Photography workshop for beginners covering some photography basics including composition and light. All photographs used in this presentation copyright Kieran Hamilton 2013

1. PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS
Kieran Hamilton

2. CONTENTS
 What should I shoot?
 Types and styles of photography
 Composition
 Pattern, texture and form
 Using lines
 Light
 General tips for improving your photography
 1 hour photo walk
 Peer review

3. WHAT SHOULD I SHOOT?
Why do you want to get into photography?
 Artistic
 Communicate a message or idea
 Memories
 Complement or document other activities

4. WHAT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?
People find they like photographing things they are
interested in anyway
 Buildings and architecture
 Animals
 Landscape
 Macro photography
 Street photography
 Urban
 Objects

5. STILL NOT SURE?
 Take your camera everywhere with you – don’t be
afraid or embarrassed about taking pictures in
public
 Maybe start by asking yourself which type of
photography you like to look at the most
 Challenge yourself with subjects you wouldn’t
usually focus on
 Experiment

6. TYPES & STYLES OF PHOTOGRAPHY
 Landscape/Seascape (natural)
 Cityscape
 Portrait
 Macro
 Urban/Industrial
 Architectural
 Street Photography
 Many more...

7. THINGS TO CONSIDER
Several key areas which you should consider:
 Light
 Shape
 Texture
 Pattern
 Colour
 Composition
LIGHT and COMPOSITION are the most important!

8. RULE OF THIRDS
 The viewer’s eyes naturally go to one of the
intersection points, not the middle.
 Try to get subject on
one of the focal
points
 Horizon lines

10.  Leave space at
one side of the
subject
 Which side is the
subject travelling
or facing towards?
 Can help create sense
of motion or convey
object travelling

11.  Breaking the rule of thirds can add a bit of
difference and drama to an image
 Look for symmetry and reflections
 Experiment – do what you feel is best

12. FRAMING AND BACKGROUND
 Have something of interest in the foreground, as
well as something in the middle ground and
background – creates depth and distance
 More than one subject (use thirds)
 Frame shots between two objects e.g. Trees,
buildings
 Adjust your focus to blur the background or
foreground to give extra focus to the main subject

13. USING LINES
Thinking about where the
lines are in your shot can
help add depth or drama
to a photo, and help lead
the viewers eye towards
a focal point
 Horizontal lines
 Vertical lines
 Diagonal lines
 Leading lines

14. Horizontal lines can add pattern or focus to your image

15. PATTERN, TEXTURE AND FORM
 Look for repetitive patterns
 Breaks in a pattern can be interesting
 Reoccurring shapes
 Interesting shapes and form – stand side on, not
front on for depth and 3 dimensional images
 Use light and shadow to emphasise form and
texture

16. LIGHT
 Early morning and late afternoon - soft light
 Midday – harsh (hard) light
 Sunrise and sunset - vivid colour and silhouettes
 Watch for blown out skies – better to have
foreground dark
 Night photography – long exposure, use tripod or
flash
 Cloudy weather low contrast – but can be dramatic

17. ‘SOFT’ LIGHT
 The closer to the light source the broader the light
 The broader the light the softer the light
 Less contrast and distinct shadows and highlights
 Portrait photography
 Soft skin textures
 e.g. Someone sitting next to a window or a lamp.

18. ‘HARD’ LIGHT
 The further away from the light source the harder
the light
 More pronounced shadows and highlights
 Landscape photography – far away from the sun
(light source)
 Street photography
Using a Flash
 Removes shadows
 Lights up foreground – but darkens background
 Red eye and reflections (glass, mirrors)

19. GENERAL TIPS
 Learn your camera’s controls off by heart
 Always try for straight horizon lines
 Don’t worry about other people looking at you
 ... But don’t make ‘subjects’ uncomfortable – don’t
be a creep!
 Change your perspective – get down on the floor or
stand on something
 Have fun!
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