Introduction to Photography Course Notes for Lesson 1

Camera controls and basic concepts

Course assumptions...
 you have your own camera and you are familiar with its basic controls
 you have tried to read the manual (but don't worry if you haven't, or can't)
 you want to learn how to make better photographs

What type of photographs do you want to make?

 "Snapshots" - family, holiday, etc for personal interest; any camera is suitable "the best camera is the one that's with
you" (e.g. iPhone)
 Record or documentation - people, places, events, etc for general interest better results are obtained from better
cameras
 Personal expression (art, exhibition, competition, profession?) - any subject; people, places, things best results
require "serious" cameras (e.g. DSLR)

Know your camera...

 All cameras have limitations. If you know the limitations of your camera you can work around them.

Your camera's controls = your creative choices

Focus - you can choose how and where to focus

 most digital cameras provide autofocus and manual focus

Shutter speed - you can choose whether or not to show movement

 faster shutter speed = shorter time (e.g. 1/2000s) → allows moving subjects to be "frozen"
 slower shutter speed = longer time (e.g. l/2s) → allows moving subjects to be blurred
 slower shutter speeds increase likelihood of unintentional camera movement causing blurry images

Aperture - you can choose how much of the image is in focus

 large aperture = small number (e.g. f/4) → shallower depth of field (blurry background)
 small aperture = large number (e.g. f/22) → greater depth of field (whole image is sharp)

ISO speed - you can choose to make images in low light without using flash
 numerical indication of sensitivity to light ("the digital equivalent of film speed")
 larger numbers indicate greater sensitivity (typical values are 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600)
 as available light decreases, increase ISO speed to compensate, instead of using flash

Lens selection - you can choose how much of a scene/subject to include

 lenses are typically classified by their focal length (expressed in millimetres, e.g. 18-55mm)
 shorter focal length = wider angle of view; longer focal length = narrower angle of view
 the narrower angle of view, the greater the magnification (hence "zoom in on the subject")

"It’s not the camera, it’s the photographer."

Next session: Sunday, 8 February, 9.30 a.m. Practical workshop at MCC to review topics covered in this lesson.

30 Jan 2015