Disclaimer I am not an expert photographer. I have a passion for - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Welcome

Digital Photography 99 ½ Hampton Roads Digital Photography Club

Jerry Gammon

Disclaimer

• I am not an “expert” photographer. I have a

passion for it, and a desire to share the knowledge I have with others, but there is a lot I do not know.

• Everything I know, I have learned from others. My

main mentors are Bob Lerner, Jim Hansen, Will King, Wayne Berry and many who have presented and commented in this Club.

• For a better understanding of HDR, I go to Trey

Ratcliff at stuckincustoms.com (forever grateful to Wayne for pushing me to look Trey up on the web).

• There are questions you can ask me for which I

may not have an answer, but someone in this room will.

Goals for the Tonight’s Session

• Help You Learn How to Take Better Digital Pictures.
• Give Some Key Dates in Photography History.
• Advantages of Digital Over Film Photography
• Discuss “Required” and “Optional Gear”.
• Stress the Importance of the “Digital Darkroom” for Post

Processing Images.

• Present a Limited Glossary of Photographic Terms.
• What is the Art of Seeing?
• The Importance of Light
• Emphasize the Importance of Composition.
• Encourage you to think about the “Three Steps to Better Photos”

with every shot.

• Show how the Rule of Thirds gives your photos more interest.
• Introduce the Exposure Triangle.
• Seven things to take your photography to the next level.

Key Dates in Photography

• While some of the concepts of photography – such as

use of pin holes – have been used since the early centuries A.D., it was not until 1830 that the term was used.

• 1834 is the year that the first permanent means of

capturing an image was invented.

• First “color” photos made in 1861.
• 1880 - George Eastman starts his company…1888, first

Kodak camera produced.

• First digital camera 1984.
• Canon EOS cameras introduced in 1987.
• Adobe Photoshop (CS1??) introduced in 1990
• I took my first Digital Photo, circa 2004.

Advantages of Digital Photography

• Digital - Less expensive to take pictures
• Cameras (most of them) are easier to use.
• You get instant gratification – or disappointment.
• You can shot it again if not good.
• You can have your own digital darkroom with no messy
• chemicals. You can do things in seconds that took Ansel

Adams hours to accomplish.

• Easy to share photos with friends, family and websites .
• You can take good pictures without a fancy camera and

expensive lens.

• You can do something that can bring a lot of joy…unlike golf,

for instance, where many break things and curse a lot.

• You can become as good as you want to become…making it

easier to justify buying expensive equipment.

Required Gear

A Digital Camera

• You can take digital pictures with your camera

phone…some have very good image quality and pixel counts.

• You can use a small Point & Shoot camera starting at

about $150.

• Next level is the DSLR, or Digital Single Lens Reflex
• camera. Canon and Nikon great entry level cameras,

starting around $500.

• Within the DSLR cameras, there is a wide range in price,

build quality and features. The upgrades will add Live View Shooting, full frame (no crop sensors), extra pixels, and the ability to shoot HD videos.

A Bit More Than Required Gear

More Required Gear

With a DSLR, You Must Have a Lens If you get a kit, most come with an 18-55mm lens. Some kits have 2

• lens. It would be nice to get the basic 18-55 and a medium range

zoom lens – up to 300mm. If you buy the “body only” and can only get one lens, get an 18-

• 200mm. Sigma makes quality lens for other DSLRs for about 1/3

less than the brand name. A good “walking around” lens. Look for lens with IS – Canon – or VR – Nikon. They will help you take sharper images. What drives up the price in a lens? Generally, the smaller the f stop, the greater the price ( an f2.8 lens is more than a f5.6 – the Nifty-fifty being a notable exception). Also, IS or VR lens cost

• more. Generally, the heavier a lens, the more it cost.

Two types of lens: Zoom and Prime. A zoom has a focal range 18- 200 mm, for instance. A prime lens is a fixed focal length – it is called a two feet zoom lens – you must to zoom in and out.

Optional – But Handy - Gear

A tripod. Get a good one, not less than $150 for legs and ball head – many come as combo. If you buy a $40 one, you will regret it, and have to buy another soon…do not buy a tripod cover or bag – I paid

• ver $100 for one and NEVER used it.

A monopod – a “one legged tripod” – not really, but you get the idea. Handy in the woods or for shooting with stability when tripod cannot be used. Also a good walking stick. Extra batteries for your camera…also a car re-charger for your camera battery is nice. Extra memory cards. Most cameras use CF or SD cards. Get as good as you choose to afford…more expensive ones have larger capacity and are faster when shooting and uploading to your computer. Camera bag, strap or backpack style to carry extra lens, batteries, water bottle, and snacks. Aftermarket Neck Strap – more comfort and balance.

You Need a Tripod for this Shot – and any Long Exposure

You Need a Tripod for this Shot – and any Long Exposure

Ghosting – 20 second exposure…subject stays in frame for 10 seconds – You Need A Tripod

More Ghosting

You Must Have a Tripod

When Buying any Gear

• Look not just for the best price, but also the

best value. Authorized dealers do not strip kits and sell stock items as accessories.

• Buy from reputable companies – Amazon.com,

B&H & Adorama all have great service, competitive prices and exchange policies.

• Be aware of “Gray Market” – no USA warranty.
• Register your gear with manufacturer if offered.
• My view – Less is Best: I would rather have 2

Canon L lens, than 3-4 standard lenses…quality is always better than quantity.

Armed with a Camera & Lens – You are Ready to Make Photos

Fundamentals of Picture Taking

Hold the camera properly. You will hold a DSLR differently than a P&S, but with both, the key is firm control. Grip it firmly and tuck your left arm against your torso. When you are not using a tripod, and need one, you can brace yourself against a wall, a tree or sit in a comfortable squat position. You can also use a bean bag, a wall or a chair to sit your camera upon or any sturdy, flat surface for steadiness. . Press half-way on the shutter button to focus and all the way to take the shot.

Why Are My Pictures Blurry?

• There are many reasons why your pictures may

be blurry – here are a few:

• 1. Subject moved just as you snapped. (Not

much you can do about this one, except yell.)

• 2. Your hands shook or moved just as you
• snapped. (A tripod would help. A lens with IS or

VR is also useful. A faster shutter speed is always helpful – so raise ISO and/or lower f Stop.

• 3. You wanted it to be blurry. This is the essence
• f creative photography. Knowing how to do it

intentionally is a sign of growth.

Learn to use your camera in vertical & horizontal mode. The majority of photos you see are shot in the horizontal – landscape orientation – perspective.

Brian Peterson asked “When is the best time to take a vertical – portrait orientation - shot?” Answer: Right after taking a horizontal shot. You can include more foreground in a vertical shot.

Shot in Landscape Mode – to Show More of the Dock Area

Shot in Portrait Mode to Include the Moon

Fundamentals Continued . Breathing Technique – some say hold your breath while pushing the shutter – some say draw and exhale while shooting…I draw & exhale…do what is best for you. . Review the shot in your LCD screen…if not happy, take another. Do not delete in the field…do not delete until the second review on your computer. If you must use a flash, learn how to angle the camera to prevent flash reflections from mirrors and pictures to bounce back into your lens.

After Taking the Shot

You must be able to get your pictures from the disk to the computer. You can connect the camera directly to the computer or use a port on your computer or printer to insert the memory card. Generally, you create a folder that you name or let the computer name it – usually by the date. Once on your computer, you are ready to edit or “post process” your images. There are many editing options. Most computer operating systems have a basic processing program that comes with the computer. They allow for cropping, contrast and color adjustment, and

• ther basic editing tools.

PICASA, a Google product, is a free downloadable program that does many basic edits plus has many other creative options. ADOBE – is the leader in post processing products. Their Creative Suites, now CS6, is the choice of many professionals. There is also Adobe LightRoom 4 and Elements 11…(called “PS Lite”).

Works Cited Final Project Outback Case Study Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (2010). About Us. Retrieved from: <www.buffalowildwings.com/>. McWilliams, J. (1 April 2010). Hooters of America facing sale deadline. The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved from: <http://www.ajc.com/business/hooters-of-america-facing-426646.html>. OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC. (2010). Outback Steakhouse. Retrieved from: <http://www.outback.com/companyinfo./>. United States Securities and Exchange Commission. (30 June 2010). OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC. - Form 10-Q. Retrieved from: < http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/874691/000087469110000019/form10-q210.htm>. Zacharakis, Andrew, and Spinelli, Stephen. (2007). Entrepreneurship: The Engine of Growth. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.

What

What is the Distraction?

5 Minutes in Elements

After Taking the Shot, Cont’d Backing up your images. Most computers will crash at some point. Save your pictures and other important documents to a CD, a thumb drive or use an on line back up such as Carbonite. Getting the best price: Most software is sold at a big discount to students, teachers and some non-profits. Check before you buy. It is easy to prove your status – your kid’s school ID will also qualify you. Do not be afraid to delete – after two reviews – this will save space on your computer.

Glossary of Terms

• Photography - “painting with light”
• Golden Hour – First hour after sunrise, last hour

before sunset. Light is soft and golden yellow.

• Blue Hour – the ½ hour after sunset when the

sky is blue (before becoming black).

• Rule of Thirds – compositional technique where

the subject is not centered.

• Exposure – many meaning: a shot, the

light/brightness of a shot, the actual shutter speed used for the shot.

Golden Hour Blue Hour

Everything looks better in the Blue ½ Hour

Right – Blue Hour Top – One hour after sunset

Terms Continued

• Exposure Triangle – the key to advancing in

photography…learning to control Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO.

• F stop – aperture - setting on your camera that

determines how large the opening in the lens will be when the shot is taken. Controls Depth of Field

• Shutter Speed – How long the shutter is open when

a shot is taken. Hard to handhold below 1/40 second.

• ISO – determines the sensitivity of the sensor to the

light that enters when the shutter is open.

• Depth of Field – the range of things in focus in a

shot…shallow to deep. Shallow is also called soft.

Terms Continued

• White Balance – determines the “cast” a photo

will have based upon the type of light. You can change it in Post Processing if you shoot in RAW.

• RAW – In Canon it is CR2, in Nikon it is NEF. It is a

mode that captures the most data. Only useful if you can process RAW images. Very large file.

• Metering – the process of determining how bright
• r dark an image will be. In creative modes, you

can meter and recompose. In auto modes, the camera decides the metering.

• Prime Lens - fixed focal length. Zoom - variable

Photography – An Art & A Science

• The Art of photography is developing the “Art of Seeing”,
• r looking at the world in a new and different way. Some

are born with it, some have to develop it from deep

• within. It is generally referred to as having a “good eye”.
• The Science is understanding the mechanics of your

camera, how to use it’s menus and settings to the best

• advantage. Understanding light, natural and artificial, is

also part of the science.

• Being good at both is desired, but a person who is strong
• n the “Art” side, though using unsophisticated

equipment and being unaware of all the science in photography, will generally be a better photographer than one knowing all the dials, but lacking as a “See-er”.

More…”The Art of Seeing”

• Some people are born with Artistic

sensibilities…they pick up a pencil for the first time and can draw. Others, have to be taught and learn by doing.

• Some photographers instinctively have a “good

eye” – most of us must learn to “see” – books can help, but “seeing” must be practiced and developed over a period of time. This quote, posted by someone on my Facebook timeline, sums it up: “Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them” - Elliott Erwitt

Introduction to Composition

• There are 3 rules of composition and no one knows what

they are.

• There are three rules of composition, and no two

photographers agree on them. Do Rules Limit Artistic Creativity?

• Some people think there should not be any rules of

composition…claiming rules limit creativity.

• I believe that no rules = anarchy! So, I believe there are

some rules that we should apply to composition. Editors, contest judges and others you may want to impress generally observe some of the rules of composition, so if you want to be recognized, you should as well.

• They are Rules, not LAWS, so you can apply & break

them as you choose for creative purposes.

A Quote By Picasso

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”

Three Steps to Better Photos

• One) Like a sentence, every photo should

have a subject.

• Two) Focus close to the subject - then get

even closer….(this will eliminate distracting

• bjects and things that do not enhance the

subject).

• Three) Compose the photo applying the

Rule of Thirds.

• (If you compose it wrong while shooting,

you can often “fix it” during post processing with cropping and cloning.)

Rule of Thirds

• The rule of thirds is a compositional rule of thumb

in visual arts such as painting, photography and

• design. The rule states that an image should be

imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally- spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Proponents of the technique claim that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject

• would. Short version: do not center most shots.
• IT IS THE “RULE” – NOT THE “LAW” OF THIRDS

Works Cited Final Project Outback Case Study Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. (2010). About Us. Retrieved from: <www.buffalowildwings.com/>. McWilliams, J. (1 April 2010). Hooters of America facing sale deadline. The Atlanta Journal

• Constitution. Retrieved from: <http://www.ajc.com/business/hooters-of-america-

facing-426646.html>. OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC. (2010). Outback Steakhouse. Retrieved from: <http://www.outback.com/companyinfo./>. United States Securities and Exchange Commission. (30 June 2010). OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC. - Form 10-Q. Retrieved from: < http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/874691/000087469110000019/form10- q210.htm>. Zacharakis, Andrew, and Spinelli, Stephen. (2007). Entrepreneurship: The Engine of Growth. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.

Coliseum - 1/3 Bottom – In this case, the sky lacks interest.

Coliseum – Centered Horizontally

Coliseum – 1/3 Top

Creatively Correct (To Me) – I like the water

However, using the “Three Steps to Better Photos” you may want to retake it and get closer.

The Exposure Triangle

• In order to properly use the creative settings on

your camera, you will need a basic understanding of the Exposure Triangle.

• It is a three-legged stool. Each “leg” is equally

important…a change in any “leg” has a direct affect on the other two.

• Do not feel overwhelmed by the Triangle…it is

learning experience to understand it and use it properly.

• Understanding the Exposure Triangle is the key

to advancing to a higher level in your photography.

The Exposure Triangle

Courtesy Scrappers Workshop

Aperture Chart – by Dennis P. Curtin

How Aperture Size Affects Depth of Field

How Aperture Size Affects Depth of Field

How Aperture Size Affects Depth of Field

How Aperture Size Affects Depth of Field

How Aperture Size Affects Depth of Field

Resources

• There is unlimited information about

photography – in books, on the web, & in videos on U-tube.

• Get an after market book about your camera.

“Snapshots to Great Shots” is a good series.

• Find a mentor - someone who knows more

than you and is patient and willing to share their knowledge.

• Taking classes and workshops can also be

helpful.

• Attend as many HRDPC meet ups as your

schedule permits. We teach every week.

What Interests Me at this Time? (Thank You Brian Peterson)