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Knight Science Journalism at MIT

Photography: Session 1

Photography
SESSION 1: Camera, Exposure, Composition

I Camera Components and Controls

k/o white 100% black

DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex): Digital variant of a camera style characterized by a single (usually interchangeable) lens and a mirror/prism/viewfinder construction that allows the photographer to focus and compose images through the lens.

Anatomy of an SLR
Viewfinder: Displays image to aid focus and composition Mirror/Pentaprism: Reflects image from lens to viewfinder Lens: Gathers light, focusing it onto the recording medium Recording medium (film or digital sensor): Records image for posterity

The Lens
The focal length of the lens affects magnification and angle of view. Wide angle: Short focal length (< 50mm), de-magnified image, wide angle of view Normal: Medium focal length (50mm - 55mm), normal angle of view Telephoto: Long focal length (> 55mm), magnified image, tight angle of view Zoom lens: Variable focal length Prime lens: Fixed focal length

Focus
Manual focus: User adjusts focus manually Single-area autofocus: User manually selects a focus point Multi-area autofocus: Camera attempts to determine automatically the position of the subject within the frame One-shot: Autofocus is activated once, then locked until the shutter is released Continuous: Autofocus is continuously activated to track moving subjects

Focus techniques
Focus area selection: User composes image, then selects an AF point positioned over the subject Focus and recompose: User aims active (center) AF point at the subject and focuses, then recomposes the shot

White balance
White balance is the process by which a digital camera compensates for the color temperature of a light source. This is what allows whites to appear white under various lighting conditions. DSLRs typically have a number of white balance presets appropriate for different types of
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Photography: Session 1

lightingsuch as bright sunlight, overcast sunlight, tungsten, and fluorescentas well as an auto option. When shooting in RAW mode (described below), white balance can be adjusted after the photo is taken with no adverse effect on image quality.

Image quality and formats

JPG (or JPEG) is a compressed, widely compatible image format. JPG files can be read by any computer without specialized software and are suitable for use in print or on the Web. Little or no post-processing required Smaller file sizes RAW image files are recorded in a proprietary format specific to the individual camera model. They are either uncompressed or compressed using a lossless scheme for maximum preservation of detail, producing larger file sizes than JPG images. RAW images are processed only minimally within the camera, and so must undergo additional processing (or developing) in specialized computer software. Exposure, white balance, contrast, and other image attributes can be adjusted considerably with no visible detriment to quality. Maximum quality and detail More flexibility and control over image appearance Many modern DSLRs have the ability to shoot both RAW and JPG concurrently. With adequate memory card storage capacity, there is no need to choose between the two.

II Exposure
Exposure is the amount of light that hits the recording medium (film or digital sensor) in the process of taking a photograph.

Exposure variables
ISO: Camera setting controlling the sensitivity of the digital sensor. In the pre-digital era, ISO referred to film speed. Aperture: Adjustable diaphragm inside the lens that controls the amount of light that enters. Also known as the f-stop. Shutter speed: Amount of time the shutter remains open, allowing light to fall on the recording medium.

Exposure equivalency
Exposure equivalency allows a photographer to use different combinations of ISO/aperture/ shutter settings while maintaining an accurate exposure. When one exposure variable is adjusted up or down, a corresponding adjustment is made to a second variablein the opposite directionso the overall exposure value remains the same. (See Figure 1 for a table of equivalent exposure values).

Exposure modes
Program (P): Camera selects both aperture and shutter speed. Aperture priority (Av or A): User selects aperture, camera determines shutter speed.
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Photography: Session 1

Shutter priority (Tv or S): User selects shutter speed, camera determines aperture. Manual (M): User selects both aperture and shutter speed.
Even in auto exposure modes, most cameras allow the user to tweak exposure settings using exposure compensation.

Impact of exposure settings

Noise is random variation in the color or brightness of pixels in a digital image. Higher ISO values allow for shooting in low-light conditions, but degrade image quality by introducing noise. Noise is essentially never desirable and can be minimized by shooting at low ISO values whenever possible. Depth of field is the range of distances over which items in a scene appear sharp (in focus). Aperture is an important factor affecting depth of field. Wide aperture (smaller f number): Less depth of field Narrow aperture (larger f number): More depth of field Blur is caused by both camera shake and objects moving within the frame. While blur resulting from camera shake is seldom desirable, motion blur is sometimes used intentionally for effect. Slower shutter speeds increase incidence of blur. Faster shutter speeds reduce incidence of blur. Use of a tripod or other support can eliminate camera shake.

III Composition
Composition, of course, is more art than science and is best learned through practice and plenty of experimentation. The techniques described below offer a few possibilities to explore in pursuit of interesting and dynamic compositions. Distinct subject A photograph (usually) should have a clearly identifiable subject, allowing the viewers eye to naturally gravitate toward the most important part of the frame. Rule of thirds The rule of thirds is a technique that involves aligning a photos points of interest (subject, horizon, etc.) with the intersections of imaginary gridlines dividing the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Leading lines Natural lines occurring within a composition can help to lead the viewers eye through the frame. Point of view Varying the position and angle of the camera leads to more interesting compositions than always shooting straight-on, from a standing height.

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Photography: Session 1

Juxtaposition Juxtaposition can take many forms, but essentially involves illustrating an odd, funny, or otherwise interesting relationship between elements in a photograph. Background Background elements can help or hinder a composition. In the best cases, the background adds useful contextual information or complements the subject aesthetically. But busy backgrounds can also distract attention away from the subject and ruin an otherwise nice photo. Framing Framing uses natural elements in the scene to focus attention on the subject. The frame itself can also add context to the composition. Patterns Patterns and repetition can increase the visual impact of an image. Objects that break a pattern are especially eye-catching. Balance A balanced composition uses secondary points of interest to fill otherwise empty areas of the frame. Balance does not have to mean literal symmetrydissimilar objects can work together to form a balanced composition. Moments Since a photograph captures only an instant in time, the moment the shutter is released is critically important. Look for moments that help tell a story or reveal something about the subject.

Figure 1: Equivalent exposures

Aperture

f/1 1 sec 1/2 1/4 1/8

Shutter speed

f/1.4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

f/2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

f/2.8 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

f/4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

f/5.6 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

f/8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

f/11 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

f/16 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

f/22 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500