Photo 101:Basic Photography and
Compositionby Melvin Chua
ObjectivesLearn the common terms and basic concepts in photography
Properties of light and how it affects composition
Frequently used rules of composition and how they are applied
What is Photography?
It is recording light patterns onto a sensitive medium through a timed exposure
Photography is the capture of light
Elements of Photography
Light
TimeMedium
Photography is about 3 basic elements…
Exposure
These elements are used to determine…
ExposureExposure is the total quantity of light allowed to fall on the light sensitive medium.
Proper exposure is achieved by balancing the 3 elements of photography.
ExposureImbalance in exposure may result to Overexposed or Underexposed photographs.
Overexposed
Underexposed
So how do we control the 3 elements to have a proper
exposure?
ApertureAperture helps control the amount of light able to pass through the lens and onto the sensor of the camera.
TimeMedium
Light
Measuring ApertureAperture is measured in f-stops or aperture stop.
Higher the f-stop = Less light is allowed to pass
Lower the f-stop = More light is allowed to pass
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed controls the amount of time the light falls on the medium.
Faster the shutter speed = Less light falls onto the medium
Shutter speed is measured in seconds.
Slower the shutter speed = More light falls onto the medium
Light
Medium Time
Let’s first establish the Aperture to Shutter Speed relationship…
The Water Bucket Analogy
=More water =
Less Time to Fill Bucket
Less water =
More Time to Fill Bucket
More Light =
Less Time to Expose Medium
Less Light =
More Time to Expose MediumAmount of water to fill the bucket =
Amount of light to get a proper exposure
ISO/ASAISO / ASA is a film convention that quantifies the sensitivity of the film to light.
In digital photography, ISO controls the light sensitivity of the camera sensor.
Higher ISO level= More sensitive medium is to light
Lower ISO level = Less sensitive medium is to light
Light
TimeMedium
Putting these 3 together…
The Exposure Triangle
Light
ExposureTimeMedium
Aperture
Shutter SpeedISO
Elements of Photography
Exposure TriangleDescribes the relationship between the aperture, shutter speed and ISO.
Increasing or decreasing the value of one will directly affect the exposure of an image.
Your desired exposure will always involve a combination of these 3 values.
The Window AnalogyAperture is the size of the window. A larger window lets more light in.
Shutter speed is the amount of time the window is open. The longer it is open, the more light comes in.
ISO is how sensitive your eyes are to the light coming in from the window.For example, wearing sunglasses make our eyes less sensitive to light (low ISO).
Loss or Gain of LightAperture
Shutter Speed
ISO
f/16 f/2.8
1/500 seconds 2 seconds
ISO 100 ISO 400
Less Light More Light
What are the three elements of photography?
Recap
What is exposure?
What controls the amount of light?
Recap
What controls the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor?
What controls exposure time?
Questions
What’s the difference between a snapshot and a
photograph?A snapshot is a picture taken without artistic intent.
A photograph is a well thought out image, involving artistry, technical skills and composition.
Elements of Photography
Light
TimeMedium
What is the most important element in a composition?
“The quality of the light is more important than the quantity of
the light.”
- Jo Avila
Getting to know Light
Diffused
Light has different properties we can leverage to make our photos more interesting…
Specular
Reflected Refracted
Colored
Specular Light
Specular Lighting creates defined or harsh shadows.
Adds strength to a photograph. Useful when taking pictures of men or powerful individuals.
Specular light comes from concentrated light sources such as the sun, or an exposed flash bulb.
Diffused LightDiffused Lighting creates soft, little or no visible shadows
Makes pictures feel softer, very useful when taking photos of women and children.
Diffused light comes from light sources with big surface areas such as a window or a soft box.
Converting Specular to Diffused
Use a diffuser to scatter light effectively from a specular light source.
A diffuser can be any material, from a simple cloth to a soft box, as long as it can scatter light emitted by your light source.
Diffuser Samples
And sometimes, it pays to be resourceful…
An experiment on Shadows
Subject is farther from light source
= Hard shadows behind subject
Subject is closer to the light source
= Soft shadows behind subject
Recap
What’s the difference between a snapshot and a photgraph?
Is sunlight specular or diffused?
When taking a baby’s portrait, what kind of light is best used?
How do we convert specular light to diffused?
Questions
Other Properties of Light
Reflected Light…Reflections can be
used to provide balance and symmetry
to an image.
Reflections can be enhanced by using a CPL Filter (Circular
Polarizer).
Refracted Light
Light can be refracted or bent. You can use it to
add more depth to your pictures.
Colored Light
Colors can be natural...
Colors can be artificial...
Reds and Yellows can make pictures look warmer...
Blues and Greens can make pictures look cooler...
Recap
What property of light can be used to bring symmetry to a picture?
What property of light can be used to bring more depth to a picture?
Questions
Improving Composition
Choose Your Focal LengthFocal Length is the distance between the lens and the recording medium.
Measured in millimeters.
50 mm 10 mm
Longer focal length =
Closer and magnified
Shorter focal length =
Wider and expansive
Use Depth of FieldThe zone of acceptable sharpness in front of and behind your subject.
The term Circle of Confusion or Bokeh describes the amount of blur needed to render a part of the photo as unsharp.
Use aperture and proper distance to control depth of field
Aperture and DOFlow F-stop = less DOF
f/1.8
high F-stop = more DOF
f/16
Use low F-stop for portraits
Use high F-stop for landscapes
Use f/8 to f/11 for general photography
Distance and DOF
The closer the subject, the less DOF.
The farther the subject, the more DOF.
Finger Focusing Example
Choose Your Shutter Speed
Motion can be either frozen or captured.
Fast shutter speed freezes motion
Slow shutter speed captures motion
Choose Your ISOHigh ISO settings are susceptible to image noise.
Lower ISO = Less noise
Noise is a random brightness or darkness of color information in an image.
Use noise to your advantage!
Understanding your Subject
The physical properties of your subject, either individual or relative to the environment.
Use these properties as foundations of a great composition.
A photograph is a story about your subject.
TextureTexture refers to the properties held and sensation caused by the external surface of objects received
through the sense of touch.
It is revealed in a photograph by variances
in tone, depth and shape.
Wood and lightning are popular examples.
Shape and FormBoth shape and form uses space to emphasize their outline.
Shape is 2-dimensional. The object looks flat and only
has length and width.
Form is 3-dimensional. The object looks like it has
length, width and depth.
Both CANNOT exist without the presence of space.
Pattern and RhythmPattern refers to elements in a photo that repeats itself in a predictable manner. Usually
lines and shapes.
Rhythm refers to the conjugation of elements in the
photo but in a non-uniform way.
ContrastContrast is the
dissimilarity of colors between two elements in a picture, usually the foreground/subject and
the background.
Variety
Variety is the mixture of different elements in a
photo with similar properties.
ScaleYou can capture scale and size in a photo by placing
objects of different sizes beside each other.
One of the objects in the photo should generally be familiar to your viewer.
Perspective
Perspective is the way how an element in the photo appears to the eye produced by the position of the
photographer.
Perspective can also affect the size and scale of your subject.
Seeing things differently
Worm’s Eye View Human’s Eye View Bird’s Eye View
Subject appears larger.
Subject appears normal.
Subject appears smaller.
Can 2 of these properties appear in the same
picture?
Exercisetexture
shape
form
pattern
rhythm
contrast
variety
scale
perspective
motion
Questions
Understanding the big picture
How do you make the entire photograph more interesting? Here are some guidelines…
Rule of ThirdsDivide up the view mentally into nine equal segments.
Portrait shots stress attention on the subject’s eyes.
Most landscape shots put the horizon along one line.
Put points of interest on the intersections of those lines.
BalanceBalance between the weight of the elements in a picture.
Informal balance have elements of unequal weight, but still manages to
both draw attention.
Formal balance have equally weighted elements.
Elements are like in a seesaw battle for attention.
SymmetrySymmetry creates 2 divisions in your image that are
identical to each other.
Mirror images are best examples.
Framing
Framing isolates the subject by confining it to a space within other elements of the photo.
Imagine a picture frame within your photograph.
Leading LinesUse natural lines that lead viewers deeper to your photo
or pointing towards your subject.
Negative SpaceNegative Space is defined as any empty
area in your photo that isolates your subject.
Selective Focus
The use of Depth of Field to isolate your subject from the rest
of the photo.
Can 2 of these guidelines appear in the same
picture?
ExerciseRule of Thirds
Balance
Symmetry
Framing
Leading Lines
Negative Space
Selective Focus
The Last Rule
Know the rules first before you break them!
The Rule of Breaking the Rules
Questions
Thank You
Credits
Photos by:
John Melvin Chua
Ryan Capulong
Joyce Paulo
Mary Rose Uy
Cocoy Lopez
Jonathan San Juan
Reyna Luto