PHOTOGRAPHY
OCTOBER 2017
YOUR VERY OWN GUIDE
OCTOBER 2017
AN INSIGHT TO:
PHOTOGRAPHY: THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE Digital photography first became popular in the 1990’s, when people were starting to consume a digital camera. Since then it has rapidly become popular. Starting in 2007, cameras were incorporated into mobiles, which developed in the following years. Since 2010, the compact camera and the DSLR cameras have also been in competition. camera components and how to export and store files. Photography can be applied anywhere, and it can be seen everywhere you look. It can be used for advertising pack shots in magazines, newspapers, billboards.Similar to advertising, it can be promotional. It’s for online and print campaigns and marketing. photograph: creative commons
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igital photography is used in the media industries to convey various messages,illustrate written words and to advertise. It can be used to record events and occurrences, or as an opportunity to integrate text and images in print and web. Digital photography is used in many industries to convey various messages, illustrate written words and to advertise. It can be used to record events and occurrences, or as an opportunity to integrate text and images in print and web. This beginner’s guide to photography will walk you through all you need to know to become a better photographer. In this helpful guide, you’ll learn the different applications, uses and purposes of photography; the equipment used,
There’s Fashion photography, which is found in magazines, websites, blogs and for promotional invites when a celebrity is invited to an event. Photojournalism is very common and used everyday in newspapers, magazines and websites. These images are accurate, often used to convey facts and news.
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Photographing with a DSLR
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PHOTOGRAPHY
OCTOBER 2017
YOUR VERY OWN GUIDE
OCTOBER 2017
Photography by: Laura Yearley Below: Portraiture Right: Architecture Bottom Right: Fashion
Portraiture is simply portraits of anyone, children, adults and celebrities. You can use a studio to take photographs when you want to focus on the subject without using a busy background. A black or white background sets the focus as there is nothing else to look at in the photograph. Studiobased photographs are used for professional purposes: pack-shots and portraits.
Above: Canon DSLR Right: Compact camera Far right: tripod
Architecture photographs are another application, found on websites, illustrated reports, guidebooks and estate agents. They are usually edited to make the buildings look more artistic, abstract and attractive as buildings can look quite boring. Last of all, medical photography is used on packaging, experiments, records and documentation. The photos must be accurate because the human body is being discussed. Illustrations can also be just as accurate, but these are used when a photograph is too graphic to be used, for example an educational textbook where labels are used. We use photography to reinforce the written words, to market and promote on posters, leaflets, adverts, brochures and interactive screens. Photographs tell a story, e.g. photojournalism, for documentaries where interest is generated and awareness is raised such as charity campaigns and public health campaigns. The last purpose is to increase sales - photography is used on front covers for e-magazines, newspaper front pages, computer game covers, cd’s and dvd’s.
Laura Yearley
CAMERAS THE DSLR CAMERA can be confusing to choose because there are so many variations, from a beginners camera to a more professional type because of the different settings they offer. This is why some people tend to use a compact camera; they are simpler and don’t need extra accessories. With a DSLR camera however, you can buy different types of filters and lenses for a variation of photographs. There are many manufacturers of DSLR cameras, the most popular being Nikon and Canon. This sparks debate on which manufacturer to choose and who is best.It’s a better idea to focus on a beginner model, and if it’s available within your budget.
THE COMPACT CAMERA is slowly becoming unused and disowned. The market for this type of camera is changing and has done a lot over the last few years, due to the advance in smartphone use and technology. However, with a compact camera you can easily point-and-shoot and adjust some straight-forward settings, but you cannot buy many accessories, such as lenses and filters like you can for a DSLR. With more people using their smartphones, manufacturers have concentrated on putting more advanced features into smartphones. On the other hand, it’s still effective, now available with Wi-Fi connectivity so you can quickly transfer shots to a phone for sharing on Facebook etc. It’s best to use a compact camera when you want to be more subtle, especially when you are taking candid photographs, but your photos will be better quality with a DSLR.
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ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT A TRIPOD is a three-legged stand, which supports your DSLR camera and suits different situations. They are available to fit all DSLR cameras whether you have a Canon or Nikon, and they are available for compact cameras too. Tripods usually last a long time if they are good quality, so it’s better to read the product’s description and buy one for greater value for money, one that isn’t flimsy or heavy but must adjust and extend to the height you would like. Consider one with a hook at the bottom, where you can hang a weight for greater stability. They’re useful when the camera needs more stability. DSLR cameras are quite heavy, so it can be difficult to hold when you need the most precision, especially for macro photography. They’re also useful when there is a low amount of light or you are taking night
Above: lens filters Above left: lenses Bottom: light reflectors
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PHOTOGRAPHY
OCTOBER 2017
operation. The important part about image sensors is the size. There are two in common use: APS-C and full-frame. APS-C sensors are found in cheaper cameras and full-frame sensors are inside the professional models. The more pixels means greater detail, but it can also mean more grainy, ‘noisy’ images and memory cards filling up faster.
Left: studio set-up Bottom right: flower taken in studio Bottom left: underexposed photo
A tripod a useful is when you are taking telephoto shots. When you’re using a very long zoom lens, it’s difficult to hold the camera and support the lens. The weight means you are likely to shake, which affects the sharpness of your image. It is mostly used for nature and sport photography because of the precision you need. CAMERA LENSES are out there in a huge variety, those used for a simple shot, close up shot and some for the more creative approaches. There is lens for you to help capture your best photograph.
EXTRA EQUIPMENT LIGHTING is used in a studio, white translucent umbrellas can soften, broaden and diffuse the light from a camera. If you wasn’t using an umbrella, the camera’s flash could be quite harsh. REFLECTORS are available in many colours, including silver, gold, white and black. The silver side
be blurry. On the other hand, the smaller aperture (larger number) means all of the image will be in focus.
ISO is also the measure of light, but more specifically the measure of sensitivity to light. A low ISO is used on a sunny day because less light is used, and a higher ISO means the camera is more sensitive to light, however the APERTURE is the opening of the lens, picture has more ‘noise’, and looks where light is admitted through. grainy. It is measured in halfs as This is measured in f/stops: 1, 1.4, follows: 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32, 45. 1600, 3200. The smaller the number, the larger the opening so more light will be SHUTTER SPEED determines the let in, vice versa. While aperture amount of light exposed to the controls the quantity of light it also sensor or film. It is measured in controls depth of field. This is what seconds, or fractions of seconds: parts of the image are in focus. A 15, 8, 4, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, bigger aperture (smaller number) 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, means only the foreground will be 1/1000, 1/2000, 1/4000, 1/8000. in focus and the background will The faster the shutter speed,
photography. The stability allows you to use slow shutter speeds and a low ISO while keeping your images sharp in the dark. If you need a long exposure, eg. 2 minutes, you can use a tripod.
There are fisheye lenses which are for more creative purposes; the images are more stretched. The macro lens allows you to get up close, and the telephoto allows you to zoom and shoot from a long distance. The lenses are interchangeable and the smaller, travel lenses are reasonably lightweight, designed to slip into your bag without weighing you down.
YOUR VERY OWN GUIDE
OCTOBER 2017
CAMERA LENS FILTERS serve different purposes in digital photography. They can be used for capturing scenery in extremely difficult lighting conditions, they can enhance colors and reduce reflections or can simply protect lenses. They are are widely used in photography and cinematography, while some only use filters in rare situations. Lens filters modify the light before it enters the lens.
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HOW TO EXPORT AND STORE YOUR FILES: IMPORTING YOUR PHOTOS IS REALLY EASY TO DO, JUST FOLLOW THIS GUIDE AND YOU’LL HAVE YOUR PHOTOS ON YOUR COMPUTER READY TO EDIT OR UPLOAD
1. Insert your SD card into your computer
If your computer hasn’t got an SD card slot, you can buy an adapter to plug into the USB port.
2. Open your SD card folder 3. Select your files
Landscape photographers heavily rely on various filters, while street and portrait photographers rarely get to use them.
You can press shift on the keyboard and click your first and last photo as an easier way to select your files.
4. Drag them over into your desired location
Once all your files are selected and highlighted, you can simply drag these files into any folder you want.
COMMON CAMERA COMPONENTS
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A VIEWFINDER is the small glass window at the top of the DSLR camera, which you look through to see and focus the image. Instead of looking through the viewfinder you can switch to looking onto the camera’s screen. Some people prefer this as it can be easier to look at the image this way.
1. Use a photo import programme On an Apple Mac you can use ImageCapture. Using a programme designed specifically for importing can be safer and minimises risk to your SD card.
2. Select your files
Press shift on the keyboard and click your first and last photo. It’s an easier way to select your files.
LENSES are avaliable for distancerelated and creative approaches.
3. Choose your desired location and click ‘import’
IMAGE SENSORS are the most expensive part of a camera, and it plays the most important part for a camera’s image quality and
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EXPOSURE is the amount of light collected by the film or sensor in the camera. It is controlled by three factors: ISO, shutter speed and aperture. You usually set two factors, and the third is determined automatically.
This will be found under computer or removable devices and usually has a name.
Left top: long exposure light trail Middle: over exposed Bottom: shallow depth of focus
is reflective and brightens both shadows and highlights, but it does not change the color of the available light. The gold side side works the same way, while adding a warmer color to the image. The white side brightens up the shadows to produce a softer light and the black side is used to subtract light and create shadows in certain areas.
the less light and it can freeze fast moving objects. The slower the shutter speed, the more light but the picture is often blurred.
Instead of dragging, you can simply click ‘import’ and the programme will do this for you instead of you dragging the files which can be quite difficult.
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