INTRODUCTION TOPHOTOGRAPHY

The process and art of creating still pictures

Derived from the Greek words Photos (light) and Graphis(painting/drawing).

Technique and art of painting or drawing with light.

What Is Photography?

How Is A Photograph Taken?Image is recorded on a light sensitive material (digital sensor).

Various parts of camera help to control the amount of lighthitting the material.

These are:1. Aperture2. Shutter Curtain (controls the shutter speed)3. ISO setting

Exposure - The act of taking a photograph by exposing the sensor to light

Aperture - A hole found in the lens that controls the amount of light thelens to hit the sensor. Bigger hole = more light entering the camera.Denoted by f/number

Shutter Speed - The speed a shutter “curtain” opens and closes to controlamount of time the “curtain” remains open to allow light in. Longer shutterspeed = more light entering the camera. Denoted by 1/number

ISO - Sensitivity of sensor to light. Higher ISO = more sensitive to light.Usually denoted by numbers from 100, doubling at each stop (e.g. 100,200, 400, 800 etc)

Subject - The “hero” of your photograph. The person/object you are takinga photograph of.

Common Terms

Focal length - Focal length refers to the distance between thephotographer and her subject. It is also the number found on your lens, inmm.

Composition - The art and science of placing elements within aphotograph to “tell a story” to the viewer.

Aperture Priority mode - User sets aperture, camera then selects amatching shutter speed to ensure correct exposure.

Shutter Priority mode - User sets shutter speed, camera selectsa matching aperture to ensure correct exposure.

Manual mode - User selects both shutter speed & aperture to ensurecorrect exposure

Common Terms

Parts of a DSLR

Numbered in mm on the camera lens.

Angle of view of your camera and how close the subject ofyour photograph appears to the viewer.

Range of numbers, e.g. 18mm - 55mm means lens covers18mm to 55mm focal length

A lens with only 1 focal length is a prime lens while a rangeof focal lengths on the lens means it is a zoom lens

Focal Length

Focal Length Field of View

Focal Length Comparison

Ultra wide angle - A lens with focal length that is less than 24mm

Wide angle - A lens with focal length between 25mm to 35mm

Normal/Standard - A lens with focal length of 50mm. It is called as suchbecause the field of view of a 50mm is the same as that of a human eye.

Telephoto - A lens with a focal length from about 70mm to 300mm

Super Telephoto - A lens that has a focal length of more than 300mm

Types of Camera Lenses

Lens - Prime or Zoom?Prime lens:Usually extremely high qualityBig maximum aperture (e.g. f/1.8)Most prime lenses are expensiveNeeds different lenses to cover a range of focal lengths

Zoom lens:Usually not as high qualityUsually a range of maximum aperture (e.g. f/4 - f/5.6)*Most zoom lenses are reasonably pricedDoes not need a large number of lenses to cover a range of focallengths

*This means the lens has a maximum aperture of f/4 at 18mm and a maximumaperture of f/5.6 at 55mm for an 18-55mm zoom lens.

How does a camera work?

Image reflected off mirrors &pentaprism onto viewfinderthrough the lens

Mirror lifts up to allow lightto hit the digital sensor

How to hold a cameraThe wrong way!

How to hold a cameraThe correct way

How to hold a cameraOther positions

How to hold a cameraOther positions

How to hold a cameraOther positions

The End

The End