A New Perspective:
Photography in the
Digital Age
Anyone who fails to
understand PHOTOGRAPHY.
Will be one of the
ILLITERATES of the future.
László Moholy-Nagy
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Session Goals
1. Take better pictures
2. Learn basic camera functions
3. Learn rules of composition and apply them
(Learn the rules & how to break them)
4. See the world around us in a new perspective
(Learn how to see)
5. DIY solutions to take better photographs
(Cheap tricks)
6. Have some fun
Margret Bourke-White
Session Goals
1. Take better pictures
2. Learn basic camera functions
3. Learn rules of composition and apply them
(Learn the rules & how to break them)
4. See the world around us in a new perspective
(Learn how to see)
5. DIY solutions to take better photographs
(Cheap tricks)
6. Have some fun
David LaChapelle
Session Goals
1. Take better pictures
2. Learn basic camera functions
3. Learn rules of composition and apply them
(Learn the rules & how to break them)
4. See the world around us in a new perspective
(Learn how to see)
5. DIY solutions to take better photographs
(Cheap tricks)
6. Have some fun
Martin Parr
Session Goals
1. Take better pictures
2. Learn basic camera functions
3. Learn rules of composition and apply them
(Learn the rules & how to break them)
4. See the world around us in a new perspective
(Learn how to see)
5. DIY solutions to take better photographs
(Cheap tricks)
6. Have some fun
Richard Avedon
Session Goals
1. Take better pictures
2. Learn basic camera functions
3. Learn rules of composition and apply them
(Learn the rules & how to break them)
4. See the world around us in a new perspective
(Learn how to see)
5. DIY solutions to take better photographs
(Cheap tricks)
6. Have some fun
Richard Avedon
Session Goals
1. Take better pictures
2. Learn basic camera functions
3. Learn rules of composition and apply them
(Learn the rules & how to break them)
4. See the world around us in a new perspective
(Learn how to see)
5. DIY solutions to take better photographs
(Cheap tricks)
6. Have some fun
Photographer Unknown
Session Goals
1. Take better pictures
2. Learn basic camera functions
3. Learn rules of composition and apply them
(Learn the rules & how to break them)
4. See the world around us in a new perspective
(Learn how to see)
5. DIY solutions to take better photographs
(Cheap tricks)
6. Have some fun
Photographer Unknown
Session Goals
1. Take better pictures
2. Learn basic camera functions
3. Learn rules of composition and apply them
(Learn the rules & how to break them)
4. See the world around us in a new perspective
(Learn how to see)
5. DIY solutions to take better photographs
(Cheap tricks)
6. Have some fun
Photographer Unknown
Session Goals
1. Take better pictures
2. Learn basic camera functions
3. Learn rules of composition and apply them
(Learn the rules & how to break them)
4. See the world around us in a new perspective
(Learn how to see)
5. DIY solutions to take better photographs
(Cheap tricks)
6. Have some fun
A New Perspective:
Basic Camera Functions
1. Aperture
2. Shutter Speed
3. ISO
Camera Basics
Viewfinder
Hotshoe
Pentaprism
Data Panel
Mode Dial
Focusing Screen
Shutter
Release
Focusing
Ring
Sensor
Camera
Body
Focal Plane
Shutter
Lens Mount
Mirror
Aperture/
Diaphragm
Lens
Elements
Lens
The Beginning
Camera = Latin for Room
Obscura = Latin for Dark
How does a Camera Obscura work?
Basic Physics: Light travels in a straight line and when some of
the rays reflected from a bright subject pass
through a small hole in thin material they do not
scatter but cross and reform as an upside down
image on a flat surface held parallel to the hole.
Camera Basics
Shutter Speed
Shutter speeds control the amount of
TIME the film or sensor is exposed to light
The slower the shutter speed – more light
strikes the film or digital sensor
(example 1/2 second)
The faster the shutter speed – less light
strikes the film or digital sensor
(example 1/4000 second)
2sec. 1sec. 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250
Camera Lingo - 1 Stop
Moving From One Shutter Speed To The Next
Motion
Camera Basics
Shutter Speed
Shutter speeds control the amount of
TIME the film or sensor is exposed to light
The slower the shutter speed – more light
strikes the film or digital sensor
(example 1/2 second)
The faster the shutter speed – less light
strikes the film or digital sensor
(example 1/4000 second)
2sec. 1sec. 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250
Motion
Camera Lingo - 1 Stop
Moving From One Shutter Speed To The Next
Photographer Unknown
Camera Basics
Shutter Speed
Shutter speeds control the amount of
TIME the film or sensor is exposed to light
The slower the shutter speed – more light
strikes the film or digital sensor
(example 1/2 second)
The faster the shutter speed – less light
strikes the film or digital sensor
(example 1/4000 second)
Motion
f/16
1/500
ISO 100
f/16
1/250
ISO 100
f/16
1/125
ISO 100
Camera Basics
Aperture
The openings are called f/stops
F/stops are a scale used to determine how
large the aperture is.
Each time the aperture is closed down by
one f/stop, one stop less light reaches
the sensor.
As the aperture is opened by one f/stop,
one more stop of light reaches the sensor.
f/2.8
f/4
f/5.6
f/8
f/11
f/16
f/22
f/32
Camera Lingo - 1 Stop
Moving From One Aperture To The Next
DOF
Depth Of Field
Camera Basics
Photographer Unknown
Aperture
The openings are called f/stops
F/stops are a scale used to determine how
large the aperture is.
Each time the aperture is closed down by
one f/stop, one stop less light reaches
the sensor.
As the aperture is opened by one f/stop,
one more stop of light reaches the sensor.
f/2.8
DOF
Depth Of Field
f/4
f/5.6
f/8
f/11
f/16
f/22
f/32
Camera Lingo - 1 Stop
Moving From One Aperture To The Next
Photographer Unknown
Camera Basics
Aperture
The openings are called f/stops
F/stops are a scale used to determine how
large the aperture is.
Each time the aperture is closed down by
one f/stop, one stop less light reaches
the sensor.
As the aperture is opened by one f/stop,
one more stop of light reaches the sensor.
DOF
Depth Of Field
f/22
1/250
ISO 100
f/16
1/250
ISO 100
f/11
1/250
ISO 100
Camera Basics
ISO
Concept originates from film.
Although the sensor is constructed
differently in digital photography, Digital
ISO behaves similar to Film ISO.
Unlike film which had a predetermined
ISO, Digital sensors (CCD and CMOS) are
capable of creating a wide range of
sensitivity settings, however to achieve
this, as with film, the quality diminishes
as the sensitivity increases.
50 100
200
400
800
1600
3200
6400
Small numbers indicate the film/digital sensor is very
SLOW to react to exposure (example ISO 50 is slow)
Large numbers indicate the film/digital sensor is very
FAST to react to exposure (example ISO 800 is faster)
Noise
Camera Lingo - 1 Stop
Moving From One ISO To The Next
Camera Basics
Photographer Unknown
ISO
Concept originates from film.
Although the sensor is constructed
differently in digital photography, Digital
ISO behaves similar to Film ISO.
Unlike film which had a predetermined
ISO, Digital sensors (CCD and CMOS) are
capable of creating a wide range of
sensitivity settings, however to achieve
this, as with film, the quality diminishes
as the sensitivity increases.
50 100
Noise
200
400
800
1600
3200
6400
Camera Lingo - 1 Stop
Moving From One ISO To The Next
Photographer Unknown
Camera Basics
ISO
Concept originates from film.
Although the sensor is constructed
differently in digital photography, Digital
ISO behaves similar to Film ISO.
Unlike film which had a predetermined
ISO, Digital sensors (CCD and CMOS) are
capable of creating a wide range of
sensitivity settings, however to achieve
this, as with film, the quality diminishes
as the sensitivity increases.
Noise
f/16
1/250
ISO 50
f/16
1/250
ISO 100
f/16
1/250
ISO 200
Camera Basics
Shutter / Aperture / ISO
ISO
Shutter
Automatic - selected by the camera based
on the internal meter settings. Semi-Automatic - one (or more) of the
exposure settings are selected by the
photographer and the camera determines
the best choice for the other exposure
settings based on the internal meter
settings. Correct
Exposure
Manual - selected entirely by the
photographer through the aid of either a
handheld meter, in-camera metering
system or experience. Information from
these tools are then interpreted before an
exposure is selected to achieve the
desired results.
Aperture
ISO
Camera Basics
Shutter / Aperture / ISO
ISO
Shutter
Automatic - selected by the camera based
on the internal meter settings. Semi-Automatic - one (or more) of the
exposure settings are selected by the
photographer and the camera determines
the best choice for the other exposure
settings based on the internal meter
settings. Motion
Manual - selected entirely by the
photographer through the aid of either a
handheld meter, in-camera metering
system or experience. Information from
these tools are then interpreted before an
exposure is selected to achieve the
desired results.
DOF
Depth Of Field
Aperture
Noise
ISO
A New Perspective:
Basics of Composition
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Define Imaging Lingo
Station Point (Your Perspective)
Line (Mood)
Linear Perspective (Depth)
Rule of Thirds (Keeps The Eye Moving)
Lingo: Composition
Sacha Waldman
Background = BG
Foreground = FG
Middleground
= MG
Middleground
= MG
Lingo: Composition
A Station Point is the location of
the camera at the when the image
is recorded.
Changing your Station Point or
your “perspective” when taking a
photograph opens up a work of
unseen and forgotten
perspectives. It is these
thoughtful choices that make
some of the most interesting
images and compositions. This could just be a matter of
putting the camera down, looking
up, tilting the camera or going
very close to a subject.
Doug Mills, The New York Times,
Lingo: Composition
A Station Point is the location of
the camera at the when the image
is recorded.
Changing your Station Point or
your “perspective” when taking a
photograph opens up a work of
unseen and forgotten
perspectives. It is these
thoughtful choices that make
some of the most interesting
images and compositions. This could just be a matter of
putting the camera down, looking
up, tilting the camera or going
very close to a subject.
Rodchenko
Lingo: Composition
A Station Point is the location of
the camera at the when the image
is recorded.
Changing your Station Point or
your “perspective” when taking a
photograph opens up a work of
unseen and forgotten
perspectives. It is these
thoughtful choices that make
some of the most interesting
images and compositions. This could just be a matter of
putting the camera down, looking
up, tilting the camera or going
very close to a subject.
Author Unknown
Lingo: Composition
A Station Point is the location of
the camera at the when the image
is recorded.
Changing your Station Point or
your “perspective” when taking a
photograph opens up a work of
unseen and forgotten
perspectives. It is these
thoughtful choices that make
some of the most interesting
images and compositions. This could just be a matter of
putting the camera down, looking
up, tilting the camera or going
very close to a subject.
Author Unknown
Lingo: Composition
A Station Point is the location of
the camera at the when the image
is recorded.
Changing your Station Point or
your “perspective” when taking a
photograph opens up a work of
unseen and forgotten
perspectives. It is these
thoughtful choices that make
some of the most interesting
images and compositions. This could just be a matter of
putting the camera down, looking
up, tilting the camera or going
very close to a subject.
Author Unknown
Lingo: Composition
A Station Point is the location of
the camera at the when the image
is recorded.
Changing your Station Point or
your “perspective” when taking a
photograph opens up a work of
unseen and forgotten
perspectives. It is these
thoughtful choices that make
some of the most interesting
images and compositions. This could just be a matter of
putting the camera down, looking
up, tilting the camera or going
very close to a subject.
Author Unknown
Line
A line is a form with width and
length but no depth, artists
use lines to create edges the
outlines of objects. The direction of a line can
convey a mood:
Horizontal: calm & quiet
Vertical: strength
Diagonal: energy
S-Curve: sensual
Ansel Adams, Moonrise Hernandez New Mexico
Line
A line is a form with width and
length but no depth, artists
use lines to create edges the
outlines of objects. The direction of a line can
convey a mood:
Horizontal: calm & quiet
Vertical: strength
Diagonal: energy
S-Curve: sensual
Ansel Adams, Bridalveil Falls
Line
A line is a form with width and
length but no depth, artists
use lines to create edges the
outlines of objects. The direction of a line can
convey a mood:
Horizontal: calm & quiet
Vertical: strength
Diagonal: energy
S-Curve: sensual
Rodechenko
Line
A line is a form with width and
length but no depth, artists
use lines to create edges the
outlines of objects. The direction of a line can
convey a mood:
Horizontal: calm & quiet
Vertical: strength
Diagonal: energy
S-Curve: sensual
Rodechenko, Girl With A Lieca Camera
Line
A line is a form with width and
length but no depth, artists
use lines to create edges the
outlines of objects. The direction of a line can
convey a mood:
Horizontal: calm & quiet
Vertical: strength
Diagonal: energy
S-Curve: sensual
Ansel Adams, The Tetons Snake River Wyoming
Line
A line is a form with width and
length but no depth, artists
use lines to create edges the
outlines of objects. The direction of a line can
convey a mood:
Horizontal: calm & quiet
Vertical: strength
Diagonal: energy
S-Curve: sensual
A line is used to guide the
viewer through the image.
Especially the diagonal lines
of Linear Perspective.
Joel Sternfeld, NYC High Line
Raphael, School of Athens, 1510-11
Linear Perspective
Linear Perspective creates the illusion of Depth, Spatial
Organization and Focus on a two dimensional Picture Plane. Before the invention and adoption of Linear Perspective painting
and illustrations had no depth and appeared flat. Renaissance
artist put their most important subjects within their paintings at
the Vanishing Point. A Vanishing Point is the appearance of a point on the horizon at
which parallel lines converge.
The discovery of Linear Perspective during the Renaissance
(14th - 17th Cen.) lead to the re-discovery of the Camera
Obscura and eventually the birth of photography. Horst P. Horst, Mainboucher Corset
Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a compositional
guideline that divides an image both
vertically and horizontally into thirds.
Dominant points of interest look best
when situated on one of the 1/3 lines or
at the intersection of any two lines. This compositional guideline is a
simplification of the Golden Mean.
Sally Mann, Jessie Bites
Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a compositional
guideline that divides an image both
vertically and horizontally into thirds.
Dominant points of interest look best
when situated on one of the 1/3 lines or
at the intersection of any two lines. This compositional guideline is a
simplification of the Golden Mean.
David LaChapelle
Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a compositional
guideline that divides an image both
vertically and horizontally into thirds.
Dominant points of interest look best
when situated on one of the 1/3 lines or
at the intersection of any two lines. This compositional guideline is a
simplification of the Golden Mean.
Robert Capa, Death of A Loyalist Solider
Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a compositional
guideline that divides an image both
vertically and horizontally into thirds.
Dominant points of interest look best
when situated on one of the 1/3 lines or
at the intersection of any two lines. This compositional guideline is a
simplification of the Golden Mean.
Miles Aldridge
Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a compositional
guideline that divides an image both
vertically and horizontally into thirds.
Dominant points of interest look best
when situated on one of the 1/3 lines or
at the intersection of any two lines. This compositional guideline is a
simplification of the Golden Mean.
Weegee, The Critic
Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a compositional
guideline that divides an image both
vertically and horizontally into thirds.
Dominant points of interest look best
when situated on one of the 1/3 lines or
at the intersection of any two lines. This compositional guideline is a
simplification of the Golden Mean.
Weegee, The Critic
Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a compositional
guideline that divides an image both
vertically and horizontally into thirds.
Dominant points of interest look best
when situated on one of the 1/3 lines or
at the intersection of any two lines. This compositional guideline is a
simplification of the Golden Mean.
A New Perspective:
DIY Cheats & Free Stuff
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
DIY Lighting
When & Where To Shoot
Free Editing Software
The Best Camera
Program Printing
DIY Lighting
Reflectors
Lighting is one of the most important
aspects of photography. There are
some simple tools that can help
improve your lighting.
Fill light, to balance out shadows and
shooting in the proper location, lighting
conditions and time of day are
very important.
There are alternatives to expensive
photo reflectors. Car sunshades, bed
sheets, white paper, foam core, etc. can
work just as effectively and might be
something you have on hand already. DIY Lighting
Reflectors
Lighting is one of the most important
aspects of photography. There are
some simple tools that can help
improve your lighting.
Fill light, to balance out shadows and
shooting in the proper location, lighting
conditions and time of day are
very important.
There are alternatives to expensive
photo reflectors. Car sunshades, bed
sheets, white paper, foam core, etc. can
work just as effectively and might be
something you have on hand already. DIY Lighting
Author Unknown
Overcast & Shade
Best days to shoot portraits are on
overcast days. The light is diffused and
fills all the shadows. Jus make sure to
set your camera’s White Balance to
cloudy or shade. Shade is also one of the best areas to
photograph in on a sunny day it offers
the same benefits as an overcast day.
This is due to the fact that a camera’s
ability to record a large dynamic range,
highlight to shadows, is not as sensitive
as our human eye.
White Balance - the reason to adjust this
setting is to get the colors in your
images as accurate as possible.
DIY Lighting
Author Unknown
Overcast & Shade
Best days to shoot portraits are on
overcast days. The light is diffused and
fills all the shadows. Jus make sure to
set your camera’s White Balance to
cloudy or shade. Shade is also one of the best areas to
photograph in on a sunny day it offers
the same benefits as an overcast day.
This is due to the fact that a camera’s
ability to record a large dynamic range,
highlight to shadows, is not as sensitive
as our human eye.
White Balance - the reason to adjust this
setting is to get the colors in your
images as accurate as possible.
Editing Software
polarr
This is a free image editor that is all
online no software to download. It is as
powerful as Adobe Lightroom and has
many quick edit features. All images need a little tweak mainly to
adjust the difference between highlights
and shadows and to boost
underexposed areas.
www.polarr.co Editing Software
polarr
This is a free image editor that is all
online no software to download. It is as
powerful as Adobe Lightroom and has
many quick edit features. All images need a little tweak mainly to
adjust the difference between highlights
and shadows and to boost
underexposed areas.
www.polarr.co The Best Camera
Cellphone
The best camera is the one you have with
you, so use your cellphone. The more you
practice the more you will learn. Also a
cellphone takes away all the buttons and
settings and lets you focus on being
creative. So do not shy away from using it.
Here are some apps for editing:
Adobe Aviary
Google Snapseed
Hootsuite Enhancce
Here are some apps for sharing:
Instagram
500px
The Best Camera
Cellphone
The best camera is the one you have with
you, so use your cellphone. The more you
practice the more you will learn. Also a
cellphone takes away all the buttons and
settings and lets you focus on being
creative. So do not shy away from using it.
Here are some apps for editing:
Adobe Aviary
Google Snapseed
Hootsuite Enhancce
Here are some apps for sharing:
Instagram
500px
This is a great site to share and follow others.
The Best Camera
Cellphone
The best camera is the one you have with
you, so use your cellphone. The more you
practice the more you will learn. Also a
cellphone takes away all the buttons and
settings and lets you focus on being
creative. So do not shy away from using it.
Here are some apps for editing:
Adobe Aviary
Google Snapseed
Hootsuite Enhancce
Here are some apps for sharing:
Instagram
500px
This is a great site to share and follow others, but also learn and get critiques
Printing
This year we are piloting a new project
in the Photography Program. The
students are offering printing services. All printing is done by the students and
100% of the funds raised go toward
their Student Exhibition Fund. This
fund raises money for their end of
year Exhibition.
We have the ability to print on
everything from canvas, photo paper,
vinyl, perforated window film, etc..
Our sample book is being
passed around.
algonquinphotography.com/print/ A New Perspective:
Lets Go Photograph!!!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Look for New Perspectives
Look for Linear Elements to convey a mood
Create Depth by using Linear Perspective
Create more dynamic images by using Rule Of Thirds
Pay attention to your Background, Middleground and Foreground
Try a Reflector give your camera’s dynamic range a hand
7. Photograph in the Shade
8. Have Fun!!