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Learn to SEE the light! As photographers we write we light, (photo meaning light and graphy meaning to write). Light is the most important aspect of any photography, without it no image could be made. The quality of light can make the same subject a mediocre photo or a great one.
Photo Basics
Film Speed
Film Speed is the measure of a film's sensitivity to light, and is indicated with an ISO number such as 100, 200 etc. The higher the number, the more sensitive the film is to light. Therefore, lower speed films are much better geared toward bright, sunny days, whereas higher speeds are better for indoors and lower light situations. One thing to keep in mind is if you are planning to do enlargements, 8x10 or greater, slower speed films have finer grain and look significantly better when printed larger.
Composition
A common rule for photographers and composition is the rule of thirds. It states that as you compose a photograph you should mentally spilt the area into thirds. This means in your minds eye you should see 3 horizontal lines splitting up the scene and 3 vertical lines perpendicular and crossing the horizontal lines. From that point try to position your subject or a visually interesting component on one of those crossing lines. Therefore you should never have something directly in the center of your images, also called bull's eye composition and considered visually boring. Try composing with the horizon close to the bottom of the image if there is some interesting clouds or making a portrait off center to add a sense of place to the photograph.
However, as the old saving goes all rules are made to be broken so once you master the rule of thirds then try to find ways to break it without making boring centered images.
Lighting
Different Qualities of Light
- Direct - Light directly in front of the subject tends to flatten out the light.
- Directional - Light towards the side of the subject adds more depth and reveals textures.
- Backlit - Can often times underexpose the foreground subjects but when used in the right situation can create a great dramatic image.
Page Two: Photo Tips >
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