2. Practical & Technical Problems
Equipment- Having two cameras means if one was to fail I’d have a backup ready and waiting. The experiment will be testing both out before
production and finding out which will be the preferred option going into production. Using and testing different tripods to help keep the camera
stable during the shoots.
Finding and choosing the right lens for that photoshoot (Nikon Camera) if the bigger or normal lens go missing having the Cannon and its incredible
zoom ready and there to be used but that would mean changing the idea of using one camera for the whole process.
Techniques- After completing research I had looked into ISO numbers, Depth of Field, Golden Hour, Exposure Triangle.. So I need to learn how to use
these techniques on my camera and go out and take pictures using these techniques but I also need to make sure I understand how to find that
setting on the cameras, taking the best possible pictures then making sure they have worked.
So for ISO numbers I’ll need to look into what the lowest and highest setting of the Cannon and Nikon and then start testing out the different settings
but also keeping a note of which settings I have available and which ones I think work best after taking pictures using them.
Testing out everything else I research will have to be done otherwise the research ends up been pointless so I need to as I test and try keep track on
what I'm doing and how successful and helpful I think it can be.
Storage and Backup- After every photoshoot making sure the pictures from that day are saved and placed into a folder on OneDrive to make sure
they are kept safe and easily accessible but also make sure they are backed up onto a secondary device like a memory stick so if the original backup
was lost you have that stick filled with all the pictures from the day or the past photoshoots. Having that physical backup is sometimes the better
because you don’t have to worry about the internet failing, your work been unable to save or be opened.
Ability- The ability to work through the techniques I have learned and read about is unknow because some techniques may be easier to understand
and work with than others.
I’m not going to straight away be taking photos like a full blown photographer but testing and planning could begin the process.
The higher quality I can manage the more my ability is shown and the more I can understand the different the techniques and really apply them to my
work I have the best chance of proving the ability.
3. Theoretical Problems
Location- The location could cause issues because of the time of year and the ground in that area been unable to walk on, you may only be
allowed to access the site between certain hours so more planning is then required.
Transport- This links again into location because if the location is close walking or cycling is the simple answer if the weather is okay but if
travel is needed then the car, bus or train become the choice. Timing also plays a role because buses and trains run between certain times and
follow a timetable. Petrol costs so that links into costs because if your getting lifts everywhere then it seems only right you pay some fuel
money toward the journey.
Photographing Outside- The weather is something that is completely out of your control so not planning to shoot on a certain day means you
can easily readjust to a new plan and day if your original day is completely damaged by weather and you can’t travel or manage to take any
quality pictures. Depending on the theme the weather could be used to your advantage but your camera would need to work well in those
conditions.
Lighting- Natural lighting is the main thing so making sure I know the times of sunrise and sunset so I keep figure out when the natural light
would be at it’s best and when it would be at it’s worse and wouldn’t be suitable to go out and take pictures. Also knowing where the sun will
be at certain times and how that light could either make the pictures better or effect them for the worse.
Temperature- Again out of your control but photography is something where you can still battle out to capture those moments and sometimes
those cold chilly morning bring out the best sunrise because you can capture the chill with that warming yellow light. Key thing would be
making sure you have gloves, jacket and a hat if heading out in the early hours.
Refreshments and Toilets- This again comes down to location because if your in the middle of completely no where your not going to have
cafes and nice toilets around you. So been prepared and taking bottles of water with you means your prepared to grab your backup and
explore with making sure you keep hydrated and have snacks for the time your out. Toilets, well in the wild outdoors you do have the freedom
but it isn’t really the most brilliant thing.
Health and Safety- Again a lot depends on your choice of location because if your just in a park then it’s mainly watch out travelling and then
when there watch out for kids playing and so on. If your more out in the open in fields be careful of farmers and their equipment, be careful on
any sheer drops, avoiding traffic and cars. Making sure your giving others their space and not causing any issues trying to get set in the best
possible position.
Equipment- Having two cameras is obviously the easy solution to any problem but that means making sure if the preferred one does fail your
ready with that backup and your plan can be changed to more suit that camera and what you can access and achieve with it. So that means
having both with you during the photoshoots to ensure your not having to lose time because you lost the camera during the shoot.
4. My Camera’s: Canon SX740 Vs Nikon D3400 Settings
Canon
Focal Length
4.3 – 172.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 24 – 960 mm)
Zoom
Optical 40x
ZoomPlus 80x
Digital approx. 4.0x (with Digital Tele-Converter
Approx. 1.6x or 2.0x2)
Combined approx. 160x
Maximum f/number- f/3.3 – f/6.9
Shutter Speed- 15 - 1/3200 s
Image Size
4:3 - (L) 5184 x 3888, (M) 3648 x 2736, (S) 2432 x 1824
16:9 - (L) 5184 x 2912, (M) 3648 x 2048, (S) 2432 x
1368
3:2 - (L) 5184 x 3456, (M) 3648 x 2432, (S) 2432 x 1616
1:1 - (L) 3888 x 3888, (M) 2736 x 2736, (S) 1824 x 1824
Nikon D3400
Focal Length
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):
27-83mm
Focal Length (actual):18 - 55mm
Zoom and Aperture
Zoom Ratio:3.06x
Aperture Range:f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T); 7
diaphragm blades
F/number- f/6.3
Shutter Speed- 1/4000
Image Size
(L) 6000 x 4000, (M) 4496 x 3000, (S) 2992 x
2000
6. Canon Zoom Vs Nikon Large Lens
These pictures taken while walking along the Bar
Walls in York show the quality of the Canon single
zoom compared to the Nikon which had its bigger
lens fitted. The images at the top are from the
Canon and they were taken from the opposite side
of town to the minster and yet the zoom gets you
almost all the way to it (while still been in full
focus) where as the bigger Nikon Lens trying to
capture the Water tower doesn’t get as close
(again while been in full focus)
So looking at zoom quality and keeping the focus the
Canon is clearly the better choice. Canon 1-0 Nikon
7. Differences Between the Two
The Canon is more compact in size meaning carrying it around is made a lot easier so when it comes to actual
production if the Canon is the camera I decided to move forward with walking to and from or getting on
transport I don’t have to worry about having a large camera bag because the SX740 can fit into a pocket of a
jacket or coat.
The main thing that separates the two is the zoom quality on the Canon and how far you can zoom in with the
frame still been in full focus.
The Canon does also seem to be clearer even at shorter distances which is for me a big thing because it has the
ability at short distance but also using it’s 40X optical zoom which really allows you to take outstanding close
up pictures even when your at a giant distance from your actual target in interest.
The Nikon does hold some positives, it comes with two lenses meaning you have a variety and a choice in how
you are going to use the camera. It comes with a strap around the camera meaning you can hold it around your
neck meaning the chances of losing it or dropping it are lower. It comes with a shade meaning you can shield
the lens and allow yourself to block out the sun and capture the best picture.
