Assignment #20, Copying & Emulating

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:03 pm

All the assignments here are designed to teach an underlying concept or principle. This assignment is no exception. The lesson is less obvious and I will explain it near the end of this discussion.

For this assignment there are two (2) parts.

You will be copying & emulating a photo (not taken by you) that either you like or dislike or are indifferent to. You will emulate the subject matter, the lighting, the light ratio, the image quality, and any other distinctive aspects of the photo.

The first part of this assignment is to post the photo that you wish to emulate. Post that photo, from any source, as soon as possible.

Make certain to credit any posted photos that are not your own.

Whether you are adept at analyzing photos or not, go ahead and make your observations about the photo that you have posted. I will also make suggestions towards emulating the substance and feel of the posted image.

The second part is to go out and take the shot. And post it along side the shot you are copying.

So what is the lesson to be learned here? There are several.

1. You will learn the rudiments of analyzing a photo for its lighting and photographic technique.

2. You will learn to gain some photographic discipline.

3. You will learn about "pre-visualization".

4. You will learn that copying like this is one of the quickest ways to learn a technique.

The advantage of this assignment is that you will not only need to pre-visualize the image, you will have a standard to compare your results with.

Anyone who has read my posts over a long period of time will know that I have bemoaned the lack of pre-visualizing that is going on in the digital age. I think the ability to get an image in your head and then go ahead and execute that image shows both photographic discipline and to a degree, photographic mastery.

In any case, go ahead an post your image to be copied as soon as possible. You need not copy a "fine" photo. If you wanted to you could copy a "Wanted" poster from the Post Office. That will work so long as you properly analyze the image and execute the copy well.

OK. Got get going.

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:35 pm

Might I suggest that, when you post the photo you are going to emulate, that you be sure to credit the original photographer. A simple "Photo by: <insert name here>" under the photo.

Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:43 pm

mikealex wrote:

Might I suggest that, when you post the photo you are going to emulate, that you be sure to credit the original photographer. A simple "Photo by: <insert name here>" under the photo.

A well considered comment and I will amend my post to reflect that.

Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:15 pm

Do I post the copied image on this thread or create another thread in photo assignment! Also do I need permittion from the original photographer. Also does the subject have to be the exact same subject like if its a photo of a Cow. should the copy photo be of the same kind of breed of cow. Just wondering if we can play around with same subject different variation of subject?
peace tjd!

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:16 am

tjdscion wrote:

Do I post the copied image on this thread or create another thread in photo assignment! Also do I need permission from the original photographer. Also does the subject have to be the exact same subject like if its a photo of a Cow. should the copy photo be of the same kind of breed of cow. Just wondering if we can play around with same subject different variation of subject?
peace tjd!

I think we are OK here. This is an educational forum and the works are not being distributed. This falls under the exemption of "Fair Use" doctrine.

If you are concerned, look here.

Briefly:

"Under the copyright law, the fair use of a copyrighted work without permission of the copyright owner, for purposes such as teaching, research, scholarship, criticism and news reporting, is not an infringement of copyright."

Since this is not a secure network, you should delete the work to be copied fifteen (15) days after being posted as proscribed in the Conference on Fair Use.

I think that this assignment falls clearly under that exemption. The assignments in this section have always been clearly educational, and not merely assignments. It was the basis for this section. None of the assignments were simply "make-do busy work".

I think this is not an issue.

On the other hand, if you are copying the image of another member of PhotoTakers, it would be good form to let them know in a PM.

Dear _______,

I am planning on using your image ____________ for comparison for my assignment selection in assignment #20. I trust this is OK. I will be making my analysis of this photo and I would appreciate it if you look in and comment.

If you have any issues with this, please let me know.

Regards,

________

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:21 am

tjdscion wrote:

Do I post the copied image on this thread or create another thread in photo assignment!

Create your own thread. After a back and forth about your analysis, you should post your image along side the image that you are emulating so that comparison is easy. And we can evaluate your success. Success being that you have been able to analyze a photo correctly and put into play those controls that would allow your emulation.

Your purpose is the have the same look and feel as the original. It may require that you have a similar subject matter.

This is not a easy assignment.

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:49 pm

I would like to participate in this assignment all tho I am having trouble picking a picture that is within the capabilities of my nikon L4 cool pix camera! any suggestions?
peace tjd!

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:24 am

What do you like to photograph? Buildings? People? Landscapes?

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:11 am

packard wrote:

What do you like to photograph? Buildings? People? Landscapes?

Cars!

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:22 pm

tjdscion wrote:

packard wrote:

What do you like to photograph? Buildings? People? Landscapes?

Cars!

Well, how about this car?

Any sports car will do. A good background is required and the correct shooting time will be required, but no special camera requirements. What do you think? This won't be a hard shot to do.

If you like this, try and do an analysis of the shot and then I will comment.

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:14 pm

packard wrote:

tjdscion wrote:

packard wrote:

What do you like to photograph? Buildings? People? Landscapes?

Cars!

Well, how about this car?

Any sports car will do. A good background is required and the correct shooting time will be required, but no special camera requirements. What do you think? This won't be a hard shot to do.

If you like this, try and do an analysis of the shot and then I will comment.

I dont think that photo will work for me. First off In the area of wisconsin I live in is very flat geographicaly. So I dont have access to a background like in the photo. The shot looks like it was taken an hour before sun set and usually I am at work at that time. The pavement in the foreground has been hosed down to create that mirror look. so I would need a source of water. I will Figure something out for this assignment but Im not sure what yet.
peace tjd!

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:16 pm

The best lighting for car photography is just after the sun has ducked down behind the horizon. This might mean shooting on weekends.

Any way, just look through magazines until you spot something and then scan it and post it; then we'll have a go at it. Most car shots will not require any specialized equipment.

Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:58 pm

packard wrote:

The best lighting for car photography is just after the sun has ducked down behind the horizon. This might mean shooting on weekends.

Any way, just look through magazines until you spot something and then scan it and post it; then we'll have a go at it. Most car shots will not require any specialized equipment.

Ok this I would like to try, It is done by Mike Maez = friscomix.com!
http://www.friscomix.com/images/STATICS/slides/IMG_5904.html
I may be able to get access to our white Infinity g35 for this!
peace tjd!

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 11:40 am

I'm looking at the shot trying to decide how it was done.

The blue background was probably from having the camera set on a tungsten light balance in daylight or (probably) midday open shade.

The reason the car is not blue is that he hit the back of the car with a tungsten balanced light. You can do this by either using a bright flood light or by placing a warming filter over your flash.

If you have a variable output flash, then putting a warming filter over the flash is the easier route. You get the filters from Rosco or a local camera store. http://www.rosco.com/us/filters/roscolux.asp

They make a starter kit for about $15.00.

Place the filter over the flash with a rubber band (it is made of a thin sheet of plastic. You will cut it with a scissors to fit).

The key will be balancing the light to the taillights and to the background.

Once you have the filter in place, take the first shot on automatic. Look at the background only. Is it dark enough? If it looks right, then leave that alone and then adjust the flash output to make the car look the right color. Your camera will have a + or - adjustment for the flash.

I think it will take 5 or 6 shots to balance the light, then just get in a nice low position and take your shots.

Take some of the front of the car too. Remember to leave the headlights on for all the shots.

Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:25 pm

I Didnt know about flash filters what color should I look for?! The cool pix L4 does not have an adjustable flash. It does however have a cyanotype color mode. I did a mix of two photos one cyanotype and one on vivid a white led pen light for lighting with this model car and this may be the way I will go on this one An Im going to look into the flash filter this image needs to be a little on the soft side.

peace tjd.