An Introduction to (Digital) Photography Introduction To Digital... · 3) Introduction to some...

photogenics*

An Introduction to (Digital) Photography

A brief workshop for everyone interested in taking better photos

photogenics* An Introduction to (Digital) Photography

Workshop Agenda1) Short discussion:

a) What’s makes a good photograph?

b) Why do you take pictures?

c) What is your ambition?

2) Mini field trip 1:

a) Take 15 minutes and go take one or more photos in the neighborhood

b) Back in the studio, quick show & tell + feedback round based on what we found in 1a

3) Introduction to some basic photographic concepts

a) Composition / framing

b) Lighting

c) Color / Contrast

d) Content

4) Mini field trip 2 / break:

a) Do same as 2a.

b) While having coffee/tea & snacks, show&tell+ feedback round in light of previous discussions / learnings

5) Introduction to the most relevant technical aspects of photography / cameras / lenses

a) Important differences between the human eye/brain and lenses/cameras and what that means for us as photographers

b) Focal length / field of vision

c) Depth of field / aperture

d) Exposure times / motion

6) Closure / Q&A / potential next steps

2

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Composition / FramingLeaving out what’s unnecessary

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3a – Composition / Framing

• Painting is about putting what’s necessary into the frame – photography is about leaving out what’s unnecessary

• Literally focus on what’s most important – and only on that. And what’s most important isn’t necessarily in the middle of the frame

• Try to find the angle that will bring all the important elements of the scene into to best constellation within the frame

• Think about how much “real estate” each element deserves

• Consider harmony/symmetry/balance vs. dynamics/asymmetry/tension

• Make a conscious decision between portrait and landscape format

• Take a test shot and look at it as if it were an abstract painting (squinting your eyes may help)

4


Composition /Focus

f/5.61/800 sec.ISO 200300 mm

photogenics*

LightingThe most important “material” for a photographer is light

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3b – Lighting

• Direct/”hard” vs. indirect/ambient/”soft” light: One size does not fit all

• Light angle: Consciously choose what suits your subject best

• Dynamic range: Know the limits of your camera

• Light metering / exposure compensation: (Sometimes) your camera does not know what’s best

• ISO: Trading sensitivity for detail

• Histograms and what to do with them

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photogenics* An Introduction to (Digital) Photography 8

DirectLight

f/101/160 sec.ISO 20050 mm

photogenics*

Color vs. Black & White…and everything in-between

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Color

f/6.31/200 sec.ISO 200160 mm


B&W

f/81/60 sec.ISO 20020 mm

photogenics*

ContrastSetting tone and mood

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Contrast

f/5.61/250 sec.ISO 8080 mm


Contrast

f/111/320 sec.ISO 10070 mm


5b – Focal length / field of vision

• Small focal length / wide angle lenses (0 – 35 mm)• have a wide field of vision• create dynamic perspectives• distort perspective• have a large depth of field• let in more light• are more immune to “shake” / motion blur

• Long / tele lenses (>135 mm)• have a narrow field of vision• “flatten” space• straighten out angles• let in less light• are prone to induce “shake” / motion blur

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Camera Field ofView

24 mm

50 mm

80 mm

135 mm

200 mm

400 mm

Note: The relationship between focal length and field of view is specific to the size of the sensor (or film). The examples here correspond to full frame sensors (or 35mm film).

photogenics*

Depth of FieldA key ingredient of photographic creativity

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Depth of Field

f/5.61/40 sec.ISO 100160 mm

f/81/20 sec.ISO 100160 mm

f/131/8 sec.ISO 100160 mm

f/201/3 sec.ISO 100160 mm

f/251/2 sec.ISO 100160 mm


Depth ofField

f/101/125 sec.ISO 20020 mm

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