FAVERSHAM CREEK
METHODOLOGY
I went on this location shoot at Faversham Creek and took my Nikon DSLR D3100, I wanted to use natural light from the sun for this shoot to add more variety to my portfolio in contrast to my previous studio shoots. I had to use a large aperture and fast shutter speed to keep my photos sufficiently exposed yet still sharp photograph of the moving water. I focused primarily on the different patterns and arrangements of ripples along the surface of the water, I aimed to highlight the reflections on the peak of each ripple for a textured effect.
When carrying out this shoot, I struggled with the fact that it was quite an overcast day and had to time my photographs in accordance with the constantly changing cloud coverage. To aid this, I used photoshop to heighten the warm hues of my images to imitate the effect of warm sunlight.
I think that my most effective image of this shoot shows the curve of a small river between reeds, I like this image because I am pleased with the combination of orange, green and blue contrast.
I went on this location shoot at Faversham Creek and took my Nikon DSLR D3100, I wanted to use natural light from the sun for this shoot to add more variety to my portfolio in contrast to my previous studio shoots. I had to use a large aperture and fast shutter speed to keep my photos sufficiently exposed yet still sharp photograph of the moving water. I focused primarily on the different patterns and arrangements of ripples along the surface of the water, I aimed to highlight the reflections on the peak of each ripple for a textured effect.
When carrying out this shoot, I struggled with the fact that it was quite an overcast day and had to time my photographs in accordance with the constantly changing cloud coverage. To aid this, I used photoshop to heighten the warm hues of my images to imitate the effect of warm sunlight.
I think that my most effective image of this shoot shows the curve of a small river between reeds, I like this image because I am pleased with the combination of orange, green and blue contrast.
PHOTOSHOP
1. Brown water
1. Brown water
STAGE ONE: RAW IMAGE
I took this image to attempt to capture the ripples across the surface of the creek water. However, the raw image is very flat and dull in colour, as a result, I decided that I could add a warmer hue and emphasise the highlights to add more dimension and drama to my photograph. |
STAGE TWO: CURVES
In this stage, I used the curves tool to brighten the whole image, it also emphasised the peaks and troughs of each ripple to give the image a more three-dimensional appearance. |
STAGE THREE: HDR TONING
Finally, I experimented with the sliders on the HDR Toning tool to increase the saturation and add a gradient of dark to light. I am pleased with the final result. |
2. Curving lake
STAGE ONE; RAW IMAGE
I wanted to capture the curve of the river in the centre of the photograph, framed by the blue sky at the top section. |
STAGE TWO: CURVES
On photo shop, I used the curves tool to enhance the vibrance of all of the hues of the reeds and the grass, whilst equally adding a dramatic texture to the water. On the other hand, this made my image darker. |
STAGE THREE: HDR TONING
Next, I used HDR Toning, to increase the exposure of the overall image, this highlighted the tips of the reeds and made them more of a focus in the image. |
3. Reflections of a fence
STAGE ONE: RAW IMAGE
The main focus of this image was intended to be the reflection of the fence and sky across the water. |
STAGE TWO: CURVES
I used the curves tool to intensify the blue hue of the water, I did this to make the water seem more serene like a fantasy setting |
STAGE THREE: HDR TONING
Finally, I used the HDR toning effect to exaggerate the highlights and shadows of the ripples for a more textured final image. |
4. Black and white pylons
STAGE ONE: RAW IMAGE
In this case, I have used the water in the foreground to insinuate a sense of separation distance between the viewer and the pylons in the distance. |
STAGE TWO: CURVES
The curves tool helped me to increase the vibrancy of the colours within the image as the contrast was heightened. |
STAGE THREE: B&W
On the Black& White filter, I adjusted the levels so that the blue hues would be darker so that the sky and sea were given a graduated shading for a more dramatic final effect. |
STAGE FOUR: HDR TONING
Lastly, I used the HDR toning adjuster to increase the detail on the surface of the water. |
5. Black and white reeds
STAGE ONE: RAW IMAGE
I took this image from a low point of view as if the viewer is looking through the reeds and is faced with an entrance to the water. |
STAGE TWO: SHADOWS/HIGHLIGHTS
By using the shadows/highlights filter, I was able to reduce the shadow on the reeds in the foreground and this gave a lighter overall feel to the image. |
STAGE THREE: HDR TONING
In this stage, I used the HDR Toning setting again to further brighten the image by increasing the yellow hue of the photograph. This meant that when I turn it black and white there will be a greater contrast to the photo. |
STAGE FOUR: B&W
Afterwards, I used the black and white filter. I think that this makes the image look slightly older, to give the impression that it depicts a memory. Therefore it links to my aim of trying to display the serenity of the water. |