Photography Workshop for my B-Day!

Today I am taking a seminar on "Capturing True Emotion." This is my first training in photography. I have never taken a photography workshop or class really...though I did take a physics class once, "The Physics of Color Photography," but that was more a study of spectrum color.

I have decided it is time to actually learn formal technique and how to use all the power my equipment has to offer. Funny I spent so much time researching what to buy (from a technical perspective), yet I have not really taken the time to fully learn to use the equipment. I want to learn a lot this year!

The workshop was fairly basic, but it did force me to grab my manual to look up some things on my camera. After the workshop some of the group met to go put our skills to work at the zoo (though I think the zoo was a fairly odd selection for what we actually were trying to shoot). It was interesting, and I met a fellow photographer (Dave) that helped me stumble through finding some of the settings on my camera. This makes me realize I really should join a photo group to improve my skills.

For those who are interested in learning more (and summarizing helps me learn):

• Light - in every aspect of photography you are playing with light. Think of it as being an artist and painting with light!

• ISO - image sensitivity best correlates to the film speed in traditional photography this is how sensitive you want to image sensor to be to light. The higher your ISO, the more light it lets in. This does impact the quality of you photo (in grainy-ness/noise) so unless that is the desired effect you want to pay attention to the ISO you are shooting at.
• Low ISO (100-200) is for bright light days and high image quality.
• High ISO (>400) is for low light situations and reduce the image quality.

• Aperture - impacts light (low aperture lets in little light, high aperture lets in lots of light) and depth of field (i.e. what is in or our of focal range). If you want to blur objects in the background you have a short depth of field (much of this is controlled within your lens). If you want to see everything you need a shallow depth of field.
• Large Aperture (f/1.8,2,4,5.6) = shallow depth
• Practice using this, you want to zoom in and get close to your subject
• Small Aperture (f11,22,32) = longer depth
• Practice using this, you want to zoom out and get far from your subject

• Shutter Speed - impacts light (slow lets in little light, high lets in more) and controls motion.
• To freeze motion use a fast shutter speed (>1/500)
• Practice using this, water is a good subject.
• To blur motion use a slow shutter speed (<1/30)
• Practice using this, animals are a good subject.
• Note: if you are not using a tripod, you do not want to shoot below 1/60 to focus on your subject.

How this translates into digital photography (the modes on your camera):
AF Point: selects where you want to focus (center-weighted, spot, evaluate)

Metering Mode: measure the light for a specifics area in your scene that you want to use, then set to that desired metering mode for your image.

P (Programmable Mode): You control ISO (camera does the rest - watch the impact ISO has on aperture and shutter).
  *Practice by shooting in differnt light conditions. 
      If the shutter is slow, raise your ISO! (1/60 or faster if not on tripod!)
 
A/AV (Aperture Priority Mode): You set ISO + Aperture (camera controls the shutter speed).
  *Practice setting ISO and a desired aperture to accomplish different effects.
      If the shutter is slow, raise your ISO! (1/60 or faster if not on tripod!)

S/TV (Shutter Priority Mode): You control ISO + Shutter Speed.
  *Practice setting ISO and a desired shutter speed to accomplish different effects
      If the aperture can't open large enough, raise your ISO! (1/60 or faster if not on tripod!)

M (Manual Mode): You control ISO + Aperture + Shutter Speed.
  *Practice here is a mnemonic device to remember a good order for shooting in manual, remember -
   I AM So Freaking Cute:
     1) ISO - set based on lightening conditions (i.e. sunny, rainy, night)
     2) Aperture - set based on how much light you need for effect (i.e. short or deep field)
     3) Meter - measure and see light in a specific area of scene.
     4) Shutter Speed - set based on how much motion (try to get needle in the middle)
     5) Focus
     6) Compose

General Tips:

• Use your histogram to see the exposure levels (left is under exposed, right is over exposed).
• Your display lies.
• Things you want in composition: line, shape, form, color, texture, value, space.
• There are many elements, but start with mastering the above.
• Check out the Golden Section and Rule of Two Thirds for composition.
• Many examples out there to learn more.

Happy Birthday to me :)