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Photography is Art
created by Light!
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What is Photography?
“A photograph is almost always associated with a
reproduction of reality. When you look at a
photograph you assume at least something similar
to what is depicted really existed. This might
suggest that photography, unlike painting, is a
mere witness or a faithful reproduction of reality.”
(David Petilli)
Definition
Photography is the art and
science of capturing the image of a
certain event in time by means of
the action of light.
Parts of a Camera
1. Body- holds the other parts together and provides protection to the
delicate internal parts of a camera.
2. Lens assembly- consists of several layers of lenses of varying
properties which allows for zoom, the ability of a camera to magnify or
demagnify an image to a certain range.
3. Shutter release button- the “trigger” of the camera which initiates
the image capturing process.
4. Mode dial- contains several symbols which allow you to selecta
shooting mode.
5. Viewfinder- small viewing window that shows the image that the
camera’s imaging sensor sees.
6. Focusing ring- found around the lens of SLR camera and turned
manually to focus the lens.
7. LCD display- small screen at the back of the camera used for framing
or for viewing recorded images.
8. Flash- usually built-in on the body of a camera. It provides an
instantaneous burst of bright light to illuminate a poorly lit scene.
9. Control buttons- comprises a set of directional keys and a few other
buttons to activate certain functions and menus.
10. Power switch- turns on and off the camera.
11. Zoom control- usually marked with W (wide) and T (tele). For zoom
in and zoom out.
12. Battery compartment- holds the batteries.
13. Memory card slot- where expansion memory cards are inserted.
14. Flash mount- the standard holder with contact plates for optional
flash accessory.
15. Diopter adjuster- varies the focal length of the lens in the
viewfinder in order for people wearing eyeglasses see clearly through it
even without the eye glasses.
16. Tripod mount- allows the user to attach a tripod or monopod for
added stability.
Elements of a Good
Photograph
Strong center of interest

• Take pictures at different angles with

different compositions
• Work around
the rule of thirds
Rule of Thirds
Framing
• Used to draw your viewer’s eye to the subject of the
photograph
• Watch focus on foreground
• Focus on foreground in landscape
• Focus on subject in portraits
• Auto-focus should be centered on main topic
• Overall—Depends on camera
LIGHT can make or break
a photograph.
Light and Contrast
• Hard vs. soft light
• Sunny days – high contrast (hard light)
• Cloudy days – low contrast (soft light)
• Portraits often use soft light (shaded area)
• Flash will reduce contrast
• Time of day
• Too much exposure: “Sunog”
Light and contrast
Light and contrast
Time of day
Light type
EXPOSURE- proper exposure is vital for
creating a good photograph.

STORYTELLING- Andrew Hudson says, “A good

photograph is a message. It conveys a
statement.”
• It is the size of the opening through which light
passes through the lens
• Measured in f-stops
• Affects the depth of field (background blur in
photos)

Aperture
 ¤ Smaller numbers = more background blur
¤ Larger numbers = less background blur

Use more blur with portraits, and less or no blur at all

for landscapes
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three basic styles of photography:

Landscape
Portrait
Documentary
 Landscape is a photograph
of the environment. It could
be the forest, mountains,
oceans, or your backyard.
Ansel Adams is a famous
landscape photographer.
Here is one of his images.

Landscap
Here is another of Ansel Adams Photographs
 Portrait
photography is a
photo of a person
or animal.

It is important to
show an emotion.

Holding Virgina - Sally Mann Portrait

Documentary
Documentary photography
presents facts without
changing anything.
Good documentary
photographs make you wonder
what the story is behind the
photograph.
Migrant Mother - Dorthea Lange
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Remember that a good

documentary
photograph makes you
wonder what the story
is behind the picture!
SOME BASIC CAMERA SHOTS
1.Close-up shot
2.Extreme close-up shot
3.Bird’s eye view
4.High angle shot
5.Low angle shot
6.Oblique or canted shot
Close-up shot

CTTO
Extreme close-up shot

CTTO
Bird’s eye view

CTTO
High angle shot

CTTO
Low angle shot

CTTO
Oblique or canted shot

CTTO