Hi Melissa,
I can tell right off the bat that you’ve understood the assignment and done well here.
Let’s look at the EXIF data of both images
Speed.jpg
http://photographyicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Speed.jpg
Date Time Original: 2014:04:18 02:01:08
Exposure Time: 1
F Number: f / 22
Exposure Program: Shutter priority
ISO Speed Ratings: 200
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash did not fire
Focal Length: 35mm
White Balance: Manual white balance
Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D90
LensInfo: 350/10 350/10 18/10 18/10
LensModel: 35.0 mm f/1.8
Lens: 35.0 mm f/1.8
Exif Version:
Date Time Digitized: 2014:04:18 02:01:08
Subsec Time Original: 00
Subsec Time Digitized: 00
Aperture Value: 8.92
Max Aperture Value: 1.60
Subject Distance: 4294967295
Light Source: Cloudy weather
Sensing Method: One-chip color area sensor
File Source: DSC
Scene Type: Directly photographed
CFA Pattern: 758
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Digital Zoom Ration: 1
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 52mm
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Gain Control: None
Contrast: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Subject Distance Range: Unknown
ExifIFDPointer: 216
X Resolution: 240
Y Resolution: 240
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2014:04:20 22:01:50
Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.6 (Macintosh)
DateCreated: 2014-04-18T02:01:08.00
Gummi2
http://photographyicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Gummi2.jpg
Date Time Original: 2014:03:29 10:17:35
Exposure Time: 1/20
F Number: f / 1.80
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings: 200
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash did not fire
Focal Length: 35mm
White Balance: Manual white balance
Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D90
LensInfo: 350/10 350/10 18/10 18/10
LensModel: 35.0 mm f/1.8
Lens: 35.0 mm f/1.8
Exif Version:
Date Time Digitized: 2014:03:29 10:17:35
Subsec Time Original: 00
Subsec Time Digitized: 00
Shutter Speed Value: 4.32
Aperture Value: 1.70
Max Aperture Value: 1.60
Subject Distance: 0.30
Light Source: Unknown
Sensing Method: One-chip color area sensor
File Source: DSC
Scene Type: Directly photographed
CFA Pattern: 758
Custom Rendered: Normal process
Digital Zoom Ration: 1
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 52mm
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Gain Control: None
Contrast: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Subject Distance Range: Unknown
ExifIFDPointer: 216
X Resolution: 240
Y Resolution: 240
Resolution Unit: 2
Date Time: 2014:04:20 22:28:14
Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.6 (Macintosh)
DateCreated: 2014-03-29T10:17:35.00
Your speed image reminded me of a spectacular photograph I saw recently online called “Snake On A Train”
http://500px.com/photo/54816628/snake-on-a-train-by-brian-donovan
It’s amazing what you can do with the right technique and tools. Keep in mind this photo may be a composite but nonetheless it’s a similar effect.
That said I did notice the image is a bit soft and I suspect that is due to camera shake. We’re you using a tripod on this photo?
Your gummy bear photo also reminded me of another photo I saw:
http://500px.com/photo/1695623/waiting-for-the-bus-by-elaine-mesker-garcia
Remember you can always try to add people to your photos to improve them!
Your gummy bear image is a good example of where shallow depth of field can be used to isolate something in your frame and draw attention to it.
However in this case your depth of field is so shallow that only a small part of one of the red gummy bears is in focus. In other words your depth of field is actually too shallow here. Ideally you would have the entire candy in focus not just part of one of them.
This is particularly tricky because it may look good on the small screen on your camera but when you look at a print or on large display it just doesn’t look right. In this case your exposure and shutter speed settings just made the depth of field too shallow. (google circle of confusion for more in depth on this)
I would recommend you work on this a little if only to practice controlling the depth of your depth of field if that makes any sense.
You don’t need to submit anything here, just put your camera on a tripod and shoot several of the same photograph and explore your depth of field by changing your settings.
Nice job here. See you on the next assignment!