Photography 101
Photography 101
There are 2 kinds of cameras:
Pros and cons of a Point & Shoot
Pros• Light weight • Small• Easy to use• Built in zoom &
flash• Less expensive
Cons• Auto only – less control• Parallax (what you see
isn’t always what you get)
• Center weighted metering (only focuses on what's in the middle of the frame)
Pros and Cons of an SLR
Pros• More control• Change lenses• What you see is what
you get • Focus Lock• Makes you look like a
professional
Cons• Bigger• Heavier• More buttons and
more complicated to use
• More expensive
Aperture
• Measured in f-stops• Controls the AMOUNT of light • Works like the eye• Controls depth of field
How the Aperture effects Depth of Field
f/ 5.6 f/8
f/11 f/22
Portraits = 2.8, 5.6, 8 Groups = 11, 16, 22
Shorter Depth of Field Longer Depth of Field
Shutter Speed
• Measured in fractions of a second• Controls the AMOUNT OF TIME light is
let into the camera• Effects motion
How the Shutter Speed effects motion
1/60
1/2000
fast shutter speed
slow shutter speed
• http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/sh utteraperture.php
Camera Modes & Settings
•• Program ModeProgram Mode – camera chooses everything
•• Aperture PriorityAperture Priority - camera chooses shutter, you chose aperture. Use this when you want to control depth of field.
•• Shutter PriorityShutter Priority – camera chooses aperture, you chose shutter. Use this when you want to control motion.
•• Manual ModeManual Mode – you chose everything. Use this when you want to be in total control.
Camera Modes & Settings
•• Portrait ModePortrait Mode – short depth of field to blur background
•• Sports ModeSports Mode - fast shutter speed to freeze motion
•• Close up or MacroClose up or Macro – short depth of field with a macro setting
•• Landscape ModeLandscape Mode – long depth of field so everything is in focus
•• Night flashNight flash - Combines slow shutter speed with flash
•• Night Landscape ModeNight Landscape Mode – no flash with long depth of field
Film Speed or ISO International Standards Organization
Choosing your Iso is like choosing the kind of paint to use, you choose it according to the situation.
2 considerations :
A. the amount of light availableB. the amount of movement
Film Speed or ISO International Standards Organization
ISO Condition Pro CON
50 Full light or flash Very slow, not good for toddlers or sports
100 Still subject or lots of light
200 Open shade
400 Window light
800 Good for wiggly kids or indoors without a flash
grainy
White Balance
White Balance
Lets talk Digital How many mega pixels do I need?
Image Resolution 2x3 4x6 5x7 8x10 11x141280x9601 Mega pixel Photo quality Photo quality Very good good poor
1600x12002 Mega pixel Photo quality Photo quality Photo quality Very good Acceptable
2048x15363 Mega pixel Photo quality Photo quality Photo quality excellent good
2240x16804 Mega pixel Photo quality Photo quality Photo quality Photo quality Very good
2560x19205 Mega pixel Photo quality Photo quality Photo quality Photo quality excellent
3032x20086 Mega pixel Photo quality Photo quality Photo quality Photo quality Photo quality
JPEG files & Image Quality
• There is a trade off between compression and image quality.
A. Less Compression (Fine mode) gives you better quality but you can’t store as many images
B. More Compression (Normal or Basic Modes) lets you store more images but they are better for smaller prints or the internet
Composition
6 ways to become a better photographer
instantly!
1. Get Closer!!!• “If you pictures aren’t good enough, your not
close enough.”- Robert Capa
Photojournalist
Getting close to your subject will simplify, unclutter and emphasize your subject. It will get rid of unwanted information.
2. Simplify
• Have subject wear similar color as the background
• Solid colors are best. Plaids and stripes are distracting and take away from the face.
3.Rule of Thirds
4. Use Different Angles
5. Watch Your Background
6. Documenting vs. Interpreting
• Start thinking like a photographer
• Capture expressions
• The subject doesn’t always have to be looking at the camera.
LightingGreek Words:
Photo= lightGraph= to write
Look for the Light
• Before you even get out your camera walk around and look for beautiful light. You might even be surprise where you can find it.
Front Lighting
Back Lighting
Side Lighting
Avoid Flash whenever you can
Window light
Open shade
• This is when you want to use a little flash.
Best time of day
• “golden hour” = 1 hour before sunset• www.sunrisesunset.com
• [email protected] (my email)• Wendilee.wordpress.com (my blog)•