Basic Definitions
Aperture (F number)
Aperture affects the brightness of a
photograph as well as the depth of
field (what areas of the photograph
are in focus).
The image to the left shows
increasing f numbers but decreasing
apertures.
The lower f numbers decrease the
depth the field (making less things in
focus) but allows more light in.
Depth of Field
The larger the
aperture the less
that will be in
focus in the image.
As you go down in
aperture this gives
less light so you
must also go down
in shutter speed to
give more light.
ISO
ISO is the sensitivity of
the sensor to light.
Higher ISO is used in
low lighting
photography but it
causes a grained
texture.
In sports photography
higher ISO is often used
to allow for a higher
shutter speed.
Don’t just use the automatic setting on
your camera!!!
Program (P)
This would be the first step up from the automatic
setting.
On this setting:
Shutter speed is automatic
Aperture is automatic
You can control ISO
You can control the white balance
You can control the exposure compensation (the dial that
goes from -2 to 2)
Shutter Priority (Tv or S)
Aperture is automatic
ISO is automatic
You control the shutter speed in this
mode
You also control exposure
compensation
Aperture Priority (Av or A)
Shutter speed is automatic
ISO is automatic
You control the aperture setting
You also control the exposure
compensation
Manual (M)
You can change everything!
This gives more control to the outcome of your
photograph.
The automatic setting on your camera is not
always right.
Composition:
Rule of Thirds
Leading Lines
Leading lines pull the
viewer’s eye into the
photograph.
It gives a focus to the
photograph.
Generally, this works best if
the ‘line’ starts in the
foreground or one of the
four corners and leads
somehwere in the
photograph.
Filling the Frame
If you get in close to the subject
you can prevent having too much
information in the frame.
Too much information causes the
viewer to be confused as to what
part is meant to be the main part.
One way of filling the frame is to
remove any background and only
have your subject in the frame.
Other times, you can have a bit of
background in the photograph
and it still works.
Frame the Photograph
Use things that are already
there to frame your subject.
Diagonal or curved lines can
often be more interesting
than straight lines.
Perspective
You don’t always have to
take images straight on.
Get down lower or stand on
a chair to get a different
point of view.
It can create funny images
or give a really cool effect to
an image.
Rules can be broken!
Once you understand the rules of composition the rules
can be broken.
It is best to not break too many in one photograph.
The rules often work but do not always work.
Sometimes, breaking them can look creative and show a
different point of view.
Panning
Panning is used to create effects
of moving objects.
Sometimes, a fast shutter speed
that freezes a motion does not
always give the best results.
A slow shutter speed is used (if it
is very slow you will need to use a
tripod for this) and as a moving
object approaches you press the
shutter and follow the moving
object with your lens.
Free Websites for editing photos
Picasa http://picasa.google.ie/
Gimp http://www.gimp.org/
Image composite editor – Microsoft
You can also use photoshop or
photoshop elements in some of the
college computer suites.
Photoshop Workshop