Example of zoeytrope

We were set out a task to put together a zoeytrope during the lesson. I searched for a series of photographs on the internet that would make this effect. I had to cut each indivdual square out on Photoshop then animated them to form this video.

Time lapse photography, in which a series of still photographs were taken one after another, provided the first “scientific” glimpses of ‘frozen motion. Using a series of cameras that were triggered one after another (an approach popularised more recently by which sci-fi film of the last 10 years. Eadweard Muybridge was allegedly able to settle a wager about whether all four of a galloping horse’s hooves were ever off the ground at the same time.

The Classic Age of Traditional (Cel) Animation

Realising that objects could be made to appear to move by displaying a sequence of images that differed slightly several times a second, one ofter the other, the pioneers of drawn animation developed a technique that remained largely unchanged for much of the 20th century.

Images were hand drawn and painted onto transparent celluloid sheets (from which we get the word cel), and overlaid to build up a single ‘frame’. Fixed background images were placed at the bottom of the stack of cels, and cels detailing foreground imagery aid on top. An overhead camera could then grab a snapshot of the apparently flat image. Drawing images over several multiple layers meant that background imagery could often remain unchanged and the background cels reused in multiple frames.

http://digitalworlds.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/making-pictures-move/

Viewing these images quickly one after another gives the impression of motion.

JPEG files vs RAW files

A topic debated regularly in digital photography is the choice of format to shoot with. All formats have their advantages and disadvantages so it is important for me to research each one before I make a decision. The most two common formats are Jpeg files and Raw file.

I think JPEG is the most well-known format and is familiar to most people. Most digital cameras use this format as these files need a lower amount of memory; therefore this is the correct format for photo images which are very small file for example Websites and emails. The JPEG file is very small compressing to perhaps only 1/10 of the size of the original data. Although when in the process of compressing the photograph some of the image will get lost and once save this data can never be recovered. The compression works by exposing the camera senor to light. Light energy then gets transferred into electrical energy which is then processed into a JPEG file. Information is then picked up while processing, the important data is used in the image and the information not required is removed.

Raw file information

The argument of JPEG vs RAW then comes down to a few considerations. Do I have the memory available to shoot in such a high format? Will I be able to use the format that I shoot my photos in? Will my camera be able to work fast enough for my needs? And possibly the most important; Can I afford to lose quality, or do I need the highest quality images available?


Original Image

Raw file

Jpeg file

ISO and Noise test

 ISO is used to figure out cameras sensitivity to light controlling the sensitivity of the sensor.  An obvious reason for the use of higher ISO's is so that it can be possible to take photographs in low light without having to have an extended shutter speed. Noise can sometimes be seen within an image when higher ISO is used in digital photography. Signals are produced when light hits the cameras sensor; some of the signals become distorted and change the result of the photograph. Noise can be seen when some of the pixels in an image changes colour.

 I wanted to do two different tests to see how my camera reacts to different ISO setting. Firstly I found a space in my house with very little light and took 5 photographs changing the ISO setting on each photograph. I used a tripod as I had to use long shutter times and wouldn’t have been able to keep the camera still hand held. I kept the shutter speed at a constant 20 seconds and aperture at f3.2. I carried out this test to see how the ISO setting would affect the sensitivity of the cameras sensor.

I am happy with the results I have got from this test because it is clear to see the effect that the ISO setting has on an image. It amazed me that the only variable was ISO and that the shutter speed and aperture were both constant, I have learnt that changing the ISO can make a big difference to what is captured by the camera.

I then went on to perform the 'noise test'. Like the ISO test I also had to find another low-light area where I could set up my camera on a tripod. This time because I already knew the effectiveness of the ISO I was able to alter the shutter-speed from picture to picture. I was now able to control the light levels throughout the images so that it would be easier to compare them with regards to noise levels. . This test is done to see how well the higher ISO settings on the camera work.

The outcomes of these images are very clear. I found that the picture on the lowest ISO is much clearer and cleaner compared to the higher ISO which is left with a lot of noise and distortion. As the ISO level was increased, the shutter-speed was decreased to help the additional sensitivity work well. The shutter-speeds were declining in the same fashion, each speed being halved. I also found out that although a higher ISO speed produces a much noisier photograph, it allows an image to be taken in an area with less light at a higher shutter-speed, this is helping this images becoming blurred caused by movement.  

Edited Photographs

These images are the edited versions of the originals below. Instantly the photographs look miles better as the highlights and shadows have been emphasized hugely. The one on the left is the one I have choose to use for my book cover as I think the composition will work better than the image on the right. I might have to do a second edit as the photograph at the moment looks too happy and bright. I will darken the image and maybe dull out some of the colours.

I darkened this image on Photoshop because the original photograph looked far too bright and had a happy feel to it. I am trying to create a dramatic atmosphere therefore it wouldn’t have worked. Because I still wanted colour in the image I didn’t put it into monochrome so i lowered the saturation. This made the colours appear less vibrant which will now fit in with the mood I am trying to create. I also brought down the brightness level which made the sky in the background appear duller taking the attention away from this area.

Background image for book cover

These two images are the possible backgrounds for my book cover. I think they would both work effectively but cannot decide which one i prefer. These images were photographed in the Lake District as the original forest near home wasn’t going to work for this project. I really like the type of trees in this photograph as they are tall leading your eyes out and above the image. 

 I think the photograph of the right would fit the book cover template better as the stones at the bottom of the images will look nice on the front cover. Whereas the image on the left is more central therefore will be hard to fold in half and it still look good.

 I also like the fact you can see the light shining through the trees- creates a lovely effect. I would like to edit these images to make them look more dramatic highlighting and shadows in the photo. I will do this by using the curve tool on Photoshop. This will also emphasize the highlights in the photo.

 

Midpoint Evaluation

After starting a bit a research I have started to put some of my images together which will help me create my fairy tale book cover. A few changes have been made but everything seems to be going well at the moment.

As I am shooting my foreground and background separately I had to make sure I found the perfect locations for both. While shooting the background which is going to be the forest in the cover I found quite difficult to find the right location. Also in my statement of intent I said I was going to shoot the forest at night time to give it a spooky, gloomy effect, but it turned out it was easier to shoot during the day so that no detail in the image would be lost. In the image I have decided to use I really like the light shining through the trees.

I haven’t yet started my shoot of the model because I am not sure who I am going to choose to do the job. Also I need to purchase a little red riding hood cape for my models costume. I want my model to have long black hair coming out of the cape to show her feminine side.

I have decided not to use any props as this will make it too complicated and only have limited time to finish it. It would have been difficult to put the props onto the forest background as I would have to use the refine tool on Photoshop which could start to make it look fake as I already have the model with this technique.

I have also started to research into zoetrope’s and now have an understanding to how they work and what they are used for. I find them very interesting and think they are an amazing idea. I don’t think this will be an easy task for me to make but I am looking forward to the challenge. My idea so far is to have someone skipping with a skipping rope on a white background.

Zoetrope research

The zoetrope is one of several animation toys which were invented in the 19th century, as people experimented with ways to make moving pictures. It was invented in 1834 in England by William Horner. The American developer, William F. Lincoln, named his toy the 'zoetrope', which means 'wheel of life'.

When you place a strip of drawings inside the zoetrope's drum, spin it and look through the slots, you will see the images come to life. Of course, they are not really alive. This illusion of motion depends on two things; persistence of vision and the phi phenomenon. The faster the drum is spun, the smoother the image that is produced.

If you look over the top of the drum when the zoetrope is spinning instead of looking through the slots all you will see is a blur. The illusion of motion is gone. The slots of the zoetrope simulate flashes of light, creating a strobe. The images you see must be interrupted by moments of darkness in order for the illusion to work. Our brains strive to make meaning from what we perceive. When we see different images close together our brains quickly create a relationship between them.

This is a link to a video I found on YouTube. It’s the Toy Story Zoetrope created by Pixar, at the Disneyland Resort, Disney's California Adventure. I think of it like a flip book put instead of pictures it uses sculptures on a spinning wheel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjSxrVXsfVM

More links to zoetropes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKEM5sYnOjE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=kI1Y2RFfXh8&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfS2kGO5lg8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHa1Y4ljB64&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p93FaJ91gcs&feature=related