Short Photography primer covering lighting situations, camera basics and fundamental compositional techniques.

1. A PRIMER photograghy

3. “photography is
the art of managing
light.”

4. variables F O R M A N AG I N G T H E L I G H T
A. Scene or Subject - Selecting the proper lighting
situation or knowing how to compensate for less
optimal conditions.
B. ISO - Refers to the light sensitivity of the film or digital
sensors in the camera.
C. Aperture - Refers to the adjustable opening in the
lens of the camera, controlling the amount of light
that is let into the camera.
D. Speed - Refers to the speed with which the camera’s
shutter opens and closes.

5. A. Scene
Bright natural light provides the most
flexibility in exposure variables

6. A. Scene
Indoor natural light can provide ample
light for good exposures

7. A Scene
Overcast or dimly lit outdoor situations
can provide for interesting lighting effects

8. B. ISO
Low ISO - Means less
sensitive to light, but
reproduces sharper,
more natural textures.
Best used in good
lighting conditions.
High ISO - Means more
sensitive to light, but
image is less sharp
and appears grainy or
pixelated. Best used in
low lighting conditions.
ISO Setting 100 ISO Setting _6400 X

9. C. Aperture
A smaller aperture opening allows
less light to expose the image sensor
F11

10. C. Aperture
F2.8
A larger aperture opening
allows more light into the
camera in lower lighting
situations

11. A fast shutter speed can
stop the action of the
subject
D. Speed

12. D. Speed

13. camera basics

14. Normal State MIRROR
VIEW FINDER
FOCUSING RING
FOCUSING RING
APERTURE
SHUTTER
CURTAIN
CLOSED
VIEW FINDER
Exposed State
SENSOR
SHUTTER
CURTAIN
OPEN
SENSOR
MIRROR
APERTURE

15. composition

16. where to start
01 The Rule of Thirds
02 Scale
03 Perspective
04 Horizontal vs. Vertical
05 Depth of Field
06 Framing
07 Repetition
08 The Golden Section

17. 01 Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds
allows for variety in
composition by
positioning the
subject out of the
center of the frame

18. 01 Rule of Thirds

19. 01 Rule of Thirds

20. 02 Scale
Scale often refers to
the size of the subject
in the frame. Often
when photographing
a single object, the larger
and tighter the subject
is in the frame, the
more interesting.

21. 02 Scale

22. 02 Scale
02 Scale
Scale can also be used
to suggest depth in a
scene or image.

23. Lines in a scene receding
into the distance can
also provide a sense of
depth in an image.
03 Perspective

24. 03 Perspective

25. 03 Perspective

26. 04 Horizontal vs. Vertical
Let the scene or subject
dictate the orientation of
the image.

27. 04 Horizontal vs. Vertical

28. 05 Depth of Field
Depth of Field refers to a
specific area of the image
thatis in focus.

29. Short Depth of Focus
Short Depth of Focus
refers to a very targeted
area of the image that is
in focus. This is achieved
by using a large aperture
opening.
05 Depth of Field
F5.6

30. F32
Long Depth of Focus
Long Depth of Focus
refers to everything in the
image staying in focus.
This is achieved by using
a small aperture opening.
05 Depth of Field

31. 06 Framing
Framing is a technique
that composes elements
of the scene to frame the
subject of the image.

32. 06 Framing

33. This technique looks
for patterns and multiples
to use in the composition
of the image.
07 Repetition

34. 07 Repetition

35. 07 Repetition

36. 08 The Golden Section
The Golden Section is
a classic compositional
tool the suggests size
and scale as well as
positioning of the subject
in an image.

37. 08 The Golden Section

38. 08 The Golden Section

39. 08 The Golden
Section

40. 08 The Golden
Section

41. 08 The Golden
Section

42. 08 The Golden
Section

43. thanks
Edward Walter
Strategy Studio
ed@strategystudio.com
All content and images created by Edward Walter
© 2014 Edward Walter and Strategy Studio