Photo U – A Journey into Photography Session 3: Composition and Creative Settings.
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Transcript Photo U – A Journey into Photography Session 3: Composition and Creative Settings.
Photo U – A Journey into
Photography Session 3:
Composition and Creative Settings
Agenda
What are the creative modes?
Program Mode Explained
Aperture Priority Explained
Shutter Priority Explained
Manual Mode Explained
Composition
What is composition?
Why is it important?
Composition guidelines (use ‘em or break ’em)
What are the Creative
Modes?
In the “automatic” modes of
the camera, your camera has
full control of your image
settings
Creative modes permit you
to control some or all of your
camera settings
These modes are:
Program mode (P)
Shutter Priority (S/TV)
Aperture Priority (A/Av)
Manual mode (M)
CREATIVE
MODES
Program Mode Explained
Aperture and shutter speed is
set by the camera
Both can be adjusted via the
control dial while exposure
remains the same
Unlocks more settings in your
camera
ISO
White Balance (later session)
Exposure Compensation
Used for when you want to get
the shot and not think about
the settings
Shutter Priority Explained
Shutter priority permits you
to set a particular shutter
speed and the camera
calculates the matching
aperture
A faster shutter speed will
freeze the motion
A slower shutter speed will
permit motion blur
Tv (Canon) / S (Nikon)
Aperture Priority Explained
Aperture priority permits you
to set a particular aperture
and the camera calculates
the matching shutter speed
Used when Depth Of Field is
key to the image
Preferred mode for
landscape photography
Manual Mode Explained
Full control over camera
settings
ISO
Shutter Speed
Aperture
White Balance
(future session)
Exposure
Set the shot your way
Can result in creative and
non-traditional images
Composition
What is composition?
Composition is defined as
the placement of relative
objects and elements in a
work of art
In photography, it is defined
as arranging elements within
the image in a way that suits
the core idea or goal of your
work
Composition can make or
break your image
Why is it important?
In photography it’s not just
what you shoot that makes
the image
The way that you shoot it is
very crucial
Bad composition can make a
subject dull and boring
Good composition can create
fantastic images from dull
subjects
Static Composition
Static composition is when
the majority of the lines are
horizontal and vertical
The subject is usually in the
middle of the frame with
symmetry around it
Symmetry, horizontal and
vertical lines are somewhat
soothing, calm, and tranquil
Dynamic Composition
Dynamic composition
creates a more interesting
image which may contain
some or all of the following:
Leading/converging lines
Interesting perspective
Interesting foreground, midground, and background
elements
Vivid color or incredible light
Suggestion of movement
Composition Guidelines:
Rules of Thirds
Powerful composition
technique for making images
more dynamic and
interesting
The image is more pleasing
when the subject is
composed along imaginary
lines which divides the image
into thirds
Creates a sense of balance
w/o being static
Creates a sense of
complexity w/o making the
image appear to busy
Composition Guidelines:
Simplify the Scene
Keeping the scene simple can
make the subject the center of
attention
Look at a scene
Your brain quickly picks out
the subject
Your camera captures
everything in front of it
May lead to a busy/cluttered
image
Use a focal length or view
point that will make the viewer
look for and at the subject
Composition Guidelines:
Fill the Frame
Too much empty space can
detract from the image
Makes subject smaller
Viewers can be confused not
knowing what to look at
Zoom in to fill the frame
Get closer to the subject
Excellent for close up,
macro, and portrait
photography
Composition Guidelines:
Aspect Ratio
It is easy to get used to
shooting horizontally or
“landscape” mode
Try shooting images in the
vertical position or “portrait”
mode
Adjust your position and
zoom setting as you
experiment with this new
style
Composition Guidelines:
Avoid the Middle
Putting the subject in the
middle may make your
composition boring or static
Place the subject off-center
for a more dynamic and
interesting look
Don’t hesitate to shoot
higher/lower to the subject
for interesting point of views
Composition Guidelines:
Use Diagonals
To introduce a feeling of
drama or movement, look for
diagonal lines
Horizontal lines gives a
static/calm image
Vertical lines suggest stability
and permanence
Can be achieved by a shift in
position or focal length and a
slight tilt of the camera
Composition Guidelines:
Backgrounds
When taking an image, don’t
just concentrate on the subject
Look at what is happening in
the background
You can’t exclude it completely
but you can control it
It is achieved by changing
your position, focal length,
depth of field
Ensure that the background
complements the subject
Composition Guidelines:
Breaking the Rules
Photography is a visual
language and you can make
a statement by breaking the
established norms/rules
If done on purpose, you can
create stunning and
interesting images (and then
breaking the rules don’t
count as a mistake)
Experiment and make it
yours <- Only rule you can’t
break!
Review
We talked about
Camera Creative Modes
Program, Aperture Priority,
Shutter Priority, and
Manual modes
Composition
What it is and why it’s
important
Static vs. Dynamic
Compostion
Composition Guidelines
Homework for Session 3
Go out each day and shoot what ever subject you like
Shoot in each creative mode of your camera
Shoot with static composition
Shoot with dynamic composition
Utilize each of the composition guidelines (especially the
changing of your aspect ratio [horizontal/vertical])
Review your images
Look for leading lines, filling of the frame, simple or cluttered
image, busy or blurred background, etc.
Familiarize yourself with what works (compositionally) for
you
Post your favorite images
Questions?
Fin (for now)…
See you at Hermann Park next session!
Be ready to have FUN