accent photos 101

Camera Basics - Light Path

Light and emulsion (Light sensitive gelatin and silver-halide crystals) or sensor Light Source Object Lens Emulsion or sensor in body

Camera Basics •The Camera Body

•Light Proof Box

•Stores Film or Sensor

•Advances Film / Captures series of images

•Houses lens and shutter

Camera Basics - Body

Camera Basics -Controls

Camera Basics - The ShutterThe shutter is a small sliding door like object that opens and closes to allow exposure for an exact amount of time. Controls time that light hits sensor. Is read according to reciprocal seconds. (2 =

1/2 second) Fast shutter speed (high number) used for

high light and stop action. Slow shutter speed used for low light and still

shots.

Camera Basics - The Shutter

AS A GENERAL RULE, TO AVOID BLURRING,

NEVER SHOOT BELOW “60”.

Camera BasicsThe Lens- Quantity of light The aperture (lens

opening) can be opened or closed to allow enough light to reach the film.

A small aperture (or F-stop) is needed for bright light.

A large aperture is needed for dim light.

The larger the F-stop, the smaller the lens opening

F 1.4

F 2

F 2.8

F 4

F 5.6

F 8

F 11

F 16

F 22

Camera BasicsThe Lens- Depth of Field The distance between the closest and farthest parts

of a picture that are reasonably sharp. Determined by:

aperture size Focus distance Focal length of lens

Camera Basics - ISOControls the sensitivity of the sensor. High ISO = High Numbers (800 +)

Necessary for low light / high action Low ISO = Low Numbers (200 -)

Best for high light situations

Understanding Light

QualityQuantityDirection

Light Quality (Hard vs. Soft)Hard light is caused by direct, intense light hitting the subject It creates distinct shadows and hot

spots While it is often not desired because

it can cause loss of detail and distracting areas that are over or under exposed, when used properly, it can have a dramatic effect.

Good use of hard lighting

Isolating the subject When hard light is

directed at a subject and the camera is set to expose the subject properly, the background and other elements will be underexposed and therefore the composition will be simple

Good use of hard lightingDramatic shadows Shadows can give

your subjects a sense of depth and mystery.

Be careful to not put an important part of your subject in a shadow

Good use of hard lightingDramatic shadows Shadows can give

your subjects a sense of depth and mystery.

Be careful to not put an important part of your subject in a shadow

What Causes Hard Lighting

Direct sunlight On a cloudless day

In the morning, long shadows will be cast from the East

At noon, short shadows will be cast from above

In the afternoon, long shadows will be cast from the West

Strong, direct light from bare bulbs Hard light will travel in a straight line

and fan out from bare bulbsDirect flashes (YUCK)

Light Quality (Hard vs. Soft)Soft Light is created by indirect or diffused light hitting the subject Soft light tends to wrap around a

subject and cause no hard shadows It is often used by photographers to

show the full details of a subject and to achieve good, even exposure

Good use of soft lightingSoft lighting can be found outsideIf it is a cloudy, overcast day, there will be nice soft light everywhereAlso, a photographer can shoot with the entire subject in a large shadow such as one cast by a building

Good use of soft lightingIf indoor lighting is indirect, mounted far enough away, or well diffused, the effect can be a nice soft lighting

Light Quantity (Low and High)

In order to achieve a proper exposure, a camera must be set or set itself to compensate for the level of light entering the lens. Light quantity therefore affects aperture size, shutter speed, and ISO, settings, all of which affect the final look of the image

Low Light Effects – Shutter Speed

Low light often leads to the need for long exposures (slow shutter speed). If there is low light, the shutter has to stay open longer to create a proper exposure.This leads to: Blurred action Light source burn in

Good use of blurPanning - If you are forced to shoot action at a low shutter speed, choose one moving object, and move the camera with the object. When done properly, this will “freeze” the main object while everything else is blurred, leading to an interesting sense of movement.

Good use of burn inHalo effect – If the shutter is open a long time, any light source in the frame will appear to glow or radiate. Properly positioning these lights can actually add to the interest of the photo, or it can destroy it.

Good use of burn inLeading Light Lines – If the shutter is open a long time, any light source in the frame will appear to glow or radiate in streaks. Properly positioning these streaks can lead to a dynamic photo.

Low Light Effects – ApertureLow light often leads to the need for a large aperture (low f-stop). If there is low light, there needs to be a larger opening to let more light in to create a proper exposure. This leads to: Shallow depth of field

Good use of shallow depth of field

Selective focus - A shallow depth of field means that only a very small area in front of the lens will be in focus. As long as you focus is on the right thing, this can actually be an advantage as it greatly simplifies the image.

Low Light Effects – ISOLow light often leads to the need for a high ISO (fast film or digital pickup setting). A high ISO setting means the digital capture chip registers light and creates an image faster than a low ISO. This leads to: Graininess / Noise Loss of detail

Light Direction EffectsLight From Above – Common indoors and during mid-day outdoors. Has “normal lighting” effect.Light from below – Unusual. Has “spooky” effect.Light from side – Common in front of windows, at in early morning and sunset.Can have interesting effects, but watch the shadows.Light from front – Common with flash. Has “deer in headlights” , washed out effect.Light from back – Very common when people stand in front of windows. Leads to silhouette if there is not enough light bouncing off of front.

Back Lighting

While usually avoided because of loss of detail, silhouettes can make a dramatic impact.

Here the photographer metered the glowing video screen properly leading to the person in the foreground being drastically under exposed.

Rim Lighting-Back lighting done right

If the shot is properly metered and there is enough light bouncing off of the subject, light from the back can define the edges

Exposure should be metered very close to the subject and locked before moving away, or shot should be bracketed until right exposure is found. Avoid getting the light source directly in the frame.

Photojournalism Composition

Which of these shots is better and why?A

B

PhotojournalismThe art and technique of telling a story or reporting timely events by use of pictures and words.Not PosedNot StagedMust have human subject or angleFollows composition rules

Basic Composition RulesFill the frame. Close detail of

FACES and HANDS tell a story.

Basic Composition RulesGet candid shots

NO POSED PICTURES NO PICTURES WHERE SUBJECT IS LOOKING AT CAMERA

Basic Composition RulesPeak of Emotion / Action

Capture thoughts and emotions.