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Digital PhotographySession #2Summer Workshop 2013Rose Memorial LibraryStony Point NYSlide 1Bill Greenlee & Pam Grafstein1Agenda Session #2Follow-up questions from Session #1Review of Session #1 HW assignmentUsing the Histogram to Get the Correct ExposurePop-up Camera Flash Promise and PitfallsUnderstanding red-eyeBenefits of a Dedicated Flash UnitBasic Flash TipsBreak (10 min)Qualities of LightHow Handle Different Shooting SituationsIndoor vs. OutdoorNatureLandscape/ArchitectureMacro/Close-upPortraitsAction/SportsNight PhotographySpecial EffectsHandoutsHow Handle Different Shooting Situations

Q& A SessionSlide 2

Elements of a High Quality ImageImpact Initial reaction, emotional responseCreativity Obvious contribution of maker to image message/thought Style Signature elements of image characteristic of makers visionComposition Placement and relationship of visual elements in imagePresentation Vehicle or environment chosen to display imageCenter of Interest Point or points in image which attract viewers eyeLighting Makers use of natural or artificial to enhance imageSubject Matter Foundation for the visual story being toldColor Balance Harmony of color/tonality to effectively support imageTechnical Excellence Makers skill/knowledge of equipment, environmentTechnique Collective approach creating the final image Story Telling Ability to strongly evoke viewers imagination or associationThe HistogramThe range of brightness that can be recognized by a camera is divided into 256 levels from 0, which represents absolute black, to 255, which represents absolute white.

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Image: The Luminous Landscape, Understanding Histograms

The HistogramThe information contained in the histogram is a visual representation of the brightness levels (tonal values) recorded in an image

Image: Cambridge in Colour, Camera Histograms: Tones and Contrast

The Histogram is your Friend!A histogram is a great tool for determining if any areas of a photograph are overexposed (blown out ) or underexposed.Any part of the histogram up against the edge indicates that clipping has occurred, or that some of the detail has been lost. Histogram indicating overexposure Histogram indicating underexposure

Image: Michael Fulks, The Histogram Image: My Photography Lesson, Exposure HistogramHistogram Exampleswww.cleanimages.com Article-Understanding Your Digital Cameras Histogram

More Histogram Examples gavtrain.blogspot.com Quick Guide to reading a histogram

Using a Histogram While ShootingUnderexposure(histogram is clipped on the left)

Overexposure(histogram is clipped on the right)

To increase light:Decrease shutter speedIncrease aperture (use lower f-stop)Use higher ISOUse flashTo decrease light:Increase shutter speedReduce aperture, or (use a higher f-stop)Use lower ISOUsing a Histogram While ShootingIf you plan to do post-processing:

Shoot to the right get your histogram as close to the right without clippingBright areas contain more information than shadowsDetail can be recovered from shadow areas, but in blown-out bright areas, the detail is lost forever.Pop-up Camera FlashPromises

Increases amount of light to allow faster shutter speed

Fill flash can be used to preserve details in shadow areas, eliminating clipping on the left of your histogram.

Pitfalls

Output is small only effective for 10-15 feetFixed position directs light squarely at subject, so there is no control over where shadows will appearClose proximity of the flash and lens can cause red-eye

Understanding Red-eye"Red eye" happens when the flash is too close to the camera lens. The light from the flash reflects off of the vascular choroid, which lies behind and nourishes the retina.Adapted from stsite.com STsite's Guide to Still Photography Camera

Retina ChoroidFlash goes directly into the pupilAngle is too small Benefits of a Dedicated Flash UnitMore powerful = greater rangeFlash unit is further away from the lens, decreasing the likelihood of red-eyeFlash can be tilted, rotated or held away from the camera to change the direction of its effect

Basic Flash TipsShoot shiny surfaces at an angle to avoid reflection of flash

Flash straight-onFlash at an angle to glassPGPGBasic Flash TipsDiffuse with paper or cloth (waxed paper works well!) to reduce the harshness of flash

Use a black background, or move subject away from background to eliminate unflattering rear shadowsBreak LIGHTWhy quality is just as important as quantity!Qualities of LightQuantity (as controlled by ISO, aperture, shutter speed)Intensity (use a diffuser to soften light)Color temperatureAngle/DirectionColor TemperatureEach light source has its own individual color, or color temperature, which varies from red to blue.

Photography Essentials White Balance and Color Temperature

Angle/DirectionTime of day s important! Early morning and late afternoon are best!Avoid the harsh shadows created by overhead midday sunlight.Sunlight coming in at a lower angle has a warmer color (blues get filtered out). Magic or GoldenUse creatively:SilhouettesBacklighting

How to Handle Different Shooting SituationsIndoor vs. OutdoorNatureLandscape/ArchitectureMacro/Close-upPortraitsAction/SportsNight PhotographySpecial EffectsOutdoor vs. Indoor ShootingConsider the angle/direction of lightSunlight, tungsten and fluorescent lighting all have different color temperatures set camera white balance accordingly.

SunlightIncandescent

Images: WIRED Howto WikiNature PhotographySubject should be captivating color, pattern, a storyMake sure the eyes of animals are in focusGet down to the level of your subject.Blur the background to remove distractionUse a large aperture (for shallow depth of field) or make sure background is not closeBe patient, and dont be afraid to get dirty!

Nature PhotographyPatternKeep those eyes sharp!A story

Landscape/Cityscape PhotographyUse smaller aperture to increase depth of fieldMake sure there is a point of interest--use lines/patterns to your advantageClouds add interest to the sky above a landscape/cityscape (Use a polarizer to make the sky bluer so your clouds pop.)Include some foreground to anchor your imageThe horizon should be horizontal, and most buildings should be vertically straightLandscape Photography

Clouds add interest to the skyLines/patterns can create a center of interestLandscape Photography

Include some foreground to add dimension, and anchor your imageCityscape Photography

Macro/Close-up PhotographyPosition your camera so the subject is parallel to the focal plane/sensor.A small aperture will provide the maximum depth of field.Use a macro lens for true 1:1 ratio of subject size to its size represented on the sensor.Use a tripod!Macro/Close-up Photography

Small aperture for maximum depth of field

PortraitsUse fill flash to soften shadows under eyes, nose, etc.Eyes need to be in focus!Be careful to focus on your subject(s) and not just the backgroundEngage your subject to make a connection.PortraitsNo flashWith fill flashImage: wikipedia

Portraits

This is where your camera wants to focus.This is where you want the focus to be.

Use your focus lock (press the shutter button down halfway) to focus on your subject, then recompose and shoot!For autofocus users:Action/Sports PhotographyUse a fast shutter speed and/or flash to freeze action

Use a slower shutter speed and use panning to get a sharp subject, but pleasingly blurred background

Anticipate where the action will be, and choose your location accordingly

Action/Sports Photography

PanningFreeze ActionImage: wikipediaNight PhotographyStabilize your camera use a tripod or any available supports (tables, rocks, columns, etc.)Long exposure time is necessary to capture enough light Use high ISO (be aware of noise)Use slow shutter speed for trailing lights effect

Night Photography

Slow shutter speedSpecial EffectsZoom during exposure to create the illusion of movement.

Use slow shutter speed for creative blur

Intentionally shake the camera during exposure for interesting effectsSpecial Effects

Image:wikipediaZoom EffectIntentional Camera Shake

Image:wikipediaCreditsGraphics and Text Not CreditedBill Greenlee RPCPam Grafstein RPCMicrosoft Clip Art (Public Domain)

Other Graphics Marked as Wikipedia.comPeter Grafstein Image: WikipediaPG