Post on 17-Dec-2015
transcript
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 1
Comments (links) at … http://www.people.vcu.edu/~rsleeth/OBTC2010_Randy_Sleeth_Photo_Comments.html
Photography Tips and Techniques … will add more pics to the resentation!!!
2Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
Brief Outline of Session
Introduction5 minutes
Comments and Examples15 minutes
Hands-On Practice40 minutes
Discussion & Critique30 minutes
3Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
Overview
Photographs can integrate meanings in behavior and portray displays of human potentialDigital pictures can demonstrate applications to learningApplication of Principles will improve the resultsParticipants may try applying (with available cameras) some photography principles
4Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
If …
“A picture is worth 1000 words”
then …
“1000 words is worth a picture.”
5Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
Now, for an extremely fast overview of guidelines: my point is not to teach the tips but to show that they exist and there are many of them
Then, some examples …
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 6
1. View images immediately
2. Erase unwanted images
3. Go home with wanted images
4. Suffer no delays waiting to analyze a shot
5. Experiment without wasting film.
“The best thing about digital is the instant feedback”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 7
1. Primary Rule of compositional theory
2. Split images into thirds both horizontally and vertically
3. Note resulting four axis points (next slide)
4. Consider the eight potential compositions
5. Place subject in or around an axis point
6. Find composition with best harmony.
“The rule of thirds”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 9
Think Boy Scout:”Be Prepared (1)”
1. Stay prepared:• Take unexpected photos• Always have a camera• Notice unexpected photo opportunities• Take advantage of limited opportunities• Create angles and frames• Remain poised for a shot
2. Use simple motions for expressions and movement
3. Catch comfortable subjects at what they do well.
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 10
Think Boy Scout:”Be Prepared (2)”
1. Subjects will come to you • Stay ready for unexpected opportunities• Think and act creatively• Prepare angles and framing
2. Keep open to possibilities
3. Great portraits do not require great smiles—or even faces.
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 11
1. Perspective is everything
2. Walk around subjects to change perspective and find best viewing angle
3. Seek happy surprises: just move around
4. Focus on hands
5. Ask people to close their eyes
6. Use props to gain comfort
7. Relax with humor.
Perspective: “Add interest with your viewpoint”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 12
1. Apply metaphorically• Seek subjects “giving birth” to something• Seek subjects “acting parentally.”
“A mother comes to life with her child”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 13
“Attend to surroundings”
1. Two pictures are better than one• Create sense of place with an “establishing
shot”• Begin with head-to-toe picture• Then go in for the close-up• Never pass up a close-up
2. Attend to the scene perimeter
3. Seek symbols and details to reflect the focus of the scene or event
4. Look for “something different” (angles & frames).
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 14
1. Build upon existing familiarities
2. Seek calm and cooperation
3. Talk• Gain full attention• Announce intention to take pictures• Start snapping
4. Avoid pressure; just take the pictures
5. “It’s not life or death.”
“Get friendly”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 15
1. Make wanted images happen
2. Use groups to create photogenic comfort
3. Move people very close together• To break down defenses• To gain comfort• To add richness to composition
4. Remember: group shots make great shots.
“Group people for cooperation & relaxation”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 16
1. Learn that your feelings exceed your thoughts
2. Organize intellectually; respond emotionally
3. See for yourself, not as others see
4. Emphasize content over form
5. Keep the message more important than the composition.
“Emphasize Emotion Over Vision”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 17
“Say something with your photographs”
1. Photographs become artist’s language
2. Photographs speak with dreams and metaphors
3. Photographs offer emotion, intellect, and imagination (seen through form and content)
4. Educated viewers, accept, understand, relate to, and sometimes purchase your images.
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 18
1. Photographic images deal reality:• Assumed• Constructed• Well seen
2. Images “have a point” to the extent they communicate with viewers
3. Successful images always use photographer’s eyes to share emotion or intellect with viewers.
“Maintain visible rapport with viewers”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 19
1. We work on a relatively level playing field
2. We separate ourselves with unique vision
3. Quality images require• Consistency• Thought• Understanding• Open mind
4. Zen of photography:• Open mind sees all• Camera snaps at infinite.
“Present a unique vision, consistently”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 20
1. Force a different view for deeper understanding of subject and subtleties
2. Work in series to demonstrate interest and deliberation
3. Find the unusual in ordinary or familiar objects
4. Challenge viewers with abstracting
5. Move close in to make ordinary objects seem wonderfully unusual.
“Challenge the obvious”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 21
1. Complex images not always intellectual
2. Art often sees less as more
3. Simplicity communicates vision effectively
4. The “eyes” have it
5. Both foreground and background contribute
6. Simple backgrounds help
7. Cropping can cut out distractions.
“Keep it simple”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 22
1. Let photography influence growth and style
2. Let style emerge from ideas and interests
3. Show positive mood and passion in subjects
4. Explore to find connections and styles
5. Find unusual in the ordinary
6. Find ordinary in the unusual.
“Be yourself & have Fun with your own style”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 23
1. Follow your interests:• “This is what I like”• “This is what I want to be doing”
2. Form a thick skin:• You will not know you are right• You will know what you like.
“Gain confidence in your own taste”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 24
1. Let your camera do the math 2. Seek interesting details …
• Move around – laterally and vertically• Look through viewfinder• Find angles and perspectives that work• Take plenty of pictures• Watch for little things
3. Find angles that add drama
4. Use contrasts to emphasize subjects5. Know that what draws your attention may
never happen the same way again.
“Take lots of pictures”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 25
1. Note: Actions and reactions occur quickly • Shoot quickly and often• Electrons are cheap• One great shot justifies 100 other tries
2. Prefocus: Avoid “Hole in the Middle” • Get in tight to capture emotions• Depict relations in tight close-ups• Use power of extreme close shots• Keep subjects equidistant from camera• Focus on eyes
3. Move around to view all scene elements.
“Take LOTS of Pictures”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 26
1. We care about seductive frame-filling faces
2. Let viewers experience affection and attraction
3. Tell subjects to think about what they romance• Speak to bring out expressions• Show warmth and playfulness; get same back• Know smallest expression changes make and
break images
4. Shoot a lot• Electrons are still cheap• Perfect moments are still rare.
“Close is Intimate”
27Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
“Dial in the Diagonals – to Increase Appeal”
1. We all like pictures with diagonals and S curves
(think of the Nike “swoosh”)
2. Forego straight head and shoulders shots
3. Look for triangles
4. Position subjects comfortably• looking sideways• arms around legs• head toward camera.
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 28
1. Position subjects close: shoulder-to-shoulder
2. Fill frames with faces
3. Organize groups members into rows
4. Place important people in important places
5. Position camera chest-high to avoid unflattering perspective distortion• Low camera emphasizes torsos and necks• High camera enlarges heads over bodies.
“Pose & Compose”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 29
1. Get to most critical places for action
2. Know what will define setting(ends of races are rarely interesting)
3. Make your images different
4. Pre-focus to prepare for action
5. Search and employ the best vantage points.
“Know your setting”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 30
1. Avoid shooting into highly reflective surfaces(mirrors, windows, polished wood paneling)• Avoid flash bounceback by positioning at a slight
angle
2. Avoid eyeglasses glare(flash reflecting off surface of glasses)• Ask for removal of eyeglasses • Raise lights• Ask glasses wearers to tilt downward slightly.
Plan and set up …
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 31
“Avoid Posing”
1. Find vs construct photos• Stay in background• Wait for photos to happen
2. Engage in quiet observation (to capture natural and real feelings)
3. Reality means timing (think “point guard”)
4. Prepare for speed, alertness, position• "Wait a second, I'm almost there!” – NOT!• Capture reactions to punch lines.
32Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
“Encourage expressions”
1. Talk in relaxed, non-forced way
2. Smile a lot
3. Model for subjects• Show relaxed and upbeat expressions and
body language• Assume desired attitude • “Smiling photographers have smiling
subjects.”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 33
“Most rules bend well”
1. Expect frequent exceptions
2. Break the rule of thirds when you have confidence in your composition
3. Allow exceptions to make you more critical of your own work – hard to do
4. Accept shooting advice of others, including non-photographers.
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 34
1. Light always affects subjects
2. “No such thing as bad light”
3. “It’s not worth it…I’ll come back later” (no!)• Later does not happen• Later means never
4. Make good pictures with the light you have: Move around, get down low, change your angle, create a shaded area, use reflectors, control light and scene with flash
5. Artificial light can create many effects.
“Quality of Light – Always Crucial”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 35
1. Invest in some extras• lively rechargeable batteries• large memory cards• but …
2. Great pictures do not require great gear
3. Great gear simply stays out of the way
4. More shots better pictures.
“Attention to detail matters”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 36
1. Lots of pictures; lots of close-ups • Gain richness• Direct attention
Example: OBTC pictures
Randy’s Highlighted tips
40Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
Highlighted tips
2. Anticipated actions• Basketball point guard earns assists• Sequences note crucial moments
Example: Any "stopped motion" picture to capture a "critical moment”
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 43
3. Sequences and stages• Capture continuous processes with movies• Capture stages with pictures
Examples: US Navy knot tyingMaking an ice cream sundae" Filling a classroomCoalescing into groups
Highlighted tips
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 44
Tie a “Bowline” Knot
Animated
Looks cool; sometines difficult to follow…
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 45
Tie a “Bowline” Knot
Stages
Focus where you want…
1. Pass the end through a loop on the standing part
2. Round the standing part
3. Back through the loop.
Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu 59
Watching & Analyzing(Observers behaving differently)
“Squares” Exercise …”
64Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
Highlighted tips
4. Reactions vs. actions • Speakers have audiences• Leaders have followers
Example: Students displaying different levels of “involvement”