SH1670

Laboratory Exercise #1
Practice Shoot
Objectives:

At the end of the exercise, the students should be able to:

 familiarize themselves with their camera and its operation; and
 present a photograph that they shot themselves.

Materials:
 Digital camera (Camera phone, Point & shoot or DSLR)
 Memory card reader
 Camera cable or USB connector

Basic Principles:
It is very important to acquaint yourself with your camera. Clicking the trigger is just the tip of the
iceberg. To be efficient and effective, one should be familiar with the camera, its features, and its
overall feel. In doing so, your whole body will adjust on how you take pictures using a particular
equipment.

However, here are some basic photography tips that can help you in capturing that picture-perfect
moment.

I. IMPROVING YOUR BASIC TECHNIQUE

a. Familiarize yourself with your camera. Take time to get to know your camera and ensure
that you are using it properly. Read the manual to learn what each control, switch, button,
and menu item does. Learn the basic actions, such as using the flash (on, off, and auto),
zooming in and out, and using the shutter button. If you can find an online tutorial for your
camera or a video, then this might be helpful as well.
b. Hold your camera properly. The way that you hold your camera may make a difference
in the quality of your shots. It is important to hold your camera with both hands to have the
most control over it. Hold it so that you are supporting the lens with your left hand and
holding the camera body with your right hand. This position will make it easier to keep your
camera steady, take pictures quickly, and adjust your settings if necessary. You can also
try holding your elbows close to your body to help steady the camera.
c. Steady your camera using a tripod. If you have a hard time keeping your camera steady
enough to photograph your subjects, then you might find it helpful to get a tripod. A tripod
will keep your camera steady while allowing you to adjust it to different angles. You might
consider getting a low-cost tripod to start out with. You can also get mini-tripods so that you
can place them on tabletops and photograph from lower angles.
d. Set the camera's resolution as high as possible. Low-resolution images are more
difficult to alter later and they will not look as good as you would intend it to be. To ensure
that you are getting the best photo quality possible, change your camera’s settings so that
you are taking high-resolution photos. Keep in mind that higher resolution photos take up
a lot of memory, so you may need to get a larger memory card to accommodate all of them.

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e. Use one of your camera’s automatic modes. Most digital cameras have an easy
automatic mode that will change your camera’s settings based on the type of subject you
are photographing. For example, the camera may detect that you are taking a portrait of
someone in low light and adjust the settings to get the best image. Try using your camera’s
automatic setting to make it easier to take better photos. If your photos come out poorly
focused or poorly exposed, then start operating certain functions manually. For portraits,
using an anti-red-eye mode can be helpful.

II. USING THE LIGHT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

a. Find your light source. Identifying where your light is coming from is an important part of
ensuring the best lighting for your subject. The light needs to be on your subject to illuminate
it properly. Before you take a photo, take a moment to look around you and determine
which direction the light is coming from. For example, if you are outdoors, figure out where
the sun is at and observe how it is casting light on your subject. Consider what angle might
be the most flattering or interesting for photographing your subject. Avoid taking pictures
with the light source directly behind you. This can make your photos look somewhat boring
and flat. Instead, always try to position yourself so that you are shooting your subject at an
angle to the light.
b. Take photos during the golden hour whenever possible. The golden hour happens
twice per day – in the hour before sunrise and in the hour after sunset. During this time,
you will notice that your subjects will have a warm light cast on them. There will also be
some shadows that may result in interesting details. Try taking outdoor photographs during
the golden hour to reap the benefits of this pleasing light. You will notice that shadows are
longer during this time as well, which can also add visual interest to your photos.
c. Use a shaded area if the light is too harsh. Sometimes natural light from the sun can be
too harsh for portraits. It may cause your subject to look washed out or cast harsh shadows
and make it hard to see the details of a person’s face. A way to adapt when your light is too
harsh is to photograph your subject in the shade. Keep in mind that photographing your
subject in the shade may create a cooler effect than photographing your subject in an
unshaded area.
d. Put up the flash. Many people only use the flash in dim light. However, if you only use the
flash in low light, then, you may not be getting the best pictures possible. Your flash can be
especially useful when the sun is shining brightly, such as around midday. This may result
in harsh shadows and unappealing photos. By using your flash when the light is harsh, you
can direct extra light at the shadows and bathe your subject in more light. This may result
in more pleasing photos. Keep in mind that you do not always need to use the flash,
especially if the natural lighting is good. However, you might want to try taking photos with
and without the flash to see what works best for the light you have available.
e. Prevent red-eye in portraits. Red eye is caused by the camera’s flash reflecting off of
your retinas. This usually happens when you are taking photos in low light and your eyes
do not have enough time to constrict. To avoid getting a red eye effect, you can try these:
• Turn on more lights. If you are taking pictures indoors, you can prevent the red-eye
effect by turning on as many lights as you can and making the environment brighter.
• Tell your subjects to look away from the camera. If your subjects are not looking
directly at the camera, you can avoid the red-eye reflection.
• Turn on the red-eye function. Most digital cameras have this feature and it can help
prevent red-eye shots.
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III. FRAMING YOUR SHOTS

a. Identify the story you want to tell. Taking time to think about the composition of your shot
is also important. For example, if you are photographing a man sitting on a bench in a park,
what is his story? Is he waiting for someone? Is he sad? Happy? Concerned? What else is
happening that is relevant to this man? How can you frame your subject to tell this story?
If you want to portray the man as lonely, then you might choose to frame him in a way that
no other people will be in the shot. You might also look for interesting things in the
background or foreground to help tell your story about the man. For example, framing the
shot so that a statue of a woman is in the background might help to make him seem like he
is lonely. Investigate your surroundings and experiment with different angles and ranges to
frame your shot and tell your story.
b. Choose a focus. It is important to have a central focus for your photo. This item or person
should be at the center of the photograph or highlighted in some way. A way to do this is
to use a physical object as a frame. For example, you might use an archway or window as
a frame for your subject. Taking a photo of the subject within the archway or window, either
in the foreground or background, will help to place emphasis on this subject. You can also
use people as a frame. Once you have chosen your central focus, frame your shot so that
the subject is surrounded by people from all sides. You can also emphasize your focus by
using the rule of thirds. This is when you divide your shot into three (3) vertical sections
and three (3) horizontal sections, and then take the shot with your focal point in the center
of this grid.
c. Look for pleasing shapes and lines. Incorporating pleasing shapes and lines can also
help you frame your subject and enhance the visual quality of your photo. You can use
buildings, structural aspects within buildings or other physical objects to incorporate
pleasing shapes and lines. For example, you might find the exterior of a building visually
pleasing and photograph your subject in front of it. The building will add a backdrop and
help to frame your subject. You can also use architectural elements within buildings to your
benefit, such as a stairwell, a doorway, or a window.
d. Add dimension to your shot by placing something in the foreground. Shooting with
something in the foreground or background can help add dimension to your photos. If you
want your subject to seem small, you may place something in the foreground of the shot. If
you want your subject to look large, place something in the background. For example, you
might take a picture of someone standing on a beach, but photograph the person from far
away with a seashell in the foreground. Or, you might photograph the person from a closer
vantage point, but capture a seemingly endless white beach in the background.
e. Get closer to your subject. Sometimes photos do not look as good as they could because
you are too far away from your subject. If you notice that the details of your subject are
hard to make out, then try moving a little closer. For example, if you took your first shot
while standing 10 ft. away, then take the next one from 5 ft. away. Keep checking your
shots and adjusting your distance until you have captured the desired amount of detail in
your shot.

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Procedures:

1. Group yourselves into five (5) members each.

2. Set up the photography equipment inside the laboratory.
3. Each of the members of the group have the freedom to shoot any subject they want. It
could be a self-portrait, a hobby, or even your classmates.
4. After 30-40 minutes, each member of the group will choose their best photo. The members’
best photos will be combined in a memory card or a flash drive.
5. Each group’s representative will present the combined photos, providing the scene mode
used, the condition (indoor or outdoor), or any setting modified if applicable.

Analysis:
Answer the following questions based on what you understand from the activity. Use a whole sheet
of yellow paper to write your answers. This analysis should be done individually.

1. What is the thing you particularly want people to notice when they look at your shot?
2. What do your classmates particularly notice about your shot when they look at it?
3. What made you choose your subject and how did you choose that one photo which you
presented among your other shots?
4. What is the one thing that you have seen in your classmates' shots that you would like to
try in your next piece?

Someone once said, "The best camera is what you got." The camera does not make pictures; it is
merely a tool. The person behind the camera is the most important factor. Use whatever camera
you have, know every bit of it, and think about the photograph, the composition, perspective, light,
shadow, colors, and timing, rather than technical settings. That is what makes a photograph great.

REFERENCES:
Ang, T. (2011). Digital photography essentials. USA: DK Publishing.
Clarke, L. (2014). 40 tips to take better photos. Retrieved February 24, 2017, from
https://petapixel.com/2014/01/24/40-tips-take-better-photos/
Kamps, H. (2012). The rules of photography. UK: The ILEX Press Limited.
Kim, E. (2013). Street photography composition lesson #6: Framing. Retrieved February 24, 2017, from
http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2013/10/29/street-photography-composition-lesson-6-framing/
Langford, M., Fox, A., & Smith, S. (2010). Langford’s basic photography: The guide for serious
photographers (9th ed.). UK: Elsevier
McHugh, S. (n.d.). Natural light in photography. Retrieved February 24, 2017, from
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/natural-light-photography.htm
Miotke, J. (2010). Better photo basics: The absolute beginner's guide to taking photos like a pro. New York:
Amphoto Books.
Rowse, D. (n.d.). Framing your shots – photography composition technique. Retrieved February 24, 2017,
from https://digital-photography-school.com/framing-your-shots-photography-composition-
technique/
Sheppard, R. (2010). Simply digital photography. USA: Wiley.
Surtenich, A. (2015). Why eyes look red in photos - and how to prevent and fix red-eye. Retrieved February
24, 2017, from http://www.allaboutvision.com/resources/red-eye-photo.htm

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