multiMediaPrefinalExamination2019

AIM
The purpose of this session is to give you the fundamental skills to set up and shoot using a DSLR

PHOTOGRAPHY 101
Photography is a skill that you should work at/ borrow cameras from the college and practice.
Lesson Objectives
1. Understand how to critique photographs by applying the following terms:
Composition
Golden Ratio
Rule of Thirds
2. Demonstrate an application of how technical information can help your photography:
Aperture
Shutter Speed

A key term in Media, and Photography in particular, is 'Composition'
What does it mean?
1. Composition is how the a picture is constructed
2. There is a subject

Rules of thirds
1. Rules of thirds is a basic way of framing a shot.
2. It places the subject on one of the vertical or horizontal lines as the eye is naturally drawn to it.
3. This is show on the image opposite

Cinematographers are in charge of Light and Cameras on film sets.
Great Cinematographers frame each of their shots with photographic composition.

ACTIVITY
Frame and photograph a subject using the rule of thirds

NEUTRAL SPACE
When using the rule of thirds you may leave a large empty space or 'neutral space' in the frame.
This can be balanced by including other objects in the frame

ACTIVITY
Photograph a composition using neutral space

GOLDEN RATIO IN COMPOSITION
The golden ratio is a spiral based on the mathematical pattern of Fibonacci sequence
It puts the point of interest in the centre and as the spiral curves out other items feature along it's continuous line
Throughout our culture this has been recognised as aesthetically pleasing.
[Aesthetics - the nature/ study of beauty]

It is sometimes stated that galaxies, shells, and subsequently paintings and architecture exhibit this pattern.

Today the golden ratio is commonly used in everyday design, for example in the shapes of postcards, playing cards, advertising posters, wide-screen televisions, photographs, and cars

ACTIVITY
PHOTOGRAPH 3 EXAMPLES OF THE GOLDEN RATIO RULE

TECHNICAL SKILLS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS
There are 3 main variables when taking photographs....
APERTURE - controls the size of the lens opening
ISO - the sensitivity of the sensor
SHUTTER SPEED - how long the shutter is open for

The aperture value is numerical and represented with an 'f'
The higher the f-stop (f16, f32) the smaller the hole
THE BIGGER THE DEPTH OF FIELD (DEEP FOCUS)
The lower the f-stop (f2, f2.8) the bigger the hole
THE SMALLER THE DEPTH OF FIELD (SHALLOW FOCUS)
To set the camera to Aperture priority use the 'AV' or 'A' setting or do it manually on the film SLR cameras
f1.8 (Low aperture/ f-stop) = SHALLOW FOCUS

If you want to create a shallow depth of field to create the shallow focus/ cinematic look you need a low aperture/ f-stop

ACTIVITY
Put the DSLR on AV mode
Adjust to 'Manual Focus' (MF)
Now try and get a blurry background by focusing on a subject and adjusting the 'f stop'
Keep your camera still (tripod or table)

ACTIVITY
Use a tripod
In pairs set your cameras to shutter priority (TV mode)
REMEMBER to use a subject that is still/ stationary
You have 10 minutes to photograph some motion blur images for this activity
TIP - use the torch on your mobile phones

ACTIVITY
Pick a subject from around the room (object/ person) and photograph it/ them in a symmetrical composition