This task we have completed helped us to understand the basic settings and functions of a DSLR camera, after being taught how to change aspects such as shutter speed and auto/manual zoom we had the opportunity to go out and take our own photos. Whilst taking these photos we also took mise en scene into consideration aiming to have each photo being able to portray a story, the different angles and distances help tell those stories.

The main functions we learned about were; shutter speed, auto/manual focal length, aperture, as well as composition, framing, and depth of field (DOF). For me getting to understand how to use the camera was both difficult and straight forward as I had used a professional camera before but did not know all the aspects you could change, some parts were definitely more complex to adjust than others. But I know the further on we get into the course the more familiar I will get with using professional cameras like the one I used in this lesson.

When we took the photos we took into consideration the layout and angles, we specifically chose the places to take these photos as the backgrounds would be effective. Every photo should tell a story and I think the two-shot one on the bench expresses the most emotion therefor telling a story, another photo that portrays a story-line is the two-shot ones taken in the lift as the placement and proxemics of the models displays emotion and story. We used a wide range of different shots and focuses to blur out the background or focus on a particular object, these aspects added to the composition of each photo telling a clear story.

Distances of photos further helped to express emotion, the medium-long shots of behind the bars represents a cage and tells a clear narrative. Certain angles helped represent moods of the photos such as the high angle in one expressed a sense of vulnerability, all these differences in the photos really convey a narrative and represent stories in their composition. By addressing aspects of mise en scene and the distances, angles, and compositions of the photos we have achieved the goal of telling a story through a photo.

In the future, I will be able to take into account the importance of how images are conveyed, by completing this task I have learned how distances affect moods of a photo and how vital it is for that photo to convey a narrative. For my own music magazine production, I will use certain distances to convey emotion and produce a purpose, each of those photos will have a clear narrative and represent and story to draw in audience attention. I want my music magazine to be as effective as possible so that it is as successful as it can be in the media.

These photos are the result of our photoshoot.