photography presentation

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS & TRICKSValencia Community College

Learning Day 2010

How it all started...

Capturing moments I never wanted to

forget has always been one of

my biggest motivations.

Everyone began to nudge meto do more photography.

photographing babies.It didn’t take long before I realized I loved

You really don’t need a degree —to take great photos.

Need more proof?

Meet Hope.When this photo was

taken she was only

7 years old.

I took.Here’s a photo

my 7 year old took.Here’s a photo

And you really don’t need a fancy camerato take great photos.

Point & Shoot CameraHope takes pretty awesome photos with a

Point & Shoot CameraIn fact, she’s quickly becoming my competition with that

Ultimately, you are the one who determines

how great your photos become.

Take a guess at the one factor that influences my work most.

Light controls

everything.

Taking photos towards your light source

Will lead to silhouettes.

If you care about your pictures

flash on your camera.Do NOT use the default

Unless you want everyone to look like a

Possessed Unabomber.

Mastering light has been one of my

Biggest challenges.

Find a light source

Off Camera

Don’t let the light

control you.

My photography uses mostly

natural light.

Trust me, It’s not always

as easy as it looks.

The most frustrating part...

Light changes all day.

The best times to take photos are in the hours just after sunrise and before sunset.

Sunrise will leave you with

softer cooler light.

Of course it’s not always easy to

wake up that early to take photos.

This photo was taken around 8am

in the morning.

Sunset will leave you with

softer warmer light.

The hour before sunset is

the golden hour.

Sunset makes your subjects

look like they’ve been

kissed by the sun.

Direct sunlight is the most harsh during the middle of the day.

Sunlight during the day leads to harsh shadows.

But don’t stop taking picturesbecause it’s the middle of the day.

Regardless of what time of day it is,begin to pay attention to the light

and your photos will improve.

When you find amazing light

take advantage of it.

Make sure you’re ready to capture

unplanned moments.

Light can help you create

unforgettable photos.

Direct light creates shadows making some

photos more memorable.

This was taken a few minutes later

when the direct light was gone.

Soft light is amazing

On cloudy days.

How do you know if you’ve found great light?

Great light can be seen

in the eyes.

Avoid making your subjects

look into the light.

If your subject squints a lot try the 1, 2, 3 trick.

Have them look at you once you count to 3.

Sometimes you may have to

Reflect, deflect & diffuse light.

Light near windows and doors provide great light.

Ambient light is usually softer.

No reflector

No reflector With reflector

Depth of field can help bring

your photos to life.

To control depth of field you must understand

how to control your Aperture & f-stop

The smaller f-stop size allows more light to enter the camera.

The smaller the f-stop number

opens your aperture up to allow in more light.

Source: Digital Camera Tutorial: Aperture & Depth of field - Trusted Reviewshttp://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2006/08/17/Digital-Camera-Tutorial-Aperture-Depth-of-Field/p1

The smaller the f-stop number the larger your aperture and

the smaller your depth of field.

The smaller your f-stop number focuses on a smaller amount in your photo.The larger your f-stop number leaves more of your photo in focus.

Aperture is controlled by your camera settings

Most Digital SLR’s allow aperture control.Source images: Ken Rockwell, http://www.kenrockwell.com

Aperture is also controlled by your lens.

Yes, photography can become an expensive hobby.Source images: Ken Rockwell, http://www.kenrockwell.com

When you can control your depth of field and focal point

You can focus on what you want.

In time you’ll see how depth of field can give

Your photos new meaning.

“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.”—John Swift

Take photos from more than

one perspective.

Don’t be afraid to

get closer.

Help people appreciate what

most cannot see.

Investing in a macro lens will help

you capture the little things.

You can’t get this close

without a macro lens.

Want to know how you get better at photography?

You take

lots of photos.

And you keep taking

lots of photos.

It’s better to take too many photos than to miss capturing moments.

And before you know it your photos will improve.

It may take hundreds of photos before you realize

the most memorable moments can’t be staged.

You don’t plan

for moments like this.

The best moments aren’t staged.

They just happen.

Shoot fast & often because moments

can’t be recreated.

Yes, sometimes the best moments...

They just happen.

And what do you do when your subjects

just won’t cooperate?

Yes, you

keep taking pictures!

But sometimes giving them time & space

leads to better pictures.

Candid moments usually make

the best pictures.

No matter what age they are...

It helps to let them be themselves.

And whatever you do, please...

stop saying cheese.

Need a little advice on what camera to buy?

If you’re looking for

point & shoot camera

• Megapixels - 8-12• Optical zoom (not digital zoom)• Video can be handy• Image stabilization• Camera size • Display screen size

If you’re looking for

Digital SLR Camera

• Megapixels - 10+• Can you change lenses?• Video can be handy• Live view• Camera size • Display screen size• FX (full frame) vs. DX• ISO capabilities

At 20 cents a print that amount to $8,000 in photos!

40,000The approximate number of photos I took this past year.

I usually take several hundred photos in session and share only the best photos publicly.

And when you can’t take ONE perfect photo.You rely on photoshop to help you.

Rarely are photos perfect straight

Out of your camera.

Photoshop can help make

a good photo great.

Yes, some situations even

make me want to give up.

With a little patience and help from photoshop

amazing memories are captured.

“You don’t take a photograph, you

make it.”—Ansel Adams

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email: akern@valenciacc.edu

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Questions?