Benkowski-Wright

=//Composition, Focus and Lighting //=

Importance about focus:

The importance about focus is not only about the sharpness in a photograph or being able to see something in more depth then another spot. Focus can enhance an image by making it stand out more from the rest while blending the others around it to make the viewers eye get drawn to the important bold elements of the image. The number one way to make an image look professional is to have some sort of focus in it and this doesn't matter what kind image (nature, portrait etc.) it is. How to get a good focus in a digital slr is a simple step, when pressing down the button half way your going to see a red blinking dot which is most likely going to placed in the middle of a picture and this means that where ever the spot is on is what is going to be focused on.

Depth of field:

Depth of field is when the distance is appeared acceptably sharp. The depth of field can vary on the camera type or even the focusing distance. An example of how depth of field could happen is if your taking a picture of a table filled with plates, towards the end of the picture it will blurred causing you to focus more towards the front. Therefore, the front of the picture there will be more focus rather the end. The image has a gradual transition from one end to the next. When shooting photos its important to know and even have depth of field because its an important tool at your disposal. Having sharp images is one of the most important factors to getting a great shot. Most importantly, for the future you can use this method for your pictures during class to get a professional-like picture.

The Exposure Triangle:

The Exposure Triangle is a term for three fundamental element of exposure such as aperture, shutter speed and ISO. These three elements balance an result of adjusting of at least one of the others in an image. Aperture is simply the measure of how open and closed the lens are. With that being said the wider the aperture is the more light will be let in by the lens. However the narrower the aperture is the less light is to reach the sensor. You can decide this on how wide or narrow you want it by how you want your picture to turn out. Shutter Speed is the measure of how long the shutter is open for. The faster the shutter speed gives the less time to collect light and have a lower exposure. Now the slower the speed is the more time for the sensor to collect light and have a higher exposure. ISO is a number of the level sensitivity of your camera to available light. The lower the number, the less sensitive is to the light while the higher number increases the sensitivity. When your working in lower light, the widest aperture and the slower shutter speed will happen.

The 5 Compositional Techniques:

Although there are a variety of compositional techniques that can be used when taking a photo there are five main techniques that can take your photo to the next level. First, the most well known technique, the rule of thirds. This technique essentially focuses on creating an eye appealing photograph by splitting an image into thirds, both vertically and horizontally. This will give the photograph a more natural look. N ext is framing. This technique focuses on making your subject the center of attention in your photo by blocking the less important parts with something else in the scene. By doing this you are giving your photo not only depth, layers and a lead to the focal point but also an intriguing effect that will provide the viewer with a sense of curiosity. Third is the technique of filling the frame. This is crucial compositional technique when it comes to taking photos because it can create stunning results even though it is a simple technique. It creates these highly effective results I mentioned before by filling the frame from edge to edge to leave little doubt about what your intended target was. Up next, level horizon. The main idea of this vital technique is to line up the horizon with the background of the photo to add the feeling of intensity and depth. Lastly, the final key compositional technique is leading lines. This technique is key because it uses converging lines to intensify your photo. It does this by using symmetrical and vertical placement of the lines to create a powerful effect.

Lighting techniques & Natural sources:

There are two main lighting sources in photography; natural and artificial light. But within each type there are many different techniques. For example with artificial lighting you can use bounce light, fill light, available artificial light as well as dramatic lighting. These types of lighting give the viewer the feel of powerful and dramatic photos. On the other hand if you’re looking to add a natural, more habitual mood to your photo then natural lighting is the right type. Within the natural lighting there are many different forms for example sunlight, filtered sunlight, firelight, candlelight and light from a window.

Light sources:

Personally, I already have experience with sunlight and filtered sunlight because I am used to taking most of my pictures outdoors during the daytime when the sun is a factor in my photos so I like to use it to my advantage. Also I have experience with artificial lighting such as lamps or lights in my house and I have come to realize that different lights can have totally different effects on the photo. The last one I have experience with is firelight because I have taken pictures by a bonfire and I personally don’t like the grainy effect it has on photos.

Here are a couple of pictures of how great professional pictures look like: =   =