June 23, 2009 Photography With Sarah Sutter

Image Size Generally you will want to shoot at the highest resolution possible with your camera. This means the “large” setting, at the highest quality. This will give you the most information and allow you to make the largest sharp prints. If you are posting the images on the web you may need to resize to a smaller resolution and file size.

The higher the number, the less light it takes to take the picture. If you are in a low light situation, RAISE your ISO to avoid blur Normally shoot at 200 or 400 (higher increases noise in shadow areas) ISO Settings

The higher the number, the less light it takes to take the picture.

If you are in a low light situation, RAISE your ISO to avoid blur

Normally shoot at 200 or 400 (higher increases noise in shadow areas)

Camera Functions F-Stop : Aperture Size of the opening: controls light and how much appears to be in focus. Shutter Speed Speed of shutter opening and closing: determines stop action or blurred motion, as well as whether or not you need a tripod to avoid camera shake.

Depth of Field

Stop Action / Blured Motion Faster shutter speeds will stop the action. Slower shutter speeds allow the action to blur.

Panning : Moving the camera with the action

Shutter Speed and Water

Focal Length of Lens To Zoom or not to Zoom . . .that is a question.

Auto Mode When you use this setting, your digital camera automatically sets the exposure, the focus, and the flash. With auto mode, you may override the flash's automatic options and choose to turn the flash off, use fill flash, or red eye reduction.

Landscape Mode With landscape mode you can capture subjects that are a great distance away from you, such as mountains, city skylines, and expansive vistas. Sometimes a slow shutter speed is chosen automatically in landscape mode, so you should use a steady support, such as a tripod. Camera shake may blur your final image without that support.

Sports Mode Capture subjects that are on the move such as cars, athletes, and children, with this mode. Try panning when using this mode. Preset the exposure and focus by pressing the shutter button half-way down. When you're ready to take the picture, press the shutter button all the way down.

Night Mode Use this mode to capture night scenes or low light conditions. The flash will illuminate subjects that are close to the camera. A longer exposure will capture details in the background. It is a good idea to use a camera support such as a tripod or a flat surface.

How to make your Photographs Better

Get down on their level

Whether your subject is a child or someone seated, get down where you are level with their face.

If close is good . . .

Details make good Portraits

Background has to do with Vantage Point

Use light to create contrast

Pay attention to the edges of your frame.

Composition Third lines & Power Points Don’t center the subject! Diagonals for dynamic Lead lines create depth Foreground, Middleground, Background Color contrast; value contrast

Third lines & Power Points Don’t center the subject!

Diagonals for dynamic

Lead lines create depth

Foreground, Middleground, Background

Color contrast; value contrast

Place Subject Off-Center

Third Lines : NOT CENTER

Use Diagonals and Thirds

Place object on “Power Point” Power Points are where the third lines cross in the frame.

Lead Lines Diagonals and “S” curves give the eye a way to move through the picture. Often this is used to create depth within the image.

Lead Lines Again

Diagonals create depth and dynamic

Repeating Patterns and colors create rhythm

Simple Color Palettes can be effective

Framing the View

Place foreground objects in sky areas to avoid large blank areas.

Watch the Edge

Foreground Interest

Views and Details

Variety Context & Scale vs Color Impact vs Reflection

Vertical AND Horizontal

And again . . .

Sometimes the shot isn’t about what you thought it would be.

Sometimes the Shot . . .

Is where you least expect it.

With or Without? Both!

Candlelight

Sunrise isn’t always about the sun.

A Variety of Light is “Good” Light

Same Spot, Different Light

Shoot in “bad” weather

Use People For SCALE and for Interest

People and Repeating Pattern

Don’t Get Too Close : Above is good

Now back slowly away . . .

Sometimes it pays to stay INSIDE the car - and shoot through a sunroof.

Zoos and parks are great places to shoot “wildlife”

Shoot and keep shooting If you wait until you are “close enough”, the bird or animal will get away before you get your shot. Shoot, move in, shoot again, repeat until the creature runs away or you are at the edge of the safety zone.

Fireworks

Questions So Far?