Here arethe notes without the images.
Lesson 1: What Makes a Strong Photo?
Your goal as a photographer is usually to grab the attention of the viewer, and communicate an idea, or share an experience. What photos do this best?
Usually the strongest photos are those that are simple and present the subject in a clear, uncluttered way. Photographers work with line, shape, texture, color and pattern.
Let's take a look at a few pictures and see if we can identify the visual elements that make them work, or not work.
Assignment
Here are three pictures of the same subject. Write a paragraph or two explaining which one you like best. What patterns are present? What are the lines? What are the textures? Colors? Why did you make this choice?
Lesson 2: Unclutter! Get Close!
Take a look at the following pictures. Which ones grab your attention? Which ones do you just glance at and move on?
Three beach pictures. None of them fantastic, but is one the best? Why?
Two shots of kids. One is striking, one dull. Why?
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The shot on the left shows a boy lit up by a flash in a fairly dark room. All you see is him, and his smile, and the wheel he is holding.
HE FILLS THE FRAME.
The other photo is typical of pictures taken at school. Kids in a crowd.
Nobody stands out, because they are
standing against a cluttered background.
This would be improved by having the subjects stand against a plain wall and by moving in closer. If they are dark, as in this
picture, put them against a light-colored wall. If they are light,then try to put them against a dark background. Avoid backlighting unless you want a silhouette.
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Lesson 3: The Rule of Thirds
Look at these two pictures. Both show a seaplane in a harbor on the island of St. Croix.
Which do you prefer? Do you know what the rule of thirds says?
Below are the same two photos with lines across them dividing them into thirds vertically and horizontally. Where is the seaplane in the photo you liked better?
The ancient Greeks discovered the pleasing effect of objects with a rectangular
shape. When a picture is divided into thirds, it is often most powerful if the focus of attention
is in the intersection of two of the perpendicular lines.
The photo on the left above has the plane almost in the center, and it kind of floats there. The plane in the picture on the right is at the intersection of two of the lines, making it a bit stronger. It is also anchored a bit by the building and flag in the right hand third, which balance the plane on the left.
Adjust By Cropping
Cropping means cutting the picture down, but not necessarily in size. It is possible to take a
picture like the one on the left above and cut off some of the "dead space" on the left. The
result is a picture that obeys the rule of thirds and has a stronger feel.
Assignment
Where is the action in the picture occurring? Can you find photos that follow this rule?
Can you find exceptions? Rule of Thirds below?
Lesson 4: Framing Your View
We have looked at the value of filling the frame with your subject, making your subject
stand out, and placing your subject according to the rule of thirds. But you can try a variety
of things that break these rules or shake things up.
Lesson 5: Getting Up Close
If you want to fill the frame with a subject, how close can you get? The answer depends on
how much you want to show, and the ability of your camera to focus on close-up objects.
Shoot your subjects from a range of distances. Look at your photos on the computer
screen. How much of the object is in focus? You may find that you can't keep the entire
object in focus when using Macro. This can be used to help make the most important part
of the picture jump out at the viewer
Lesson 6: Photography Project Ideas
The best way to learn to take pictures is to take some and find out what you like. These are
some project ideas that can get you exploring your world with your camera.
Photographic Portfolio
To learn to take good pictures, we will be doing a series of picture pages which you will
keep in a special portfolio.
Assignment 1: Unclutter
Read over Lesson 1, 2 and 3. Find an interesting object and take a simple, uncluttered
photograph. Pay attention to the background -- try to have it plain white or solid. Fill the
frame. In your explanation, explain your choice and how you set up the picture. Why is it
strong? How could it be improved?
Assignment 2: Following the Rule of Thirds
Read Lesson 3. Take several pictures trying to follow this rule, placing the object of interest
at one of the key points suggested by this rule. If necessary, crop the image to shift the
position of the object. In your explanation describe what you had to do to get this effect,
and if you think it makes the photo stronger.
Assignment 3: Framing Your View
Read Lesson 4. Take a picture using some objects as a Frame. You could use a window, or
any other object. Explain how you took the picture and what the effect did for the image.
Assignment 4: Getting Up Close
Read Lesson 5. Choose an object you want to focus on. Set your
camera to Macro and shoot your picture. Follow the rules you have
learned -- fill the frame, rule of thirds, unclutter. Write about how
you took the picture, why it is good, and how it might be improved.
Assignment 5: Flower Faces
Follow the instructions to use Fireworks to make a flower face,
combining a picture of your face with that of a flower. Write about
how you did it.