ISO400

Stepping Away

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 05:59:00 -0700

Without going into too many details, recent events have led me to not be able to put as much effort and energy into this blog as it deserves.

I originally started ISO400 as a way for me and some friends from EAP Japan to keep in touch and continue the photography that began to fall by the wayside since returning to America and “reality.”

There’s been a lot of changes, and a lot of members have come and gone. None of the people currently on the blog were here at the beginning, and aside from me all the beginning members are more or less gone. I got to meet a lot of cool people through the experience, (though only virtually, which I think is a shame) and it’s definitely been quite a ride.

Through busy and not so busy times, I did my best to keep up with ISO for the past year and some change, but I feel at this time it’s best for me to step away and leave it to more capable and active hands.

Josh and Frank currently hold administrative powers, and as Josh originally co-founded the blog with me I think it’s only fair to leave any decisions up to him. If he decides to pass it on to some of the more recent and active members, that’s also very much within his rights.

Leave comments and discuss, I’ll be keeping an eye on things and with luck may return in the future when personal circumstances better allow.

Best of luck to all,

Jin

Assignment Closed

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:49:47 -0700

You know the drill…

Shoko: Tiger & DragonAssignment: Text Location: Karaoke in...

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:56:00 -0700

Shoko: Tiger & Dragon
Assignment: Text
Location: Karaoke in Chinatown, Yokohama

“Like on my back, the tiger and the dragon.
I fight myself within me.”

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/3785373314_19287d9a41_b.jpg

Jin: The UniverseAssignment: WordsLocation: Asahikawa,...

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:17:23 -0700

Jin: The Universe
Assignment: Words
Location: Asahikawa, Okayama
Shutter: BULB
Aperture: f/6.3

I’m not really the type to write things and take pictures of words, but the whole point is to step outside your comfort zone right?

Tuan: The signsAssignment: Words, letters &...

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:01:06 -0700

Tuan: The signs
Assignment: Words, letters & paragraphs
Location: San Francisco
Shutter: 1/320
Aperture: f/4.5

Jaime: really difficult assignmentAssignment: Words, letters...

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:48:50 -0700

Jaime: really difficult assignment
Assignment: Words, letters & paragraphs
Location: Amsterdam
Shutter: 1/800
Aperture: f/4

I know there is a kingdom of possibilities. I tried it very hard, but I’m not good with words.

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words.

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:59:55 -0700

ASSIGNMENT: I’ve always liked how words have a look, sound, meaning and origin. The way it looks has a great deal to do with the meaning it portrays. Take a picture containing a word, letters, paragraphs, etc. (it can be in other languages too ;)

DUE: SUNDAY, AUG 2

EXAMPLES?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3558106823_879a36aae4_m.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/74185492_2d7dcb1815_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/1525308681_45e1045620_m.jpg

Shoko wins. dananananna

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:41:43 -0700

New assignment once Shoko stops faking modesty and nervousness!

Post the assignment instructions and a due date at the end.

Assignment Closed - I'm back from the dead

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:24:37 -0700

Just got back from Tokyo, it’s around 12 noon Monday afternoon in California so I’m gonna go ahead and close the assignment. Get your vote on!

-Jin

Jin: Luffy Gets LitAssignment: Unnatural LightingLocation:...

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:20:24 -0700

Jin: Luffy Gets Lit
Assignment: Unnatural Lighting
Location: Okayama, Japan
Shutter: 20s
Aperture: f/5.3

I know you like to have reasons for everything Sylvia, but I just did this to participate in your assignment, because I really wanted to. The crop cuts off the reflection because I actually didn’t plan on the reflection when I composed the shot originally. The focus is ever so slightly off so its actually on his shirt buttons rather than on his face. These two issues bug me greatly. So why did I pick this shot out of the ten or so I did? Because it was the first one, and it had the best/most dramatic lighting angle of all of them that I couldn’t repeat when I tried.

This unnatural light’s all for you Chigs.

Jaime: SandwichAssignment: LightingLocation: Mexico...

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 11:56:00 -0700

Jaime: Sandwich
Assignment: Lighting
Location: Mexico city

Lighting my tasty cheese sandwich with a toaster oven.

Ching: Dark Room, Red BulbAssignment: LightingLocation: Long...

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:26:18 -0700

Ching: Dark Room, Red Bulb
Assignment: Lighting
Location: Long Island City, Queens
Shutter: n/a
Aperture: n/a

This was in a dark room at PS1 Moma. The book underneath was titled “Hollywood Babylon.” There was a green bulb I was going to take a picture of but it went out right when I clicked the shutter. Creeepy.

Sylvia: Paint the Town PinkAssignment: LightingLocation: Orange,...

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:57:34 -0700

Sylvia: Paint the Town Pink
Assignment: Lighting
Location: Orange, CA
Shutter: 1/200
Aperture: f/5.6

Of course, planned lighting plays a huge role with editorial fashion photos. This is focused on the dress, Betsey Johnson (Spring Collection 09). To match Betsey Johnson’s style, I blew out everything in the image except the elegant yet funky dress (because that is the point of a fashion editorial photograph after all) and the makeup (which is the same makeup from the actual collection btw) to create more of a focus while making the image feel lighter, fresher and have the colors still pop. While fresh and light, the image is plastic-y and fake, thus matching the designer’s style. The space was covered and fairly dark so not only did strobe allow me to achieve all this, but it somehow captured the blue reflected from the sky in the panes of glass very brightly (which was totally unexpected but turned out great).

“Like red lipstick on the mouth, my products wake up and brighten and bring the wearer to life… drawing attention to her beauty and specialness…her moods and movements…her dreams and fantasies.” - Betsey Johnson

Shoko: Cable Car DreamsAssignment: Unnatural LightingLocation:...

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:24:00 -0700

Shoko: Cable Car Dreams
Assignment: Unnatural Lighting
Location: Yokohama, Japan

Having just gotten back to cold harsh reality from three fantastic months in the bay area. I miss it a lot. I usually don’t like florescent light but I think it made this picture dreamy. I wanted it to be more real than nostalgic but like a daydream.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/3696968911_c0f33ceb92_b.jpg

Lighting Exercise

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:02:00 -0700

Hey Everyone!

So, a huge aspect of photography is lighting. This week’s assignment is to work with and incorporate UNNATURAL lighting. This includes flash (on camera or off), hot lights, strobes, even lamps! While it is a very open assignment, I know a lot of people avoid using unnatural lighting so I think it’ll be a good exercise to get some people to do something different. I really want you guys to think about what kind of lighting is most beneficial to the image you a trying to create and really why you are doing it.

Also! Try not to use ambient unnatural light (like taking a pictures of your cat in your living room when the lights are on or something). Use the lights to lend something to the image.

Good luck and if you have any questions, just ask. :)

DUE: SUNDAY, JULY 19

<3/Sylvia

Voting CLOSED : Sylvia WINS!

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:55:27 -0700

Sylvia, you know what to do.

Congratulation. :)

Assignment is Closed for real. Please Vote Now

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

WOW! Very nice to have many submissions :)
I apologize for not pariticpating this assignment, was little too occupied with school and other stuff.

Thanks again to Tuan for a very interesting assignment.

and

Welcome Jaime to iso400! I hope you like it here. :)

Please vote! and don’t forget to leave a nice comment or crit.

Nhon: Schroeder Plays Piano, A Charlie Brown...

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:41:22 -0700

Nhon: Schroeder Plays Piano, A Charlie Brown Christmas
Assignment: Movies
Location: Brighton, England
Shutter: 1/13s
Aperture: f/4.0

Schroeder plays the most popular bit of piano music of anybody’s childhood. On occasion, I wouldn’t mind being a child again.

Sylvia: Anarchy in the UK [NANA]Assignment: MoviesLocation:...

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:18:00 -0700

Sylvia: Anarchy in the UK [NANA]
Assignment: Movies
Location: Burbank, CA
Shutter: 1/35
Aperture: f/5.6

Ended up looking like a promo, but thus is the life of a ROCKSTAR.
Inspired by the punk-rock Nana in the Japanese manga/anime/movie, NANA -ナナ- (thus inspired by the sex pistols and vivienne westwood). Mostly inspired by the anime so i went for a synthetic look.

NANA: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0471834/

Jaime: Grave of The FirefliesAssignment: MoviesLocation: San...

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:15:11 -0700

Jaime: Grave of The Fireflies
Assignment: Movies
Location: San Francisco, CA
Shutter: 1/500
Aperture: f/5.6

Hello, my name is Jaime, this is my first post, I hope you enjoy it.

Jaime.

link to movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095327/