The document provides guidance on improving digital photography skills. It discusses proper framing and composition techniques, such as using the rule of thirds for layout, filling the frame with the subject, and balancing elements. It also addresses other important factors like lighting, exposure, clarity, and using different camera angles and points of view. The goal is to move beyond simply taking a picture to intentionally crafting well-designed images through planning and creative use of photographic techniques.

1. Mr. Berdinka
Digital Photography
Northern Lebanon High School

2.  Characteristics:
 Interesting Subjects
 Good use of Focus
 Proper Lighting
 Effective Framing of Detail
 Strong Color
 Use of Contrast

3.  Centered Subjects (Bulls-eye syndrome)
 Relatively small subjects
 Unbalanced use of frame
 Lack of recognition or use of the
foreground/background
 Overuse of same subjects
 Overuse of similar Point-of-View and camera
angel
 Overuse of same subject content

5. Over-use of center frame and/or subject too small

6. What is wrong with this layout?

7.  To improve the appearance and quality of your
images:
 Alter Point of View/Camera Angle
 Adjust the Exposure
 Fill the frame (use part of the subject)
 Avoid the center - Use the Rule of 1/3s
 Look for balance (symmetry/asymmetry)
 Find contrast
 Alter focus
 Add layers of detail/increase appearance of 3D

9. A. B.

10. A. B.

11. A. B.

12. TAKING A PICTURE MAKING A PICTURE
 Limited thought and
Planning
 Quick and impulsive
 No account for
surroundings
 Generally flat looking
 Images usually lack balance
 Low visual appeal
 May appear confusing or
lack focus/defined purpose
 Adequate planning done
ahead of time –
setup/thought
 Accounts for detail across
entire image area
 Uses proper framing and
composition techniques
 Greater sense of distance
 Greater degree of balance
 More impactful/attention
getting

14.  The Subject
 Clarity and Sharpness
 Proper Exposure
 Color & Contrast
 Composition & Layout (design)

16.  Framing: The process the photographer uses to
organize the content in an image to best suite the
subject within the viewfinder area
 What’s IN and what’s OUT
 All images need a main focus = “The Subject”
 Balance, balance, balance

17.  Composition: The design relationship of
elements within the image and how they
influence the viewer’s perception of detail
 Basic Techniques:
 Symmetry
 Asymmetry
 Rule of Thirds
 Simplicity
 Selective Focus

18. Places important detail along the third
lines/intersections of the frame
• Helps break up the frame
• Avoids using the center
• Uses the “Golden Rule” layout to provide better balance
• Align the horizon properly across one of the horizontal 1/3
lines

20.  Avoid using only the center of the frame

21.  It uses the “Golden Section”
 Helps create a greater sense of balance

22.  Also referred to as the Golden Mean = 1.618034
 Natures way of creating balance – Divine Proportion

23.  What is the connection between the Rule of
Thirds and the “Golden Section”?
 Balance through proportion

25.  Have a purpose
 Know your equipment
 Plan Ahead
 Look around
 Understand the Viewer
 Focus on Detail
 Use Composition
Techniques
 Experiment

26.  Best use of Light Direction
 Detail in the foreground &
background
 Look for natural
contrasting elements
 Colors
 Patterns
 Shapes/Lines
 Use highlights and
shadows
 Emphasize the interesting
detail – fill the frame
 Position the subject in the
frame with a purpose

27.  Timing – when is the image captured, what else is
happening that can be included or avoided
 Position – where is the camera in regards to the
subject or event taking place and what POV is
being used when capturing
 When – could be time of day, day of year, season,
rush hour, evening, or night; planning is critical to
making some images come to life
 Camera Controls – F/stop for depth of field;
Shutter Speed for motion control; White Balance;
ISO speed
 What - ultimately are you trying to accomplish
and present to your audience

28. Over cropping or too much zoom or
cutting off subject detail improperly

29. Tilted horizon or elements unnaturally slanted
without a powerful subject and use of POV

30. Bad Merger

31. Distracting glare, reflections, lens flare, or
direct sun

32. Poor or incorrect focal point

33. Objects closer to the camera that are
out-of-focus causing a distraction

34. Too much detail left in focus