Smart Phone Photography July 20, 2015
Bob Walker
Mike Schlitt
Agenda
• Introductions – Bob and Mike
– Both “Apple/Mac” users
– Examples are Apple/IOS, but principles are applicable to other Smartphone platforms (ex: Android)
• What WE WILL and what WE WON’T cover
• What we hope to accomplish at end of this class:
– Better understanding of camera basics
– Show you how to go beyond “fully AUTO” mode
– Enable you can take better photos!
What “WE Will” Cover
• Advantages/limitations of Smartphone photography
• Basics of exposure (“exposure triangle”)
• Common faults in taking photos
• Suggestions list of ‘things to do’ to get the best photos from Smartphone’s
• Some IOS Apps as alternatives to Apple’s native “Camera” App
• Basics of IOS Apps used for editing (“post processing”)
• Equipment accessories
What “WE WON’T” Cover
• Social media Apps (Ex: Instagram)
• “Selfies”
• Photo filters
• Editing (post processing) Apps in any detail
All CAMERA TYPES HAVE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
SMARTPHONE CAMERA’S + Portable/Carry everywhere/easily accessible “The best camera is the one with you!” + Easy to shoot in ‘Automatic’ mode - Fixed lens - Lack flexibility - Low Megapixel (quality) photos
POINT AND SHOOT CAMERA’S + Small (pocket size) + More flexibility/sophistication than Smartphone - Fixed lens
SLR/DSLR (Single Lens Reflex) CAMERA’S + High Megapixel (quality) photos + Very flexible; high degree of sophistication - BIG and BULKY
CAMERA TYPES HAVE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
SMARTPHONE CAMERA’S + Portable/Carry everywhere/easily accessible “The best camera is the one with you!” + Easy to shoot in ‘Automatic’ mode - Fixed lens - Lack flexibility - Low Megapixel (quality) photos
POINT AND SHOOT CAMERA’S + Small (pocket size) + More flexibility/sophistication than Smartphone - Fixed lens
SLR/DSLR (Single Lens Reflex) CAMERA’S + High Megapixel (quality) photos + Very flexible; high degree of sophistication - BIG and BULKY
CAMERA TYPES HAVE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
SMARTPHONE CAMERA’S + Portable/Carry everywhere/easily accessible “The best camera is the one with you!” + Easy to shoot in ‘Automatic’ mode - Fixed lens - Lack flexibility - Low Megapixel (quality) photos
POINT AND SHOOT CAMERA’S + Small (pocket size) + More flexibility/sophistication than Smartphone - Fixed lens
SLR/DSLR (Single Lens Reflex) CAMERA’S + High Megapixel (quality) photos + Very flexible; high degree of sophistication - BIG and BULKY
Camera Sensor Sizes
iPhone 6
Canon 5DMkIII
Common Fault #1 – Lighting
• Taking photos into bright light
• Trying to capture photos with a big difference in exposure – bright and dark areas (use HDR)
• Insufficient light
– Trying to use phone flash for dark scenes
• Using “auto” mode when good results are not be obtainable
Common Fault #2 – Exposure
• Trying to capture photos with a big difference in exposure – bright and dark areas
• Not understanding relationship of:
1. Shutter speed (moving objects)
2. Aperture – depth of field affecting focus
3. ISO – light sensitivity affecting “noise”
Results in blurred photos, out of focus photos, and/or grainy photos
Common Fault #3 – Composition
• Not specific on what your trying to capture
• Light that does not give a scene shape, depth or look interesting
• Rule of thirds Everything centered in photo (vs. “rule of thirds”)
• Alternative angles (low to ground vs. eye-level shots)
• Not working a scene for better photo
Rule of Thirds
ISO “International Standards Organization”
• Originally measured how sensitive FILM was to light
• For digital camera, is how sensitive camera capture is to light
– Low ISO – LESS sensitive to light
• Darker images, but less NOISE
– High ISO – MORE sensitive to light
• Brighter images, but more NOISE
Things to Consider
• Grip/positioning of camera (hand, held against a fixed object, tripod)
• Shooting mode (standard camera, video, pano, burst, square, etc.)
• Light source
• Composition
• Exposure requirements (ISO, aperture, shutter)
More control of taking pictures
Taking pictures
• “Camera” App – fully automatic (no adjustments)
• “Camera” App – manual exposure adjustments
• Other Apps – advanced manual controls (shutter, ISO, focus, exposure compensation, white balance) – Camera+
– Manual
Automatic
More flexibility
Tap area to focus
Adjust exposure using “slider”
Alternatives to IOS “Camera” App for taking photos
• Camera+ ($2.99)
– Clarity filter
• Manual ($1.99)
– Independent control of shutter, ISO, focus, etc.
• Many more ….
Camera+ Features
Camera+ “Clarity” feature
“Manual” App – taking pictures
Manual control of: • shutter speed • ISO • focus, • exposure compensation
white balance
Editing pictures
• “Photos” App – Wand (automatic) – Crop, straighten, rotate – Smart adjustments
• Light – Exposure – Highlights – Shadows – Brightness
• Color – Saturation – Contrast – Cast
• B&W (black & white)
– Filters & extensions