PHOTOGRAPHY

Basic Lesson

Some

thoughts to ponder about photogr

Some

thoughts to ponder about photogr

Some

thoughts to ponder about photogr

Some

thoughts to ponder about photogr

Etymology
The word photography was created
from theGreekroots phtos),
(
genitive of (phs), light and
graph)
(
representation by
means of lines or drawing, together
meaning drawing with light.

Etymology
Several people may have coined the same
new term from these roots
independently.
Hercules Florence, a French painter and
inventor living in Campinas, Brazil, used
the French form of the word,
photographie, in private notes which a
Brazilian photography historian believes
were written in 1834.

Etymology
Johann von Maedler, a Berlin
astronomer, is credited in a 1932
German history of photography as
having used it in an article published on
February 25, 1839 in the German
newspaperVossische Zeitung.
Both of these claims are now widely
reported but apparently neither has ever
been independently confirmed as beyond
reasonable doubt.

 Credit has traditionally been given toSir

John Herschelboth for coining the word
and for introducing it to the public.
His uses of it in private correspondence
prior to February 25, 1839 and at
hisRoyal Societylecture on the subject
in London on March 14, 1839 have long
been amply documented and accepted as
settled fact.

Evolution of Camera
19th century
studio camera
standing on
tripod and using
plates.

Evolution of Camera
Box camera, one
of the first massproduced pocket
cameras using
film, c. 1900.

Evolution of Camera
Compact Kodak
folding camera
from 1922.

Evolution of Camera
Leica-II, one of the
first135
filmcameras,
1932.

Top TEN Reasons to Date a Photographer:

They work well in the dark.
Theyre used to funny smells.
They make things develop.
They work well on many settings.
They know how to focus.
They can make big things look small and small
things look big.
7. They work well from many different angles.
8. They zoom in and out. And in and out and in
and out and in and out...
9. They shoot in many different locations.
10. They can find the beauty in anything.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Basic Concepts
1. Lighting and Exposure
2. Composition and Camera Angles
3. Aberration
4. Angle of View
5. Aperture
6. Aspect Ratio
7. Auto-focus
8. Depth of field measurements
9. Focal lengths
10.Shutter speed settings

Lighting and Exposure

How the lighting of a scene affects the
exposure of the film is one of the most
basic photography concepts.
The more light within the scene, the
more the film will be exposed.
Have you ever seen or taken
pictures that are so light or so
dark that one can hardly make
out the subjects? That shows
the importance the proper
lighting and exposure in
photography.

Lighting and Exposure

Conversely, the less light a scene has,
the less the film will be exposed.
While over-exposed film turns out
pictures that are too bright, underexposed film will be too dark, appearing
blacked-out.
Understanding how to manipulate
lighting will help a photographer properly
expose his film.

Lighting and Exposure

In any given scene a subject can be fully lit

with direct light, fully lit with indirect light
or partially lit with backlighting or ambient
lighting.

Lighting and Exposure

Learning how to alter the film speeds
and lighting in poorly lit scenes takes
some effort. However, a photographer
can purchase a light meter,
meter a tool that
measures the amount of light in a scene.
Given this measurement, the
photographer can choose the
appropriate film speed.

Composition and Camera Angles

Good Composition is a key element of
good photographs yet is something that
is hard to define.
Five (5) Elements of Composition in
Photography:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Pattern
Symmetry
Texture
Depth of Field
Lines

Five (5) Elements of

Composition in Photography

1. Pattern

There are patterns all around us if we

only learn to see them. Emphasizing
and highlighting these patterns can
lead to striking shots as can high
lighting when patterns are broken.

Five (5) Elements of

Composition in Photography

2. Symmetry

Depending upon the scene symmetry can be something to

go for or to avoid completely.
A symmetrical shot with strong composition and a good point
of interest can lead to a striking image but without the
strong point of interest it can be a little predictable. I prefer to
experiment with both in the one shoot to see which works
best.

Five (5) Elements of

Composition in Photography

3. Texture

Images a two dimensional thing yet

with the clever use of texture they
can come alive and become almost
three dimensional.
Texture particularly comes into play
when light hits objects at interesting

Five (5) Elements of

Composition in Photography

4. Depth of Field

The depth of field that you select when

taking an image will drastically impact the
composition of an image.
It can isolate a subject from its background
and foreground (when using a shallow depth
of field) or it can put the same subject in
context by revealing its surrounds with a

Five (5) Elements of

Composition in Photography

5. Lines

Lines can be powerful elements in an image.

They have the power to draw the eye to key
focal points in a shot and to impact the feel of
an image greatly.
Diagonal,Horizontal,VerticalandConverging
linesall impact images differently and should
be spotted while framing a shot and then

Composition and Camera Angles

Composition, or the technique of setting up
the subject within the cameras frame, is
another basic principle of photography.
The proper composition of a shot is directly
related to the angle at which the photographer
takes the picture.
With a particular camera angle and a planned
composition, a photo can draw in the viewers
eye, add meaning to the image or add a sense
of movement and dynamism to the scene.

Composition and Camera Angles

By drawing the viewers eye to a
particular part of a picture, the
photographer also invests a particular
meaning of feeling to his shot.
Depending on the subject photographed,
its placement within the frame can make
it appear more mysterious, forceful,
compliant, or intriguing.

Composition and Camera Angles

If a photographer wishes his viewer to focus
on a certain aspect of the shot, he can place
the subject in a certain area of the frame.
For example:
Putting the subject higher in the frame gives
the subject an imposing presence on the
viewer.
On the other hand, placing the image lower
tends to make the subject more submissive
and possibly more mysterious to the critical
viewers eye.

Aberration
Aberration, also known as color
fringing, refers to the effect in which
light passing through a lens becomes
blurred and produces a fuzzy image on
the film.
film
If the camera lens is unable to focus
light of different wavelengths or if the
lens is scratched or otherwise damaged,
chromatic aberration of the final image
will occur.

Aberration
In a normal lens where aberration doesnt
occur, the lens directs light of different
wavelengths to specific areas of the film,
depending on the particular wavelength.
This process results in a balanced, clear and
sharp image on the resulting photo.
However, when this process doesnt occur,
aberration distorts the color and clarity of
the original image, ruining the resulting
pictures.
Often, the edges of the pictures are the most
distorted areas.

Aberration
Aberration can occur in six different
ways:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Astigmatism aberration
Chromatic aberration
Coma aberration
Curvature of field aberration
Distortion aberration
Spherical aberration
Note: Aberration means irregularity or oddness.

Aberration
Although some photographers generally
consider aberration to be a negative
photographic effect, others have used it
to artistic effect.
By intentionally blurring parts of a
photo, the photographer can effectively
comment on the distorted features or
nature of the subject that he is
photographing.

Angle of View
Angle of View is the amount of a scene
a photograph captures and can be
measured vertically, horizontally or
diagonally.
Also known as angle of coverage or
field of view, angle of view changes
given the type of lens a photographer
uses to take a picture.

Angle of View
While wide-angle lens tend to capture
more of a scene than any other lenses,
longer lenses generally get about two
degrees of a scene within their angle of
view.

Angle of View
The further away an image that a photographer is
attempting to capture within their angle of view, the
longer and more narrow the lens should be.
For example:
A picture of the stars or far-off marine life would be
taken with a longer, narrower lens than one that has
an image with an angle of view that is twenty feet away.
Similarly, if a photographer wants to include more or
less light within an angle of view, they can use a petal
or a hooded lens respectively.

Angle of View

Angle of View

 Photographic filmis a strip or sheet of

transparentplasticfilm basecoated on one
side with agelatinemulsioncontaining
microscopically small light-sensitivesilver
halidecrystals.
The sizes and other characteristics of the
crystals determine the sensitivity, contrast
andresolution of the film.

Digital Printing

Photo Lab (Dark Room)

Photo Lab (Dark Room)

Photo Lab (Dark Room)

Photo Lab (Dark Room)

Different Types of
Photography

TYPES OF PHOTOGRAPHY

The various types of photography are a

clear indication of why this much-loved art
form has reached epic proportions in terms
of popularity; either as a hobby or as a
profession.
Here are some photography styles that
enjoy a prominent position in the creative
industry.

A photograph is not just a

representation of what one sees in
reality. It often represents something
that is not seen by an ordinary observer.

A photograph is definitely worth a

thousand words, and it has the power to
convey a whole new meaning of a
particular situation.

While photography may be a hobby to

some, this art form is a complete
profession to many, as it offers various
avenues to aspiring photographers.

The world's most spectacular

photographs need not require the
most expensive equipment.

A stunning photograph would require

the expertise of a skilful eye that is
trained to capture moments in the best
way possible.

1. Fashion Photography
Photographs are one of the
most effective ways of
communication in the world of
fashion. Here, photography is used
to bring attention to the clothes and
the accessories. Models are
exclusively selected to showcase
products in the best way possible.
Fashion photographers today,
create the particular look either in
natural environment or one that is
created in the studio. Often, these
fashionable photographs find their
way in leading fashion magazines.
These magazines cater to the niche
crowd that loves to know the best in
clothing and other fashion
accessories.

2. Glamor Photography
Glamor photography is also
about fashionable visuals,
however, with a difference.
Glamor photography
highlights the model in a
different light rather than
laying emphasis on the
clothing or accessories. Often,
nude images are also a part of
glamor photography. These can
be found on the covers of
magazines like 'Playboy'.

3. Wedding Photography
Wedding photography is a
specialized field of this art form,
which is dedicated to snapping the
most memorable moments in
various creative ways. A
photographer can take his/her
own approach towards this
subject. While some prefer the
traditional 'posed' ways, there are
others who base their photographs
purely on the actual moment.
Photographers can also make these
pictures fashionable with particular
themes if agreeable with the client.
There are many cases where
such glamorous wedding
photographs are captured
specially in the studio. Today,
many people are willing to explore
new ideas, which opens up many
new, creative avenues for experts in
wedding photography.

4. Nude Photography
Nude photography is about
the depiction of the human
body in the nude form. These
photographs are not
meant for eroticism but
purely for the study of the
human body. Here, the face
is not always the focal point,
and the compositions are
stylized with experimentation
in terms of light and
backdrops.

7. Portrait Photography
Portrait photography is all about
capturing the mood of a person,
with an emphasis on the
face and expression of a
person. This style of
photography need not only be
about professional models, it
can encompass any kind of a
person. Family portrait
photographs are quite popular
today. There are many creative
ways a photographer can use to
make a portrait photograph look
stunning!

8. Travel Photography
Travel photography
involves capturing
images of a particular
landscape or even people
from different countries.
A photographer
captures various
traditions and customs
of different places.

9. Nature Photography
Nature photographers are very much
sought after by media houses. Works of
these creative geniuses can be seen in
magazines like 'National Geographic'.
Nature photography encompasses various
other types of photography, such as:
Landscape Photography: These
photographs mainly highlight the natural
beauty of any place. It includes areas of
wilderness, deserts, mountains, or even
waterfalls.
Wildlife Photography: Photographers
that specialize in wildlife photography
spend many hours in the wilderness to
capture some of the most amazing shots of
animals against a natural backdrop. A
photographer in this case, would need to be
an ardent animal lover and know his way
around in the wild.

9. Nature Photography
Underwater Photography: Underwater
photography is an interesting art form that explores
a whole new world beneath the deep blue seas. It's
an extremely challenging task because a
photographer should know all about swimming and
scuba diving to capture the best images while
clicking pictures in the blue waters!
Seascape Photography: Capturing nature in her
many moods would be interesting for all lovers of
the environment. A photographer who is dedicated
to seascape photography should always lie in wait
for the beauty of the sea to unfold. Here, the
concentration is mainly on capturing various moods
of the ocean, at different times of the day, or even
in different seasons!
Cloudscape Photography: This style of
photography is completely dedicated to capturing
various images of cloud formations. Black and white
photography in particular can be creatively used for
this branch of photography.

10. Advertising
Photography
Advertising photography
is all about creating the
right environment to
highlight the product to be
advertised, in the best
way possible. The
photographers generally
come up with ideas or visuals.
At times, design houses also
brief photographers about the
concept required, in order to
obtain specific results. These
photographs are always
planned in coordination
with the advertising firm.

11. Still Life

Photography
Still life photography is all
about capturing objects on
camera that are
deliberately grouped
together to create a
particular composition. This
form of art requires the
photographer to have an
excellent sense of composition
and lighting. A photographer
in this case, can create
different textures and use
objects that add interest to an
otherwise normal composition.

12. Fine Art Photography

Fine art photography is
all about visuals that
resemble a work of art.
These are highly creative
images that have an abstract
appeal. Therefore, these
photographs can be
equivalent to an artist's
expression on canvas. This
genre of photography is
not restricted for
commercial purposes, but
could be used for creative
pursuits as well. A fine art
photographer should have
the ability to look beyond the
obvious settings.

13. Photojournalism
Photojournalism is all about
telling a story about a
particular event or incident
through a single
photograph. This genre of
photography is used mainly by
publications to represent the
latest news. In this case, the
photographer's visuals and the
writer's story should
complement each other.
For example, if a writer is
making a specific mention of a
particular location in the story,
the photographer can find
innovative ways to capture the
same on camera.

Photojournalism can be further

classified into:
A. Documentary Photography:
Here, the photographer has to
present an image that best
represents the incident being
spoken of, in true form. In this
case, press photographers usually
submit their images to the
concerned publication. However,
recently, press photographers
from all over the world have
started displaying their works at
exhibitions as well.

Photojournalism can be further

classified into:
B. Street Photography: This is
all about capturing candid
images of public places or even
people in their natural element.
A photographer, in this case,
requires the skill to mingle with
people and capture the best
frames, without being conscious of
people around.
Henri Cartier-Bresson used the
technique of wrapping the camera
inside his handkerchief. Of course,
one also has to consider the legal
issues, as there are many places
where this type of photography is
prohibited for security reasons.

Photojournalism can be further

classified into:

C. Celebrity photography: This is all

about capturing celebrities from various
fields. Various media houses use such
photographs - from publications
(magazines, newspapers) to the online
media. In this case, there are various ways
of approaching the subject. In the first
instance, celebrities are shot with
meticulous planning in a studio or at
an outdoor location, where the styling
is well planned for; this includes the
clothes, make up, and the accessories.
Apart from this, photographers who
specialize in celebrity photography also
need to capture them at various functions
or press conferences.
Whereas, there is a third type of
celebrity photography known as the
paparazzi. This is about capturing
celebrities on camera without their consent.
These photographs are exclusive and often
fetch a premium price for all
photographers.

Photojournalism can be further

classified into:
D. Sports Photography: This
genre of photography is
dedicated completely to
capturing the best images
in action, for any kind of
sport. A photographer, in this
case, should have the knack to
capture stunning images on
camera with great speed. There
are many photographers who
have dedicated themselves
completely to this segment.
These photographs are
mainly used by publishing
houses and other branches
of media.

Imagination is more important than kno

Headshot Photography
This type of photography focuses
mainly on the person's face (mug
shots), but is different from portrait
photography. The images, in this case,
are plainer in nature as the client
would need to use these images purely
for work purposes.

Example of Chromatic Aberration:

Example of Spherical Aberration:

Studio Shot

Photoshop

Rosamund Pike

Over-expose
Under-exposed

Alice Dixson

Thank You for Listening!