Photography class - 9/21/06

Photography – 9/21/06

Aperture – determines how much light comes through
It decides how small to make the hole. Shuts down to a certain size hole. Aperture goes from smaller, if bright, to big, if it’s light out.
Depth of field- how much is in focus when take pic. The smaller the hole, the more is in focus. If want a lot in focus- (things close and far) choose to make aperture smaller. (in front of lens)

Shutter - controls motion. Shutter is behind lense. Moves across in amount of time exposure calls for. In dark room takes more shutter time. Bright day shutter speed 1/60 of a second. In darker place shutter could be open for one second until enough light comes in.

ISO = “SPEED” OF FILM
- higher the number-less exposure time – better for Dark (adds noise, looks grainy)
- lower, the longer the exposure – better for Bright
- good to stay around 50 (can go to 100)

-good to go click halfway down on button first – and camera takes all measurements and then when click all the way down, it instantly takes pic.

Resolution = Pixels = dots per inch
-screen only reads max 72dpi (good to keep camera at the highest setting-find where this is in camera manual)
Resolutions - 1)256x256 (cell phone cameras)
2)640x480 – Low
3)1216x912 - 1 megapixel camera (cant even get good 4x6 print from this)
4)1600x1200 - 2 megapixel camera (good 4x6 print)
5)2240x1680 - 4 megapixel camera (good 8x10 print)

Jpg- file format using compression, used by cameras

LIGHTING TECHNIQUES: diff b/w good & bad pics
2 types of light – Natural (sunlight) and Artificial (man-made)
-ppl think best time to take pics is 12noon - Wrong!
-Best to shoot in morn (sunrise) until 10:30am
-For night shots – 2hrs b4 sunset
-these times give golden light and good shadows

Natural Light – 1) Backlighting – sun shining behind subject of photo, this highlights subject’s figure and using flash fills in the details of the person –called “Fill” Flash.
2) Side Lighting – sun shining on side of the photo – giving a dramatic shadow to side of subject. If it’s too much of a shadow, hold a white posterboard on the other side of subject –opp. of sun (called a “Fill” Card) which reflects light back on the person.
3) Diffused Lighting – if shooting at noon, photographer & subject stand in the shade, diffusing the light. OR can use big white umbrella / white screens.

Artificial Light – 1) On Camera Flash – (flash inside camera) causes shadow behind subject, so move subject away from wall (so shadow falls on floor)
2) Off Camera Flash – additional flash (can buy one that screws onto side of camera), tilt the flash up, so its not straight on the subject but rather bounces off the ceiling.
3) Ambient Light – taking pic with existing light in room (no flash used)