Contact Sheet Analysis

Photos 1 - 6 (Photoshoot 1)

Photo 1 on the contact sheet titled, Enclosed Room was the first photo taken on the photoshoot
carried out on the 30th september, 2017; experimenting with lighting for the first time. Some
incorporated formal elements include: light, lines as well as shape that have been taken into
consideration. The main subject has been position to the right third of the image to fit within the
rule of thirds while the computer to the left has been position to left third of the image. Leading
lines from the desk naturally guide your eyes toward the main character in the image. Shooting
in low light consideration meant using a high ISO of 1600. 1600 was chosen for maximum
sensitivity of light while minimising noise grain at the same time. Low aperture was chosen so
most of the light from artificial sources strike the image sensor. Along with low shutter speed of
1/30.

However, the photo doesn't work very well for disere effect, because the aperture from DSLR in
this was set to high, therefore making the entire image unsharp and out of focus. Combinated
with the diffused soft lighting not positioned in the right place for realism. Therefore, the photo
may not be picked for exhibition.

In post-production, I could significantly increase the shadows,highlights, midtones and contrast

to exposure the subject better along with altering the white balance to a cooler temperature to
more accurate represent the lighting from computer monitor.

For the second, third and fourth photos taken in within a different location the manual camera
settings were adjusted to match the scene and context. Similar low key orange lighting was
setup to convey negative emotions within the photo and symbolise a sense of danger. Camera
settings applied to fit with the lighting include ISO 800, aperture f3.5 and shutter speed of 1/13. I
have to decided to increase the shutter speed and lower the iso in order balance out the lighting
capture in the DSLR sensor and reduce as much noise grain as possible for the image. In
contrast, to photo 1 the entire photo is in focus caused by the increase brighting from lighting
source. Different composition rules were also used instead the subject such as character or gun
prop is center framed. The table provides leading lines for the viewer to naturally draw his/her
attention towards the main subject. Formal elements such as lines, light as well as space have
been incorporated and taken into consideration upon setup.

In post-production, I may increase the contrast and white balance to warmer colour
temperatures in order isolate the subject more in the image. Warm colour grading in Photoshop
can be applied to enhance the lighting colours and bring the shadows out from behind the
subject more; the colours and lighting can then blend in together. Overall, I am happy with the
composition and lighting of the photos and I will choose them for my final 6 photos to display in
exhibition with the exception for photo 4.

Finally, photos 5-6 similar manual camera settings in comparison to photos 2-3 were used to
achieve a very similar effect. However, different composition rules applies for instance photo 6
uses rule of quarters and uses the lines of shadows casted by the key light in the bathroom to
draw the audiences attention onto the object of significant in this case, pistol. Formal elements
such as texture, space, lines, shape as well as light have been taken into consideration upon
setup.

In post-production, I could increase the contrast similar to photos 2-4 to make the scene even
darker and convey deeper meaning from photographs. Cold colour grading could also be
applied to make audience feel unsettled providing the desired connotations and interpretations
to get the audience to think. Overall, I would approve to use photo 5 for the exhibition but not
the rest because the other photographs arent focus correctly to make the details; attention to
detail is important. In addition, the lighting is positioned correctly to highlight the intentional
theme in the photographs.

Photos 7 - 26 (Photoshoot 2)

In the second photoshoot set within a newly constructed village on the outskirts of the city
centre the manual camera settings were changed appropriately for the exterior shots that factor
in the reduction of sunlight due to dark thick clouds to make it seem the photos were taken on a
relatively sunny day. For instance in photos 7 - 24 the ISO was set to 400 for an overcast day
with the shutter speed varying between 1/40 to 1/100. This is because I wanted to make photos
slightly overexposure to provide more control of lighting in post-production. The aperture of the
camera was also adjusting depending on the type of shot. For instance a closeup shot shot
such as photo 15 used an aperture of f/3.5 to provide a shallow depth of field. For a long shot
such as photo 16 a higher aperture of f/6.3 was used to provide a deep depth of field. All photos
in the second photoshoot use a similar set of formal elements that have been taken into
consideration beforehand. This includes, space, shape, colour, repetition as well as lines.
However, photos 25-26 consist of different formal elements such as focus and value where
there is a significant contrast between dark to light from the highlights and shadows.

In addition, composition rules such as leading lines, rule of thirds and rule of quarters have been
used to draw the audiences attention on character, and props such as pistol or the briefcase.
Some photos that I would approve for exhibition are photos 9, 15 and 17 due to the way they
have been compose . This is because of the effective use of depth of field and high key lighting
that achieve the theme of loneliness, stranded effect in conjunction with the additional element
of drama and mystery. However, the others photos dont achieve the desired effect due to the
position of props and characters within the shot and the photographs being either slightly
underexposed or overexposed that could be hard to fix in post-production. Photo 18 is an
example of the camera on tripod accidentally tilted by 30 degrees causing the shadows to be
overexposed while casted at an angle.

In post-production, I may decrease the brightness and exposure to create a darker atmosphere.
Making the target audience feel unsettled or on edge similar to first sets of photos taken during
the first photo shoot. Furthermore, cold colour grading can be applied by shifting the white
balance to colder colour temperatures as well as adjusting the shadows to teal and highlights to
orange.

Photos 27 - 35 (Photoshoot 3)

Thirdly, the third photoshoot is on top of a high multi-story car park in the middle of Leicester city
centre. Here the main focus is on the depth of field. Therefore, photos 27 - 30 use the lowest
aperture of f/3.5 to provide a shallow depth of field for the closeups and over the shoulder shots.
In additions the long shots used the highest aperture carried out across of all three photo shoots
of f/8. This is seen in particular to photos 34-35. ISO set to 400 for recommended overcast days
and shutter speeds tends to vary depending upon the type of lighting that is required either high
key lighting in photos 27 - 29 at 1/1600 or mid key lighting for photos 34-35 at 1/800.
Furthermore, there is a big focus on the use of formal elements that includes: space, line and
repetition achieved through the main applied composition rule of leadings lines taken into
account on the position of the character. In photos 34-35 due to limited time available the
lighting is very poor along with the camera not leveled with the ground and horizon. These
photos are very out of focus that could have been fixed if more time was available in advanced.
Limited time was given to carry the photo shoot due to lack of position of taking photos on public
property.

Overall, the photos that I would approve to use for exhibition are photos 27 and 29. This is
because these are the only 2 photos that havent been rushed and help establish the setting
and theme for the film that can be used in promotional material. In post-production I will reduce
the brightness and exposure similar to second set of photos taken in the newly built village. I will
also use oil paint filter to smoothing out the hair to make it more aesthetically pleasing. In photo
29 I may crushed the whites within the highlights in the background and shift the blacks in the
shadows to provide high contrast.

VHS Look

For the exhibition I am planning to to exhibit the photos found on a missing vhs tape. The
target audience can piece all the images on tape together to form a coherent narrative open to
interpretation. Therefore, it would be appropriate to add a glitch effect as well as video noise. To
degrade the quality matching VHS standards.