Creating your own photo shoot

4 key elements

Compose & shoot

Due: Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Lesson objectives

• All learners will learn how to create their own photograph

• ALL learners will learn about lighting, composition, creative framing and angled

• ALL will have produced a sketch and photograph from materials provided

Creative framing & Macro settingThink about where your objects are placed

within the shot.

Where would you hold your camera?

Framing is the technique of drawing attention to the subject of your image by blocking other parts of the image with something

in the scene.

The benefits of framing pictures include:

1. Giving the photo context (for example framing a scene with an archway can tell you something about the place you are by the architecture of the archway or including some foliage in the foreground of a shot can convey a sense of being out in nature).

2. Giving images a sense of depth and layers (in essence framing a shot generally puts something in the foreground which adds an extra dimension to the shot).

3. Leading the eye towards your main focal point (some ‘frames’ can draw your photo’s viewer into the picture just by their shape). Some also believe that a frame can not only draw the eye into a picture but that it keeps it there longer – giving a barrier between your subject and the outside of the shot.

4. Intriguing your viewer. Sometimes it’s what you can’t see in an image that draws you into it as much as (if not more than) what you can see in the picture. Clever framing that leaves those viewing your image wondering a little or imagining what is behind your frame can be quite effective (get it wrong and it can also be quite annoying!).

Your frame doesn’t need to go completely around the edges of your image – they might just be on one or two edges of your

shot.

Angles & Camera tilt

What angles will you use to take your shot and how will you experiment?

The term camera angle means slightly different things to different people but it always refers to the way a shot is composed. Some people use it to include all camera shot types, others use it to

specifically mean the angle between the camera and the subject. We will concentrate on the literal interpretation of camera angles, that is, the angle of the camera relative to the subject.

Eye-Level

• This is the most common view, being the real-world angle that we are all used to. It shows subjects as we would expect to see them in real life. It is a fairly neutral shot.

High Angle

• A high angle shows the subject from above, i.e. the camera is angled down towards the subject. This has the effect of diminishing the subject, making them appear less powerful, less significant or even submissive.

Low Angle

• This shows the subject from below, giving them the impression of being more powerful or dominant.

Bird's Eye

• The scene is shown from directly above. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial perspective.

• The bird's-eye view is also very useful in sports, documentaries, etc.

Slanted

• Also known as a dutch tilt, this is where the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on an angle. This creates an interesting and dramatic effect. Famous examples include Carol Reed's The Third Man, Orson Welles' Citizen Kane and the Batman series.

• Dutch tilts are also popular in MTV-style video production, where unusual angles and lots of camera movement play a big part.

Composition

How will you set up your shot so that it looks aesthetically pleasing?

Composition in Photography

• First and foremost, “composition” describes placement of relative objects and elements in a work of art. Consequently, composition is a key aspect of a good work of art. There is hardly a way to overemphasize the importance of composition. Any aspiring artist ought to give composition of his work a lot of attention. A good composition is one that has just enough detail. Too few elements is bad because it robs the work of art of necessary detail that makes correct interpretation possible. It also ruins the balance of an image. And too many elements can be very distracting as well. Good composition requires good balance. It is best to make sure all the elements present are necessary for the idea or story you are trying to pass on.

• http://digital-photography-school.com/5-elements-of-composition-in-photography/

• http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules

Lighting

Experiment with lighting, how will you create depth and shadows using either natural or

artificial light

Light is the raw material in photography like paint is for the painter or clay for the potter. If the painter does not understand his paint, the only thing he

could do is just spread some paint on a canvas without knowing what he is doing. I doubt it will be a masterpiece.

Direct light:

• We have direct light when the light comes from the source direct on to the subject without any obstacles. Best example is light coming form the sun on a clear day, or light coming form a light bulb inside without any restrictions.

Indirect light

• We have indirect light when the light either is reflected by another object or surface before it reaches the source, or it is filtered through an obstacle like a a cloud, or a curtain or both.

Hard light

• or harsh or whatever you want to call it. In most of the cases direct light produces shadows, but shadows can be produced by indirect light as well. If there is shadow than we can have contrast. The smaller the light source in comparison with the subject, the clearest the shadow is. Also remember, the stronger the light, the stronger the contrast. In photography strong contrast are to be avoided as they create disturbing images, and create to much detail. This is not always the case as sometimes maybe the shadow is intended.

Soft Light

• We have soft light when the shadows are very soft or non existent. This is a result of the large source of light in comparison with the subject. It may be direct (soft box) or indirect – blanket of clouds over the sky.

http://121clicks.com/tutorials/understanding-light-in-photography

Designing your own shot

Creative framing:

Angles: Lighting:

Composition:

You have the chance to build the perfect shot and you must include the4 elements below for each of your subjects.

Is the arrangement of objects, how will you set up your shot so that

looks aesthetically pleasing?

What angles will you use to take your shot and how will

you experiment?

Using either natural light or artificial light, describe how will you use light to create depth and shadows within

your shot?

Where would you hold your camera and place

your shot?

Subject 1 –Group shoot:

Subject 2 -

Classroom shoot:

Subject 3 –Personal objects:

Subject 4 –Selfie: