Laskowski-Abby


 * Composition, Lighting, & Focus **

__What is important about focus? How do you get good focus in a digital slr photograph?__ Focus is important because it adds interest to images and allows you to make out with the image is displaying. In order to get good focus in a digital photograph it is important to make sure you’re not located too close to the image. Being situated too close to an object causes it to be difficult for the camera to focus on the object.

__Explain in your own words what depth of field is and why it's important to understand when shooting photos.__ Depth of field can be defined as how deep into an image the targeted subject stays clear until. The transition from the clearness to the blurrier part of them image is a gradual change, rather than distinct. Better depth of field includes more of the background that is focused on, whereas a photograph with less depth of field has more of the foreground focused on. Depth of field and focal length are two terms that are often confused with one another.

__What is the exposure triangle and why is it important to making quality photos?__ The three elements of the exposure triangle include ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. ISO measures the sensitivity of a camera’s sensor to light, while aperture is how large or small the opening of the lens is when a photo is taken. Finally, shutter speed is how long or short the shutter is open during the time a photo is taken. If an aspect of one of these elements changes, then the other elements will be impacted as well. Let’s say you wanted a lot of light in your photograph. In order to accomplish this, you could do a few things regarding ISO, aperture, or shutter speed. Your first option would be to lower your ISO settings. Another possibility includes increasing the aperture, or even decreasing the shutter speed. Because each of these elements work together when creating a photo, when wanting to focus on a certain aspect while making a photograph, each element must be changed so they all balance one another out in the end.

__What are the 5 compositional techniques we use in photography?__ The 5 compositional techniques we use in photography are the rule of thirds, framing and filling the frame, level horizons, leading lines, and interesting point of view. The rule of thirds is when the focus of a photograph is not in the center, rather one of the points created by the thirds. The points are created when the image is split horizontally into three sections, and vertically into three sections, as well. Framing can be defined as using other objects within the photograph to frame, and make the main focus of the photograph more focused on. Filling the frame refers to zooming in on the intended focus, so there aren’t as many extraneous objects within the image that could possibly taken away the focus of the main object. Having a level horizon within a photograph means that horizon line is straight along with the frame. If the horizon isn’t level, it could through the whole photograph off and confused the viewer. To add interest to the photo, leveling the horizon off center may be an interesting concept to try. Leading lines are when a photograph uses objects already in the image to draw attention to the intended focus of the overall image. Finally, interesting points of view are achieved when a photographer gets creative with how they make their photograph. The photographer transitions from the usual point of view the focus may be taken in, and takes the photograph in a completely different point of view.

__Which lighting techniques come from natural sources and which come from artificial? When would you use one vs another?__ Lighting techniques that come from natural sources can be used from indoor sources or outdoor resources. Natural sources include sunlight and moonlight, or fire. On the other hand, lighting techniques that come from artificial sources include a camera flash or a light in a room. The type of light utilized in a photograph adds to the overall appearance of your photo. If a photographer wants to make a dramatic photograph, they may choose to use a single flame from a candle to provide very little light throughout the entire photograph. However, if the photographer wants a bright photograph, he may use a camera flash or outdoor sunlight to fill the entire photograph with light.

__In terms of lighting what kinds of light sources do you already have experience shooting photos with? Explain.__ Many of the photographs that I have taken or have had taken of me use natural light, since many of them were taken outside. However, in a less serious manner, when I’m snapchatting friends at night I rely on the flash of my camera to make my face visible in the photograph.