2. Would you like to improve your
digital photography skills and
produce better photographs
whilst capturing interesting
images of Guildford?
3. Thank you for joining the course
• What type/sort of photography are you
interested in?
• What experience of photography have you?
• Have you migrated from film to digital?
• What do you hope to gain from the course?
• What use do you want to put the resulting
photograph to? - Print, Art print, Internet?
4. Before taking the photograph
• Actually seeing what you are shooting is as important as knowing how to
take the photograph.
• Do you ‘see’ when you look at a subject? – do you really see what you are
taking?
• Are you happy with the photos that you take? – if not is it you or a
problem with the camera, or both?
• How’s the composition and framing? – it’s down to the eye of the
photographer.
• Is the colour/sharpness/image quality OK? – dependant on the ability of
the camera or how it’s been set up by the photographer.
• What can the photographer do to get better photographs? (assuming that
they are not just “snaps” taken without much consideration).
5. Picture Composition
Good subject composition and framing can
turn an ordinary picture into a great
photograph. Use your eye to look at the
subject within a frame, place the subject(s)
within the frame to create a good
composition.
Subjects which are moving are more difficult
to capture without blurring, this can be a
challenge – especially with compact cameras.
6. Points to consider before
taking the photograph
Can the shot be better composed or framed?
Is it really worth taking the photograph?
Is the light right?
Is the subject moving?
Is a ‘creative’ photograph required?
Has the camera got manual settings?
Can the photo be improved by using extra kit?
7. Automatic Shooting Shutter Speed
Other than basic compacts most On basic compact cameras this
cameras will give the option of usually is set by the camera
automatic shooting by selecting automatically but being able to
change the shutter speed according
pictograms/symbols for the type to the subject is very useful - a faster
of target subject, such as Portrait, shutter speed allows the capture of
Landscape, Sports, Night etc. moving subjects.
Advanced Shooting Aperture
Higher end cameras will allow the The size of the hole in the lens, this
selection of ‘modes’ to suit the governs the amount of light being
situation and to be creative. received by the sensor and allows the
use of the camera in different lighting
These settings include the ability conditions, with manual setting it can
to set the aperture and shutter be used creatively to alter the depth
speed independently. of field.
8. Focusing Focal Length of Lenses
Automatic on all On cameras with
compact/advanced interchangeable lenses a
compact/CSC cameras , range of focal lengths are
auto on SLR cameras but available, from wide angle
can be focused manually for to telephoto. On compact
creative control. and advanced compact
Depth of Field cameras ‘Zoom’ takes the
The amount (depth) of the place of interchangeable
photograph that is in focus. lenses.
Depth of field is governed
by the size of the hole in the
lens aperture
9. Camera Settings
• ISO – the ‘speed’ • pictograms/symbols for
(sensitivity) setting the type of target
• White Balance – usually subject, such as
auto on basic cameras Portrait, Landscape,
• Flash on/flash off Sports, Night etc
• Image Recording • Higher end cameras will
Quality - a range of allow the selection of
image quality settings ‘modes’ to suit the
situation and to be
• RAW image setting creative
10. • No matter how good the camera is or how
many accessories there are, capturing a ‘good’
photo depends on the photographers ability
to see and interpret what is being viewed
before pressing the shutter button.
• Post capture image processing can rescue
some photos but getting it right at the point of
taking the photo is a better course of action.
11. Image Processing
and Output
If the image requires correction or
improvement and adjustment after
downloading from the camera there are a
number of software packages available.
Image size and the amount of processing
required will depend on the end use of the
image - different combination of resolution,
image size and image quality.
12. Checklist
• Record or creative photograph ?
• Is the lighting OK? Is the subject moving?
• Is there a copyright issue?
• Model Release Form required?
• Does taking photos require a permit?
• When going out to take specific photos always plan
in advance - check access restrictions.
• Always take spare batteries and SD/CF cards.
13. Digital Photography Improvers Course
For information on future Photography
Courses and ‘PhotoWalks’
please visit: www.polypodphoto.co.uk
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http://polypodphoto.blogspot.com/
