in

this release. I acknowledge and agree that I have no further right

to additional Consideration or accounting, and that I will make no

further claim for any reason to Ben Sherman and / or

Assigns. I acknowledge and agree that this release is binding upon

my heirs if applicable, assigns or any person claiming an interest in

the Property. I agree that this release is irrevocable, worldwide and

perpetual, and will be governed by the laws (excluding the law of

conflicts) of the country / state from the following list that is nearest

to the address of the owner or authorized representative given

opposite: New York, Alberta, England, Australia and New Zealand.

It is agreed that my personal information will not be made publicly

available but may only be used directly in relation to the licensing

of the relevant Content where necessary (e.g. to defend claims,

protect rights or notify trade unions) and may be retained as long

as necessary to fulfill this purpose, including by being shared with

sub-licensees / assignees of the Photographer / Filmmaker and

transferred to countries with differing data protection and privacy

laws where it may be stored, accessed and used.

I represent and warrant that I am at least 18 years of age. I have

the full legal capacity and right to execute this release and grant the

rights herein granted with respect to the Property, and to bind all

persons claiming an interest in the Property.

Photographer/Filmmaker Information

Name (print) _____________________________________________________

Signature _______________________________________________________

Date signed (DD/MM/YEAR) ___________________________________________

Shoot Description/Ref. (if applicable) ____________________________________

Shoot Date (DD/MM/YEAR) ____________________________________________

Property Information (Describe property covered by release including address if real

estate or, if intellectual property, details of any registration / other description.)

Description ______________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________

City __________________________________ State/Province _____________

Country _____________________________ Zip/Postal Code _____________

Ownership Information (check one box as applicable)

Individual Owner Corporate Owner

Authorized Representative of Corporate Owner

Individual or Employee Name (print) __________________________________

Name of Corporation (if applicable) ____________________________________

Title/Position (if applicable) ___________________________________________

Signature _______________________________________________________

Date signed (DD/MM/YEAR) ___________________________________________

Contact Phone ___________________________________________________

Contact Email ____________________________________________________

Witness (NOTE: All persons signing and witnessing must be of legal age and capacity in the

area in which this Release is signed. A person cannot witness their own release.)

Name (print) _____________________________________________________

Signature _______________________________________________________

Date signed (DD/MM/YEAR) ___________________________________________

Model Release Form

This form along with the property release form above is based off of the forms found Here. These forms are free to use and offer many different types of forms in different languages. The reason I favored using these as a template were that they were very descriptive and and contained a lot of information that is there to protect both parties. The interesting thing with this form is that it does tie a minor release into the the adult release form. I took out very little in these, mainly to avoid clutter here on the site and to simplify it somewhat, but if I was to have someone sign this, I would most likely use the whole form.

Adult Model Release with Minor option

For Consideration herein acknowledged as received, and by signing

this release I hereby give Ben Sherman and Assigns

my permission to license the Content and to use the Content in any

Media for any purpose (except pornographic or defamatory) which

may include, among others, advertising, promotion, marketing and

packaging for any product or service. I agree that the Content may be

combined with other images, text, graphics, film, audio, audio-visual

works; and may be cropped, altered or modified. I acknowledge

and agree that I have consented to publication of my ethnicity(ies)

as indicated below, but understand that other ethnicities may be

associated with and / or Assigned for descriptive purposes by

Ben Sherman.

I agree that I have no rights to the Content, and all rights to the

Content belong to Ben Sherman and Assigns. I

acknowledge and agree that I have no further right to additional

consideration or accounting, and that I will make no further claim

for any reason to Ben Sherman and / or Assigns. I

acknowledge and agree that this release is binding upon my heirs

and assigns. I agree that this release is irrevocable, worldwide and

perpetual, and will be governed by the laws (excluding the law of

conflicts) of the country/state from the following list that is nearest

to the address of the Model (or Parent*) given opposite: New York,

Alberta, England, Australia and New Zealand.

It is agreed that my personal information will not be made publicly

available but may only be used directly in relation to the licensing of

the Content where necessary (e.g. to defend claims, protect rights

or notify trade unions) and may be retained as long as necessary

to fulfill this purpose, including by being shared with sub-licensees

/ assignees of Ben Sherman and transferred to

countries with differing data protection and privacy laws where it may

be stored, accessed and used. I represent and warrant that I am at

least 18 years of age and have the full legal capacity to execute this

release.

Photographer/Filmmaker Information

Name (print) _________________________________________________

Signature ___________________________________________________

Date signed (DD/MM/YEAR) _______________________________________

Shoot Date __________________________________________________

Shoot Country & Region/State __________________________________

Shoot Description/Ref. (if applicable) ________________________________

Model Information

Name (print) _____________________________________________________

Date of Birth (DD/MM/YEAR) ___________________________________________

Gender: male female

Model (or Parent*) Information

Residence Address _______________________________________________

City __________________________________ State/Province _____________

Country _____________________________ Zip/Postal Code _____________

Phone _______________________ Email _____________________________

Signature _______________________________________________________

Date signed (DD/MM/YEAR) ___________________________________________

*If Model is a minor or lacks capacity in the jurisdiction of residence, Parent

warrants and represents that Parent is the legal guardian of Model, and has

the full legal capacity to consent to the Shoot and to execute this release OF

ALL RIGHTS IN MODEL’S CONTENT. If you are signing in this capacity, please

enter your details above and your name below.

Parent Name:___________________________________________________

if applicable.

Witness (NOTE: All persons signing and witnessing must be of legal age and

capacity in the area in which this Release is signed. A person cannot witness their

own release)

Name (print) _____________________________________________________

Signature _______________________________________________________

Date signed (DD/MM/YEAR) ___________________________________________

Adult & Minor Release - January 2010

John Dougall

While looking for a skiing photographer I came across another blogger on this site named John Dougall. His site can be found here.

http://ski-photography-john-dougall.blogspot.com/

John Dougall has helped change the way skiing has been photographed. He uses different techniques that allow him to ski along with the skier and take great photos of them in action, all while staying out of the way of the skier themselves. This type of photography is interesting, because he gets some very good action results of the skiers and has some very interesting photos of the skier being natural. Most photographers will ski with the subject and take the photos while skiing with them. John on the other hand skis downhill and waits for the subject that he is going to be shooting. He calls this technique the "downhill biathalon." I would recommend looking this site over, because it gives insight on how to shoot the action, without getting in the way, while also showing that going against the grain in some aspects of photography can work. He shows that you dont have to do what others are doing, and by creating this technique, he creates a unique perspective of the great sport of skiing.

Model Release Form

I found an interesting site that talks about Release forms in general, ranging from model release forms to property release forms.

http://asmp.org/tutorials/property-and-model-releases.html

These forms help protect the photographer and the individual. As stated in the site, each person is allowed privacy to their lives, but photographers have the right to photograph something that does not publicly deface the person that is being photographed. These release forms seem to be a formality that allows each member of the agreement know what has been agreed upon. Consent forms are needed in most cases, when a profit is going to be made off the photo insome type of commercial use.

In general, it does not hurt to have a model sign one of these forms. It is easier for all parties involved by allowing an agreement to be reached. Under the terms made by the parties, both groups can be assured that they are being treated fairly, and nothing is going to be published that should not be. In the long run, it can potentially save time and money.

Anne Frank Inspiration

	I realize this is not really an assigned topic to write about, but for my first entry here I feel this would be a good start to the year, while also being applicable to the class. I read this quote the other day by Anne Frank... "Finally realized that I must do my schoolwork to keep from being ignorant, to get on in life, to become a journalist, because that’s what I want! I know I can write ..., but it remains to be seen whether I really have talent ... And if I don’t have the talent to write books or newspaper articles, I can always write for myself. But I want to achieve more than that. I can’t imagine living like Mother, Mrs. van Daan and all the women who go about their work and are then forgotten. I need to have something besides a husband and children to devote myself to! ... I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people, even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death! And that’s why I’m so grateful to God for having given me this gift, which I can use to develop myself and to express all that’s inside me! When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived! But, and that’s a big question, will I ever be able to write something great, will I ever become a journalist or a writer? " -Anne Frank
I read this the other day and it really got me thinking. This girl wanted to show people joy even though she does not know who they are. She wanted to create a movement with her words and passion. To me I want what this girl was looking for. She loses her sorrow through writing, even though she cant leave a tiny hiding spot in fear of being killed by the nazis. By expressing herself through her writing, she is Revived! She has hope, in one of the hardest times to live. She has faith that she might someday be able to share her words with others. I am revived through the art of photography and guitar. These two passions of mine allow me to show myself and with them I feel I can make a change. A simple photograph of a child playing can bring joy to one that seems to be lost in sadness. A simple melody can change someones heart in an instant and change the way they want to live their lives. Anne Frank wanted so much in life, and by sharing her story through her diary, we now know the horrors that she had to endure while in hiding, yet she maintained her passion of writing to help deal with her emotions. I believe photography is a way to deal with these emotions. By expressing myself with my artwork, I can show people how I was feeling at that moment. With these photos I take, I am able to be remembered for the emotion and feeling I had during the moment the shutter is closed. With music, a note can be stronger than a thousand words if played correctly. I have a dream like Anne Frank did, to continue to try to pursue my passions and to be remembered for what I did, to create a movement, and to move people with my life. I can truly and gladly say that I am grateful for GOD blessing me with my passion of these forms of artwork and his kindness to allow me to do this. I am thankful for Anne Frank, for at least in my opinion, she has moved me with her words, and millions of others. She has created a legacy with what little life she was able to enjoy. My question is... What is your dream? How can you be remembered?