Photographs of Queen Anne Ball and Claw Chairs

Nikon 1 J2
Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea
2018

The camera is a Nikon 1 J2. It is a mirrorless camera, and it came with two lenses; an 11mm-27.5 and a 30mm-110mm. It is a good camera from what I have read. The problem is that I don’t really know how to use it. My previous camera was automatic with a zoom lens and was super easy to use. It took really nice clear pictures and was perfect for a novice photographer like me. The Nikon 1 J2 is above my skill level, and in the months since I have owned it, I haven’t been able to get the kind of pictures that I want. They are grainy, and often slightly out of focus, and I’m not able to get the clarity or even image that I’m trying to capture. At one point, I thought that maybe the camera wasn’t all that great, but after research, I came to the conclusion that the photographer was not that educated.

A slightly dirty old chair out side a navy blue building. The vivid stripes and geometric patterns on the Queen Anne chair in periwinkle, cobalt blue, and burgundy showcases the Queen Anne aesthetic through a delightful combination of colors and patterns. — ISO 1600-11mm-f/4.5-1/640 Nikon 1 j2 Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

I’m trying to educate myself on not only my own camera, but cameras in general. I signed up for a photography class online through Coursea and have started this little personal journey into the real world of photography. I have to mention, as a side note, that before I signed up for the practical photography course I took a course in appreciation and understanding of photography and a bit of a history lesson on some of the great photographers of the past and a few of the present.

medium shot of a soft arm chair with geometric and striped designs on periwinkle, cobalt blue, and burgundy in the Queen Anne style with bone white curved framing. The chair sits beside a white round table. — ISO 400-11mm-f/3.5-1/200 Nikon 1 j2 Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

There is more math than I like, and finding the right lens- to-ISO-to-aperture-to-shutter speed is coming so slowly to me. I feel a bit like giving up and just sticking to the auto button. Yet, I’m pushing forward, so I went out on a personal assignment and took my first set of intentional photos. I picked a location, and some objects, and I worked the scene (as the online instructor suggested). The assignment was to practice using the program mode. I’m sure most of you know how program mode works, but for those of you who don’t: when in program mode the camera controls the aperture and the shutter speed, but you can control the ISO. According to the instructor, the program mode is good for anti-camera shake and shallow focus.

Right corner of a periwinkle, cobalt blue, and burgundy striped Queen Anne chair: A captivating blend of colors and patterns, highlighting the intricate design of the Queen Anne period. — ISO 800-14mm-f/4 -1/400 Nikon 1 j2 Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

I found these chairs outside a closed restaurant in Seoul, South Korea, in the Itaewon district. I had decided to explore my own neighborhood for something interesting to shoot. Honestly, in Seoul there are many interesting things to shoot, so that part was easy. Below are the best of the photos I took that day. They are the best because of the framing and composition as compared to other photos I took, but they are also the best because the combination of iso/aperture/shutter speed worked well, and they turned out clear with little to no noise.

Geometric and striped designs on periwinkle, cobalt blue, and burgundy Queen Anne chair: Explore the elegance of this chair as vibrant colors and geometric patterns come together in perfect symmetry. — ISO 1600-11mm-f/4.5-1/600 Nikon 1 j2 Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

I took about 184 shots that morning, and after scrutinizing each shot to the best of my ability, I was able to reduce them to 59 photos.

Queen Anne chair featuring stripes in periwinkle, cobalt blue, and burgundy: The dynamic visual appeal of this chair is enhanced by the artistic fusion of colors and captivating stripe and geometric patterns. — ISO 1600-11mm-f/4.5-1/600 Nikon 1 j2 Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

My personal “assignment” rubric was based on my use of the program mode. I had to find an object/subject and then work the scene while learning how to use the iso/aperture/shutter settings. Out of the 59 I picked due to the subject, composition, and aesthetic necessity, only 10 were in near perfect focus.

Striped periwinkle, cobalt blue, and burgundy Queen Anne chair: From every perspective, the harmonious interplay of colors and stripes accentuates the classic Queen Anne style. — ISO800-11mm-f/4-1/500 Nikon 1 J2 Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

I realize I have a long way to go. I see that in the following photo. I know that the foreground of the photo is slightly out of focus and the background is in sharp focus. This would be fine if I did it on purpose, but I didn’t. It could be a better shot, but for now in my beginning stages, I see a path of where I am going as far as being a photographer. I have potential; as we say to others.

ISO800-11mm-f/4-1/500 Nikon 1 J2 Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

Bone white chair leg with ball and claw foot Queen Anne style. — ISO800-11mm-f/4-1/500 Nikon 1 J2 Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

I’ve created a schedule for myself which includes me having time to study and practice photography. I’m not sure for how long I will have this freedom of time, but while I have it I hope to make the most of it and learn as much as I can. I hope to be able to post something new at least once week. It will be nice to have this up and running again.