Principles of Design - week 9

30/9/149 ( week 9 )
Ho Vui San ( 0321028 )
Principles of design 
Assignment 2a - composition

I have already done the research for composition at online, and I have also done the assignment that Miss Lisa was given us, but I am still not very sure that whether I did is correct or not . But I have already tried my best as I can.  Besides , I am quite interesting with this assignment and I am very curious with it , I hope that it can improve me as a good designer in the future .


Today , Miss Lisa started off the class with a short lecture about composition after we present our 6 artwork designs . And, she said that my designs are good and she likes it , I really did not expect that she will like my designs because I am not sure that whether I did correct or not . To be honest , I was feeling better after present . After that, She also showed us to the Rule of Thirds along with some examples and also taught us how to apply the rule of thirds. Before the class dismissed, Miss Lisa showed us about the next assignment that we are going to do and presented to us some of our senior's works.


Here are my 6 artwork designs -

1) Balance (symmetrical balance) -  basically it means a composition where elements are placed evenly and equally on two sides of a mid-line .

2) Contrast - basically it means the value relationship between 2 or more elements on a plane . h

3) Dominance - quite simple , is about establishing a focal point within a composition , if all the elements are given relatively equal weight , there will ne no emphasis .

4 ) Proportion and scale - is the size relationship of parts to be entire work , and each to the other .

5) Repetition - is the recurrence of a design element coupled with a certain order to the repetition .

6) Unity and Variety - is the force operating within a work of art which can give it the appearance of oneness . It is what keeps the consistency of the design concept, which can be achieved through unity in color, lines , size and shapes

Introduction to photography - week 7

19/9/14 ( week 7 )
Ho Vui San ( 0321028 )
Introduction to photography 
Exercise 4a , composition - Rule of Thirds 

Lecture  :  Today, before started the lecture , Mr.Vinod was checking our hardcopy one by one and told us whether we had problems with the previous exercise or not. As soon as it is done , we started the topic is about ' The Rule Of Thirds ' . Mr. Vinod explained to us about rule of thirds and also showed us example pictures of the rule of thirds concept . Before the class dismissed , Mr.Vinod gave us a homework to do which is the exercise 4a - Rule of Thirds .


Instruction for exercise 4a :

Capture 3 Images adhering to the Rule of Thirds
• Using 1 person
• Using 3 persons
• Using a scenery
When placing the image on the document for printing; place one image with the Rule of Third lines visible and another without the lines side by side (as instructed in class)

(Put to use what you have learned in the Zone system exercises here)

4a) Rule of Thirds (5%)
Marking Criteria: The student must show evidence of knowledge and ability to use the Rule of Thirds under the prescribed circumstances. Evidence of composition enhanced by cropping is acceptable in order to heighten the dynamism or intensity of the picture. Students must showcase their knowledge on exposure using the zone system.

Exercise 4a - Rule of thirds 

1) one person －

Without rule of third lines

ISO 400   S 1/800   f/2.8

With rule of third lines

ISO 400   S 1/800   f/2.8

2) 3 persons －

Without rule of third lines

ISO 400   S 1/800   f/5

With rule of third lines

ISO 400   S 1/800   f/5

3) A scenery －

Without rule of third lines

ISO 400   S 1/800   f/2.8

With rule of third lines

ISO 400   S 1/800   f/2.8

Screenshot of exercise 4a submission -

Feedback - Mr.Vinod said that :'' Holly, the single person shot was interesting. The 3 people shot was too staged or contrived but it was compliant with the rule of thirds. Composition is not about technical compliance but about aesthetics. You scenery shot had a point of interest but the 2/3rds included the sky which had no detail or tonal value. ''

Reflection :

Experience - Today we started the lecture at 10 something , because Mr.Vinod have to check our hardcopy one by one , So that is why it takes so long , and at that time before we started the class , I felt like so sleepy , but , when Mr .Vinod started explaining to us about the rule of thirds , I felt better and spirit . In this exercise , I know that the rule of thirds, which is basically a guiding rule when we take photos .and to imagine that your photo is divided up into a grid of three equal rows and three equal columns . Furthermore, the “rule” is that your photo will look more interesting . Besides , In this exercise , I experienced that it was quite hard for me to choose the right position to take pictures and I  am not really sure whether my pictures are qualified or not . 


Observations - In this exercise, I observed that the rule of thirds actually exists to help us for taking a good picture . It was also kind of confusing at first for me to shot these rule of thirds pictures . Besides that,  I observed that not every camera have the grid system. Some of my friend's camera doesn't have the grids in the camera, this might be harder for them to finish this exercise.


Findings - In this exercise, I got to learn about composition and also the rule of thirds while taking pictures , I also found out that it takes a lot of time and patience to take a good photograph. I have also found out that exposure and the rule of thirds are very important, and without exposure,  a photograph is not that good enough .

Introduction to photograhphy - week 6

11/9/14 (week 6)
Ho Vui San ( 0321028 )
Introduction to photograhpy
Exercise 3b Ansel Adams Shot


Lecture : Today we did a discussion on The Zone System. I realized the Zone System is a very important exercise compared to the others. Mr. Vinod keeps asking me questions during this class because he knows that I am not very understand about zone system, He keeps on explaining to me for several times until I understood. Before the class end, we were given an exercise to do at home, which is Ansel Adams shot.

Instruction for exercise 3b :

The Ansel Adam's Shot
Choose an image worthy of being called an Ansel Adam's shot (Still Life, Landscape or Portrait). In using the Zone System sketch and write down the perceived zones in the desired image and indicate the ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed used. Identify the point of interest and state the exposure settings recommended by the camera light meter and your improved settings upon using the zone system. The image captured must fulfill the following criteria:

3b) Ansel Adams Shot (5%)
Marking Criteria: Students must show evidence of using the Zone System. Student must produce 1 black & white image that captures depth and richness in tonal value by capturing light, middle and dark tones while maintaining details (texture and tone) in the dark and light areas of the image.

Exercise 3b -

S 1/60   f/16   ISO 400

The zone system sketch out -

Redo exercise 3b - 

ISO 200   S 1/6   f/16

Screenshot of exercise 3b submission -

Feedback - Mr. Vinod said : ''Holly, you subject choice was too wide, to many things in your picture. You can do wide subjects but it must be clearly demarcated zone wise. Also you are suppose to sketch the picture out and determine the zones. If you find that the subject moves then don't use that subject. ''

Reflection :

Experience -  In this exercise ,I experienced that it is not easy to find a environment that is filled with different tones of white, gray, or black, because most things are multicolored nowadays, I have also experienced that it is even more difficult to find a scene that has all the 9 different zones in the zone system .

Observations -  In this exercise , I have learnt that different shades of colour belong to different zones. Besides that , I observed that black and white and the other colours can be used in the same zone system concept. I have also observed that choosing the right lighting and time to take a photograph is very important because the Zone System can only help you so much. Last but not least , I observed that we must be able to know what zone we are focusing on when we are taking a picture.

Findings -  I found out that it is not easy to find a place that has all the 9 zones of tonality, besides that ,I also found out that we will need to understand the zone system very well because it makes us understand the way of taking a picture on what we see, not what the camera sees . I also realized that having the skill of taking a good and nice photograph will always require on a lot of practice because we can learn from what we are doing.