Photography Basics/Tips

[david seale]

First off, this is all my interpretation on photography and it is written in my words. I am not professing that all of this is 100% accurate or that I'm the shiznit in photography (especially since im like a total noob compared to everyone else here), but what I’m really trying to do is explain how things work so that some of you who are just getting interested in photography, can take something with you the next time you go out to shoot.

A couple things to remember when you’re reading this, when I say SLR, for the most part, I'm talking about digital SLRs. One more thing, everything that’s written here probably doesn’t cover half the things that are out there to learn… just the basics.

Types of cameras and how they work….

It’s pretty easy, you either have a point and shoot camera or you have a slr.

Both work in a similar way in that the image comes through the lens and it is captured once the shutter is released and the mirror (P&S’s don’t use mirrors) flips up so that the image hits the sensor. This (shutter speed), along with aperture, is key when I start to talk about exposure.

The differences between them are HUGE in some ways and not too different in others.

First, with a P&S, you are able to see the image before you even take it; either using the lcd screen or the electronic viewfinder (which is poo IMO). Sorry, I’m not exactly sure how the image is projected to the LCD, but somehow it does. Unlike the P&S, a SLR is only able to view the image through the viewfinder and that’s the ONLY way to view the image before taking it. What’s happening here is the image is being bounced off a sequence of mirrors up into the viewfinder so that you can see what you’re shooting. Hence the name Single lens reflex/refraction.

Two main advantages that a SLR provides is the option to change lenses and the imaging sensor. The sensor in a SLR is about 5 times the size of a P&S. This allows for better image quality and lower noise levels.

P&S Sensor on the left and dSLR sensor on the right


SLR’s are also faster in operation and make better use of the power that’s available. Those LCD screens that are in P&S’s take up a lot of juice! You could leave a SLR on for days and the battery still may not be totally drained.

The advantages of a P&S are obviously being able to preview the image before taking the picture. Also, you don’t have to deal with dirt and dust. With a SLR, if you change lenses at all, dirt and dust is unavoidable. A couple other advantages are the size/weight of P&S’s and also the capability of taking movie clips.



Exposure: Shutter speed, Aperture (aaaand ISO)

Exposure to me is basically letting the right amount of light to fall onto the sensor to achieve the image you’re looking for.

Let’s start with Shutter speed. It defines how long the shutter is left open in order for light/image to fall onto the sensor. That’s basically it. Longer shutter speeds, upwards of 30 seconds or even more, allows more light to fall onto the sensor. Shorter speeds, fractions of a second, allow less light. Pretty simple eh?



Next up, Aperture. I think aperture may be the hardest to understand for most people… it’s definitely the most unheard of or disregarded by most people. Actually, it’s pretty simple. Aperture refers to how large or small the opening of the hole in the lens is. This hole in the lens, controls, along with shutter speed, how much light is allowed to fall onto the sensor. Aperture is also known as “f stop” (viewed as f/2.8, f11, f22, etc.). The lower the number, the larger the opening of the hole in the lens is. The higher the number, the smaller the hole. Aperture also effects depth of field (go look it up). That’s basically about it.




Last but not least, ISO. Many people only know or think of ISO when it comes to the amount of noise in a picture. Higher ISO’s tend to produce higher amounts of noise. It’s actually the sensors sensitivity to light. So, lower ISO (50 or 100) is less sensitive to light than higher ISO (1600 or whatever). In a nutshell, since higher ISO’s are more sensitive to light, you end up with noise (digital) or grain (film). I would use higher ISO’s for higher speed/action photography and that’s about it. Noise sucks.


Making all three work together!

Well, obviously you will first need to know how each of the above mentioned attributes of exposure work by themselves. There is a way to accurately match aperture and shutter speed whenever you are adjusting to counter the under or overexposure. But IMO, practice is the only way you’re going to get it right. Just getting to know different environments (as far as lighting) helps tremendously. It makes it so much easier if you know exactly what to do in a low lit area or whatever.


Composition

Here’s a little shpeal about different aspects of composition.

- Understand your intent. What are you trying to achieve? Are you telling a story? Making a statement? Capturing humor or a warm, emotional statement? Take these kinds of things into account when capturing a photograph.

- Simplicity. KISS! Keep it simple stupid! Most of the time, all you need to do is include the elements that are needed to illustrate your idea. Avoid things that could cause confusion.

- Choose a center. To go along with the statement above, most of your photos should have just one main subject that captures the eye.

- Selecting an orientation. Some images look best in vertical orientation. Others look best composed in horizontal orientation. Decide which one is best for the picture you’re taking.

- The concept of thirds. Placing main subjects at a position located about a third from the top, bottom, or either side of your pictures makes your images more interesting than ones that place the center of attention dead-center (amateurs, psh lol jk jk)

- Lines. Objects in your pictures can be arranged in straight or curving lines that lead the eye to the center of interest.

- Balance. Photographs that are evenly balanced with interesting objects on both sides, rather than everything located on one side or another and nothing at all on the other side, are much more pleasant to look at.

- Framing. Framing is not the boundaries of your picture but, rather, elements in a photograph that tend to create a “frame” to highlight the center of attention.

- Fusion/Separation. It’s important to ensure that two unrelated objects don’t merge in a way you didn’t intend. As in the example of a tree growing out of the top of someone’s head.


Some extra tips...

Where to stand/Point of View

- Consider and explore viewpoint options whenever you come across something you want to take a picture of.

- Take thematic considerations into account as well. Are secondary elements taking away the "thematic" conveyances of the main subject? Are there viewpoints that should be avoided because they will contradict the stylistic delivery you are after?

- Explore many points of view. Take lots of pictures!!!! What do you have to lose besides space on your memory card? Its not like youre shooting film(99% of you anyways).

- Far away? Thats okay! Take pictures whenever you find yourself viewing the world from a novels perspective; i.e. from buildings/airplanes/hot air ballons lol.

- Close ups.... Theyre everywhere. Just become aware of them and youll find tons of opportunities.

- Tilting the camera can produce dynamic results. Avoid taking pictures that seem as if they were tilted by accedent. But dont do this too often, youll give people cramps in their necks.


Other stuff....

- Cropping (post processing). This can open up a whole new world of changing perspectives. The presentation of many photots can be improved when unwanted or distracting elements are eliminated. Also, dont be afraid to be aggressive in cropping your pictures.

- Shooting with the horizon. Make sure to place the horizone well above or below the vertical center of the picture.





Thats all for now I guess. PLEASE dont be afraid to contribute your ideas or if i have something wrong, just make it known! Thanks for reading!


PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT


Here are a couple of books that helped me write this thing. "Exposure handbook", "Mastering Digital SLR Photography" and "Photo Idea Index". And thanks to wikipedia and dpreview for a couple pics :)

[Steelsun]

Nice intro to photography!

[darktiger]

Cool