PowerPoint Presentation

PhotographyThe basicsFocusExposureCompositionA. Focus-focused & unfocused areas of a photo-can be somewhat corrected (i.e. sharpening tools on computer to sharpen pixels)-unfocused areas in a photo are not always bad

B. Exposure-amount of light which affects the SD card, film or paper (affected by aperture size and shutter speed)-overexposed or underexposed

C. Composition- arrangement of elements within a photograph- you need this to create a photograph rather than a snapshot

Photographic tips:Obvious but important pointers to taking good photos!Choose a Centre of Interest!Identify the Centre of Interest in your Photograph- ask yourself, What is the most important part of my composition?

Keep it simple!Less is More attractiveCentre of Interest becomes more clearly defined Consider shooting a series of photos rather than fitting everything into a single photo

Get Closer!Move Closer to the Subject MatterMinimizes any unnecessary negative spaceEliminates any possible distracting background

Turn your camera!Horizontal view (also known as landscape view)Vertical view (also known as portrait view)

Posed or Candid!Posed: subject is aware of photo being takenCandid: unposed subject, going about his/her activity without being interrupted, not looking at photographerCan create different moods within your composition.

Compositional StrategiesCOMPOSITIONAL STRATEGIES:POINT OF VIEW:Birds Eye ViewWorms Eye ViewExtreme Close-Up

LIGHTING:Front LightingBack LightingSide Lighting

COMPOSITION:Overlapping SubjectLeading LinesNatural BorderSelective FocusingRule of Thirds / Spiral CompositionRepetitive Patterns (Regular or Irregular)

Point of view:How do you frame your subject in the photo?1. Birds Eye ViewPhoto is taken from ABOVE the subject (looking down)

2. Worms Eye ViewPhoto is taken from BELOW the subject (looking up)

3. Extreme Close-UpGet close to your subject and dont be afraid to crop (cut out parts of your subject).Eliminate unnecessary distraction.

Lighting:How do you shed light on your subject?Flash or no Flash?In most cases, a cameras flash can only travel 1 metre Consider the distance of the COI in relation to your camera in order for the flash to be effectiveConsider other ways of lighting up a sceneConsider the various options you have when using a flashLighting can create a mood within your photoA4. Front LightingLight source is behind the photographer & shining directly on the subjectGives your subject a flat appearance eliminating texture

5. Side LightingLight source is coming from the side of your subject Helps define shapes & forms within a photograph

6. Back LightingLighting subject from behind. This creates a silhouette effect.

Composition:How do you arrange things within your photo?7. Overlapping SubjectCreates perspective and depth within composition

8. Leading LinesLeads the viewers eye toward the centre of interest

9. Natural FrameLeads the viewers eye toward the centre of interestNatural frame should not distract from COISimple forms or unfocused objects work best

10. Selective FocusingUnfocused areas within a Photograph can be a good thing to draw attention to the COIUnfocused areas may represent movement/speed within a composition

11. Rule of ThirdsAssists in moving the centre of interest away from the middle of the photographCan create a more interesting composition

11. Spiral CompositionAssists in moving the centre of interest away from the middle of the photographCan create a more interesting composition

12. Regular PatternsSuch as rectangles, squares & triangles lend to the composition since they interact with the rectangular photo frameCan also be used as natural border

12. Irregular PatternsIf pattern & repetition is obvious within the composition, photographers can use them to draw attention to Centre of Interest

Some final pointers

ANYTHING can be photographed to create a good or bad photo.

The Centre of Interest DOES NOT need to be in the centre of the photograph.

Subject matter in your photo is LESS IMPORTANT than the composition you create.

Watch for good photographic opportunities in the most unlikely places.