This document provides photography tips and tricks from a professional photographer. It discusses the importance of light and how light influences photography. Specific tips include taking photos during the golden hour around sunrise and sunset for softer light, paying attention to the light source, and using natural light. It also discusses camera settings like aperture and depth of field. The document emphasizes that the best photos are often candid moments that can't be staged and recommends taking lots of photos to improve photography skills.

1. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS & TRICKS
Valencia Community College
Learning Day 2010

2. How it all started...

4. Capturing moments I never wanted to
forget has always been one of
my biggest motivations.

5. Everyone began to nudge me
to do more photography.

8. It didn’t take long before I realized I loved
photographing babies.

18. You really don’t need a degree —
to take great photos.

19. Need more proof?

20. Meet Hope.
When this photo was
taken she was only
7 years old.

21. Here’s a photo
I took.

22. Here’s a photo
my 7 year old took.

23. And you really don’t need a fancy camera
to take great photos.

24. Hope takes pretty awesome photos with a
Point & Shoot Camera

25. In fact, she’s quickly becoming my competition with that
Point & Shoot Camera

29. Ultimately, you are the one who determines
how great your photos become.

30. Take a guess at the one factor that
influences my work most.

31. Light controls
everything.

32. Taking photos towards your light source
Will lead to silhouettes.

34. If you care about your pictures
Do NOT use the default
flash on your camera.

35. Unless you want everyone to look like a
Possessed Unabomber.

36. Mastering light has been one of my
Biggest challenges.

37. Find a light source
Off Camera

39. Don’t let the light
control you.

40. My photography uses mostly
natural light.

43. Trust me, It’s not always
as easy as it looks.

44. The most frustrating part...
Light changes all day.

45. The best times to take photos are in the
hours just after sunrise and before sunset.

46. Sunrise will leave you with
softer cooler light.

47. Of course it’s not always easy to
wake up that early to take photos.

49. This photo was taken around 8am
in the morning.

50. Sunset will leave you with
softer warmer light.

52. The hour before sunset is
the golden hour.

53. Sunset makes your subjects
look like they’ve been
kissed by the sun.

54. Direct sunlight is the most harsh during the middle of the day.
Sunlight during the day leads to harsh shadows.

55. But don’t stop taking pictures
because it’s the middle of the day.

58. Regardless of what time of day it is,
begin to pay attention to the light
and your photos will improve.

59. When you find amazing light
take advantage of it.

60. Make sure you’re ready to capture
unplanned moments.

61. Light can help you create
unforgettable photos.

62. Direct light creates shadows making some
photos more memorable.

63. This was taken a few minutes later
when the direct light was gone.

64. Soft light is amazing
On cloudy days.

65. How do you know if you’ve found great light?

69. Great light can be seen
in the eyes.

70. Avoid making your subjects
look into the light.

71. If your subject squints a lot try the 1, 2, 3 trick.
Have them look at you once you count to 3.

72. Sometimes you may have to
Reflect, deflect & diffuse light.

74. Light near windows and doors provide great light.
Ambient light is usually softer.

75. No reflector

76. No reflector With reflector

77. Depth of field can help bring
your photos to life.

78. To control depth of field you must understand
how to control your Aperture & f-stop
The smaller f-stop size allows more light to enter the camera.

79. The smaller the f-stop number
opens your aperture up to allow in more light.
Source: Digital Camera Tutorial: Aperture & Depth of field - Trusted Reviews
http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2006/08/17/Digital-Camera-Tutorial-Aperture-Depth-of-Field/p1

80. The smaller the f-stop number the larger your aperture and
the smaller your depth of field.
The smaller your f-stop number focuses on a smaller amount in your photo.
The larger your f-stop number leaves more of your photo in focus.

92. Aperture is controlled by your camera settings
Most Digital SLR’s allow aperture control.
Source images: Ken Rockwell, http://www.kenrockwell.com

93. Aperture is also controlled by your lens.
Yes, photography can become an expensive hobby.
Source images: Ken Rockwell, http://www.kenrockwell.com

94. When you can control your depth of field and focal point
You can focus on what you want.

95. In time you’ll see how depth of field can give
Your photos new meaning.

96. “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.”
—John Swift

100. Take photos from more than
one perspective.

101. Don’t be afraid to
get closer.

102. Help people appreciate what
most cannot see.

106. Investing in a macro lens will help
you capture the little things.

107. You can’t get this close
without a macro lens.

109. Want to know how you get better at photography?

111. You take
lots of photos.

112. And you keep taking
lots of photos.

113. It’s better to take too many photos than to miss capturing moments.
And before you know it your photos will improve.

114. It may take hundreds of photos before you realize
the most memorable moments can’t be staged.

115. You don’t plan
for moments like this.

116. The best moments aren’t staged.
They just happen.

117. Shoot fast & often because moments
can’t be recreated.

118. Yes, sometimes the best moments...
They just happen.

120. And what do you do when your subjects
just won’t cooperate?

122. Yes, you
keep taking pictures!

123. But sometimes giving them time & space
leads to better pictures.

124. Candid moments usually make
the best pictures.

128. No matter what age they are...
It helps to let them be themselves.

129. And whatever you do, please...
stop saying cheese.

130. Need a little advice on what camera to buy?

131. If you’re looking for
point & shoot camera
• Megapixels - 8-12
• Optical zoom (not digital zoom)
• Video can be handy
• Image stabilization
• Camera size
• Display screen size

132. If you’re looking for
Digital SLR Camera
• Megapixels - 10+
• Can you change lenses?
• Video can be handy
• Live view
• Camera size
• Display screen size
• FX (full frame) vs. DX
• ISO capabilities

133. 40,000
The approximate number of photos I took this past year.
At 20 cents a print that amount to $8,000 in photos!

134. I usually take several hundred photos in session
and share only the best photos publicly.

135. And when you can’t take ONE perfect photo.
You rely on photoshop to help you.

137. Rarely are photos perfect straight
Out of your camera.

138. Photoshop can help make
a good photo great.

145. Yes, some situations even
make me want to give up.

147. With a little patience and help from photoshop
amazing memories are captured.

151. “You don’t take a
photograph, you
make it.”
—Ansel Adams

152. CONNECT ONLINE
www.amandakern.com
www.facebook.com/amandakern
www.facebook.com/amandakernphotography
www.twitter.com/amandakern
email: akern@valenciacc.edu
Questions?