Student Camera Concepts Examples

Concepts The underlying principles that apply regardless of the camera you are using. The underlying principles that apply regardless of the camera you are using. Includes such things as how sharpness and exposure affect your images and the way they are perceived by viewers. Includes such things as how sharpness and exposure affect your images and the way they are perceived by viewers. Understanding concepts answers the "why" kinds of questions you might have about photography. Understanding concepts answers the "why" kinds of questions you might have about photography.

Off-center composition Puts the object of interest to the side instead of in the center Puts the object of interest to the side instead of in the center Makes the picture more interesting instead of making it look like a “mug-shot” Makes the picture more interesting instead of making it look like a “mug-shot”

Rule of thirds When taking picture mentally draw a 3x3 grid. When taking picture mentally draw a 3x3 grid. Have subject line up with an intersection. Have subject line up with an intersection. Gives appearance of visual motion. Gives appearance of visual motion.

Background Picture that adds to the photographic story rather than detracts from it. Picture that adds to the photographic story rather than detracts from it. Pay close attention to the background of your picture, because its an important concept Pay close attention to the background of your picture, because its an important concept

 Using objects in the scene to frame the subject of the photograph  This makes the subject seem more like a portrait  By using this element, the subject of the photo is more emphasized Framing

 Capturing someone or something while they are in motion and in a natural state  Tells the viewer what the subject is doing Action

 -Helps the eye to “wander” around a photograph using lines.  -Lines could be diagonal, S-shaped, or curved.  -Lines can also tie together objects within a photograph. Unifying Elements

Lines pull the eye in the direction you intend. Unifying Elements

Close ups or different angles give a perspective viewers might not have considered. Shooting up or down rather than straight on gives the viewers’ eye something unusual to see capturing their attention. Light and the angle from which it comes is another effect to consider. Special Effects

Using special effects in a photograph adds more interest. Using special effects in a photograph adds more interest. The water running in a spiral shape in this picture adds more interest than a picture without the moving water. The water running in a spiral shape in this picture adds more interest than a picture without the moving water. Special Effects

Nose room leaves room between the person’s face and the edge of the frame Nose room leaves room between the person’s face and the edge of the frame Nose Room

High Angle shot adds interest High Angle shot adds interest Portrays a feeling of superiority Portrays a feeling of superiority High Angle Shot

 This type of technique also adds interest to the photograph  This should make the viewer inferior Low Angle Shot

Chest High Good for interviews Good for interviews Portrays a feeling of neutrality Portrays a feeling of neutrality

Sharpness  Reveals richness of details  Viewer looks at the most sharp part of the picture first

Panning Moving the camera in the same direction as a moving subject produces an image where the subject is relatively sharp against a blurred background Moving the camera in the same direction as a moving subject produces an image where the subject is relatively sharp against a blurred background

Color has a dramatic effect on photographs. Color has a dramatic effect on photographs. In this photograph, the color reflected on the windows is the same as the color of the sky above the building. In this photograph, the color reflected on the windows is the same as the color of the sky above the building. Color Balance

Has a dramatic effect on the composition of your shots Has a dramatic effect on the composition of your shots Have “visual weight” compared to the darker parts of the photo Have “visual weight” compared to the darker parts of the photo Viewer’s attention is drawn to the colorful spots Viewer’s attention is drawn to the colorful spots

Weather  Rain, snow, fog, and mist add interest to your picture

Front Lighting  Light falls on subject from camera’s position  Decreases visible shadows  Minimizes surface details

Light comes from behind subject Light comes from behind subject The side facing camera is in shade The side facing camera is in shade Back Lighting

Light comes from behind subject Light comes from behind subject The side facing camera is in shade The side facing camera is in shade

Side Lighting Light falls mainly on one side Light falls mainly on one side Adds texture and volume Adds texture and volume Shadows emphasize surface details Shadows emphasize surface details

Top Lighting  Lighting from overhead  Casts shadows in eye sockets  Can occur outdoors at noon or indoors if ceiling lights are dominate

Depth Depth is using a point that gives people a scene of how far away it really is Depth is using a point that gives people a scene of how far away it really is

Depth

Distance Distance shots add a different viewpoint to the photograph Distance shots add a different viewpoint to the photograph Adds interest by the subject being far away and from a new angle Adds interest by the subject being far away and from a new angle

Taking the picture from a very close perspective. Taking the picture from a very close perspective. Adds emphasis on the subject. Adds emphasis on the subject. Close Up

Credits Digital Photography document on shared drive Digital Photography document on shared drive Digital Camera Concepts PowerPoint presentation on shared drive Digital Camera Concepts PowerPoint presentation on shared drive Photographs from personal collection Photographs from personal collection