Assignment 3: Colour: Summary and Conclusion

What did I learn from this module and  assignment?

I was able to identify and demonstrate the use of different colours in various deliberate relationships. From my experience of building  a library of colours I have been able to more easily slot varying hues into their place in the colour  circle. Fortunately the assignment has been completed at a time of year when colour is abundant in the landscape giving me the opportunity to see and use many natural colours. I have learned that pure colours rarely occur in nature and when they do, the interplay of sunlight, shadow, cloud and other colours in close proximity can effect their tone and hue. I have also experimented with the use of exposure compensation, both positive and negative on the strength of colours.

Comments on Tutor Feedback:
I was gratified to read;  "You are well on the way and learning all the time."
Following generally positive feedback from my tutor I replied with these comments:

"I’m afraid I do tend to focus too narrowly on the brief, even though I allowed myself plenty of time to choose my range of subjects. I am pleased that you liked my abstracts, I took a chance and it seems to have paid off. Again your comment about anchoring them to the frame is noted. I have spent  time reading  some of the threads on the OCA forum and looking at the work other photographer’s over the past weeks, searching for ideas and inspiration.  I hope you’ll be getting more original/individual work for assignment 4."

Assignment 1 Tutor Feedback

I submitted the 17 images to my tutor by email on Sunday 20 Feb and received detailed  feedback on Weds 23 Feb. He gave me detailed critique on each image and made suggestions for improvements.  Most of the faults he pointed out were minor issues which can be easily corrected before this assignment is submitted for assessment at the end  of the course. I have made a list of these corrections  and will make them over the coming weeks.

There are one or two images and  two of the pairs that I will re-photograph. Having received feedback, I think I can make the Blunt/Pointed and Moving/Still contrasts more interesting. Now I have an idea of what is expected, I may submit future assignments as prints. This way, both the tutor and I are looking at the same final image. I'll try printing proofs and see how I get on.

Here is the first of the improvements; I have re-photographed the "Small" image with a ladybird, to introduce a sense of scale. (I achieved this well in the "Large" image) I only managed to get a couple of shots before he flew off but I think this one does the trick. I would liked him to have settled on the black microprocessor chip on the left but he was pretty animated and determined to get away! The exposure details are the same as for the original image.

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I have re-shot the "Still" image with a new subject. I have used this this very still water but included a swimming waterbird to add contrast against the reflections in the water:


4981: 1/125s f5.6 200mm ISO200

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Again, I decided I could do more with the "Rough" image concentrating less on the sea but more on the consequences and safeguards involving a rough sea.

5898: 1/1000s f5.6 170mm ISO200

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"Heavy" also needed slight adjustment to correct the burnt out sky. I was able to adjust the levels in the original file.

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My tutor was concerned about the border of the "Light" image, the high key lighting had burned out the background. I have altered the levels in the original file to darken it sufficiently to print with a distinct border.

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Using the clone tool in PS I was able to clean up the "Rounded" image

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The "Diagonal" image lacked interest so I photographed this pylon from below as a substitute:

9015: 1/200s f7.1 18mm ISO200



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"Pointed" and  "Blunt" didn't really work so I re-thought them  came up with the following  images which have some action and narrative associated with them:

7372: Blunt 1/60s f8 35mm ISO200

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8845: Pointed 1/200s f5.6 200mm ISO800

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Narrow: There was a wheelie bin at the end of this alley that needed cloning out. It was a bit tricky but patience paid off.

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Broad: I decided to re-photograph this idea in a different location. I managed to get one gull in the picture and I think this one has more interest and contrast.

6092: 1/750s f9.5 46mm ISO200

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