DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Anything written or drawn in red should be included in your notes.

In this lesson:

GENERAL TIPS

COMPOSITION• Rule of 3rds• Angle• Tilt• Balance Values• Get Closer• Backgrounds

Photo BasicsBefore we add new challenges to this week’sphoto safari, let’s review a few basics abouttaking pictures…

2) Hold still to get the clearest pictures.

4) Don’t get too close. All cameras are different, but they all have a minimum distance required to focus clearly.

3) Grip camera firmly. This will also eliminate camera shake and blur.

1) Never touch the lens. Only clean lenses with special cloth or tissue. Oils from your hands and clothing can scar the glass and make pictures blurry.

Today we will explore COMPOSITION!

DEFINITION: Composition is the arrangement of objects within the picture.

All images have composition, because they have arrangements. Some compositions are much more interesting than others.

Composition is different than format. Format refers to a portrait or landscape or square image.

Composition: Rule of 3rds (Ro3’s)

Composing your shot in Ro3’s can:

•Add aesthetic flow•Add visual interest•Tell a story•Add asymmetrical tension

Central composition

Rule of 3rds composition

Composition: Angle

Find a unique angle. This means look at something in a different way.

Crouching lower than this bride made a huge impact on the image.

Shoot from above – bird’s eye view

Shoot from below – worm’s eye view

Each of these pictures required a unique angle.

Composition: TiltTilting the camera is an easy way to add interest to an image.

Composition: Balance ValuesCompose your images so that the darks are equal to the lights.

An image that is mostly too dark or too light can be confusing. This unbalanced effect must be used carefully to be successful.

This rule applies to color and black & white photography.

Composition: Get Closer

Get as close as possible without being rude or out of focus.

Getting closer makes details more interesting.

Helps crop out extra information that is distracting.

Composition: Get Closer

Composition: Backgrounds

A good background can add depth to an image.

Beware of tangents. Tangents are lines that touch the edge of object.

A poor background can detract from an image.

Geometry tangent

Composition: Backgrounds

Photography tangent:Tree branch coming out of the man’s head.

Intentional “forced perspective” can create comical results.

Composition: Backgrounds

Avoid backgrounds that are distracting or cluttered.

OK, those are some basics that will help when taking photographs.

Your Photo Assignment for Project 11 is to make a copy of this slideshow into your Documents folder and name the file “Project6LastName12.13.12”

Then replace all the images in this slideshow with your own photographs. You need to include examples for:

Rule of 3rdsAngleTiltBalance ValuesGet CloserBackgrounds (non-distracting, and forced perspective)

Keep this original slideshow and refer to it when you have questions.

The End