I used mainly a 70-300mm zoom lens to prevent myself from becoming a source of distraction to the class, especially with all the movement around the classroom and the incessant clicking of the camera shutter. Natural and candid actions and expressions could also be captured in this manner as I did not have to go close to my subjects in order to photograph them.
Contrast 2008, a game design competition organised by the CNM department, also provided another opportunity for us to capture more action.
Human subjects after often unpredictable and interaction between them can produce the most interesting scenarios, hence the pictures taken were really more of "capturing the right moment at the right time".
1) NM3217 - Publication Design
Technical specifications:
Aperture (f/4.5), Shutter speed (1/50), ISO 640, 18-70mm (55mm)
Self critique: 6.5/10
The tutorial class itself was pretty light-hearted, and the students were learning how to use the software, Microsoft Publisher, so the tutor, Charlene, was going around to help the students with the software.
There were quite a few amusing situations during the tutorial (as you will see in the following pictures), and this one was one of them, captured just as both tutor and students were laughing.
However, I thought the background was a bit messy and distracting with all the posters on the board, so I can't really say that this is quite a nice photo for the department to use, but at least it captures the lighter moments of a tutorial class, showing that tutorials aren't always boring haha...
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Technical specifications:
Aperture (f/5.6), Shutter speed (1/80), ISO 640, 70-300mm (200mm)
Self critique: 7.5/10
I would prefer this picture over the previous one as this depicts a closer interaction between teacher and student, which brings out the elements of care and nurture; important aspects of education..
Through the use of a long (zoom) lens, I was able to capture the candid expressions on the student's face, though the focus of the lens was placed on Charlene. I guess this picture would be good for brochures or flyers for new CNM undergraduates.
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"Amused" Technical specifications:
Aperture (f/5.6), Shutter speed (1/80), ISO 800, 70-300mm (240mm)
Self critique: 7.5/10
This is a close-up shot of a student staring into his computer screen, amused by something he sees on-screen. Again, with the use of a long lens, I was able to capture the natural expression on his face..
Although the computer screen that is captured on the bottom left corner seems a little jarring and out of place, I feel it provides continuity and a sense of the space the student is seated in. if I were to crop out the screen, the picture would look rather weird since parts of his head (which help to give a complete picture of his whole head) are also protruding out from behind the screen.
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Technical specifications:
Aperture (f/5.6), Shutter speed (1/80), ISO 800, 70-300mm (210mm)
Self critique: 8/10
This focus of this picture is more on the eyes of the student than anything else, which explains the caption for the picture above.
The presence of the computer screen that is captured at the bottom left corner of the picture again helps the viewer to visualise the space where the student is seated in, and the picture would look slightly odd if I were to crop out the student's mouth (which is partly covered by the screen). The crop would be too abrupt and disrupt the continuity of the photo itself.
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"Row of five"Technical specifications:
Aperture (f/4.5), Shutter speed (1/40), ISO 800, 70-300mm (90mm)
Self critique: 8/10
This picture is more of a abstract representation of a tutorial class in progress. I realised that by squatting down at a certain height and angle I could capture the whole row of students seated in line.
The use of shallow depth-of-field also helps to isolate the side image of the student seated closest to my camera. Jing (my lecturer/tutor) mentioned that the side profile of Asians are not really as sharp and strong as that of Caucasians, so I guess photographers need to make use of lighting effects to enhance the features of Asian portrait shots. Then there's always Photoshop... hahaha
Technical specifications:
Aperture (f/2.2), Shutter speed (1/20), ISO 640, 50mm
Self critique: 6.5/10
"1-1"
Aperture (f/4.5), Shutter speed (1/30), ISO 800, 70-300mm (130mm)
Self critique: 7/10
This picture is more of a "capture-the-moment" shot. The subject in the picture was gesturing to his team-mates how they should go about designing the game, and I pressed the shutter button on camera while it was on multi-shot mode.
"Work in progress"Technical specifications:
Aperture (f/4.5), Shutter speed (1/100), ISO 800, 18-70mm (56mm)
Self critique: 7.5/10
The anime-like character on the computer screen was drawn by the girl using nothing but her free hand. I was really impressed by how she managed to create the character with just a few strokes of her stylus, so I decided take a picture of her at work.
The composition turned out quite well and I thought the picture could be used as publicity material for future Contrast competitions or Interactive Media modules.
"Two-face"Technical specifications:
Aperture (f/5.6), Shutter speed (1/50), ISO 800, 70-300mm (300mm)
Self critique: 7/10
A picture with a rather interesting composition, especially with the expression on the subject's face, who must have been hard at work and at full attention.
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"LOL"
Technical specifications:
Aperture (f/4.5), Shutter speed (1/80), ISO 800, 70-300mm (145mm)
Self critique: 8/10
A very candid picture with the subject in "all-out" laughter haha... I like the natural "feel" of the picture. Follows the title of my blog banner haha... "It's the candid moments that are special.
1 comment:
I like the bemused shot of Charlene and that exchange student. But I thought Charlene looked abit lost. She's got the "err... what happened?" look. Haha If she's smiling more candidly, it'd have been perfect.
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