Basic photography - Basic photography - Composition & lightComposition & light

Jim LucasJim Lucas

Community, Agriculture, Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource StudiesRecreation and Resource Studies

Keep it simpleKeep it simple

Keep background unclutteredKeep background uncluttered Avoid mergersAvoid mergers Have single dominant subjectHave single dominant subject

                                    

Working with anglesWorking with angles

Low anglesLow angles Clear sky backdropClear sky backdrop Accentuate movement or actionAccentuate movement or action

High angleHigh angle Eliminate cloudy skyEliminate cloudy sky

Avoid centered horizonsAvoid centered horizons Use the lightUse the light Emphasize a point, toneEmphasize a point, tone

Have a strong center of Have a strong center of interestinterest

Take pictures at different angles with different Take pictures at different angles with different compositionscompositions

Work around the rule of thirdsWork around the rule of thirds

BalanceBalance

Balance color and weight in a pictureBalance color and weight in a picture Formal and informalFormal and informal Symmetrical and asymmetricalSymmetrical and asymmetrical

Work with lineWork with line

Line leads the eyeLine leads the eye DiagonalsDiagonals S-curvesS-curves

Static vs. dynamic linesStatic vs. dynamic lines ShapeShape

                                      

Use framesUse frames

Adds depthAdds depth Should fit themeShould fit theme Watch focus on foregroundWatch focus on foreground

Focus on foreground in landscapeFocus on foreground in landscape Focus on subject in portraitsFocus on subject in portraits Auto-focus should be centered on main topicAuto-focus should be centered on main topic Overall—DEPENDS ON CAMERAOverall—DEPENDS ON CAMERA

Fill the frameFill the frame

Would this picture look better if I was closer?Would this picture look better if I was closer? Focus on subjectFocus on subject DetailDetail

Start far and move closerStart far and move closer Fill the frame with objects that “fit”Fill the frame with objects that “fit” Long range shots provide depth and Long range shots provide depth and

perspectiveperspective

                  

Action shotsAction shots

High shutter speedHigh shutter speed Telephoto lensTelephoto lens

Longer lens means faster shutter speedLonger lens means faster shutter speed Stopping motionStopping motion

Far is easier than nearFar is easier than near Straight is easier than diagonalStraight is easier than diagonal Diagonal is easier than right anglesDiagonal is easier than right angles

PanningPanning

Pick a good light directionPick a good light direction

Three light directionsThree light directions Front - sunny with high colorFront - sunny with high color Side - depth and textureSide - depth and texture Back - dynamic but challenging; silhouettes and Back - dynamic but challenging; silhouettes and

water effectswater effects

ContrastContrast

Hard vs. soft lightHard vs. soft light Sunny days – high contrast (hard light)Sunny days – high contrast (hard light) Cloudy days – low contrast (soft light)Cloudy days – low contrast (soft light)

Portraits often use soft light (shaded area)Portraits often use soft light (shaded area) Flash will reduce contrastFlash will reduce contrast Soft light helps with color variationsSoft light helps with color variations

ColorColor

Color changes with daylightColor changes with daylight Film does not react to color shifts as the eye doesFilm does not react to color shifts as the eye does Color sets a tone as in art or designColor sets a tone as in art or design

LandscapesLandscapes

Equipment neededEquipment needed Wide angle lensWide angle lens Telephoto lens (100 – 300mm)Telephoto lens (100 – 300mm) TripodTripod Hood and filtersHood and filters

Landscape tipsLandscape tips

Take pictures at the start and end of the dayTake pictures at the start and end of the day Anticipate weather changesAnticipate weather changes Diffused light can highlight patterns and Diffused light can highlight patterns and

texturestextures Bright light highlights monochrome colorsBright light highlights monochrome colors Move around to exclude or block objects from Move around to exclude or block objects from

viewview

SunsetsSunsets

Include shadowed image for interestInclude shadowed image for interest Less time closer to the equator to takeLess time closer to the equator to take Often best after the sun has actually gone Often best after the sun has actually gone

downdown

Exterior shotsExterior shots

Plain backgroundPlain background Out of focusOut of focus Low angle shot against skyLow angle shot against sky Complimentary to shotComplimentary to shot Move subjectMove subject

Objects in the landscapeObjects in the landscape

Add scale, depth and focal pointsAdd scale, depth and focal points Use items to add interest to common or simple Use items to add interest to common or simple

scenesscenes Look for incongruitiesLook for incongruities

WildlifeWildlife

Equipment neededEquipment needed 200/400 speed film200/400 speed film Telephoto lens (100 – 300mm)Telephoto lens (100 – 300mm) Macro lensMacro lens TripodTripod

Wildlife tipsWildlife tips

Fill the frameFill the frame Avoid barriersAvoid barriers Shoot against the glass if in a carShoot against the glass if in a car Blur background, or find simple oneBlur background, or find simple one Focus on the eyesFocus on the eyes Go for natural poses, growls, yawns, etc.Go for natural poses, growls, yawns, etc.

GardensGardens

Equipment neededEquipment needed Wide angle lensWide angle lens Macro lensMacro lens WindbreakWindbreak FiltersFilters

Garden tipsGarden tips

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

Macro lensMacro lens Can help you get a 1:1 rationCan help you get a 1:1 ration Avoid shadowing your subjectAvoid shadowing your subject Have smaller aperture to allow more depth of fieldHave smaller aperture to allow more depth of field Without macro = 4 foot minimumWithout macro = 4 foot minimum

Take-away pointsTake-away points

ExperimentExperiment MoveMove WaitWait