Photography: Some Basics

Different types of shots Long Shot The subject is shown at a relatively small scale (from far away). Emphasizes setting. Wide Shot Subject takes up full frame, or most of it. We look at whole subject, within setting. Mid Shot Closer in – shows part of the subject in detail. The photographer wants us to look closer. Close Up A certain feature takes up the whole frame. Detail or emotion is important here.

Composition: The Rule of Thirds The rule of thirds is the simplest rule of composition. All you do is take your frame and overlay a grid of nine equal sections. This means you split the vertical space into three parts and the horizontal space into three parts. Here's what that looks like:

Generally you want to place important elements where the grid intersects.

3) Tips for your photographs

Think about your shots Before you even lift your camera, look at your subject and think about What you think is interesting What you want to emphasize How you want your image to look (composition)

Move around When you’ve chosen your subject, try moving around and seeing how it looks from various angles or perspectives. A shot from above, from below, from close up or far away will have very different effects.

Take a lot of photographs! Shoot a lot more than you need (if you’re using digital) Take multiple angles and shots of the same subject… experiment!!! Go through what you’ve shot and pick the very best. The more you shoot, the more options you have. The more you practice taking good photographs, the better you’ll get.

Don’t… If you’re photographing someone who’s moving or looking out of the frame, leave space in front of them… The viewer will follow their gaze… give them room.

Be careful… don’t crop off heads, or cut off feet in a wide shot Be careful… don’t crop off heads, or cut off feet in a wide shot... If you are cutting something out, try to do so on purpose.

DON’T SHOOT WITH THE LIGHT BEHIND YOUR SUBJECT… they will become silhouetted, and you will lose detail.

A few tips for composition Portrait Tips A few tips for composition

Some classic portrait compositions

Wide shot – subject in environment

Top half: Focus on face, eyes, hands (Mid shot) Still offers insight into background/setting

Head and Shoulders / Close mid

Tight Close-Up

Some Other tips…

Fill the frame with your subject

Keep eyes in the upper 3rd of the portrait

Don’t leave too much headroom Also, use background to give insight into your subject

Use framing to concentrate attention on your subject