cafnr communications brown bag session on photography 101
DESCRIPTION
Learn about the basics of good photography including the rule of thirds, clean backgrounds and flattering portraits. Learn easy tips to make your own photos even better.TRANSCRIPT
Brown Bag Session on Photography 101Genevieve HowardCAFNR CommunicationsAugust 20, 2010
Welcome!
What we will talk about today• Three types of shots:
close, medium and wide
• Horizontal vs. vertical
• Rule of thirds• Elements of
composition• Clean backgrounds
• Get closer, get higher, get lower
• Context• Leading lines• Color• Landscapes• Faces, not backs• Portraits• Cameras
Three types of shots of rope
by lrargerich
by Seldom Scene Photography
by mikebairdClose
Wide
Medium
Horizontal vs. Vertical
by Matt Howard
by Matt Howard
When is it good to use?•When subject is wider than tall•You need horizontal movement•For a sense of space
When is it good to use?•When subject is taller than wide•You need vertical movement•For a sense of focus
Rule of thirds
The eye usually moves from left to right, top to bottom, similar to reading.
by Genevieve Howard
Elements of composition
•Line: moves the eye through the photo.•Shape: defines the edges. Think of silhouettes.•Form: the 3-D aspect of an object.•Color• Hue (what we think of as the named colors ) • Value (lighter or darker) • Saturation (intensity)•Pattern: repetition of line, shape, form or color.•Space: negative and positive.
Clean backgrounds
Which photo is more powerful for you?
Negative space
Positive space
Get closer, get higher, get lower
by Nicole Jordan
by Franklin Henderson
by Franklin Henderson
Which photo is more powerful for you?
Context
by Keith Montgomery
by Franklin Henderson
Which is stronger?
by Genevieve Howard
Rule of thirds applied
Leading Lines
Leading lines are lines in a photo that lead your eye to a particular spot.
by Matt Howard
by Matt Howard
Color
by Matt Howard by Drew Backues
Look for color.
Landscapes
by Matt Howard
Make sure you have a foreground, as well as a middle ground and background. Movement of eye can be vertical or horizontal.
by Matt Howard
Faces, not backsIt’s natural for people to respond emotionally to human faces.
by elevatorlady by Keith Montgomery
Which photo draws you in more?
Portraits with soft lightSoft light works best. If outdoors, shoot in open shade or during overcast days.
by Nicole Jordanby Allison Ralston
Compare the quality of light and shadow on the faces. Which is more flattering?
ActionPeople in action make the image more exciting.
by Matt Howard
by Nicole Jordan
ExpressionLook for expression.
by Matt Howardby Nicole Jordan
Get closeFaces, and even just eyes, show personality and emotion.
by Nicole Jordan by Genevieve Howard
CamerasPoint-and-shoot or DSLR
Higher image quality, suitable for large prints.Heavier.More expensive.Need to purchase separate lenses.More complex.More control.
Fine for web quality or small prints.Lightweight.Small size is portable.More affordable.Easy to use.Get the best optical zoom you can.
Three thingsIf you could only remember three things the next time you take a photo…
•With portraits, look for a clean background.•Imagine a grid: rule of thirds.•Change your perspective: get closer, get higher, get lower.
Have fun and take more photos!
In appreciationSpecial thanks to all the photographers who generously let me use their work in my presentation.
You can see more of their work on Flickr.
Drew Backues http://www.flickr.com/photos/_omerad_/
Matt Howard http://www.flickr.com/photos/nsca23/
Nicole Jordan http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicole10f/
Keith Montgomery http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithmontgomery/
Thank you!• Questions?Genevieve Howard [email protected] on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/genhoward730/
• Join the CAFNR LinkedIn group http://linkd.in/avOE44• Be our fan on Facebook http://bit.ly/bSCgt8• Follow us @cafnr