Art 1 Photography

What is photography?

What does a photographer do?

“A photographer is a professional that focuses on the art of taking photographs with a digital or film camera. Photographers use artificial and/or natural lighting to snap pictures of various people, places and things in a variety of settings. Some photographers focus on studio work, while other explore the natural, outside world.

A photographer sometimes works in a freelance capacity, and is hired for specific jobs by numerous clients. Some photographers work exclusively in certain segments of the industry, such as wedding, graduation and other event-type settings, while others do mainly corporate work, and spend most of their time taking photographs that will appear on business websites and other promotional material. Still others, however, focus more on the artistic side of photography, and choose their own subjects and material that they wish to shoot.Types of Photography:

● Landscape, Aerial, Underwater● Fashion, Architecture● Wildlife, Pet● Sports, Action, Vehicle● Real Estate● Medical, Scientific● Food, Travel, Advertising● Wedding, Graduation, School, Baby, Event

A professional photographer may work full or part time. They can do studio work that involves taking pictures in a controlled interior setting, with professional or amateur models. These photographers can be freelance, or can also be kept on retainer by certain magazines and fashion companies. Other forms of professional photography involves taking stills for motion pictures, taking pictures for crime scenes in cooperation with local and federal law enforcement agencies, and taking pictures for digital and print newspapers (photojournalist) - though often newspapers will work with a photographer on a freelance basis rather than hiring him or her full time.Finally, photographers are responsible for the digital or physical development of their pictures, and may also be responsible for small or heavy editing of their pictures. For physical prints, a photographer will be required to know how to best develop their film, or will be expected to hire other professionals to develop their film for them.The editing process of photographs, on the other hand, may include simple cropping, or could include changing color schemes, lighting, and adding or removing objects from pictures to 'clear them up.' Some clients will choose to edit the pictures themselves, while

others will expect the photographer to do the necessary photo editing.”https://www.sokanu.com/careers/photographer/

The history of photography

“Photography has come a long way in its relatively short history. In almost 200 years, the camera developed from a plain box that took blurry photos to the high-tech mini computers we use in our DSLRs and smartphones today.

The First Cameras [CAMERA OBSCURA] The basic concept of photography has been around since about the 5th-century B.C.E. It wasn't until an Iraqi scientist developed something called the camera obscura in the 11th-century that the art was born.Even then, the camera did not actually record images, it simply projected them onto another surface. The images were also upside down though they could be traced to create accurate drawings of real objects such as buildings. The first camera obscura used a pinhole in a tent to project an image from outside the tent into the darkened area. It was not until the 17th-century that the camera obscura became small enough to be portable. Basic lenses to focus the light were also introduced around this time.

The First Permanent ImagesPhotography as we know it today began in the late 1830s in France. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce used a portable camera obscura to expose a pewter plate coated with bitumen to light. This is the first recorded image that did not fade quickly. Niépce's success led to a number of other experiments and photography progressed very rapidly.Daguerreotypes, Emulsion plates, and Wet plates were developed almost simultaneously in the mid- to late-1800s.

Cameras for Everyone [KODAK BOX CAMERA] Photography was only for professionals and the very rich until George Eastman started a company called Kodak in the 1880s. Eastman created a flexible roll film that did not require the constant changing of solid plates. This allowed him to develop a self-contained box camera that held 100 film exposures. The camera had a small single lens with no focusing adjustment. The consumer would take pictures and send the camera back to the factory for the film to be developed and prints made, much like modern disposable cameras. This was the first camera inexpensive enough for the average person to afford. The film was still large in comparison to today's 35mm film. It took until the late 1940s for 35mm film to become cheap enough for most people to afford.

The Horrors of War [EARLY 35 MM CAMERAS] Around 1930, Henri-Cartier Bresson and other photographers began to use small 35mm cameras to capture images of life as it occurred rather than staged portrait. When World War II started in 1939, many photojournalists adopted this style. The posed portraits of World War I soldiers gave way to graphic images of war and its aftermath. Images such as Joel Rosenthal's photograph, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima brought the reality of war across the ocean and helped galvanize the American people like never before. This style of capturing decisive moments shaped the face of photography forever.

The Wonder of Instant Images [POLAROID LAND MODEL 95] At the same time that 35mm cameras were becoming popular, Polaroid introduced the Model 95. Model 95 used a secret chemical process to develop film inside the camera in less than a minute. This new camera was fairly expensive but the novelty of instant images caught the public's attention. By the mid-1960s, Polaroid had many models on the market and the price had dropped so that even more people could afford it. In 2008, Polaroid stopped making their famous instant film and took their secrets with them. Many groups such as The Impossible Project and Lomography have tried to revive instant film with limited success. As of 2016, it remains difficult to replicate the quality that was a Polaroid.

Introducing Smart Cameras [POINT & SHOOT CAMERAS 1980s] In the late 1970s and early 1980s, compact cameras that were capable of making image control decisions on their own were introduced. These "point and shoot" cameras calculated shutter speed, aperture, and focus, leaving photographers free to concentrate on composition.

The Digital AgeIn the 1980s and 1990s, numerous manufacturers worked on cameras that stored images electronically. The first of these were point-and-shoot cameras that used digital media instead of film.By 1991, Kodak had produced the first digital camera that was advanced enough to be used successfully by professionals. Other manufacturers quickly followed and today Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and other manufacturers offer advanced digital SLR (DSLR) cameras. Even the most basic point-and-shoot camera now takes higher quality images than Niépce’s pewter plate, and smartphones can even pull off a high-quality printed photograph.” https://www.thespruce.com/brief-history-of-photography-2688527

How do I compose a shot?[NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TIPS] —Annie Griffiths

PLUM TREE, CHINA RULE OF THIRDSThis elegant image by Raymond Gehman is a perfect example of the compositional Rule of Thirds, best understood by imagining a tic-tac-toe grid placed over the photograph. Balance within a photograph is often achieved by placing the strong elements along those grid lines, with the very strongest at the intersection of the lines. Photo Tip: Placing the most important part of a picture dead center in the frame is usually not very appealing. Remember the Rule of Thirds and seek a composition that strikes a balance between the strongest element and

open areas, which will usually lead to a more successful image.

OPEN AIR MARKET, INDIAThe world is a chaotic place, and a photographer uses composition to separate his chosen subject from that chaos. In this clever composition by William Albert Allard, the windowpanes isolate individual stories from a very complex scene. It is a photograph that one can return to again and again, and find something new each time. Photo Tip: When searching for a photograph in a complex scene, look for ways to isolate the elements that you want to stand out. Using architectural or natural elements as a

frame can lead the eye and prevent the photograph from becoming a jumble of confusion.

BAYAN OBO PEOPLE’S COMMUNE, MONGOLIAComposition is the process of putting a frame around the elements that are important to include in a photograph. What is left out of the frame is as important as what is left in. In this portrait, James L. Stanfield has perfectly balanced light and dark

in his composition. The figure is halved by the light, and the rest of the frame contains perfect balance. The silhouette is balanced by the window; the triangle of sky is mirrored by a triangle of shadow on the opposite corner. Photo Tip: When composing a photograph, do a last-second check around the edges to ensure that nothing distracting is in the frame. Never rush a portrait. Take time to compose the scene, and then work with your subject to capture the personality you want to reveal.

TREE-LINED DRIVEWAY, MISSISSIPPIThis photograph by Sam Abell, which charms with its rich colors, is actually a study in geometry. The composition is symmetrical, with the road running directly down the center of the arching trees. The twin rows of trees and flowers contain a series of triangles and leading lines that draw us through the composition. Photo Tip: Symmetry can be dull or delightful in composition. It’s all about balance. Strong lines and colors and the placement of the horizon and open spaces can all add interest to what appears, at first glance, to be a simple, symmetrical scene.

GARDEN PARTY, UNITED KINGDOM Sometimes the patterns within a composition are more important than the subject matter itself. We barely notice the individuals in this photograph by Jodi Cobb because we are so drawn to the pattern of umbrellas and top hats and the occasional pop of red in the composition. Photo Tip: When a photographer is drawn to a pattern in a scene, it is important to be thoughtful about keeping out any element that distracts or pulls the eye away from the appeal of the pattern. One pair of unfortunate galoshes could have ruined this image.

TANGO, SOUTH AMERICAUsing a wide-angle lens is a good tool for creating dynamic compositions. With the main subject usually up-close, and right in front of the frame, a wide-angle perspective also allows for an intriguing background to add to the scene. This terrific photograph by Pablo Corral-Vega shows this technique perfectly. We are immediately drawn to the couple in the foreground. Then we get a second picture of a street scene in which the people seem oblivious to the intimacy of the dancers. Photo Tip: Don’t be shy about working very closely to your subject. Once that becomes comfortable, there are so many creative ways to work with the background. Layering the action in a photograph can lead to multiple images that are anchored by the intimacy of the main subject.

WINTER LANDSCAPE, GERMANYBalance and geometry play a crucial role in successful composition. In this elegant, simple image by Norbert Rosing, we see a strong leading line—the road—as well as delicate elements that are placed in perfect geometric balance. Notice how many triangles can be found within this frame, formed by light and shadow and the placement of the subjects. Photo Tip: Remember that the simplest subject can be beautiful if the composition is thoughtful. The goal is to achieve geometric balance in an image by strategically placing strong elements so that they balance the more open areas of the photograph.

STREET SCENE, PORTUGAL

Sometimes the photographer recognizes a great scene and just waits for something compelling to happen in that scene. I can just imagine photographer W. Robert Moore composing this scene in his camera, then waiting for reality to present him with surprise elements. It is a stunning composition of balance and curving lines, made memorable by the serendipity of daily life. Photo Tip: Patience is an important virtue in photography. Choosing a scene, then waiting for something magical to happen within that composition, requires faith and determination. But the payoff is priceless.

GEORGIA O’KEEFFE, NEW MEXICO

This remarkable photograph by George F. Mobley is a study in perfect composition. The placement of subject and painting provide balance, but the way the photographer has positioned Ms. O’Keeffe is brilliant. Every angle of hat and hands and cane and profile add to the structure of this image—and to the genius of the artist. Photo Tip: When shooting a portrait, it is important to pay attention to the background and the body positioning of the subject. The goal is to have the character of the subject come through without distraction.

MAN ON A HORSE, NICARAGUAWhat a wonderful photograph. The mood of the image is enhanced by a series of curving lines that lead from the sweep of the horse’s tail to the arms and hats of the men, to the head of the horse and back to the tail. This repetition of form connects the three figures in a circle of somber emotion. Photo Tip: The eye is naturally drawn to patterns, even when they’re not obvious. When composing a scene, it is best to flow with the choreography of what is happening in front of you, and press the shutter when you sense that perfect composition. It is an instinct that often bypasses the head and comes straight from the heart.

THE GOLDEN RECTANGLE AND THE GOLDEN SPIRALThe Golden Ratio is similar to the Rule of Thirds, but slightly more advanced. It’s based on a mathematical concept that we can find all throughout nature, and this concept theoretically explains why we find certain things to be aesthetically pleasing. Simply put, the Golden Ratio describes a relationship: In mathematics, two quantities are in the golden ratio if their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities. This ratio can be illustrated by the Golden Rectangle and the Golden Spiral, a design that’s commonly found in plants, animals, and other forms of nature. This ratio can be

simplified as 1 to 1.6. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/compose-photograph-rules/

THE PRINCIPLES OF GESTALT

In the late 1800s, a concept called Gestalt psychology came into prominence, and this theory tried to explain how humans can acquire meaningful perceptions in an apparently chaotic world. In short, how does the mind organize individual bits into a cohesive whole?

Decades later, photographers began applying this theory to their shots — with remarkable results. The actual principles are a bit abstract and vague, but they may prove helpful once they click. Here are the key ones:

● Figure: We tend to differentiate objects by contrasting with their surroundings. When composing, position the subject so that they are clearly defined by the space around them — which helps viewers to perceive what’s meant to be the focus of the photo.

● Proximity: We tend to perceive objects that are in close proximity to each other as one group. Grouping things together — either using position or depth — can help when you’re trying to create a sense of balance throughout the photo.

● Similarity: Within a group of objects, we tend to perceive objects of the same “kind” as part of the same group or pattern. An object’s kind can be defined by its color, shape, or overall feel.

● Closure: The human brain can follow contours and see patterns even when there are holes and gaps in said contours and patterns. As such, based on how you frame the scene, the viewer may see shapes and patterns that don’t really exist — and this could produce a more compelling image.

● Balance: As described in the Rule of Thirds and the Golden Ratio, balance is an important aspect of aesthetic beauty. This could mean symmetry, but more often means that there’s a sense of equilibrium in the photo.

Again, the Principles of Gestalt are more like abstract guidelines than straightforward rules. They try to explain why, but don’t really give much instruction on how. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/compose-photograph-rules/

LEADING LINESOne of the most important concepts in photography is that you want the photo to “draw” the viewer’s

eyes somewhere, ideally on a particular path through the photo. Most people start at the top left and move to the center, but this isn’t always the case.

The easiest way to pull the viewer’s eyes through a photo is to provide them with a direct route — and this is done with leading lines. A leading line could be anything: roads, fences, tree branches, walls, natural contours, or even silhouettes. It could even be an implied line, such as a beach or a queue of people.

The shape, direction, and depth of leading lines can create a sense of motion through the photo — and this dynamism can make your photos feel alive and active rather than static and boring. It’s this energy that can be the difference between a TERRIBLE and a compelling image.

So the next time you position yourself and hold the camera to your eye, make sure you look for all the potential lines in the scenes. Don’t be afraid to stop and relocate if it means you can take better advantage of the lines around you. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/compose-photograph-rules/FOREGROUND AND BACKGROUNDFor some, the greatest difficulty of photography is capturing the beauty and essence of a three-

dimensional scene in a two-dimensional photo. Often, the result if a flat, static image that has none of the life that made the scene so awesome in the first place.

While there are many ways to trick the brain into thinking a two-dimensional image is three-dimensional, one of the easiest methods is to make sure that the photo has a foreground and a background that both complement the intended subject.In the photo at left, notice how the tree (which is close to the camera) and the mountains (which are far from the camera) work together to create a sense of relative 3D space, and you can tell the mountains are big. Without the tree, you wouldn’t know how big those mountains are.

The foreground-background effect can be emphasized even further by manipulating depth of field. Using a wider aperture results in a shallower depth of field, which blurs things that are closer to the camera than the subject and farther from the camera than the subject — and this blur helps establish visual depth.In the above photo, notice how the foreground laptop and the background camera both sandwich the drawing tablet, which gives the photo a greater sense of depth and life. A smaller aperture (no blur) would have resulted in a more boring image.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/compose-photograph-rules/

The SCARE PrinciplesDian Schauffhauser

S - SIMPLIFY: Get rid of excess objects that clutter up the background of your shot; make the “canvas” as blank as possible.

C - CLOSE/CLOSER: Get close and closer to your subject. That doesn’t mean using the zoom option - zoom with your feet.

A - ANGLE: Be creative as you’re taking your picture. Try to find an unusual angle from which to shoot. That could mean standing on a table and shooting down or lying on the ground and shooting up.

R - RULE OF THIRDS: The best compositions often the ones where the main subject is either in the right third or left third of the image. So shift the image that way.

E - EVEN LIGHTING: If there's a shadow across the face that is NOT making the composition better, move the camera or the subject around to eliminate that. Usually the best time to take pictures outdoors is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when lighting is not as harsh - and directly above. Foggy days are great - or even overcast or rainy days. Indoors overhead fluorescent lights are not good for photography. Try setting up a direct light source.