Prepared by;Orquia, Dion B.Narvaez, Engel A.Santos, Mark Lewis A.Toribio, Glene S.Addad, Alkhalid W.

What is Photography?

• Photography is the art and science of capturing the image of a certain event in time by means of the action of light. • The process is done through mechanical, chemical, or digital devices known as cameras.

• Photography is derived from Greek words photos which means “light” and graphein which means “to draw”

A digital camera contains hundreds of parts but it is important to understand the most essential parts of the camera that you will have to deal with as you explore its features.

Basic Parts of a Camera

Body – made up of high grade plastic or metal. It holds all the other parts together and provides protection to the delicate internal parts of a camera.

Lens assembly – consists of several layers of lenses of varying properties which allows for zoom, the ability of a camera to magnify or demagnify an image to a certain range.

• The lenses also permit focusing and correcting distortion.

Focusing – is a process at which the camera lenses are moved until the subject becomes clear and very sharp.

Mode dial – this part contains several symbols which allow you to select a shooting mode, automatic or manual, or a choice between one of the predefined settings.

Mode dial

Flash mount

Shutter release button

Flash

Body

Lens assembly

Aperture ring

Focusing ring

Flash mount (hot-shoe) – this is the standard holder with contact plates for optional flash accessory.

Shutter release button – this is the “trigger” or the camera which initiates the image capturing process.

Flash – this part is usually built-in on the body of the camera. It provides an instantaneous burst of bright light to illuminate a poorly lit scene.

Aperture ring – this part is found around the old manual lens of SLR camera which functions as a way to select an aperture opening.

Focusing ring – this also found around the lens of DSLR camera. This is turned manually to focus the lens.

Mode dial

Flash mount

Shutter release button

Flash

Body

Lens assembly

Aperture ring

Focusing ring

APERTURE An aperture of the camera is a hole or an opening

through which light is admitted.

Viewfinder – this is a small viewing window that shows the image that the camera’s imaging sensor sees.

LCD display – this is the small screen at the back of the camera used for framing or for reviewing recorded images.

Control buttons – this comprises a set of directional keys and a few other buttons to activate certain functions and menus. This is used to let the users interact with the camera’s computer system.

Zoom control – this is usually marked with W (wide) and T (tele). This part allows the user to control the camera’s lenses to zoom-out. For DSLR cameras, the zoom is usually controlled by a zoom ring in the lens.

Viewfinder

LCD display

Control buttons

Zoom control

Power switch – this part turns on or off the camera. This may also contain a record/play mode selector on some cameras.

Battery compartment – this part holds the batteries. The size and shape of battery compartment differ in every camera model.

Memory card slot – this is where expansion memory cards are inserted. The proper position of the card is often indicated. A mechanical catch usually holds the card in place and a spring helps it eject.

Tripod mount – this part allows the user to attach or monopod for added stability.

Battery compartment

Memory card slot

Tripod mount

Diopter adjuster

Diopter adjuster – this part is usually available in mid to high end sub-compact cameras and DSLRs. This is located beside the viewfinder. This varies the focal length of the lens in the viewfinder in order for people wearing eyeglasses see clearly through it even without the eyeglasses.

Elements of a Good Photograph by Jan DeVille

CompositionComposing a good photograph can be accomplished by

clearing your mind and viewing the image as a whole.• Focus on the entire scene as opposed to the main

subject• Taking moment to breathe, pause and evaluate the

details in the photograph

Rule of Thirds• It is one of the first things taught in any photography

program.• To employ the rule of thirds in your photography, mentally

divide up your frame into three distinct vertical sections and three distinct horizontal sections. Then when composing your photograph, keep the action and important figures confined to where those sections overlap.

Example:Lake landscape – the sky in the upper third, the tree in

the middle third and the water in the lower third.• The Rule of Thirds divides up the landscape and framing the

road leads the eye to the mountains.

Framing

Framing is used to draw your viewer’s eye to the subject

of the photograph. It can also be used to take natural

elements to frame your subject.

• Be careful not to let the frame overpower the photograph or

detract from your subject.

Lighting

• Lighting can make or break a photograph.

• The sun can be your best friend when shooting

outdoors.

• Indoors, things become a bit trickier

• Using natural light is preferable

Exposure• Proper exposure is vital for creating a good photograph• Overexposure photos have their white areas blown out, which washes out the

picture• Underexposure photographs can be very dark• Most modern cameras have a built-in exposure meter, and even point-and-

shoot cameras will usually set your exposure automatically once you focused on your subject.

Example:Silhouette photograph – a picture of something showing it as a dark shape on a light background.• You may have to expose for the sunlight behind your subject as opposed to

any light on the subject itself, and then lock in your exposure before setting your focus.

Over Exposed

Correct Exposure

Under Exposure

Storytelling

Andrew Hudsun say, “A photograph is a message”. It conveys a statement, an impression, or an emotion.

Arlene Miles added that good photographs convey a mood or sense of a moment in time.

Bob Krist calls it “the spirit of place”. You are an artist that can use subtle tricks to appeal to your viewer’s senses.

Graphic Interest

Stanley Leary expresses that our photos need to be technically correct, that’s understood, just a musician is expected to at least play the right notes.• If the photo doesn’t draw the viewer in and move them in

some way, it’s like listening to a machine perform Chopin.•What we choose to include or exclude makes up the

graphical elements that can catch the viewer’s attention.

Basic Camera Shots

1. Close-up shot - This shot concentrates on either the face or a specific detail of an object.

2. Extreme close-up shot – This is much tighter close-up shot in which you get detail greater than the human eye would experience in reality.• An extreme close-up of a face• Show only the mouth or eyes with no background detail• Very artificial shot, and can be used for dramatic effect

3. Eye-level shot – The camera is positioned on a level with the focus. This is considered a fairly neutral shot.

4. Bird’s eye view – this shows a scene from directly overhead, a very unnatural and strange shot.• Familiar objects viewed from this shot might seem totally unrecognizable at

first (e.g., umbrella in a crowd, dancer’s legs).• Looking down on the action

5. High angle shot – the camera is elevated above the action or setting to give a general overview.

6. Low angle shot – this shot increases height and gives a sense of speeded motion. Common backgrounds of a low angle shot are sky, ceiling, among others.

7. Oblique or canted shot – the camera is tilted to suggest imbalance, transition, and instability. “Free play” of shots.

Basic Photography Rules

1. Get a steady hand on the camera. Avoid shaking your

camera so that pictures may not come out blurred. If

you really can’t avoid these, it would better to use a

tripod or inserting your elbows to your sides so that

you get a stable grip.

2. Choose a pleasing backdrop, preferably something that suits

the atmosphere you want to create.

For more serious photographs, a subtle backdrop that is

not too distracting is best.

3. Avoid direct sunlight when shooting outdoors. If using the

sun as a source of natural light, make sure it is behind the

photographer.

In addition, when shooting outdoors during bright, sunny

days, it would be best to use a flash. This would get rid of the

shadows that sometimes appear on the faces of subjects on

photographs.

4. Remember that when taking outdoor photographs you have

to make sure you pay attention to what’s happening around

you. This will not allow strangers to mysteriously appear in

group shots.

5. For portraits it is important to have a fitting backdrop.

Using a tripod,

• It helps to keep the shot from being blurred.

• It also helps to keep the photograph straight.

In addition, a nervous subject will never give you the

smile you need to capture. Pay attention on their mannerisms

and find the best way to put each individual at ease.

6. When taking group photos make sure that everyone gets

included in the picture. Some directing on the photographer’s

part might be necessary. There is nothing wrong with giving out.

• Instruct people to smile, ask them to fix their hair if it’s

unruly, etc.

• Position everyone so that they fit into the picture. The

tallest persons should be in the back row, so nobody gets

accidentally blocked from the shot.

7. When taking outdoor shots, photographers should

avoid going head to head with the sun. This makes the

people picture appear as if they are enshrouded in

shadows.

8. Take candid shots! This is a more exciting alternative to dull,

boring, posed shots.

During parties try to take pictures of friends and family

while they are at ease and just having a great time.

Spontaneous shots are wonderful! They are a good break from

the stiff, posed, smiles that people brandish at you once you

point a camera at them.

Holding a camera?