Photography by Aditi Jain

ISO 100 20mm f/4.5 1/800 Fatehpur Sikri, Delhi 2012

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank our Photography course faculty Ms. Shilpa Gavane who was always ready to help us. Her explanation of concepts and technical details made it very easy for us to understand and learn. I am also deeply indebted to our Communication Graphics course faculty Ms. Mona Prabhu for patiently answering our questions. I would also like to extend my thanks to the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and specifically the Textile

Design Department for giving me the opportunity to learn and for organising the trip to Champaner. I am grateful to the city and people of Ahmedabad for being warm and welcoming as always. I am also thankful to my friends and family for their help and support.

Index

Introduction..........................................1 Understanding the Basics.....................2 Understanding Types & Genres of Photography..........................................6 Composing a Photograph......................7 Art Photography....................................14 Champaner............................................16 Studio Photography..............................20 Editing...................................................24 Other Photographs................................26

ISO 800 37mm f/6.3 1/30 Udaipur, Rajasthan

ISO 200 18mm f/5.6 1.3 Thol Bird Sanctuary

Documentation by Aditi Jain Textile Design PGDPD 2014 aditi_j@nid.edu +91 97126 06705

National Institute of Design Paldi, Ahmedabad

Introduction

Faculty: Shilpa Gavane Semester II Duration: 1.5 Weeks Date: 24 Nov - 3 Dec 2014

Relevance This course helps to generate visual awareness and sensitivity and enables to make optimum use of this medium in recording and communicating ideas, activities, environment, documentation and presentation Objectives • To expose the students to the fundamentals of photography as a tool for documentation. • To develop an aesthetic quality with reference to ‘Composing a Picture’

with all its elements such as texture, light, form and space, etc. • To develop skills in digital image processing and editing such as cropping, raw processing, editing an image for a specific purpose. • To develop the skill of photography as a creative form of communication and as a form of expression.

All photographs are taken using a Canon EOS 600D. 1

Understanding the Basics

The first part of the module was understanding the technical aspects of a DSLR Camera. DSLR stands for Digital Single-Lens Reflex. The most basic and important terms to learn were : Exposure, Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO. • Exposure is the amount of light that hits the DSLR sensor and is controlled by the size of the aperture and the shutter speed • Aperture the size of the opening in the lens that determines the amount 2

of light that falls onto the DSLR’s sensor. • Depth of Field refers to the range of distance that appears acceptably sharp. • Shutter speed is the unit of measurement which determines how long shutter remains open as the picture is taken. The slower the shutter speed, the longer the exposure time. • ISO is the measure of sensitivity. It determines how sensitive the camera is to incoming light.

Assignment 1 a. 3 photographs with varying Aperture values b. 3 photographs with varying Shutter Speed values c. 3 photographs with varying Exposures - Under exposed, Normal Exposure & Over exposed d. 3 Photographs with shifting focus with constant aperture e. 3 photographs with varying ISO values Prerequisites • Photographs are to be taken in Monochrome • The exposure is to be maintained at 0 (normal exposure) except for exercise c. • ISO is to be maintained at 200 except for exercise e.

ISO 200 18mm f/3.5 1/1,250 Phool Bazar, Ahmedabad

ISO 200 18mm f/10 1/160

ISO 200 18mm f/22 1/30

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind.” ~ Luther Burbank

ISO 200 18mm f/4 1/1,000 Eames Plaza, NID

ISO 200 18mm f/5.6 1/320

ISO 200 18mm f/22 1/10 3

ISO 200 18mm f/11 1/3 NID

ISO 200 18mm f/7.1 1/15

ISO 200 18mm f/11 1/25

ISO 200 18mm f/3.5 1/80 Jami Masjid, Ahmedabad

ISO 200 18mm f/3.5 1/80

ISO 200 33mm f/9 1/40 Jami Masjid, Ahmedabad

ISO 800 33mm f/9 1/200

ISO 1600 33mm f/9 1/250

Through these exercises I understood the various factors that are available for us to attain a perfect exposure and therefore a technically good photograph. I also recognised the possibilities and limitations of an 1855mm lens.

Exercise B shows how different shutter speed values gives different effects. A slow shutter will capture a movement as a blur while a high shutter speed freezes the movement.

depth of field. With a low aperture and varying the focal length it is possible to put different objects in focus.

Exercise A helped me in understanding how varying the aperture values changes the depth of field. A small aperture puts the focussed subject as priority and blurs the remaining area. A large aperture puts more area in focus.

Exercise C allowed us to play with shutter speed and Aperture values in order to get different exposures which helped us understand the co-relation between shutter speed and aperture.

Exercise E showed the effects of varying ISO values. A low ISO value captures less light but gives a clear image. Whereas, a high ISO value captures more light but adds grains to the image.

Exercise D was an interesting assignment to understand focus and 5

Understanding Types & Genres of Photography

We can understand the type and genre of photography by answering these questions: How? The equipment and technique defines how the photograph will look. e.g..Black & White, Macro, Aerial etc. What? The style of the photograph is another way to explain the genre. e.g.. Conceptual, Portrait, Abstract etc. Why? The most important way to understand the genre of a photograph is to know the intention behind it. 6

• If the intent is to sell or market a product it falls under Commercial photography. • If it’s meant to record an event or happening then it comes under Documentary Photography. • When the intent is to tell a story it is editorial photography Art Photography is a form of self expression of the artist - Art for it’s own sake.

Composing a Photograph

Composition is basically an arrangement or putting things together to create a mood or meaning of sorts.

of design to hold the viewer’s attention and to guide the viewer’s eye through the artwork.

Rule of Thirds states than an image is most pleasing when its subjects or regions are composed along imaginary lines which divide the image vertically and horizontally into thirds.

Harmony is the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole. The elements could be dissimilar and yet create harmony.

Balance is created when various elements are combined harmoniously Contrast is the use of several elements

Assignment 2 a. 5 photographs showing Balance b. 5 photographs showing Contrast c. 5 photographs showing Harmony d. 5 photographs showing Rhythm

Rhythm is the way a viewer’s eye is directed to move through a composition, often to areas of emphasis. This movement can be created using any elements in the work of art. 7

Balance / ISO 200 27mm f/4 1/60 Sarkhej Roza, Ahmedabad 8

Balance / ISO 55 55mm f/6.3 1/250 Paldi, Ahmedabad

Balance / ISO 200 43mm f/5 1/60 Sarkhej Roza, Ahmedabad 9

Contrast / ISO 100 29mm f/4.5 1/100 Sarkhej Roza, Ahmedabad

Contrast / ISO 400 41mm f/6.3 1/15 Ratan Pole, Old city of Ahmedabad

â&#x20AC;&#x153;What strange phenomena we find in a great city, all we need do is stroll about with our eyes open. Life swarms with innocent monsters.â&#x20AC;? ~ Charles Baudelaire

Harmony / ISO 200 37mm f/7.1 1/80 Old City, Ahmedabad

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good composition is like a suspension bridge - each line adds strength and takes none away.â&#x20AC;? ~ Robert Henri

Harmony / ISO 400 32mm f/4.5 1/10 Fernandez Bridge, Ahmedabad

Rhythm / ISO 400 55mm f/10 1/15 Old city, Ahmedabad

Rhythm / ISO 6400 18mm f/4 1/80 Khavda, Kutch

These exercises helped in understanding composition and what makes an interesting composition. It helped me in distinguishing various moods created by different compositions. Looking at subjects of photography from these perspectives was engaging and inspiring. 13

Art Photography

Art Photography constitutes photography that cannot be reproduced and is a self expression of an artist. Art photography can be understood by the intent of the photographer. To appreciate Art Photography, the background of the photographer becomes important . The upbringing and lifestyle of the photographer reflects in his or her work. The experiences one goes through manifests in their work. 14

The context of the time period of the photograph is also important to understand the art. It may be relevant if it reveals something about a culture, society or situation of that time. The style of the photographer also becomes important. The equipment, technique, etc - all add to understanding art photography. Mixed media & Photography A new medium of expression in photography is using different media.

Some artists combine different photographs to reveal something completely different and unique. Some particularly famous photomontages are from the Dadaist period, which are anti-war and political in nature. Artists like Julie Cockburn have an unique style of mixing embroidery with photographs which transcends the 2D surface. This has given a new perspective to the medium of photography.

Photomontage, Old magazines and newspapers “All Talk and No Trousers”

Assignment 3 Create a photomontage using old photographs, magazines, newspapers etc. Using textile materials is optional.

I took an idiom “All talk and no trousers” which refers to someone who talks about doing big, important things, but doesn’t take any action, whose words hold no value. My photomontage is a satirical take using typical stereotypes from our Indian society. From this assignment I learnt how to break away from convention and mix different entities and create a new meaning altogether.

“Photography is less an invention and more a realisation about a set of ideas and ideas of how to picture and therefore understand, the world.” ~ Laura Letinsky 15

Champaner

In the early hours of 29th November we left for Champaner which is a World Heritage Site, a few hours from Ahmedabad. We visited the Kabutarkhana Pavilion which is located near the Wada Talav. We also witnessed the architecturally beautiful Jami Masjid. Moving slightly uphill we reached Saat Kaman or 7 Arcs which as the name suggests are 7 arcs built on the cliff by the Mughal emperors of that time. The view from there was refreshing! 16

ISO 100 18mm f/10 1/500 Kabutarkhana Pavilion, Champaner

ISO 100 35mm f/5 1/1,000 Kabutarkhana Pavilion, Champaner

ISO 200 18mm f/5 1/20 Jami Masjid, Champaner 17

ISO 200 49mm f/5.6 1/100 Jami Masjid, Champaner 18

ISO 200 33mm f/9 1/80 Jami Masjid, Champaner

The visit to Champanerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s archeological sites was a good photographic opportunity to understand how to make the most of the available light. I also tried to take product photographs inspired by Jami Masjidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exquisite jail work. I learnt how available light can be manipulated to flatter our product. I was particularly interested in the architecture of the place and tried to capture the symmetries and asymmetries of the monuments. ISO 100 18mm f/10 1/60 Jami Masjid, Champaner 19

Studio Photography

The final part of the module consisted of taking planned shots in a studio setting with controlled lights. We studied about various styles of lighting and various lighting equipments that were available to us. • Broad lighting - When the light is facing the broad side of the face (cheeks) it is broad lighting, it makes the face look more fuller • Short lighting - This is when the lighting faces the short side (front).It makes the face look slimmer. 20

• Split lighting - This is when only one high intensity light is placed which lights up exactly half the face and makes the under half dark. This gives a more mysterious effect. • Butterfly / Glamour lighting Butterfly lighting is named for the butterfly shaped shadow that is created under the nose by placing the main light source above and directly behind the camera. This creates a glamorous look and lights up the entire face. • Rembrandt lighting - Rembrandt

lighting is identified by the triangle of light on the cheek. The light must be above the top of their head so that the shadow from their nose falls down towards the cheek.

“A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.” ~ Ansel Adams

Assignment 4 Choose a textile product and plan appropriately using the available Photography studio equipments.

For this assignment I choose a Girl’s Backpack. Product : Girl’s Backpack Intention : Imaginative / Lifestyle Demography : 14 - 20 year old girls Purpose : Casual outing Emotional appeal : Fun, spring-like

composing the elements. I planned on using paper flowers and clouds against a blue backdrop. A higher intensity light would fall on the bag like it was sun-lit. I wanted to keep it minimalistic so that the focus is on the bag. Lighting : 2 softboxes, 1 snoot / honeycomb light

Concept : The bag is something young girls would carry on a spring afternoon. My idea was to create a set that places the bag in a mood of spring and flowers. I had various ideas of 21

Planning the shot

Arranging the set

The set without lights

The final set

ISO 100 32mm f/7.1 2 soft boxes, 1 honeycomb light

Studio Photography was different from the rest of the module. Here, most things were under our control which adds the challenge of choosing the best option and capturing what we intend to. 23

Editing

Photo editing is the changing or altering of images. This is done for various reasons - to remove unwanted clutter, to bring certain important elements into focus, to enhance images, to reduce noise, correcting lens distortions, adjusting colour, etc. There are various softwares available for editing photographs of which the popular ones are - Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Aperture, etc. It is of course always a good idea to reduce the amount of editing to preserve image quality. It is better to take 24

photographs in the RAW format which captures more details of the images. We were taught how edit our photographsz on Adobe Lightroom. We were introduced to basic features of editing such as lens correction, histogram curves, detailing, cropping, etc. Here are some of my photographs which I have edited. The software I used was Adobe Photoshop.

ISO 200 10mm f/5 1/25 Jami Masjid, Champaner

ISO 100 250mm f/8 1/125 Taj Mahal, Agra

ISO 800 44mm f/5 1/100 Kutch 26

ISO 800 28mm f/4 1/60 Nathdwara, Rajasthan

ISO 100 229mm f/5.6 1/100 Thol Bird Sanctuary 27

ISO 200 21mm f/9 1/400 Kutch

“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” ~ Ansel Adams

Bibliography www.digitalslrphoto.com/dslrbasics/glossary www.johnpaulcaponigro.com/photographers/conversations/olivia-parker/ http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org www.cambridgeincolour.com/ wikimapia.org/ www.cityshor.com http://digital-photography-school.com/ www.goodreads.com