Photography basics workshop.

1. PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS
Kieran Hamilton
www.kieranhamilton.org
@kierandhamilton

2. CONTENTS
What should I shoot?
 Types and styles of photography
 Composition
 Pattern, texture and form
 Using lines
 Light
 General tips for improving your photography
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3. WHAT SHOULD I TAKE PICTURES OF?
Why do you want to take photographs?
Artistic
 Communicate a message
 Tell a story
 Document an event or activity
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4. WHAT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?
People find they enjoy photographing things they
are interested in
Buildings and architecture
 Animals
 Landscape
 Macro photography
 Urban/street photography
 People
 Events
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5. STILL NOT SURE?
o
o
o
Take a camera everywhere with you – don’t be
embarrassed about taking pictures in public
Maybe start by asking yourself
which type of photography
you like to look at the most
Challenge yourself with
subjects you wouldn’t
usually focus on, experiment!

6. TYPES & STYLES OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Landscape/Seascape (natural)
 Cityscape
 Portrait
 Macro
 Urban/Industrial
 Architectural
 Street Photography
 Many more...
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7. THINGS TO CONSIDER
Several key areas which you should consider:
Light
 Shape
 Texture
 Pattern
 Colour
 Composition

LIGHT and COMPOSITION are the most important!

8. RULE OF THIRDS
The viewer’s eyes naturally go to one of the
intersection points, not the middle.
 Try to get subject on
one of the focal
points
 Horizon lines


10. •Leave space for your subject to face towards
•This can help convey motion or directionality

11.  You
don’t always have to follow the rules!
 Breaking
the rule of thirds can add a bit of
difference and drama to an image
 Look
for symmetry and reflections
 Experiment
– do what you feel is best

13. FRAMING AND BACKGROUND
 Have
something of interest in the
foreground, as well as something in the
middle ground and background – creates
depth and distance
 More than one subject (use thirds)
 Frame shots between two objects e.g.
trees, buildings, window
 Adjust your focus to blur the background or
foreground to draw the viewer to the main
subject

15. Using Lines
•Vertical lines
•Leading lines
•Horizontal lines
•Diagonal lines
•Lines can convey distance
•Can also be used to draw the viewer into
the picture

17. PATTERN, TEXTURE AND FORM
Look for repetitive patterns
 Breaks in a pattern can be interesting
 Reoccurring shapes
 Interesting shapes and form – stand side on, not
front on for depth and 3 dimensional images
 Use light and shadow to emphasise form and
texture


19. LIGHT
Early morning and late afternoon - soft light
 Midday – harsh (hard) light
 Sunrise and sunset - vivid colour and silhouettes
 Watch for blown out skies – better to have
foreground dark
 Night photography – long exposure, use tripod or
flash
 Cloudy weather low contrast – but can be dramatic


20. ‘SOFT’ LIGHT
The closer to the light source the broader the light
 The broader the light the softer the light
 Less contrast and distinct shadows and highlights
 Portrait photography
 Soft skin textures

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e.g. Someone sitting next to a window or a lamp.

21. ‘HARD’ LIGHT
The further away from the light source the harder
the light
 More pronounced shadows and highlights
 Landscape photography – far away from the sun
(light source)
 Street photography

Using a Flash
Removes shadows
 Lights up foreground – but darkens background
 Red eye and reflections (glass, mirrors)


22. GENERAL TIPS
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Learn your camera’s controls off by heart
Always try for straight horizon lines
Always consider light and composition
Don’t worry about other people looking at you
... But don’t make ‘subjects’ uncomfortable – don’t be a
creep!
Change your perspective – get down on the floor or
stand on something
Try things you usually wouldn’t – challenge yourself
Have fun!
Slides available online at: