Fundamentals of Photography No. 1

Who doesn't have a decent camera these days?  With the standard in photographic equipment increasing and the prices coming down, it's no wonder that anyone with a camera, access to Pinterest, and a computer like a MAC thinks they are a photographer.  The sad truth is that they are.  While they may not be the most technologically savvy, nor know the basic fundamentals, they're wheeling and dealing their way making money with their camera.

As someone who loves photography, I can assure you I'm not much different.  There are a few differences however, including my experience, but I'm always learning, and I will never tell anyone otherwise!

A photographer friend and I were looking at photographs last night that were sent to him from a family member.  These photos were done by a "professional".  Needless to say he was not impressed.  While I could see the style, and the attempt of composing something original I have to admit I was not impressed either.  Here are a few reasons why, plus why I think it's so important that any photographer have the fundamentals down before wheeling your camera around and asking for money.

1. Images need to be in focus people.  UNLESS it's a composition thing, but if you're shooting someones face you need to make sure that it's sharp and in focus, duh!

2. Let's off center things a bit!  Not every subject needs to be smack dab in the middle of the photograph. Let's think composition!

3. Lighting is a biggie here.  Don't always use your flash! Instead try opening up your aperture and slowing down the shutter.  It will allow for enough light to come in, and properly expose your photograph.  With using a flash at inappropriate times it can make the images look flat, and throw off the natural color.

4. Don't OVER edit! I have seen so many pictures where people have over edited.  The most thing I've noticed is over editing other people.  Teeth whitening is nice if their teeth are all messed up, coffee stained, and look like they've never seen a tooth brush, but when you over whiten they look like Chiclets's!  Also, another over edited area is the eyes and skin.  Have you ever seen eyes that were so white that they look like they were painted in with white out?  Seriously, that doesn't look natural, and it freaks me out.  If you think it makes your photograph look more professional, then you are sadly mistaken. 

5. Edit your photos!  I know I just went on a rant about over editing, but you must edit your photographs for color, contrast, vibrancy, and sometimes even sharpness, but people lets keep it in reason, OK?

6. Be Creative.  I'm a huge Pinterest fan!  I mean huge!  I've noticed that a lot of newbie photographers emulating what they find on there, or what other photographers they know do.  That's okay, but have some of your own creativity and learn composition.  If there's nothing special about your photograph if you are using others ideas.  Also, what makes yours look like something that they couldn't take themselves?

Now that I've gotten that all out of my chest let's talk about some basics.  Camera workings is like a piece of music coming together.  Each part of the puzzle has to be working together in order for it to come together beautifully.

APERTURE

This is one of the greatest things about having a manuel camera.  If you're unfamiliar with how to operate it then please see your owners manual.  The only reason I say that is because each camera has different ways to change settings.

So heres the Wekipedia's definition:

"In optics, an aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels."

Pretty easy to understand, no?  Well, let's go a little deeper here, shall we?  

Yes, aperture allows light in, but only when it's used properly, which means light meter, shutter speed, and ISO setting. 

Here's the image that's on Wekipedia that gives you and idea

Essentially, when you hit the button to release the shutter it opens the hole that allows light in.  You can control that but adjusting the aperature settings. Since an image is created by light reflected this is very important.

When I was in High School I took a photo class and we had to make a pin hole camera out of a cardboard container.  I think I used an old oatmeal box, but essentially the assignement consisted of putting a piece of photo paper inside, make a pin hole through the container, and set it in a well lit place for a long time.  Once I took the paper out in the dark room, and hand developed it int he darkroom I was surprised to see a photo emerge.  It essentailly is a really basic idea that light, time, and how apatrue together makes an image.

Here is a diagram, courtesy of scphoto.com

On your camera, aperture will be measured in 'f-stops'.  When you are adjusting the 'f-stop' the numbers are pretty easy to understand.  I found this awesome image which explains is perfect from photographyicon.com

Here's a great video from youtube.com that helps explains f-stops.

Another important note is depth of field, which is something apeerture controls too.  We'll discuss this soon.  I'll try to post regularly, and the next will be the continuation of the these settings, depth of field, and showing examples of photos.