PHOA113: W4A2: Set Up



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Discussion Assignment 
Assignment 2: Photographing Miniatures
Greetings Photographers,
For this upcoming shoot, you are going to explore the world of the miniature and how lighting and context can convey meaning and mood. When you think about photographs, consider the fact that a photograph already makes something small. Imagine mailing a life-size postcard of the Grand Canyon or carrying around a life-size portrait of your sweetheart in your wallet.
On the contrary, a photograph can also make a subject seem larger than life and change it's context; it can make the object refer to a memory, situation, relationship, or historical event. For this upcoming shoot, you are going to explore these notions through your images. Consider small objects as subject matter and how to light them in a way that creates meaning for others!
-The Curator (AKA your Instructor)
Assignment Overview
In this assignment, you will focus on photographing small objects, such as relics, sculptures, found objects, figurines, and toys. Position these items on top of a flat surface in a location where they may exist in "real life"; either in the studio or outside of your studio.

You may need to create a small stage set in order to create a context. The purpose of this assignment is for you to create a narrative tableaux whose lighting and props communicate an emotional mood that goes beyond documenting just the objects. With the addition of artificial light, you are going to create images that give these objects significance; a meaning that others will be able to understand. You may chose any objects or artifact that you like, but they must be organized and lit in a manner that creates significance, consequently, it is important for you to come up with a concept that you want to convey in the image.

Students are encouraged to consider the works of Michael Paul Smith, a contemporary photographer who photographs miniature items in locations where they may actually be seen:


To learn more about this photographer, please check out the two blog posts below:

http://firstyearsfocusandfire.blogspot.com/2014/12/photog-friday-michael-paul-smith-part-i.html
Assignment Description
In this assignment, you will continue to shoot using the manual setting on your DSLR and take photographs of your miniature objects under one modeling light and use of any number of reflectors and mixed lighting.

You may choose to use a light modifier of your choice to create soft light (which is highly encouraged) or you may choose to take your images with a bare bulb to create hard light. Regardless of your choice of light, it should build the significance of the objects and be compatible with your concept.
You will need to create a concept for this photograph. You may create the concept based on miniature objects that you own or you could come up with a concept and then hunt for objects to convey that meaning. You don't need to create earth-shattering concepts—they can be quite simple (and often simplest is best!). For example, you could convey the nostalgia of childhood fishing by photographing a child's fishing reel next to an adult reel and a tackle box along with other props. Lit with low key soft light, this image could evoke memories of a time shared with a parent. Or you could have fun with toys and stage a miniature romantic landscape that conveys the innocence of childhood.
Your objects in the photograph must:
  • Be 12 inches or smaller
  • Be more than 2 items
  • Include at least 1 three-dimensional object
Come up with two approaches for communicating your concept with these objects. Using the example above, the photographer might position the reels and tackle box on a park bench with a lake shown out of focus in the background for one approach. For a second approach the photograph might shoot the same objects in a garage on a tool bench as discarded items from the past. In both cases the concept is the same, but the photographic approach is different.
You will also continue to use your handheld light meter to measure the light to determine your exposure. Be sure to allow yourself some time to adjust your miniature objects and your light(s) in order to create the scenario you desire. You should also factor in some additional time to select your top images.
Once you have chosen your miniature objects, come up with a concept and desired backdrop for this assignment, you will take 40 pictures. Continue to focus on displaying various compositions, adjusting your focal length and point of view. Be sure to continue to focus on the technical side of the assignment as well: exposure, white balance, focusing, and lighting.
You are asked to not edit your photos prior to submitting them. By avoiding a post-processing step, your instructor will be able to offer feedback based off of what you were able to accomplish by using only your camera.
Step-by-Step Instructions
(Preparation for Photographing Miniature Objects)
  1. Come up with 2 lighting approaches to communicating your concept through your arrangement of the miniature objects. You will shoot 20 images for each lighting approach, related location, and lighting scheme. Arrange your miniature objects at the first location.
    1. When shooting outdoors, you'll need to consider the time of day and the type of lighting you're shooting under: hard light - from the harsh rays of the sun; soft light - from a cloudy situation or warm soft light - from the Golden Hours. If you're working under hard light - you are encouraged to position your scrim over your miniature items.  From there, add in your modeling light, accessory, and reflector.
  2. Set your camera to the "Manual" setting and adjust your handheld light meter to the Incident mode. Take a photograph of your handheld light meter in use; this will be included in your contact sheet.
  3. Set up your camera to capture "RAW" files.
  4. Examine the existing light. Position your one strobe light in a manner that will accentuate the miniature items.
    1. Consider if you need a light modifier (softbox/umbrella/scrim) or not to match the characteristics of your miniature objects.
    2. From there, you may choose to add a reflector to the scheme; this will become your fill light.
    3. Practice moving your light sources closer or further away from the miniature objects to ensure that you have the desired lighting scenario.
  5. Stand back and take a wide-angle shot of your lighting scheme. Ensure that the photograph clearly shows the distance from the miniature objects to the lights along with your chosen location. This image will be included in your contact sheet. This image will be included in your contact sheet.
  6. Adjust your white balance pre-settings on your DSLR camera to match the temperature of light that is surrounding your miniature objects.
    1. For some of you who are shooting outdoors, the addition of your strobe light(s) may produce "mixed lighting"; this will directly affect your white balance. In this case, you may put your white balance to be set on "auto".
  7. You may use either manual or auto focus for this assignment.
    1. Ensure that the miniature objects are in sharp focus.
  8. Establish your initial ISO for your shots.
  9. Establish your initial exposure settings (shutter speed) for your shots.
    1. You may need to experiment with your exposure settings prior to "starting" your assignment. If you find that your photograph is too dark or too bright, adjust your shutter speed until you find a "happy medium."
  10. Use your handheld light meter on incident mode to determine the aperture setting.
    1. Enter in the ISO that you have chosen into your handheld light meter.
    2. Enter in the shutter speed that you have chosen for your exposure into your handheld light meter.
    3. Place your handheld light meter close to your miniature objects; ensure that the white bulb of your handheld light meter is facing the light source.
    4. Take a reading and use the given f-stop from the handheld light meter as your initial aperture reading.
    (Begin Taking your 40 Photos of Miniature Objects)
  1. Take 20 photographs of your miniature objects with the initial exposure settings that you determined in the "preparation" portion of this assignment.
  2. Ensure that each of your 20 images should be composed differently:
    1. Adjust your composition throughout the shoot by changing your point of view and adjusting the focal length on your lens.
    2. Place your subject in the center of the frame, on the left side of the frame and the right side of the frame.
    3. Shoot from different angles.
    4. You are encouraged to move your miniature objects around during the shoot.
  3. Move your objects to another location and take 20 different photographs of your miniature objects with a new lighting scheme.
    Note: Students who are unable to show his/her lighting setup images as well as an image of the light meter will run the risk of failing this assignment. These photographs are to ensure that you are learning the class' course competencies as far as lighting is concerned.  These photographs also help the instructor provide valuable feedback to how you can improve your lighting skills.

    (Contact Sheet & Top Images)
  1. From the Adobe Lightroom Print module, format and print or "save as" an Adobe PDF contact sheets of this new work. All 40 images should be included in your contact sheet, which should be created according to our Photography Department's standards.
  2. Choose 3 top photographs from this new work.
    1. Base your choices on the light, exposure, and composition and most articulate communication of your concept.
    2. You should choose at least one image from each photographic approach and lighting scheme.
    3. Your PPI for each of the top images should be 300ppi.
    4. Save these three images as JPEG files and label them as:
      1. "PHOA113_P01_W4A2_Lastname_Firstname_1.jpeg"
      2. "PHOA113_P01_W4A2_Lastname_Firstname_2.jpeg"
      3. "PHOA113_P01_W4A2_Lastname_Firstname_3.jpeg"
    5. Place all three images into a ZIP file and save file as "PHOA113_P01_W4A2_Lastname_Firstname_Top Images.zip."
  3. Write a 200-word essay discussing your work directly into the Discussion Area (do not attach as a Word document). Write about the technical decisions you made (metering, exposure, white balance, etc.) as well as the creative decisions you made (light, subject matter, composition).
Deliverable Specifications: due by Week 4, Day 6
  • Contact Sheet of 40 Images + Images of Lighting Scheme
    • Includes 20 images based on a key concept and one photographic approach and lighting scheme
    • Includes 20 images based on the same key concept and a different photographic approach and a different lighting scheme
    • Includes several wide views of lighting set-up
    • 9 images per page
    • Includes file number, ISO, shutter speed, aperture
    • 300ppi resolution
  • ZIP File of Top 3 Images
    • Full page JPEG format
    • 300ppi resolution
    • At least 1 image from each photographic approach
  • 200-word Essay in Discussion Area
Assumptions:
  • Metadata for all images is included
  • Follows MLA writing guidelines for style, spelling, grammar, and citation of sources
Exclusions:
  • Watermarks
  • Post-production adjustments
Write a 100-word critique to 2 of your classmates and discuss their technical and creative decisions by Week 4, Day 7. Your post should be encouraging, ask questions, and/or challenge a topic.
Assignment 2 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Created 40 new photographs of miniature objects in 2 different locations and lighting schemes using basic close-up photography and props plus wide-angle shots of lighting schemes; uses effective technical lighting choices, correct exposure, white balance, and focus.
10
Created new photographs that use lighting, objects, and context to convey meaning.
30
The top 3 images selected convey the same concept using two different photographic approaches and lighting schemes.
20
Provided a thoughtful, detailed discussion of your technical and creative work.
5
Provided a thoughtful, detailed response to two peers in regards to their technical and creative work; followed up on any comments/questions from instructor.
5
Total:
70
Provides link to the document that gives details on how this assignment will be graded.
For assistance with any problems you may have when completing this assignment—OR—to offer your assistance to classmates, please use the Problems and Solutions Discussion area located through the left side navigation link.
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