PhotoSession 2013.1Introduction to Photography

“You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” ― Ansel Adams

In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more

real than reality.― Alfred Stieglitz

Types of CamerasDo they make any difference?

Point and Shoot• Commonly referred to as

“consumer” digital cameras

• Small, compact and lightweight

• Very user friendly

• Features many auto modes

Prosumers• Advanced models of Point

and Shoots

• Similar in shape and appearance to dSLRs

• Combines user friendly P&S features with more advanced manual features.

Digital SLR• Single Lens Reflex

• Have large sensors, resulting in greater image quality• Tends to favor manual controls• Heavy and large• Ability to interchange system lenses• Bigger Sensor - Larger Pixels

Are they really different?

dSLR• Image Quality – Less

grains due to bigger pixels• Adaptability – Variety of

interchangeable lenses available• Manual Controls• Depth of Field• Shooting in the Dark

Point and Shoot• Grainy pictures due to

smaller pixels• Will have to stick to the lens

you have bought• Lacks manual controls• Poor control over depth of

Field• Difficulty in shooting in the

Dark

Styles of PhotographsThe three basic categories of photographs

Landscape

Landscape is a photograph of the environment.It could be the forest, mountains, oceans, or your backyard.

Portrait

A portrait photograph is a picture of a person or animal that shows an emotional connection.

Documentary

Documentary photography presents facts without changing anything.

Good documentary photographs make you wonder what the story is behind the photograph.

Some Major Genres•Documentary/Documentation, Evidence•Reportage, Photojournalism•Narrative (can use any other genre)• Landscape, Nature• Portrait• Family history and rituals, snapshots• Street photography• Studio and staged photographs•Advertising• Fashion• Fantasy images, Surrealism • Erotica, fetish, porn

Creating a PhotographWhat all does it involve?

Composition

Light

Subject

Focus

Angle

CompositionThe basic rules

Creating the Mood•Overall feel of a picture•Created by

1. Perspective2. Color3. Focus (isolation and distance)4. Weather and light

a) Sunrise/sunsetb) Misty, rainy daysc) Sun vs. overcast

Characteristics of a good photo

•Shape•Line•Pattern•Texture•Size and space

Shape

•Tends to be noticed first, before texture and pattern

•Easiest and most recognizable composition tool

Shape helps create a mood/character for the pictureSearch for the unconventional or surprise shape in objects

Line•Creates Shape, Pattern, Depth, Perspective

•Lines into the horizon show depth andperspective for the viewer

Pattern

Orderly combination of shape, line, or color.Pattern can help echo the character of a photo.

Texture

•Adds realism (sense of touch)•Sharp (hard) light highlights texture•Especially important for close-up and b/w shots•Side lighting highlights texture•Most portraits use front lighting to decrease texture on skin

Size and Space2D pictures distort depth, relative size, and

distances.Include reference item.

Include parts of the fore- or background.Use a frame.

Be creative—maybe you want to distort.

Coming up…•Exposure• Shutter Speed• Aperture•Depth of Field• ISO

•Rule of thirds•Simplicity•Angle and perspective•Framing etc…

THANK YOU