1. Photo U – A Journey into Photography Session 3:
Composition and Creative Settings

2. Agenda What are the creative modes? Composition Program Mode Explained
Aperture Priority Explained
Shutter Priority Explained
Manual Mode Explained
Composition
What is composition?
Why is it important?
Composition guidelines (use ‘em or break ’em)

3. What are the Creative Modes?
In the “automatic” modes of the camera, your camera has full control of your image settings
Creative modes permit you to control some or all of your camera settings
These modes are:
Program mode (P)
Shutter Priority (S/TV)
Aperture Priority (A/Av)
Manual mode (M)
CREATIVE MODES
Each of these modes have it’s purpose. It’s all depending on what are your intentions with the image.
Shutter Priority is used for when you want to set the shutter speed to particular speed for effect (stop action or blur the action)
Aperture Priority is used to set the aperture so you can control the DOF
Program mode (or Professional mode as someone jokingly stated) is for when you need to get the shot w/o having to think too hard on the settings

4. Program Mode Explained
Aperture and shutter speed is set by the camera
Both can be adjusted via the control dial while exposure remains the same
Unlocks more settings in your camera
ISO
White Balance (later session)
Exposure Compensation
Used for when you want to get the shot and not think about the settings

5. Shutter Priority Explained
Shutter priority permits you to set a particular shutter speed and the camera calculates the matching aperture
A faster shutter speed will freeze the motion
A slower shutter speed will permit motion blur
Tv (Canon) / S (Nikon)

6. Aperture Priority Explained
Aperture priority permits you to set a particular aperture and the camera calculates the matching shutter speed
Used when Depth Of Field is key to the image
Preferred mode for landscape photography

7. Manual Mode Explained Full control over camera settings
ISO
Shutter Speed
Aperture
White Balance (future session)
Exposure
Set the shot your way
Can result in creative and non-traditional images
Favorite mode for portrait photographers and control freaks

8. Composition

9. What is composition?
Composition is defined as the placement of relative objects and elements in a work of art
In photography, it is defined as arranging elements within the image in a way that suits the core idea or goal of your work
Composition can make or break your image

10. Why is it important?
In photography it’s not just what you shoot that makes the image
The way that you shoot it is very crucial
Bad composition can make a subject dull and boring
Good composition can create fantastic images from dull subjects

11. Static Composition
Static composition is when the majority of the lines are horizontal and vertical
The subject is usually in the middle of the frame with symmetry around it
Symmetry, horizontal and vertical lines are somewhat soothing, calm, and tranquil

12. Dynamic Composition
Dynamic composition creates a more interesting image which may contain some or all of the following:
Leading/converging lines
Interesting perspective
Interesting foreground, mid- ground, and background elements
Vivid color or incredible light
Suggestion of movement
Can you list which of the characteristics of dynamic composition is in this image? Discuss with group.

13. Composition Guidelines: Rules of Thirds
Powerful composition technique for making images more dynamic and interesting
The image is more pleasing when the subject is composed along imaginary lines which divides the image into thirds
Creates a sense of balance w/o being static
Creates a sense of complexity w/o making the image appear to busy
This is the most simplest and the most effective of the compositional rules.
It is also the first that get tossed out the window by many photographers. LOL.

14. Composition Guidelines: Simplify the Scene
Keeping the scene simple can make the subject the center of attention
Look at a scene
Your brain quickly picks out the subject
Your camera captures everything in front of it
May lead to a busy/cluttered image
Use a focal length or view point that will make the viewer look for and at the subject

15. Composition Guidelines: Fill the Frame
Too much empty space can detract from the image
Makes subject smaller
Viewers can be confused not knowing what to look at
Zoom in to fill the frame
Get closer to the subject
Excellent for close up, macro, and portrait photography

16. Composition Guidelines: Aspect Ratio
It is easy to get used to shooting horizontally or “landscape” mode
Try shooting images in the vertical position or “portrait” mode
Adjust your position and zoom setting as you experiment with this new style

17. Composition Guidelines: Avoid the Middle
Putting the subject in the middle may make your composition boring or static
Place the subject off-center for a more dynamic and interesting look
Don’t hesitate to shoot higher/lower to the subject for interesting point of views

18. Composition Guidelines: Use Diagonals
To introduce a feeling of drama or movement, look for diagonal lines
Horizontal lines gives a static/calm image
Vertical lines suggest stability and permanence
Can be achieved by a shift in position or focal length and a slight tilt of the camera

19. Composition Guidelines: Backgrounds
When taking an image, don’t just concentrate on the subject
Look at what is happening in the background
You can’t exclude it completely but you can control it
It is achieved by changing your position, focal length, depth of field
Ensure that the background complements the subject

20. Composition Guidelines: Breaking the Rules
Photography is a visual language and you can make a statement by breaking the established norms/rules
If done on purpose, you can create stunning and interesting images (and then breaking the rules don’t count as a mistake)
Experiment and make it yours <- Only rule you can’t break!

21. Review We talked about Camera Creative Modes
Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes
Composition
What it is and why it’s important
Static vs. Dynamic Compostion
Composition Guidelines

22. Homework for Session 3
Go out each day and shoot what ever subject you like
Shoot in each creative mode of your camera
Shoot with static composition
Shoot with dynamic composition
Utilize each of the composition guidelines (especially the changing of your aspect ratio [horizontal/vertical])
Review your images
Look for leading lines, filling of the frame, simple or cluttered image, busy or blurred background, etc.
Familiarize yourself with what works (compositionally) for you
Post your favorite images
It is imperative to practice this for the next session (Field trip)

23. Questions?

24. See you at Hermann Park next session!
Fin (for now)…
See you at Hermann Park next session!
Be ready to have FUN