Photo Skills

Things that affect Exposure: Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO.

• Shutter Speed-The amount of time the film is exposed to the light, counted in seconds, fast shutter speed for action photos, adjust based on action, longer shutter=more light enters, less shutter=less light enters, longer shutter for motion blur, less shutter for crisp action photo, less shutter creates levitation photos
• Aperture-opening of the lens, lower the number=wider opening, higher the number=smaller opening, higher number with foreground and background in focus, lower number with foreground in focus and background out of focus, adjust based on subject, affects focus and light, affects lens shape, lower number=good for portraits, measured in stops, focus=depth of field
• ISO-refers to sensitivity to light, affects sensor in camera, sensor takes place of old film, ISO sensitivity starts at 100, high ISO helps dark pictures appear brighter/low light conditions, 100=no noise, higher=noise/grain, adjust based on light

Camera Modes

• locate 'Mode Wheel' on camera, mostly similar but some are different whether it involves settings or symbols, higher cost=more features
• AV=manually change the aperture, everything else is done automatically by camera
• rely on camera to set itself for lighting
• Sports/Action Mode-symbol=man running, freezes action shots, takes consecutive photos quickly, shows how good the shutter speed is
• access modes in camera that might not be on wheel
• side view=better for showing motion, straight on views=better for showing faces
• Panning-standing in one position and follow moving subject, keep subject in frame, foreground will be clear, background will be blurred
• Portait Mode-picture of one to two people, three or more=group shot, pay attention to background and shadows, test out locations, find at least six clean backgrounds for portraits, explore angle of subject, explore props to create dramatic results, listen to subjects ideas, zoom lens offers new views from wide angle to telephoto, telephoto=often best for portraits, wide angle=good for exaggerated photos, natural lighting can change a photo for the better or worse, most subjects look unflattering in direct sunlight, shady location is better for soft even tones, avoid direct light, open shade is best for portraits/group shots, fill flash takes dark spots away in direct sunlight, flash button often on side of camera, point-and-shoot cameras have flash settings, window lighting indoors is great unless direct light
• Group Shots-don't use portrait mode for group shots, don't stack subjects, camera held high is good everybody's heads will be the same size, rows of subjects should be tight, lower angles cause cool effects
• Night Mode-good option for difficult lighting situations, shutter stays open longer and photos can become blurry, Night Scenery has longer exposure
• Posing-understand head shoulders eyes hands, side angle makes subject look thinner, 45 degree angle to shoulders causes flattering angle, profile shots make subject look dreamy calm spiritual peaceful and takes away aggression

Relax and let the camera do its job.