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?
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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:
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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