Intro and Shutter Speed

Note: View all training videos below to learn how to use Lightroom to edit and output your images for web/email.  For this class, please email your images to the email address on the syllabus.  Each image file should be less than 500kb and each email should have no more than 5mbs (megabytes) of combined images.  You may send additional emails if you need to, but please view the last training video for export settings to get your image size in an acceptable range.  Also note that my email address is viewed as spam by many email servers so check your spam folder if looking for my email.
For the shutter speed homework; read your camera manual for shutter priority or TV settings and use.  I need a total of 7 images; 3 images of a fast moving subject going across the frame and 3 coming at you.  1/15, 1/125, and 1/2000 of a second.  Make sure to minimize camera shake.  The seventh image is of the location with your photo friend/buddy. Images should be emailed before 5pm Tuesday.  Please check your inbox after sending images to see if you get any error messages.

Depth of Field

You are going to use Manual exposure mode from now on. Also, please do not remove your metadata.

For this assignment, DOF (depth of field {area in focus}); you will be controlling your DOF using lens, distance, and aperture settings. I used a 50mm lens about three feet from the first object. Once you position the “camera to subject” distance and choose a focal length (lens zoom), then leave those alone and control the DOF solely using aperture settings.  Once you shoot your first image, do not changes focal length or “distance from camera to object”. Your objects should not be tiny in your frame (see examples below). Shoot three objects in one frame. This can be done indoors on a dining room table or outside in sunlight. Shoot from the same level as your objects. Space each object a little more than one foot (see examples below) from each other. Make sure you choose objects that have detail, like text on a soda can, but something you can see if it is in or out of focus. Shoot the following:

1. Only middle object is in focus.
2. Middle and back objects in focus.
3. All three objects in focus.

It will help your shoot by using a tripod or the like so that you can use slow shutter speeds without affecting focus clarity.

Composition, Light, Moment plus Landscapes

Homework for this week includes:

1. Shoot 4 different looking landscape images.
2. No people or human elements (buildings, cars, power lines, etc.) Keep animals to a minimum.
3. Each image should have at least one element of composition and pictures with horizons all need to use the Rule of Thirds.  Try not to “bulls eye” your main subject.  I would like to see at least three rules of composition used in total. Example: one image might use Rule of Thirds, the second picture use leading lines, the third use triangles, etc.
4. One shot should be a detail of something like bark, leaves grass, etc.
5. I would like to see a mixture of light direction (sunlight from behind, sunlight from in front {front and back light}).
6. These are all color images, no black and white.
7. Shoot these images in wilderness areas: mountains, beaches, deserts.  No city parks.
8. You may submit more than 4 images if you like.  I will critique all images in class.
9. Weather conditions are the Moments in Landscape Photography. This is just a bonus as it could take a long time waiting for clouds or other types of weather.
10. Follow the links in the Photography Sites area for landscape photography inspiration.

Notes:  You should be using your cameras on manual exposure.  If I see metadata that shows auto or semi-auto then you lose a grade.  Many landscape photographers put their cameras on tripods or rest them on a rock or somewhere stable.  Then they “stop down”, setting their aperture at f16 or 22 to get everything in focus.  Also, many landscape images are made using a very wide angle lens (not a fisheye), around 16mm to 24mm (full frame size).  Or try using a telephoto lens at or larger than 200mm. Wide and long lenses give a unique look to images that one does not see with the naked eye.  Also, you should be checking your image on the back of your camera to check focus and sharpness.  Use your camera’s zoom button to zoom in to see detail.  Blurry images could be a result of camera shake, and not improper focus.  I would use a cable release or your camera’s countdown timer to reduce camera vibrations.  For those who have read their camera manuals, you can use your mirror lock-up, or you can use Live View mode when ready to shoot you image.  This will further reduce camera vibrations as your camera’s mirror will not move when making an exposure.

Bracketing:  This is when you make multiple exposures with your camera with slightly different settings to assure that one comes out exposed perfectly (exp: correct exposure is 1/30th, f16, at 100iso, then you would shoot two more exposures like 1/15th, f16, 100iso and 1/60th, f16, 100iso {notice that just the shutter changes}).  Some cameras allow you to do this automatically in Manual Exposure mode, where when you press the exposure button, the camera fires three times (read your camera manual).  I would try to bracket by one stop in either direction like the example above.

Some Safety Points:  This assignment does not require you to hike into the wilderness.  In fact you can shoot your images from an overlook parking lot if desired.  However, even if you’re not heading down a trail, you should be aware of your surroundings, and you may want to take a friend or family member with you, as there are too many creeps waiting to take advantage (assault or robbery) of someone in these areas. Maybe even carry pepper spray.

If heading into the wilderness (on or off trail), you should know about the “10 Essentials”.  These are items you should have to keep you safe in the wilderness.  Also you should let someone know when and where you will be traveling, so if you don’t call them by a set time or date, they can send for help.

Photographing People

Homework for this week includes 4 pictures:

1. Formal Portrait
   
2. Environmental Portrait
   
3. Candid 1
   
4. Candid 2

Night Photography and Flash

Homework for this week includes 7 pictures:

1. Nighttime Shoots (NO FLASH):

   1. Shoot a nighttime scene with car lights (headlights/taillights or both)
   2. Shoot a night scene that looks pitch black to the naked eye, but use long exposure (1 minute or more) to make a useable picture (also use ISO less than 800)
   3. Shoot a building or man-made structure that looks great at night
   4. Bonus: nighttime blur (have fun)

   Flash

   1. Use direct flash
   2. Then shoot the same subject with bounce light
   3. Then shoot same subject with evil light

B&W

Homework for this week includes 5 pictures:

1. Shoot a picture that you think looks better in Black and White than Color. Submit both images.
   
2. Shoot an image that shows texture.
   
3. Shoot a person in a way that looks timeless, as if it were shot 50 years ago.
   
4. Shoot anything of your choice.

Photography Sites

Ansel Adams

Edward Weston

Galen Rowell

David Muench and Marc Muench

circular polerizers