Confused

Driven by my deep passion for photography, I embarked on a journey of creative exploration within the confines of a professional photo studio. Harnessing the resources offered by my university's own studio, I enlisted the collaboration of some friends who willingly stepped into the role of models for my experimental endeavors.

Within the studio's controlled environment, I orchestrated my compositions using an arrangement of three primary flash lights. On occasion, I incorporated an additional two flashes to augment the lighting dynamics. For this particular image, I strategically positioned four flash lights: one to the left, another to the right, a third above, and a fourth directed toward the lower right corner. This configuration was aimed at casting a distinct shadow from the chair, as clearly evident in the image.

Leveraging a generous aperture, I managed to maintain a broad expanse of focus within the frame. Though the exact shutter speed escapes my memory, it resided within the range of 200 to 250. As for the ISO, a setting of 100 was selected.

The image presented here stands unaltered from its original state, with the sole exception of my signature discreetly added using Photoshop. No further modifications were applied.

I christened this captivating creation "Confused," a title that echoes my intention of capturing a countenance of bewilderment from the subject during the moment of capture.

Speed

This recent snapshot captures a moment in motion. As you've likely discerned, this isn't a static image; it was captured as the subject was in motion. These types of shots pose a challenge to capture effectively. To freeze the action, I employed a high-speed shutter and a wide aperture with an ISO setting of 100. The weather conditions were in my favor – a radiant sunny day provided ample light, granting me the flexibility to adjust my camera settings at will. Favorable lighting conditions serve as a boon for photographers seeking to achieve high-quality results.

As previously mentioned, the use of a high-speed shutter was instrumental in capturing the crispness of this photograph. Employing this technique was pivotal in attaining the desired outcome. Additionally, I harnessed a specialized effect to maintain focus on the primary subject. The Canon 7D boasts a feature known as "AI Servo" – a function tailored for tracking moving objects and rendering them distinctly clear in focus. Employing this option across multiple shots yielded satisfactory results, with most of them retaining sharp focus.

Notably, this image hasn't been subjected to any alterations through Photoshop. What you're viewing is the authentic image with its original colors, unadulterated by any post-processing. This serves as a testament to the significance of lighting in photography, highlighting how optimal illumination profoundly impacts the outcome of a photograph.

Fireflies

This marks my inaugural foray into nocturnal photography. With my trusty Canon 7D in hand, I embarked on this venture for the purpose of a photography competition that stipulated a landscape-oriented submission. A gratifying detail is that my engagement with Photoshop for this endeavor was confined solely to affixing my name, a fact that brings me considerable satisfaction.

The palette of colors within this image holds a particular allure. The warm yellow hues faithfully replicate the natural glow of streetlights, elevating the overall visual appeal. In the process of capturing this scene, I undertook numerous experiments with settings. My initial attempt involved employing a slow shutter speed, yielding satisfactory results though not on par with the outcome presented here.

A novel feature of the Canon 7D, the "bulb" mode, captured my attention and prompted my exploration. Utilizing this mode necessitates the use of a remote shutter controller, and the scene requires stabilization via a tripod. The "bulb" mode permits the shutter to remain open for a duration of choice, facilitating enhanced light absorption. This feature proves invaluable when capturing images under low-light conditions, with stability being paramount to evade blurriness.

For this particular shot, the "bulb" mode was engaged, and I held the shutter open for approximately 30 seconds. Recollections point to an ISO setting of 100 and a narrow aperture, a strategic choice that enabled the expansive field of focus evident in the image. This selection was crucial in accommodating the multitude of details that grace the scene.

The image stands christened as "Fireflies," an apt moniker for the myriad luminous specks that conjure images of these delicate insects. To those familiar with Bradford, the locale depicted here should resonate as a recognizable site.

Anticipate further rendezvous where I unveil additional captures akin to this one.

A new power code

The image depicted above was crafted with a specific purpose: to serve as the product cover for my brother's latest creation. Being a businessman, he had recently unveiled a new power cord and entrusted me with the task of designing its cover. This undertaking posed a formidable challenge due to the tight timeframe of just two days, as the product was slated for imminent release into the market.

My approach began with meticulously acquiring precise measurements and gathering essential details required for the design. I procured the official logo emblematic of our products and, armed with these essentials, set out to accomplish the task using the capabilities of Photoshop.

The subsequent phase involved procuring pertinent images associated with the logo, adeptly excising their backgrounds and storing them in the PNG file format. The choice of PNG was paramount in preserving the images devoid of any background interference—a crucial consideration in the realm of design.

With all the requisite resources at hand, I embarked on translating my nascent design concept into a tangible creation through a meticulously structured step-by-step approach. As the design took form, it closely aligned with my initial vision. Nonetheless, upon my brother's scrutiny, he proposed a few minor adjustments that would further refine the design. These tweaks were promptly executed, leading to his satisfaction with the outcome.

The culmination of these efforts saw my brother's product successfully launched into the market, commencing its journey of sales and distribution. I find immense pride in having contributed to his endeavor by leveraging my creative talents to craft the design. It's gratifying to realize that countless individuals will bear witness to the product of my artistic endeavor.

My Media Product

Presenting my media creation for the university module "Visual Communication." As a dedicated media student, the demands of my coursework within the Visual Communication module necessitated the conception and execution of a unique media production. With a preference for video content, I initially contemplated a short film, yet my path eventually diverged, leading me towards crafting a compact documentary video. This resulting production revolves around a student's experiences at Bradford.

Commencing this endeavor, I embarked without a definitive blueprint. To shape my approach, I engaged in comprehensive research on documentaries, immersing myself in a variety of videos for inspiration. Armed with newfound ideas, I commenced by crafting a script and visually charting my plan on paper. As plans solidified, a missing piece remained—the student protagonist. Collaborating with friends, I promptly found a willing participant whose eagerness matched my vision.

While equipped with a script and visual direction, I still required tailored dialogue from the student. Swiftly, I devised a concise script, engaging her involvement in refining it with my guidance. The collaborative effort not only facilitated her clarity but also accentuated her significant contribution to my project.

The filming phase unfolded with my trusty Canon 7D in hand, capturing every frame of the video. A sequential approach commenced by filming the student's narrative segments. Subsequently, I captured supplementary footage that would seamlessly complement her narrative during editing. The journey was not without challenges—certain university spaces were restricted from filming. Yet, I adeptly navigated these limitations, ensuring the core content was successfully captured within a week.

Concluding the filming, the editing phase beckoned. Fortuitously, the abundance of carefully acquired footage eased the process, despite the minor hurdle of sourcing fitting background music—a challenge eventually surmounted by my tenacity.

Yet, I am compelled to delve further into the heart of my media project. Tasked with documenting my journey in an accompanying essay, I eagerly anticipate sharing the depth of this endeavor on my blog in the near future.

Dandy

I trust that my previous posts have imparted valuable insights, and I'm optimistic that this post will further enrich your understanding.

Currently adorning my computer screen as wallpaper, this image has claimed its place as a favored backdrop. Captured amid the wintry season, it shares its origin with the preceding images I've shared. The challenging weather conditions during its capture contributed to suboptimal lighting. Armed with my trusty Canon 7D and the familiar 200mm lens, I initially set out to immortalize a petite flower. However, serendipity intervened when my discerning eyes uncovered another hidden gem. A minuscule marvel, it remains elusive to casual observers, revealing its allure only to those who focus intently.

Fortune smiled upon me that day, allowing me to set my camera's parameters and opt for a relatively wide aperture. The inclement weather discouraged a high ISO setting, preserving the image's purity by eschewing background noise. While the diminutive subject was my central focus, my intention was to retain a confined focal range—a choice that finds its strength in employing a generous aperture. This strategy was pivotal, affording me precision when concentrating on minute details.

As with my prior images, I harnessed the capabilities of Photoshop to fine-tune this visual creation. However, this time, I adopted a novel approach, modifying the color theme to impart a cool, refreshing effect. The initial warm hues of the unedited picture underwent transformation, aligning with my artistic vision.

The appellation bestowed upon this image is "Dandy," a moniker that encapsulates its essence succinctly and evocatively. This title, I believe, aptly captures the essence of the scene, offering an apt definition for this captivating composition.

Elation

This particular image holds a special place among my favorites. It also originates from the winter season, a time when I happened upon this diminutive plant while wandering the university premises with my camera in hand. The day's mission was to capture the intricate details of close-up subjects.

This snapshot emerged as I observed the scene; my intent was to seize a specific portion of the plant. To accomplish this, I snapped numerous shots, each carefully composed to emphasize the desired section. Employing a deliberate approach, my focus was directed towards a substantial portion of the plant. To achieve this, I opted for a small aperture and a higher ISO setting, likely around ISO 600. This strategy did introduce a degree of noise into the image, discernible upon closer inspection.

Necessitating a touch of post-processing, Photoshop entered the picture to facilitate the incorporation of my signature and harmonize the colors. Original hues appeared muted due to suboptimal lighting conditions, casting a somber tone upon the image. Had I been equipped with a more suitable lens, such as a Macro Lens, instead of my 200mm lens, I might have achieved a brighter rendition of the scene.

Nonetheless, the employment of Photoshop successfully brought about color adjustments, resulting in the image's current polished appearance. My primary reservation was the presence of noise, yet I find satisfaction in having captured a commendable image, especially considering my status as a beginner navigating the world of DSLR photography.

I am not alone

Moving forward, I intend to present my own creations, anticipating that you will derive value from my endeavors.

The image depicted above was captured a few months ago using my Canon 7D. Once again, the setting was during winter, characterized by challenging lighting conditions. This juncture marked my early days of acquainting myself with the camera, prompting me to engage in experimental ventures.

During one of these forays, I chanced upon a diminutive plant bearing resemblance to a flower, prompting my swift capture. I embarked on an exploration, snapping multiple shots under varying camera settings. Upon returning home, I meticulously reviewed each photograph, discerning this particular frame as the standout choice.

Recollections recall settings of ISO 100, aperture set at 4.2, a shutter speed of 1/20, all coupled with the unconventional use of a 200mm lens, a departure from its customary applications.

As a fervent adherent of Photoshop, I traditionally engaged in extensive post-processing. However, the acquisition of the Canon 7D ushered in a shift in approach. I realized that judicious management of camera settings could obviate the need for extensive Photoshop intervention.

In this instance, Photoshop made a brief appearance, primarily to affix my name to the image and to harmonize the color balance. Given the image's origin during a winter with its subdued lighting, achieving true-to-life colors proved challenging. Photoshop's intervention was indispensable in restoring balance to the hues.

The title bestowed upon this image is "I am not alone," a reflection of the scene's narrative. While there was another flower present during the shoot, my intention was to focus on the foreground bloom while retaining the peripheral presence within the frame.

In culmination, I hold this creation in high regard, confident that you will derive enjoyment from it.

The Last 3 Minutes

This time, I'd like to delve into the realm of a captivating short film titled "The Last 3 Minutes," directed by the talented Po Chan. My journey into this film commenced a few months ago while perusing short movies on YouTube. Initially, I stumbled upon the behind-the-scenes footage, offering a glimpse into the meticulous crafting of the film. This preview left me intrigued, as the sheer multitude of locations and cast members hinted at an ambitious production that likely demanded substantial resources. An assessment that proved correct, marking it as a high-budget cinematic endeavor, certainly not within the reach of an average individual.

The filmmakers chose to employ the Canon 5D Mark II, a renowned powerhouse among cameras, for their project. In conjunction with this cutting-edge equipment, they harnessed an array of lenses to capture their vision:

EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM

EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

This judicious selection spanned a diverse range of lenses, a testament to their meticulous approach. Yet, what truly captures the viewer's attention is the film's undeniable allure. Once you begin watching, it becomes virtually impossible to divert your gaze until the climactic conclusion. The filmmakers adeptly integrated distinct color palettes that seamlessly correspond to various temporal and geographical shifts in the narrative. The transitions between scenes are executed with special effects that command attention. Camera angles are deftly orchestrated, ensuring a clear and comprehensive understanding for the audience.

Further observation reveals an intriguing aspect—each shot appears meticulously framed as if seen through human eyes. This technique imparts a uniquely immersive quality, compelling viewers to feel as though they're experiencing the story alongside the main protagonist. The narrative itself revolves around nostalgic memories from the past, an approach that effectively immerses viewers in the same emotional journey as the lead character. The result is an experience that makes one feel not merely an observer, but an integral part of the film's fabric.

The marriage of music and visuals stands as a testament to the filmmakers' prowess. The music seamlessly complements the narrative, evoking a sense of timelessness. This symbiosis avoids any dissonance that might detract from the overall experience.

In summation, "The Last 3 Minutes" stands tall among the cinematic gems I've encountered, leaving an indelible mark on those who engage with it. I hope this discovery brings you as much enjoyment as it has brought me.

My 2nd Mother

As most of you are aware, I hail from the beautiful land of Sri Lanka. A quick perusal of my blog reveals a consistent theme—many of the visuals I've shared are intimately tied to my homeland. It's impossible to discuss my country without acknowledging the pivotal role played by my alma mater, a place that has been instrumental in shaping my journey. Within these lines, I delve into the significance of my college crest.

Named Royal College, my alma mater holds a revered place in the hearts of Sri Lankans. The image above features the official crest of Royal College. A golden hue forms the elegant outline. The centerpiece of the crest portrays an elephant alongside a towering coconut tree. The elephant embodies strength, while the coconut tree pays homage to the endemic nature of our nation's flora. Coconut trees hold immense cultural significance, as every part of the tree finds utility in Sri Lankan daily life. An elliptical shield encases the motto "Disce Aut Discede," circling the edge, signifying "Learn or Depart." This shield is crowned by the word "Floreat," which is adorned with a regal Crown. Laurel wreaths flanking the shield symbolize prosperity.

Originating in 1922, the crest carries a heritage that spans decades. Its distinctive oval shape is harmoniously balanced, facilitating the placement of other elements in a manner that offers viewers a clear and comprehensible visual experience.

With this, I conclude my exploration of the crest's significance. Until we reconvene in my next informative post, I bid you farewell.

Tears of the nature 02

I thought it would be great if I talked about another picture photographed by a previous photographer, Dinesh Vora.

This picture was taken via powerful macro lens. My thoughts are, probably this photographer likes to take these types of macro photos, and I say this because he is really good at it.

The theme of this picture is pink. It is so hard to say whether these rain drops are on the image or not, but I guess it is some kind of flower or maybe part of the flower. The main object in this image is the rain drops, so this tells me that the photographer has worked hard just to focus on the rain drops same as the previous picture of the photographer.

If you look carefully you will be able to see the small objects, which are in focus range. The great thing is, they are all crystal clear! As you can see in the image, there is quite small range focused in the picture. The photographer has probably used small aperture.

When using small aperture, photographers are able to focus on a particular object by making background and foreground out of focus. You can see this from the picture above.

Overall, this image gives a unique look and it is attractive which will catch the viewer’s eyes so easily. This is one of the greatest pictures I have ever seen on the other hand I am looking forward to bringing more pictures made by this photographer.

Tears of the nature

In this post, I would like to talk about a picture which was taken via powerful macro lens. A friend of mine sent me an email yesterday including other pictures like this one. I would like to share with you a few words from that email...

“If you look carefully you can notice these beautiful tears of the nature in leaves and flowers before they fall down the plants or get vaporized in the heat sun-rays. These pretty brilliant macro photos of water drops were taken from plants just after rain.”

They are actually tears of nature tears of happiness. As mentioned in the email a photographer named Dinesh Vora has taken this picture. I tried to find out more about this photographer but I failed to do so.

Firstly, when talking about this picture, it is clear that there are rain drops on a spider web. Others may say that this picture is not real and it has been designed by some graphic software, but the truth is, it is real. As I mentioned before, this picture was taken via powerful macro lens which is quite important when taking photographs, because it is hard to see from our eye.

Secondly, the photographer has done a great job to get the subject (rain drops) clear to the viewers. They are all in focus, not just the raindrops but also the little spider web. Colours of the picture are awesome. It mainly contains the colour brown and a bit of green on the bottom right corner of the image which makes the picture more unique. When you look at the reflection of the rain drops, it simulates the objects around the background, it could maybe be a leaf, well, you might have a different idea.

Diamond Girl

Today, I would like to discuss about a new video song called “Diamond Girl”. The singer, Sun-J Bandara, quite a new singer to Sri Lanka’s music industry, and this is his first song and video as I know it. I guess no one knew about him before, and he suddenly brought this excellent video song to the industry. I think you’ll agree with me that he gave a delicate production to the viewers.

The best thing about this video is that it has a nice story. I am not going to talk about the story, as it is easy to understand just by looking at the video. I pretty much like the song.

Now I would like to discuss the video’s visual side. The video has a nice cinematic effect; you will probably notice this by watching the first few seconds. I believe this entire video has been recorded using a DSLR camera because I see very sharp focusing techniques. Normally, it is not easy to do using a normal HD video camera.

Editor has used some special colour effects in order to get the cinema effect but not just that, there is a scene in the first part of the video where a small conversation happens; this technique has been used to give the viewer a cinematic view. But actually, it is not from a movie.

A few locations are used in this video, but for a video song this is more than enough. The costumes used also give a cinematic look to the video. Combination of the video and song is a perfect match.

Overall, the artist and the director of the video have done a great job working together. I am sure this singer will be successful.

Sigiriya Paintings

Sigiriya (Lion's rock), is an ancient rock fortress in Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. It is a popular tourist eye catching place in the world, Sigiriya is also popular for its ancient paintings which are related to the Ajanta paintings in India. Before I talk about the Sigiriya paintings I would like to talk more about the history of Sigiriya.

The entire Sigirya complex was built by King Kashyapa (AD 477 – 495), and after the king's death, it was used as a Buddhist monastery until 14th century. Sigiriya has one of the most important urban planning sites of the first millennium. Now talk about the paintings.

The image above shows just one painting from the Sigiriya paintings. Most of the paintings have covered the western face of the rock, covering an area of 140 meters long and 40 meters high which is quite a big area. Probably the largest picture of wall in the world. There are references in some old books. Archaeologists have found that there were 500 ladies in these paintings. However, there are many more which are lost forever.

According to the Sri Lankan history, those paintings are unique when comparing with other old paintings in Sri Lanka. The line and style of the paintings differ from other paintings. The lines are painted in a form which enhances the sense of voluminous of figures. The paint has been applied in sweeping strokes, using more pressure on one side, giving a deeper effect of colour tone towards the edge.

Other paintings contain similar approaches to paintings, but do not have the sketchy lines of Sigiriya style, having a distinct artist’s boundary line. All paintings are handmade and they are protected well so that they last for a long time. Back then, they had limited amount of colours. But the painter did a great job by shading the colours. The painter has mostly used red, orange and green in order to finish the painting. It is not so easy to finish a painting by just using these three colours.
However, it has proved the painters talent.

Gihan De Silva

Gihan De Silva, a great and well known photographer in both Sri Lanka and USA. He is one of my favourite photographers and most of the time, I follow his techniques. Normally, I like all of the pictures taken by Gihan De Silva, but the picture above is what I like most because it has a special look.

As the main object of the picture the photographer has taken a female model. When we look at this image, our eyes focus on the main object therefore the eye catching object is the model. The whole image is in focus so the photographer probably took this image with small aperture. The balance of the image is fine. The head room has a fair amount of space between the models head and the top corner of the image. The model is looking directly at the camera therefore no need to consider about the looking space. It seems like the photographer has done some editing as well because the colours in the picture are not real but his editing has given a special look to the image.

Both warm and cool colours can be seen in the image but the whole image itself gives a cool colour effect because the model is wearing a black colour dress and as you can see, in the image the main colours are brown, orange and blue. They are all in the calm and cool colour category.

The image could be completely different if the model wore a different colour dress instead of black. Image background is a bit blurred which helps to focus on the model even better, but in terms of details, background is clear. This means viewers can easily identify what’s in the background.

However, Gihan De Silva has proved his talent once again by taking this picture. I look forward to bringing and discussing more of Gihan De Silva’s Photographs in my blog in the future.

Nil Diya Daharin

I wanted to talk about a video through my 3rd post. The title of this video is ''Nil Diya Daharin''. This song has been created to support Sri Lankan cricket team as they are playing for the ICC cricket world cup this year. The singer Nimantha Heshan is a new comer to the Sri Lankan music industry but he has good experiences in music industry. He has finished his degree in India and came back to Sri Lanka as he wanted to use his knowledge to his mother country.

For my third post, I wanted to talk about a video. The name of this video is “Nil Diya Daharin”. This song was created to support the Sri Lankan cricket because they were playing for the ICC world cup this year.

Singer “Nimantha Heshan” is a new arrival to the music industry and he has good experience in the music industry. He has finished his degree in India but went back to Sri Lanka as he wanted to use his knowledge in his own country.

This video is the singer’s first ever music video. The video director has used different locations in order for the video to be successful. I have been to most of the locations so I am familiar with the places therefore I know how it actually looks.

Director of the video has worked well to give a different view and to get those locations looking nice. The whole video has a slow motion effect which makes the video attractive it also helps to show the people’s emotions through their facial expressions.

Speaking of the colour effects, it seems like they have not added any extra colour effects. This means they have used the natural colours of the video as it was taken.

Cameraman has done a great job with fabulous camera angles. The crane that helped for some of the shots for this video has helped the cameraman’s job succeed. The plus point about this video is that, the audio suites the video very well. The video runs accordingly to the audio pattern. It will not disturb the viewer and it will help to keep both eyes and ears to the song until it finishes.

This video has become famous in Sri Lanka as everyone in the video has done their part very well. Been a fan of the singer “Nimantha Heshan” I like this song so much.

The National Flag of Sri Lanka

As I mentioned in my introduction post, I am from Sri Lanka, therefore I thought it would be great to discuss about our national flag for my first picture post as a Sri Lankan.

The Sri Lankan flag has been changed so many times during different periods, but now we are using this flag as you can see in the picture above.

The national flag of Sri Lanka, also known as Lion Flag, consists of a gold lion, holding a sword in its right paw in front of a crimson background with four golden bo leaves, one in each corner. In the background, there is a yellow border. Towards the left side, there are to vertical stripes in saffron and green. The lion represents bravery. The four Bo leaves represent kindness, compassion, equanimity and happiness.

Tamil and Muslim nations are represented by orange and green respectively.

Sri Lankan flag is used in many occasions and mostly hoisted to mark the National Day of Sri Lanka. It is half-mast hosted to mark a National Mourning Day.

Introduction

Hi Everyone!
My name is Himarsha Chathura Ukwatta and I am currently studying Media Technologies at The University of Bradford in UK.

I am originally from Sri Lanka. I have been learning about media technologies since college days. Most of what I studied was related to video technologies. So I wanted to do a degree from the technology side of media which means learning about what happens behind the screen.

So my decision brought me all the way to UK from Sri Lanka, I did not expect such a huge change in my life ever! At the same time, I miss my calm and quite Sri Lankan life and my freedom.

However, during my stay in UK for studies, I noticed something strange and familiar; my friends were using their DSLR cameras most of the time. This made me think why they use DSLR’s, why don’t they have video cameras. This thought led me to learn about photography which is completely out of topic in my life. After that, I researched about DSLR cameras which pushed me to buy a camera. And to my shock, I cannot believe it, I bought Canon 7D!

Canon 7D made me become a huge fan of photography. I spent quite alot of time learning about still photography and I am still learning. I never had any idea that I would find this so interesting. University photo studio and the technical centre help me a lot to develop my photography skills.

So then, I wanted to show my pictures to everyone so I tried to share it via facebook but it did not allow me to share it. Later, I got to know we can create a blog and share pictures, videos and other media related projects as coursework. It taught me a new way to share my pictures with others.

I am going to use this blog not just for my work, but also other people’s work. This is the story and plan of my “Visual Diary” so far. Through this blog, I’m hoping to share some useful and valuable work.