Thanks for submitting your first assignment.
Here is the exif data for before.jpg
Date Time Original: 2013:12:22 09:00:44
Exposure Time: 1/110
F Number: f / 2
Exposure Program: Normal program
ISO Speed Ratings: 3200
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash did not fire, auto mode
Focal Length: 23mm
White Balance: Auto white balance
Make: FUJIFILM
Model: FinePix X100
Exif Version:
Flashpix Version:
Color Space: 1
Pixel X Dimension: 2763
Pixel Y Dimension: 2048
CompressedBitsPerPixel: 2
Date Time Digitized: 2013:12:22 09:00:44
Shutter Speed Value: 6.87
Aperture Value: 2
Brightness Value: -0.88
Max Aperture Value: 2
Light Source: Unknown
Focal Plane X Resolution: 1304
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 1304
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: 3
Sensing Method: One-chip color area sensor
File Source: DSC
Scene Type: Directly photographed
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Sharpness: Normal
Subject Distance Range: Unknown
InteroperabilityIFDPointer: 972
Image Width: 3072px
Image Height: 2048px
ExifIFDPointer: 404
BitsPerSample: 3
PhotometricInterpretation: 2
Orientation: 1
SamplesPerPixel: 3
YCbCr Positioning: 2
X Resolution: 72
Y Resolution: 72
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2013:12:22 12:46:01
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5 Windows
DateCreated: 2013-12-22T09:00:44
Here is the exif dat for after.jpg
Date Time Original: 2013:12:21 20:23:39
Exposure Time: 1/8
F Number: f / 2
Exposure Program: Normal program
ISO Speed Ratings: 3200
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash did not fire, auto mode
Focal Length: 23mm
White Balance: Auto white balance
Make: FUJIFILM
Model: FinePix X100
Exif Version:
Flashpix Version:
Color Space: 1
Pixel X Dimension: 3012
Pixel Y Dimension: 2048
CompressedBitsPerPixel: 2
Date Time Digitized: 2013:12:21 20:23:39
Shutter Speed Value: 3.09
Aperture Value: 2
Brightness Value: -0.96
Max Aperture Value: 2
Light Source: Unknown
Focal Plane X Resolution: 1304
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 1304
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: 3
Sensing Method: One-chip color area sensor
File Source: DSC
Scene Type: Directly photographed
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Sharpness: Normal
Subject Distance Range: Unknown
InteroperabilityIFDPointer: 972
Image Width: 3072px
Image Height: 2048px
ExifIFDPointer: 404
BitsPerSample: 3
PhotometricInterpretation: 2
Orientation: 1
SamplesPerPixel: 3
YCbCr Positioning: 2
X Resolution: 72
Y Resolution: 72
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2013:12:22 12:44:59
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5 Windows
DateCreated: 2013-12-21T20:23:39
Don’t worry too much about all that information. It’s probably meaningless to you at this point.
Just know that all of that information is contained in each image and it tells you what the camera was doing when you took the photo.
Ideally over time you learn what all that stuff means and you can figure out how to make the picture look the way you want it to.
That’s not as easy as it sounds but with lots of practice you will eventually learn.
To begin here though you’ve done one thing right away that’s good. You’ve noticed some weird light. Weird/odd light is often what makes for a good photograph.
In this case it’s just a little red light in your mouse. Other times it could be nice light from a sunrise or a sunset.
Whatever the case is, using interesting light sources is a great way to make your photos better. What’s more using those light sources to compose a visually interesting photograph is even better.
In this specific case it’s obvious what is the more interesting photo. It’s the one that’s closer.
Technically these images have lots of room for improvement but you’ve nailed the component of the assignment that requires you to just make something look more interesting so job well done here.
In terms of what could be done to improve these you could change up your camera’s white balance setting to match the light you are shooting in.
That way your camera has a better idea of what colors should look like.
Also you should determine your lens’ minimum focus distance. All lenses have a minimum distance for focusing, anything closer and the camera will take out of focus photos. That could be why the after photo is a little out of focus.
Get more light. Cameras are terrible compared to your eye. What you might think is a well light environment is actually very dark according to your camera. In this case your camera thinks it’s so dark that it needs an ISO of 3200. Thats just a fancy way of saying the camera’s sensor was very sensitive at the time the photo was taken, meaning it can take better pictures in low light. The side effect of a high iso like that is the image appears noisy/grainy/murky. So by adding more light or shooting where there is more light your camera can shoot at lower ISOs at the images would come out cleaner.
Whatever the case you’re on your way and it’s great that your here.
When you get a moment take a look at these photography cheatsheets.
See you on the next assignment.
If you ever need anything send an email to office@photographyicon.com