PHOTOGRAPHY

Workshop #1
By: Jami Hassen
What is Photography?

 Is art created by light.

 Photography is an art form like drawing and painting. Photographers use their
camera to make us see life in a different way, feel emotions, and record stories and
events.
Photographs

 “Taking a picture” vs. “making a photograph:” photographs are made (constructed), not taken
(memorialized “quotations” from reality).
History

 First photograph taken by Joseph

Nicephore in France. In 1826, on a
bitumen coated aluminum plate.
How to make good photographs?

 Visualize role in design and message

 Survey different sources
 Adjust or remove features to complement purpose
 Choose simple, yet interesting composition
 Select lighting that enhances subject or reinforces the message
 Choose angle that best shows subject and reinforces the purpose
 Use color when practical
 Establish size, scale and orientation
Keep it simple

 Keep background uncluttered

 Avoid mergers
 Have single dominant subject
Single dominant subject
Cluttered background
Avoid mergers
Angle

 Low angle
• Clear sky backdrop
• Accentuate movement or action
 High angle
• Eliminate cloudy sky
 Avoid centered horizons
 Use the light
 Emphasize a point, tone
Angle
Strong center of interest

 Take pictures at different angles with different

compositions
 Work around the rule of thirds
Rule of Thirds

 The rule of thirds is applied by aligning a

subject with the guide lines and their
intersection points, placing the horizon on the
top or bottom line, or allowing linear features
in the image to flow from section to section.
Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds
Rule of Thirds

Is very important rule of

Photography!!!
Balance

 Balance color and weight in a picture

 Formal and informal
 Symmetrical and asymmetrical
Leading line

 Leading lines are one of the most effective

and under-utilized compositional tools
available to photographers. You can use them
to draw a viewer's attention to a specific part
of the frame, whether it's a person, or a
vanishing point in the background of the
frame.
Leading line

 Line leads the eye

• Diagonals
• S-curves
 Static vs. dynamic lines
 Shape
Framing

 The role of any rule of composition is to

draw the eye into
a photograph. Framing refers to using
elements of a scene to create a frame
within your frame. For example, you
might shoot through a doorway, pulled
back curtains, branches, fences, tunnels,
or arches to highlight your subject.
Framing

 Adds depth
 Should fit theme
 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
Framing
Fill the frame

 Would this picture look better if I was closer?

• Focus on subject
• Detail
 Start far and move closer
 Fill the frame with objects that “fit”
 Long range shots provide depth and perspective
Fill the frame
Fill the frame
Rule of odds

 The Rule of Odds states that people are

more attracted to uneven numbers in a
composition. ... People are naturally drawn
to unusual or uneven composition. 
Rule of odds
Rule of odds
Pick a good light direction

 Three light directions

• Front - sunny with high color
• Side - depth and texture
• Back - dynamic but challenging; silhouettes and water effects
Lighting
lighting
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
 Soft light helps with color variations
 Time of day
Light and contrast
Time of day
Action shot tips

 High shutter speed

 Telephoto lens
• Longer lens means faster shutter speed
 Stopping motion
• Far is easier than near
• Straight is easier than diagonal
• Diagonal is easier than right angles
 Panning
Action shots
Landscape tips

 Take pictures at the start and end of the day

 Anticipate weather changes
 Diffused light can highlight patterns and textures
 Bright light highlights monochrome colors
 Move around to exclude or block objects from view
Objects in the landscape tips

 Add scale, depth and focal points

 Use items to add interest to common or simple scenes
Sunset tips
Wildlife tips

 Fill the frame

 Avoid barriers
 Shoot against the glass if in a car (no flash)
 Use tripod
 Blur background, or find simple one
 Focus on the eyes
 Go for natural poses, growls, yawns, etc.
Garden tips

 Strong diffused light is generally best—especially for single blooms

 Macro lens
• Can help you get a 1:1 ration
• Avoid shadowing your subject
• Have smaller aperture to allow more depth of field
• Without macro = 4 foot minimum
Take-away tips

 Think
 Experiment
 Move
 Wait
 Rule of Thirds
Thank you!!