Part 1 Sun and cloud
I took these two photos as part of this exercise. On re-reading the exercise I thought I should have used shutter priority to give a difference in F stops. However, as I would not take a photo like this with shutter priority, I have included it. The F number would be slightly lower ? f6 if the shutter speed remained the same. I think the picture would be identical. (I did a simple experiment looking through the viewfinder of the camera and observing the values whilst writing this up.)There is no colour difference in these, it is only the shadow detail which changes. Whilst waiting for the sun to disappear behind the cloud, I observed that the reflection of the gate did not alter with the sun going behind the cloud.
I prefer the picture without the hard shadow detail because it adds extra lines into the scene to distract the viewer. Without the lines, the viewer follows the path.
F8 1/350 ISO400 40mm F8 1/250 ISO400 40mm
These two pictures were taken on my way home from work with a compact camera because I noticed when walking round my local area that there were hardly any cars around. The F stop number is the same but the shutter speed differs. If I had taken the picture with TV (shutter priority) instead of on AV (aperture priority) keeping the shutter speed the same , the F number would be smaller to let more light through the lens. However, I would not take a photo like this on TV unless I was trying to capture movement. The slower shutter speed photo looks more blue in colour.
I think the picture of the cars with soft shadow is more even in colour and the shadows distract the viewer from the scene. The large shadow across the road makes me want to crop the photo.
F8 1/125 ISO100 18.1 mm F8 1/80 ISO100 18.1mm
These two photos were also taken on aperture priority. The effect of using exposure compensation lowers the shutter speed, and if the ISO was set to 100 in the snowy picture, the shutter speed would be less. Through the experience I have with my camera, I would guess that the if two pictures were identical in shutter speed, the snowy one would have a higher F number because there is more available light to enter the camera.
I prefer the sunny picture because the shadow adds detail. The cloudy picture looks quite flat.
F16 1/125 ISO400 24mm exp comp –1 F4 1/80 ISO100 24mm
The photos included on the previous page for this exercise (Doris Ullmann, Mr and Mrs Newt Man of Holston) in my opinion is better taken with diffused, cloudy light because there is already plenty of soft shadow detail. The detail on their faces, hands and clothing are visible and could be lost if the shadow was harder.
Looking through my library of photographs, most of them are taken on sunny days with some shadow detail. I have selected two which I took before the sun came out. These show the detail of the fungus and background because there is an even light and no shadow detail.
F4 1/20 ISO400 55mm F8 1/10 ISO400 100mm
Part 2 Cloudy weather
Signpost Rosehip
F4 1/60 ISO400 55mm F6.7 1/30 ISO400 105mm
The relief on the signpost looks very flat because there is no shadow detail. Taken on a sunny day, the picture would have some shadow detail giving it a more three dimensional look.
The rosehip colours show through even though they are frosty because the strong colour is lit evenly. This picture would look different on a sunny day.
Frozen rain on reed
F6.7 1/90 ISO400 105mm
As the light is even, the frozen rain on the reeds can be viewed without the sun reflecting onto the surface. I think it makes the photo more atmospheric than sun on frozen reeds.
Part 3 Rain
F8 1/90 ISO800 40mm F5.6 1/90 ISO200 150mm
During a rainy day, I experimented with rain. I like the first picture. I converted it to black and white because the greens were still bright and I was hoping to create the impression of a drab day. By leaving the brolly red, I introduced an accent colour. I was pleased with the effect of the brolly over the puddle acting as a reflector, enabling the viewer to see the ringlets on the puddle.
I took a few photos of the brolly to achieve a pleasing depth of field and angle of the edges of the brolly. I think it could be improved by capturing the drips off the end of the spoke in more detail.
F8 1/90 ISO200 150mm F4 1/250 ISO200 105mm
The bushes in the rain were holding the rain drops like jewels. I was pleased that I captured the rain too. I had expected to need a slower shutter speed to record the rain. I think the blurred background adds to the feeling of the wet like looking through a window.
Determined to make the best use of the rainy day, I tried a couple of creative shots in the garden. I walked round the washing line looking at various angles and positions where the reflections of houses would not be included in the rain drops. I liked this one because the colours enhance the feeling of rain.
