PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY Dan Pagulayan
Who I Am
Who I Am • Self-taught in – Photography – Photo editing – Preparing presentations – A lot of stuff • Hobbyist
Published Works
Published Works
Published Works
Published Works
Other Works
Other Works
Other Works
Other Works
Other Works
Other Works
What We ll Cover Session 1 •
KYC: Know Your Camera
•
Avoid the Shake
•
Composition
•
Exposure
•
Metering / Scene Modes
•
Other Considerations Session 2
•
Practicum
•
C&C Critiques and Comments
What We ll Cover •
KYC: Know Your Camera
•
Avoid the Shake
•
Composition
•
Exposure
•
Metering / Scene Modes
•
Other Considerations
Digital Camera Basics Camera Controls 1. Microphone 2. AF-assist Beam 3. Red-Eye Reduction Lamp 4. Self-Timer Lamp 5. Viewfinder Window 6. Flash 7. Terminal Cover
Digital Camera Basics 8. A/V OUT 9. DIGITAL USB Terminal 10. DC IN Terminal 11. Ring 12. Lens 13. Ring Release Button
Digital Camera Basics 1. Indicators 2. Power Lamp 3. Power Button 4. Zoom Lever 5. Shutter Button 6. Shooting Mode Dial 7. Mode Switch 8. Print/Share Button 9. Function/Set Button 10. Menu Button 11. Display Button
Digital Camera Basics 12. Exposure/Erase Image 13. Browsing 14. Flash 15. Macro/Manual Focus
Digital Camera Basics 1. LCD Monitor 2. Viewfinder 3. Speaker 4. Wrist Strap Mount 5. Memory Card Slot / Battery Cover 6. Memory Card Slot / Battery Cover 7. Tripod Socket
What We ll Cover •
KYC: Know Your Camera
•
Hold the camera still
•
Composition
•
Exposure
•
Metering / Scene Modes
•
Other Considerations
Avoid the Shake
Avoid the Shake
Avoid the Shake This is not camera shake
Avoid the Shake
Q: What has this got to do with photography?
Avoid the Shake
A: Triangle
Avoid the Shake Use a tripod
Avoid the Shake Use a Monopod
Avoid the Shake No tripod or monopod? No Problem!
Avoid the Shake Use your Bodypod
Avoid the Shake Use your Bodypod 1. Elbows In: Pull your elbows in to your body
pull your elbows in to your body and exhale completely before depressing the shutter
Avoid the Shake Use your Bodypod 2. Hold on a level, flat area
pull your elbows in to your body and exhale completely before depressing the shutter
Avoid the Shake Use your Bodypod 3. When holding a digital camera using a viewfinder, press the camera firmly against your face.
Avoid the Shake Use your Bodypod 4. Create a tripod with one knee
pull your elbows in to your body and exhale completely before depressing the shutter
Avoid the Shake Use your Bodypod 5. Create a tripod with both knees
pull your elbows in to your body and exhale completely before depressing the shutter
Avoid the Shake Use your Bodypod 6. Fall flat
Avoid the Shake Use your Bodypod 6. Fall flat – remember this photo?
Avoid the Shake Use your Bodypod 7. Lean against an immutable object
pull your elbows in to your body and exhale completely before depressing the shutter
Avoid the Shake Use your Bodypod Always remember • Exhale completely before depressing the shutter • When standing, spread your legs • Fingers away from lens and flash
What We ll Cover •
KYC: Know Your Camera
•
Avoid the Shake
•
Composition
•
Exposure
•
Metering / Scene Modes
•
Other Considerations
Composition • A way of arranging things • General guidelines to follow rather than compulsory rules – Rule of thirds – Simplicity – Angle and perspective – Framing • Questions to ask – What is the purpose of the photo? – How will I guide the viewer s eye? – How will I give or deny the image depth? – What is the story?
Purpose of Photo
Purpose of Photo
Amount of Background
Zoomed in to fill frame
Moved closer to fill frame
Fill the Frame
Fill Frame, Check Background
Person larger and beach visible
Fill the Frame, No Choice (?)
Fill the Frame, No Choice (?)
Focus Properly
Rule of Thirds
Divide the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. This will result in 3 rows and 3 columns. Place the subject at one of the four points where the dividing lines intersect. This means that you have to overcome the natural tendency to place the object of interest in the centre of the frame.
Rule of Thirds - Applied
For more information: http://www.ictpd.net/moodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=489
Works in Portrait as well
Works in Portrait as well
Thirds and Filling the Frame
Thirds and Using Diagonals
Thirds and Using Diagonals
Rule of Thirds - Partial
Horizon can t be lower
Pay close attention to horizons - generally the horizon would be no more than the top third or quarter of the frame unless the sky is the main subject. Position the horizon on one of the horizontal lines.
Rule of Thirds - Applied
Rule of Thirds - Broken
Rule of Thirds - Broken
Horizons and the Rule of Thirds
Three other Rules involved here • Leading space for motion • Symmetry • Silhouette
Avoid Clutter or Distractions
Images from
http://www.ictpd.net/moodle/course/view.php?id=13
Avoid Clutter or Distractions
Images from http://www.ictpd.net
Cut offs • Avoiding cutting out parts or wholes of people or main subjects
Repetition
Repetition
Subject in Motion • Provide leading space for motion • Give the subject somewhere to go • Avoide cutting out the path of a moving object
Subject in Motion
Subject in Motion – Breaking the Rule
Subject in Motion – Breaking the Rule
Balance / Symmetry
Lights and Shadows
Creating Depth Background
Middleground
Foreground
Depth and Interest
Depth and Interest
Watch Out for Merging
Images from http://www.ictpd.net
Watch Out for Merging
Look into Photo (at camera)
Images from http://www.ictpd.net
Look into Photo – Break the Rule
Depth and Balance/Symmetry
Images from http://www.ictpd.net
S Bends and Crescents
Photograph by one of Australia s most famous photographers – Max Dupain
Max DuPain
Sunbaker
Max DuPain
Bondi
Use Curves
Natural Frames
Natural Frames – Water Puddle
Curves as Natural Frames
Use Curves
And Lines into Corners
Angles to Draw Attention
Angles to Draw Attention
Perspective – From top
Perspective – Street Level
Perspective – Lying on Back
Images from http://www.ictpd.net
Camera Orientation Portrait Orientation
Camera Orientation Landscape Orientation
Camera Orientation Flexible Orientation
Leading the Eye
Leading Lines
Use Lines
Use Lines
Use Lines
Festival of Colors
Festival of Colors
Festival of Colors
Focus on the Eyes
Focus on the Eyes •  This applies to animals and inanimate objects
Silhouettes
Silhouettes
Silhouettes • Taken out with help of flash/additional lights
Rules are made to be broken
"The so-called rules of photographic composition are, in my opinion, invalid, irrelevant and immaterial"
Ansel Adams
What We ll Cover •
KYC: Know Your Camera
•
Avoid the Shake
•
Composition
•
Exposure
•
Metering / Scene Modes
•
Other Considerations
Exposure • Definition EXPOSURE is the TOTAL AMOUNT OF LIGHT used to render an image on a light sensitive medium (such as film, paper, or digital imaging chip). during the process of taking a photograph
OVER EXPOSURE means too much light was used UNDER EXPOSURE means too little light was used.
Exposure UNDER Exposed
PROPERLY Exposed OVER Exposed
Instructor: David King
dking@sdccd.edu
Exposure • Major factors affecting exposure 1. Duration of Light: Shutter Speed 2. Intensity of Light: Aperture 3. Sensitivity of Film: ISO setting • Good News All of these factors can be controlled. The settings to be used depends of the effects one desires
Exposure Same proper exposure, different settings, different effects
Exposure Shutter Speed • Shutter speed is the length of time the shutter is open • Measured in seconds (or s ) • Standard speeds are 1s, 1/2s, 1/4s, 1/8s, 1/15s, 1/30s, 1/60s, 1/125s, 1/250s, 1/500s, 1/1000s, 1/2000s • Many camera models today feature speeds as slow as 30s and/or as fast as 1/1400s • Rule is that each successive setting/speed results in doubling or halving of total light received by the camera
Exposure Shutter Speed • Very short shutter speeds are used to freeze fast-moving subjects.
Exposure Shutter Speed • Very, very short shutter speed
Exposure Shutter Speed •  Very long shutter speeds are used to intentionally blur a moving subject for artistic effect.
Exposure Shutter Speed • Long shutter duration
Exposure Aperture (F-Stop) • Aperture is the size of the opening between the lens and the shutter that lets lights onto the sensor • Expressed as f/__ • Standard values are 1, 1.4, 2.0, 2.8, 4.0, 5.6, 8.0, 11, 16, 22, 32 • Rule is that each successive Aperture setting results in doubling or halving of total light received by the camera
Exposure Aperture (F-Stop) •  Different compact cameras have different ranges of aperture settings Sample lens Widest aperture: f/1.8
Narrowest aperture: f/22 (?)
Exposure Aperture (F-Stop) The highest f/stop (means smallest aperture) lets in least amount of light The lowest f/stop (means widest aperture) lets in most amount of light
Exposure DEPTH OF FIELD or DOF: • It is the area in front of and behind the subject (or point of critical focus/the focal distance) that appears to be in focus in the photograph.
Exposure Aperture (F-Stop) and DOF High f-stop = very deep DOF f/8.0
Exposure Aperture (F-Stop) Low f-stop = very shallow DOF f/1.8
Exposure
f4
f22
Exposure Aperture and Shutter Speed: Inversely Related The smaller the aperture the slower the shutter speed and vice versa.
Exposure
Exposure ISO (Int l. Standards Organization) Rating/Setting • Defines the Light-Sensitivity of the medium • Light-sensitive media are rated in ISO numbers. • Standard ISO numbers 6, 12 , 25 , 50 , 100 , 200 , 400 , 800 , 1600 , 3200 • Rule is that each successive ISO setting results in doubling or halving of total light received by the camera
Exposure ISO (Int l. Standards Organization) Rating/Setting •  Effect on Exposure: The higher the number the more sensitive the medium (the less light it will require for a proper exposure) Higher ISO = Higher shutter speed or smaller aperture, or combination of both
Exposure ISO (Int l. Standards Organization) Rating/Setting •  Effect on Exposure:
100 Digression: Let s do the math to check if Exposure is the same
400
Exposure ISO (Int l. Standards Organization) Rating/Setting •  Effect on picture quality: The higher the ISO, the more grainy or noisy the photo
Exposure: Summary Total Light
Exposure
Elements
Controls
Settings
Effect
Sensitivity
ISO
ISO
Grain/Noise
Duration
Shutter
Shutter Speed
Motion
Intensity
Aperture
f-stop
Depth of Field
What We ll Cover •
KYC: Know Your Camera
•
Avoid the Shake
•
Composition
•
Exposure
•
Metering / Scene Modes
•
Other Considerations
Metering – Exposure Controls Your digital camera comes with a number of creative ! controls. These automatic features may include the ! following: !
Auto exposure - Automatic modes Semi-Automatic modes - Shutter Priority (TV Mode) - Aperture Priority (AV Mode) Manual Mode
Metering – Exposure Controls Automatic Modes When using a fully automatic mode, you simply depress the shutter-release button and the camera selects all settings depending on the type of lighting and brightness of a scene. The camera focuses automatically and, when light is low or insufficient, automatically fires the flash. Digital cameras with Program AE mode set the shutter speed and aperture automatically however the user can adjust some settings such as ISO and white balance.!
Metering – Exposure Controls Semi-Automatic Modes: Shutter Priority (TV) You choose the shutter speed (controlling motion), and the camera selects the best matching aperture for best results. Aperture Priority (AV) You choose the aperture (controlling depth of field), and the camera sets the best matching shutter speed for desirable exposure results
Metering – Exposure Controls Manual Mode You have complete control by selecting both the shutter speed and the aperture. Digital cameras with manual modes have a manual assist indicator, or other means, which indicates whether or not the exposure is adequate.!
Exposure – Metering Systems Metering Systems A digital camera uses built-in light meters to measure the light reflecting off the subject. There are several different ways in which the camera s metering mechanism calculates exposure. The metering mode you choose will depend on the particular shot you are taking. !
Exposure – Metering Systems Matrix Metering – works by dividing the frame into a grid or matrix. Then it analyzes light at different points on the grid and chooses an exposure that best captures both the dark and light sections of the scene. Center-Weighted Metering – measures light throughout the scene but gives greater importance (weight) to the center quarter of the image area, assuming that that is where the primary subject is located.!
Exposure – Metering Systems Bottom-Weighted Metering – measures light throughout the scene but gives greater importance to the bottom of the image area. Spot Metering – measures the light only at the center of the image. If your background is much brighter that your subject, such as in a backlit situation, spot metering will provide satisfying results. !
Exposure – Metering Systems Scene Modes Lets you choose from a variety of pre-programmed modes suitable to photograph a given subject, e.g. • Portrait • Pandscape • Close-up or macro • Sports • Night shots.
What We ll Cover •
KYC: Know Your Camera
•
Avoid the Shake
•
Composition
•
Exposure
•
Metering / Scene Modes
•
Other Considerations
White Balance • White Balancing sets the Color Temperature for the sensor • Ensure that color cast is neutral (white elements appear white)
White Balance • To be color balanced means the color temperature of the light source and of the medium (film or chip) are the same. • Digital Cameras have several white balance settings
Sharpening •  Sharpening controls how the chip will record the edges and lines in the scene.
Sharpening • For most cameras start out with a setting of 0 (Zero) or No Sharpening • For Canon cameras start out with a setting of +1. Nikon cameras ca with zero sharpening • NOTE: – Do not adjust the Sharpening setting if the photo looks fuzzy or too sharp in the camera s LCD – Adjust the sharpening only if the photo looks fuzzy or too sharp when viewed on a computer screen (ensure that the computer screen is sharp, to begin with)
Resolution / Quality / Size • Most DSLRs allow you to save in at least two file formats and several resolutions. – JPEG • Basic (Most compression, smallest file) • Normal (Medium compression) • Fine (Least compression, larger file) – TIFF (Uncompressed, largest file) – RAW (Mostly unprocessed file) • What to choose – Personally, RAW is first choice. JPEG FINE comes next
Resolution / Quality / Size • Most DSLRs and some compact digital cameras allow you to save in at least two file formats and several resolutions. – Full Size (Full pixel dimension) – 1 or 2 smaller sizes • Some offer more than one Resolution or Compression ratio – High or Low Quality (Resolution) – Icons are sometimes used
Contrast • Contrast setting controls how the chip will record the range of tones in the scene • You must experiment with your own camera to find the best setting.
Contrast • However, you can start out with a setting of -1 to create a file with the most data to edit • I set mine to zero
Saturation •  The Saturation setting controls how much color the chip will record in the scene
Saturation • You will need to experiment with your own camera to find the best setting. However… • Start out with a setting of 0 (Zero) and then you can adjust to taste. • NOTE: – Do not adjust the Saturation setting if the photo looks off in the camera s LCD – Adjust the saturation only if the photo looks fuzzy or too sharp when viewed on a computer screen (ensure that the computer screen is calibrated, to begin with)
Saturation • You will need to experiment with your own camera to find the best setting. However… • Start out with a setting of 0 (Zero) and then you can adjust to taste. • NOTE: – Do not adjust the Saturation setting if the photo looks off in the camera s LCD – Adjust the saturation only if the photo looks fuzzy or too sharp when viewed on a computer screen (ensure that the computer screen is calibrated, to begin with)
What We ll Cover •
Practicum
•
C&C Critiques and Comments
Practicum • • • •
Do the Boac Photowalk Come back in 2 hours Load photos on laptop Juding (?)