SEEING THE WORLD THROUGH A April 6, 2013 FRIENDSHIP FORCE LENS
WHY DO WE TAKE PICTURES WHEN WE TRAVEL? To capture memories the moment To share experiences To document where we have been To share where we have been To make us think To capture beauty
It s Not the Camera! A better camera has more features
It s Not the Megapixels! 3 MP is enough for screen display 4 MP is enough for making an 8 x 10 print More megapixels can produce larger prints
BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME Learn the menu, buttons and options and use the camera If available on menu, set to size to large and resolution to fine for the best quality photo Choices of file format Most popular is JPEG TIFF format results in larger files and ability to correct Camera raw files require special processing software such as Adobe Photoshop Charge the batteries, pack the charger
CHOOSING YOUR SUBJECT Decide why you want to take this picture. What attracted you to the scene? An object, a color, a person. Maybe a feeling Slow down Take your time, walk around the scene Get off the beaten path
CHOOSING YOUR SUBJECT What represents the your Friendship Force experience Perhaps it s the food
CHOOSING YOUR SUBJECT Most likely it s the people.
LIGHT IS EVERYTHING Where it comes from Is it hard or soft light Flash is flat hard light
Mid-day sunlight is the hardest Best light is dawn & dusk The magic hours Alpenglow LIGHT IS EVERYTHING THE BEST HOURS
Clouds, mist soften the light LIGHT IS EVERYTHING THE BEST WEATHER
LOOK UP! White balance will affect the color cast of your photos To find out what camera setting to use for white balance, find the source of the light for the scene Automatic (Camera determines light source) Sunshine Cloudy Night Indoors (incandescent or flourescent) Flash Note sure? Check the results and try another setting
GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE Backlight creates silhouette Use flash to light subjects, or Zoom in on subject for the correct (auto) exposure
GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE Walk around look for different angles
GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE Straight on is not usually the most interesting
GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE Look for height Get down low, especially for children
GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
GET A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
SIMPLIFY Remove things that do not contribute Adjust your position or wait until the clutter goes away Fill the Frame with your subject Look around the edges of the frame before clicking Zoom in to exclude the edge clutter
THE RULES OF COMPOSITION These rules are unenforceable. The Rule of Thirds The Horizon Line Leading Lines
THE RULE OF THIRDS Like a tic-tac-toe board Usually, do not center your subject in the photo Place point(s) of interest at intersecting point(s)
THE HORIZON LINE Do not place the horizon line in the center Apply the Rule of Thirds Place horizon high or low, depending on your emphasis Exception when you want to show the reflection For Landscapes, include foreground
Lead the eye of the viewer into the frame LEADING LINES
LEADING LINES Fences, Roads, Roof lines Rivers Streets
PEOPLE Find the folks; convince them to pose; shoot them. Piece of cake. Bob Krist, Nikon Photographer
PEOPLE Find the folks. Introduce yourself and Friendship Force Warm them up with a smile and conversation Ask about them Convince them to pose Ask for their help in creating this photo Offer to send them a copy
PEOPLE But what if they don t speak your language? SMILE, SHOOT AND SHOW Smile and Shoot. Smile and show them the photo Smile and sign that you want to take another If the person is not smiling back at you, move on. If the person is a vendor, you might buy something first
PEOPLE Shoot Them Energy, movement, humanity Use your travel companions as models
PEOPLE Shoot Them Include the faces with the places Consider the background
PEOPLE Shoot Them It may not be about the background Move the person to the shade tree, doorway, overpass Close in on the person eliminate the background Use a simple background
PEOPLE Shoot Them Set your focus on the eyes and then recompose Place the eyes along the imaginary line at the top third Don t crop at knees or elbows Set zoom to 80-100 mm
PEOPLE IN THE SUN Use the flash to eliminate harsh shadows stand far back Move to shade and reflect light off a white surface such as a wall Ask the person to wear a hat Ask a friend to hold up something white off-camera
USING A FLASH If possible, bounce the flash off the ceiling, wall or card Ask the subject to stand away from the wall Watch out for glass, mirror in background
LOW LIGHT WITHOUT FLASH If you don t have a tripod Set ISO to a high setting (800 to 1600), and set to Program Lean against a wall and hold your breath, or place camera on table, railing, to stabilize Use the timer to avoid shake when pressing the shutter
EQUIPMENT Remember the spare battery and charger For separate flash, even more batteries Multiple memory cards Padded backpack or padded bag Rain protection
ORGANIZE AND SHARE Review and select your favorites Develop a system; backup online and offline Share online: Social Networks such as Facebook and Instagram Photo Sites such as Picassa, Flickr, Pinterest Snapshots or photo books such as produced by Snapfish, Shutterfly, MyPublisher, Blurb, Picaboo
JUST SHOOT! Experiment What happens when I do this? Try different angles, and placement Shoot lots of photos, especially of people
LIFE Life is like a camera. Just focus on what s important and capture the good times If things don t work out, just take another shot. Anonymous