comments (links ) at … rsleeth/obtc2010_randy_sleeth_photo_comments.html

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!!!

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Brief Outline of SessionIntroduction5 minutesComments and Examples15 minutesHands-On Practice40 minutesDiscussion & Critique30 minutes

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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

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If …

“A picture is worth 1000 words”

then …

“1000 words is worth a picture.”

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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 …

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1. View images immediately2. Erase unwanted images3. Go home with wanted images4. Suffer no delays waiting to analyze a shot 5. Experiment without wasting film.

“The best thing about digital is the instant feedback”

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1. Primary Rule of compositional theory2. Split images into thirds both horizontally

and vertically3. Note resulting four axis points (next

slide)4. Consider the eight potential compositions5. Place subject in or around an axis point 6. Find composition with best harmony.

“The rule of thirds”

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“The rule of thirds”

1 2

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Four axis points …

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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.

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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 possibilities3. Great portraits do not require great

smiles—or even faces.

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1. Perspective is everything2. Walk around subjects to change

perspective and find best viewing angle3. Seek happy surprises: just move around4. Focus on hands5. Ask people to close their eyes6. Use props to gain comfort7. Relax with humor.

Perspective: “Add interest with your viewpoint”

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1. Apply metaphorically• Seek subjects “giving birth” to something• Seek subjects “acting parentally.”

“A mother comes to life with her child”

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“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).

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1. Build upon existing familiarities2. Seek calm and cooperation3. Talk

• Gain full attention• Announce intention to take pictures• Start snapping

4. Avoid pressure; just take the pictures5. “It’s not life or death.”

“Get friendly”

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1. Make wanted images happen2. Use groups to create photogenic comfort3. 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”

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1. Learn that your feelings exceed your thoughts

2. Organize intellectually; respond emotionally

3. See for yourself, not as others see4. Emphasize content over form5. Keep the message more important than

the composition.

“Emphasize Emotion Over Vision”

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“Say something with your photographs”

1. Photographs become artist’s language2. Photographs speak with dreams and

metaphors3. Photographs offer emotion, intellect,

and imagination (seen through form and content)

4. Educated viewers, accept, understand, relate to, and sometimes purchase your images.

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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”

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1. We work on a relatively level playing field2. We separate ourselves with unique vision3. 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”

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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 abstracting5. Move close in to make ordinary objects

seem wonderfully unusual.

“Challenge the obvious”

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1. Complex images not always intellectual 2. Art often sees less as more3. Simplicity communicates vision effectively4. The “eyes” have it5. Both foreground and background

contribute6. Simple backgrounds help7. Cropping can cut out distractions.

“Keep it simple”

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1. Let photography influence growth and style2. Let style emerge from ideas and interests3. Show positive mood and passion in subjects4. Explore to find connections and styles5. Find unusual in the ordinary6. Find ordinary in the unusual.

“Be yourself & have Fun with your own style”

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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”

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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 drama4. Use contrasts to emphasize subjects5. Know that what draws your attention may

never happen the same way again.

“Take lots of pictures”

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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”

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1. We care about seductive frame-filling faces2. Let viewers experience affection and

attraction3. 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”

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“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 shots3. Look for triangles4. Position subjects comfortably

• looking sideways• arms around legs• head toward camera.

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1. Position subjects close: shoulder-to-shoulder

2. Fill frames with faces3. Organize groups members into rows4. Place important people in important

places5. Position camera chest-high to avoid

unflattering perspective distortion• Low camera emphasizes torsos and necks• High camera enlarges heads over bodies.

“Pose & Compose”

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1. Get to most critical places for action2. Know what will define setting

(ends of races are rarely interesting)3. Make your images different4. Pre-focus to prepare for action5. Search and employ the best vantage

points.

“Know your setting”

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1. Avoid shooting into highly reflective surfaces(mirrors, windows, polished wood paneling)• Avoid flash bounceback by positioning at a slight

angle2. 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 …

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“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.

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“Encourage expressions”

1. Talk in relaxed, non-forced way2. Smile a lot3. Model for subjects

• Show relaxed and upbeat expressions and body language

• Assume desired attitude • “Smiling photographers have smiling

subjects.”

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“Most rules bend well”

1. Expect frequent exceptions2. Break the rule of thirds when you have

confidence in your composition3. Allow exceptions to make you more critical

of your own work – hard to do4. Accept shooting advice of others, including

non-photographers.

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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”

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1. Invest in some extras• lively rechargeable batteries• large memory cards• but …

2. Great pictures do not require great gear3. Great gear simply stays out of the way4. More shots better pictures.

“Attention to detail matters”

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1. Lots of pictures; lots of close-ups • Gain richness• Direct attention

Example: OBTC pictures

Randy’s Highlighted tips

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“Lots of Close-ups …”

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“Lots of Close-ups …”

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“Lots of Close-ups …”

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Highlighted tips

2. Anticipated actions• Basketball point guard earns assists• Sequences note crucial moments

Example:  Any "stopped motion" picture to capture a "critical moment”

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Reactions…

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Reactions and timing…

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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

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Tie a “Bowline” Knot

Animated Looks cool; sometines difficult to follow…

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Tie a “Bowline” Knot

Stages Focus where you want…

1. Pass the end through a loop on the standing part

2. Round the standing part3. Back through the loop.

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Pictures in Sequence

(watch here)

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loop

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Pictures in Sequence

Forming Teams …

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Pictures in Sequence

Forming Teams …

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Pictures in Sequence

Forming Teams …

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Pictures in Sequence

Preparing Class Exercise …

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“Squares” Exercise …”

Reactions:“Done” and not involved

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Activelyinvolved …

“Squares” Exercise …”

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Watching & Analyzing(Observers behaving differently)

“Squares” Exercise …”

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Squares completed …

“Squares” Exercise …”

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“Pictures in Sequence …”

“Who are those other guys?”

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“Pictures in Sequence …”

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“Pictures in Sequence …”

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Highlighted tips

4. Reactions vs. actions • Speakers have audiences• Leaders have followers

Example: Students displaying different levels of “involvement”

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Actions, reactions, and Timing …

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Anticipated Reactions…

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Dr. Randy’s 20-Item Guide to People Pix …

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