Basic photography - Composition & light Jim Lucas Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies

Keep it simple Keep background uncluttered Keep background uncluttered Avoid mergers Avoid mergers Have single dominant subject Have single dominant subject

Working with angles Low angles Low angles Clear sky backdrop Clear sky backdrop Accentuate movement or action Accentuate movement or action High angle High angle Eliminate cloudy sky Eliminate cloudy sky Avoid centered horizons Avoid centered horizons Use the light Use the light Emphasize a point, tone Emphasize a point, tone

Have a strong center of interest Take pictures at different angles with different compositions Take pictures at different angles with different compositions Work around the rule of thirds Work around the rule of thirds

Balance Balance color and weight in a picture Balance color and weight in a picture Formal and informal Formal and informal Symmetrical and asymmetrical Symmetrical and asymmetrical

Work with line Line leads the eye Line leads the eye Diagonals Diagonals S-curves S-curves Static vs. dynamic lines Static vs. dynamic lines Shape Shape

Use frames Adds depth Adds depth Should fit theme Should fit theme Watch focus on foreground Watch focus on foreground Focus on foreground in landscape Focus on foreground in landscape Focus on subject in portraits Focus on subject in portraits Auto-focus should be centered on main topic Auto-focus should be centered on main topic Overall—DEPENDS ON CAMERA Overall—DEPENDS ON CAMERA

Fill the frame Would this picture look better if I was closer? Would this picture look better if I was closer? Focus on subject Focus on subject Detail Detail Start far and move closer Start far and move closer Fill the frame with objects that “fit” Fill the frame with objects that “fit” Long range shots provide depth and perspective Long range shots provide depth and perspective

Action shots High shutter speed High shutter speed Telephoto lens Telephoto lens Longer lens means faster shutter speed Longer lens means faster shutter speed Stopping motion Stopping motion Far is easier than near Far is easier than near Straight is easier than diagonal Straight is easier than diagonal Diagonal is easier than right angles Diagonal is easier than right angles Panning Panning

Pick a good light direction Three light directions Three light directions Front - sunny with high color Front - sunny with high color Side - depth and texture Side - depth and texture Back - dynamic but challenging; silhouettes and water effects Back - dynamic but challenging; silhouettes and water effects

Contrast Hard vs. soft light Hard vs. soft light Sunny days – high contrast (hard light) Sunny days – high contrast (hard light) Cloudy days – low contrast (soft light) Cloudy days – low contrast (soft light) Portraits often use soft light (shaded area) Portraits often use soft light (shaded area) Flash will reduce contrast Flash will reduce contrast Soft light helps with color variations Soft light helps with color variations

Color Color changes with daylight Color changes with daylight Film does not react to color shifts as the eye does Film does not react to color shifts as the eye does Color sets a tone as in art or design Color sets a tone as in art or design

Landscapes Equipment needed Equipment needed Wide angle lens Wide angle lens Telephoto lens (100 – 300mm) Telephoto lens (100 – 300mm) Tripod Tripod Hood and filters Hood and filters

Landscape tips Take pictures at the start and end of the day Take pictures at the start and end of the day Anticipate weather changes Anticipate weather changes Diffused light can highlight patterns and textures Diffused light can highlight patterns and textures Bright light highlights monochrome colors Bright light highlights monochrome colors Move around to exclude or block objects from view Move around to exclude or block objects from view

Sunsets Include shadowed image for interest Include shadowed image for interest Less time closer to the equator to take Less time closer to the equator to take Often best after the sun has actually gone down Often best after the sun has actually gone down

Exterior shots Plain background Plain background Out of focus Out of focus Low angle shot against sky Low angle shot against sky Complimentary to shot Complimentary to shot Move subject Move subject

Objects in the landscape Add scale, depth and focal points Add scale, depth and focal points Use items to add interest to common or simple scenes Use items to add interest to common or simple scenes Look for incongruities Look for incongruities

Wildlife Equipment needed Equipment needed 200/400 speed film 200/400 speed film Telephoto lens (100 – 300mm) Telephoto lens (100 – 300mm) Macro lens Macro lens Tripod Tripod

Wildlife tips Fill the frame Fill the frame Avoid barriers Avoid barriers Shoot against the glass if in a car Shoot against the glass if in a car Blur background, or find simple one Blur background, or find simple one Focus on the eyes Focus on the eyes Go for natural poses, growls, yawns, etc. Go for natural poses, growls, yawns, etc.

Gardens Equipment needed Equipment needed Wide angle lens Wide angle lens Macro lens Macro lens Windbreak Windbreak Filters Filters

Garden tips Strong diffused light is generally best— especially for single blooms Strong diffused light is generally best— especially for single blooms Macro lens Macro lens Can help you get a 1:1 ration Can help you get a 1:1 ration Avoid shadowing your subject Avoid shadowing your subject Have smaller aperture to allow more depth of field Have smaller aperture to allow more depth of field Without macro = 4 foot minimum Without macro = 4 foot minimum

Take-away points Experiment Experiment Move Move Wait Wait