Manila Photography
Introduction
Photography has been around for a long time and is being used in different fields such as science, criminology, journalism, communication, and art. It has definitely gone a long way. Before, cameras were strictly for professionals, but now they are aimed practically for everyone. We have point-and-shoot cameras available for those who just wish to take pictures and save them as memories.
There are also midrange professional cameras for those who are just starting their photography careers. Most, if not all, phones today are also equipped with cameras. Photographs are now shown and shared for various reasons. Photo-sharing is now considered as a social networking thing. Most people try to post pictures as creatively as they can. Whether they’re using a state of the art mobile phone or one with a really bad camera, everyone strives to take good photographs.
With the popularity of photography as an art today, it’s no wonder why so many people wish to be better at it. For some people, buying expensive equipment is necessary to take the perfect pictures. Others rely on their inexpensive gadgets’ post-processing capabilities. Whatever method they may choose, people think differently on how they can achieve that perfect photograph. All individuals have their own theories on how to take the perfect photo.
Read this book, understand everything in it, and you might just discover yours.
Choosing and Prepping Your Gear
“It’s not in the equipment; it’s in the photographer”, is a popular and accurate statement when it comes to selecting your photography gear. Investing in the latest and most expensive equipment isn’t really necessary. Most pros wouldn’t even tell you to get the latest camera out there! All experts teach would-be photographers based on the assumption that such learners already have cameras.
What’s most interesting though, is that the pros don’t even make a distinction between cheap and high-end cameras when teaching students. While the latest cameras can help in enhancing the quality of the picture and also the richness and vibrancy of colors, they could never serve as substitutes for knowledge and skill.
If you’re new to photography and you don’t have a clue on what camera to get, it might be ideal to borrow from your friends or buy a secondhand DSLR at first. Not only is it cheaper, but it will help you familiarize yourself with the different functions of your camera. Since you might probably be clueless with photography jargon, the more “basic” your DSLR is, the easier it will be for you to understand the different configurations. So, if you haven’t spent money on a camera yet, try to get the midrange beginner’s camera. A brand new DSLR can cost as much as $600.
Also, if you’re not sure if photography will be something you will take seriously, getting a secondhand camera or borrowing one is a better option. Remember, cameras are an investment. The camera that you get now can last you years if you take care of it properly. There is no rush whatsoever in getting yourself a camera. You can borrow first, learn a few tricks, decide whether you really enjoy it, and then get a camera. That way, you will be really interested in and happy with your purchase. There are some people who spend so much money getting a camera and then leaving it to rot in the shelf because photography was not something they enjoyed. That’s a lot of money wasted!
Lenses might be your next concern. When you buy a camera, it usually comes with something called “kit lens” which has a focal length of 18-55 mm. At this point there’s no need yet to buy longer lenses or any other kind of lenses. 18-55 mm is good enough regardless of what you’re planning to take pictures of. Lenses can be expensive and is something you would need to invest in.
The next thing you have to prepare is yourself. A camera is like having an outer eye. While the technical aspects of a picture are important, one must also consider an image’s aesthetics. Prepare your creative self and bring your camera with you.
If you think you’re ready to explore the photographer in you, then turn to the next chapters and start your adventure.
Basic Camera Jargon: What is What?
Before you go around and start taking photos of things around you, it’s important that you understand the camera language. You wouldn’t want someone to come up to you and ask you a technical question and you’d go blank, right? It’s important that you know the different camera terms, whether it’s just a hobby or not.
Shutter Speed
This is the most basic camera term you have to learn. Shutter speed is the length of time your camera’s shutter is open when it takes a picture. If your camera has a slow shutter speed, you might hear it click twice within a long interval. That’s the opening and closing of the shutter. If your camera has a fast shutter speed, you’ll hear its click instantly.
Shutter speed is measured for every second and you will see it in fraction form on your camera. When looking at that number, remember that basic math applies to it – the bigger the denominator, the smaller the fraction, and therefore, the faster the shutter speed will be.
These are the ranges of shutter speed available:
• Bulb – Allows you to control the shutter speed’s length. As long as you’re pressing the shutter, it will be open.
• 5”, 3”, 1” – seconds
• ½, ¼, 1/8, 1/10, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000
Some cameras do not have five or three seconds options, while others do. Other cameras might also skip on the fractions listed above.
What are they for?
Shutter speed captures light and action. The longer the shutter speed is open, the more light and action is captured. The shorter the time it remains open, the less light and action is captured.
Let’s say you’re taking a picture of a moving car. If you use a shutter speed of 1/250, your picture would show up with the car in focus and its background in a blur. If you use a shutter speed of ¼, the picture would result to a blurry car showing its path. If done right, the front of the car would be clear while its rear will be blurred, leading to a picture that truly depicts speed.
If you want to capture motion or movement, use a slower shutter speed. If you want to “freeze time”, use a faster shutter speed. The bigger the denominator is (that’s the number below one), the faster your shutter is.
If you wish to take normal photographs, the rule is that the shutter speed should never be lower than your camera’s focal length or else all pictures will become blurry. If your camera is at 35 mm, then the lowest shutter speed you can use to avoid blurriness will be 1/30.
Take note that the faster your shutter speed is, the less light enters so your pictures will be darker. The slower your shutter speed, the more light is capture. This is why most people do test shots before doing the exact shot to see if the light is balanced.
Focal length
Focal length is the length measured by your camera from the optical center up to the imaging sensor where the lens is focused. It might be confusing, but basically it shows you the distance from your camera to the particular object. The higher the focal length, the nearer you will be to your object (visually).
This is basically the zoom-in, zoom-out function of your SLR. It’s straightforward. The standard focal length of basic kits is 18-55 mm. There are also 18-125 mm and 10-35 mm. Sometimes getting these optional lenses would be expensive because you’ll have to pay for several special parts. Prime lens are different, these are lenses with only one focal length. The most common variant is 50 mm.
Aperture
Aperture is the opening of your camera that allows light. Aperture is measured through the f-number or f-stop. The smaller the f-stop, the more light enters your camera. Depending on the lenses you have, the aperture level can be as low as f 1.4 and can be as high as f 22.
What is this for?
Aperture is usually paired with shutter speed. If you wish to have a fast shutter speed, then you have to set your aperture at the lowest to make sure that more light comes in. The faster your shutter speed is, the higher your aperture should be. This is because the higher your f-stop is, the more light passes through.
In terms of “focus” or depth-of-field, a smaller aperture causes that macro effect that we all love. A macro effect is when the subject is the only one in focus while the background is all blurry. The smaller your f-stop is, the smaller the area of focus will be. This is ideal for taking portraits or close up pictures of objects. A high f-stop means less blurring, making it ideal for taking pictures of landscapes.
ISO
ISO sensitivity simply indicates the camera’s sensitivity to light. A lower ISO means less light sensitivity, while a higher ISO level has greater sensitivity. When taking pictures at night and you don’t want to set your shutter speed at such a slow speed, then adjusting your ISO might be a better option. ISO, shutter speed, and the focal area are all tweaked together to get appropriate lighting.
The downside to a higher ISO level is that it makes your pictures grainy. Grainy pictures don’t always look appealing, that’s why you should be careful in adjusting your ISO level.
It’s advisable that you just set you camera’s ISO level to Auto so that it will automatically adjust based on your shots, and all you need to do fix is your shutter speed and aperture. However, there are some situations that specifically ask for you to adjust your ISO.
These are the basic camera-related terms that you have to remember. They are very important and it’s easy to figure out the differences between them. Never forget these terms and you’re one step towards being a professional!
Eenie, Meeny, Miney Mo: What setting is Best?
Take a look at your camera’s dial and you’ll see multiple settings to choose from. You might see the following letters and icons on your camera’s dial:
• A-DEP, M, Av (or simply A in cameras), Tv (S in other cameras), P, A+
• A picture of a person, Mountain, Flower, Man running, Night Time, No flash
• Video settings
They seem plenty but they are pretty easy to understand. The video setting speaks for itself. You turn this dial on when you need to take a video. There are no other functions that should be tinkered with when capturing a simple video.
The Auto setting automatically sets everything, this means that you just turn to this dial, take a picture, and you get optimal results. Switching to the option that’s represented by a picture of a person will be ideal if you’re going to take portraits. The option with a mountain symbol is perfect for landscapes. The one with flowers is for macro shots. The dial with a running man logo is for live/action shots.
Of course, the nighttime option is for dark areas, and the no-flash one is exactly what it says. Switching to these preconfigured settings automatically sets your DSLR’s flash. So, when you’re trying to take a picture of something in low lighting, the flash automatically sets off (except in the case of the no-flash option).
As some say, it’s better to pay attention to the letters on a camera, rather to than these icons. This is because switching to such letter-represented options doesn’t automatically set the flash, allowing you to change some settings of the camera. Let’s discuss them all one by one.
A-DEP setting
If you’re a Canon user, chances are you get an A-DEP setting. A-DEP stands for Automatic Depth of Field. When you use this setting, you simply set your subject in focus (your foreground and background) and the camera will automatically be in charge of the other settings.
The downside to using A-DEP is that it also sets your shutter speed automatically. If you’re going to take pictures in low lighted places, your camera will select slower shutter speeds and if you don’t have a tripod, it can result to blurry pictures.
This is best used when you want to take pictures with a strong foreground and background – in good lighting conditions.
Av or A setting
Av or A is aperture priority. In this setting, you select the aperture best fit for the picture you are taking, forcing your camera to set the most appropriate shutter speed. ISO settings can be adjusted in this setting. The difference of Aperture Priority from A-DEP is that in A-DEP, you select your foreground and background and it sets your aperture for you; in Aperture Priority, you select the aperture that you want.
This setting is ideal if you want to take pictures with different depth-of-fields and also if you want to take pictures of landscape areas using a slower shutter speed without sacrificing blurriness. This is because landscape areas often demand for a higher f-stop value (in other words, more light needs to pass through).
Tv or S setting
This setting is also called Shutter priority. You get to play around with different shutter speeds while your camera’s aperture automatically adjusts. ISO settings can also be adjusted.
This is a good choice if you want your shutter speed to be in a constant setting, especially if you’re going out and would like to take pictures without worrying about getting blurry or excessively dark pictures.
Both Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority are wise choices since they are semi-automatic. Only one setting is adjusted and the rest is fully automatic.
You should use these two settings more frequently so that you get to see how pictures look like with a certain aperture or shutter speed. Soon enough, you’ll know the appropriate settings once you go full manual.
Program Mode
Program mode automatically sets the aperture and shutter speed. You just point, focus, and click. This function is similar with the Auto+ icon, but their difference is that in Program mode, the flash is not automatic. This means that if you are going to take a picture in a dark area, then it will set your shutter speed and aperture to “optimal” levels which can lead to blurry pictures. In Auto+ mode, the flash automatically goes off in dark settings.
Manual Settings
Once you have mastered shutter speed and aperture, then you’re ready for the manual mode. In this mode, you get to select the shutter speed and aperture on your own. This means that if you want slightly darker or underexposed pictures, then you should select this option.
The difficulty in going the manual route is that if you will frequently change views or lighting setups, then you’ll constantly have to change your camera’s shutter speed or aperture. It is better to choose this mode if you have plenty of time to adjust the settings when taking pictures, or if you have to take pictures in a very specific way.
You have to play around with the settings and not be afraid to take “ugly” or “wrong” pictures. Technically, there’s no right or wrong in photography. These settings are basically what make pictures turn out different. There is no ideal setting that you should always choose. Learn to be comfortable with managing all of them.
If you’ve just bought your camera, you might think that setting it to Program will be the best option. Truth be told, it’s not; after all, you will not learn which settings to use. It’s a wiser decision to play with Aperture or Shutter priority even if it’s your first time taking photos. That way, you’ll really learn and in a sense, you’ll give your camera a work out.
Tips for that Perfect Photograph
Before you can unleash your full potential in this artistic pursuit, you first have to know certain rules. By following the basic rules of photography, then you will be able to take pictures that pass technical standards. These rules are not always required to be followed (for aesthetic purposes), but still as a beginner, it’s important that you are aware of these rules.
Sharpness is key
Sharpness – a basic and common photography standard that most people forget. Sure, blurred pictures are quite artistic, but there’s a difference between blurry art and being out of focus. When you take pictures, try to keep your hands steady, especially if you’re using a slow shutter speed. If you find that your hands are shaky, use a tripod.
Besides blurriness, other people forget about how important focus is. When you take a picture look, into the viewfinder and focus carefully. Some cameras even have the Live View option and in that option, it will be easier for you to see if your subject is in focus. Focus is a key aspect in photography. If you feel that focusing is not your forte, you could set your camera lenses to Auto-Focus.
Nobody likes being the center of attention
In photography, having your subject dead center is not a good concept. Not because it’s overrated or overused, but because subjects in dead center of the photograph simply don’t look nice or attractive. A basic approach in combating dead-center photographs is through the Rule of Thirds.
The Rule of Thirds simply means to divide the frame into three parts horizontally and vertically. There will be four intersecting points and in those points is where you should place your subject.
You don’t have to necessarily follow Rule of Thirds. A simple moving of your subject away from the center or changing your angle can already be enough to make your pictures less boring.
Framing speaks a lot
It’s important that you know how to frame your pictures well. For example, when taking a portrait, look into the viewfinder. Is the subject’s head cut off at the part? Are there awkward parts that will be cut off? These are some questions that you might want to ask yourself when taking a photograph.
When taking pictures of people, it’s awkward to cut a picture exactly at the knees, waist, and at the elbows because it makes the subject look rather incomplete. When taking a picture, try to make sure that their whole body is showing, or that you cut the image strategically so that everything looks natural.
When taking pictures of objects, make sure that there are no intercepting elements that divert the viewer’s attention away from the subject. It’s important your subject is clear and is immediately seen by the viewer.
Angles also contribute in framing. While you can most certainly be creative and take pictures from different angles, still make sure that you’re capturing the picture in a nice-looking way. Try to capture all the elements that you wish to appear on the photo.
When it comes to framing, just think about this: If I’m going to put my picture on a (literal) frame, how would I want it to look like?
Framing can be a tricky and hard to master. The key here is to keep on practicing and look at the overall image before pressing the shutter button!
Time is of the essence
When doing outdoor photography, take note of the time. If you will be taking pictures of flat, plain scenery, then you might want to avoid going out at high noon or else your pictures will look dull. Taking pictures when the sun is up can be okay, but not usually advisable since it makes your pictures look flat. Take advantage of early mornings and sunsets. As cliché as it sounds, these are the best times to take those dramatic scenes that you wish to capture.
If you live in the city, then take advantage of the night! Lights from vehicles and skyscrapers taken in slow shutter speed (just make sure your camera is steady!) always turn out nice and appealing.
Some shots such as wildlife, portrait, and landscape are best taken in the morning. If you’re near the sea, the sunset and/or sunrise can be your best friend. Urban areas and the sunset also mix well, as both natural and artificial lighting combine to create wondrous results.
Go Vertical
Most of us always take pictures horizontally. Most pictures appear like this anyway. However, one shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with vertical pictures. Well, it can be a little tricky because it’s a different kind of composition altogether. Portraits are not the only pictures that you can take in a vertical way. All pictures can be taken vertically, as long as you compose your shot correctly.
The trick here is that when you take a picture, take it twice - one that’s horizontal and another that’s vertical. Afterwards, compare how they are different.
Post-processing is not perfect
Don’t think that any bad picture you take can be salvaged with post-processing. That’s usually not the case. A bad photo is a bad photo. If you take overexposed or underexposed shots, they can’t turn out as nice as you wanted them even if some expert will do your post-processing. This is why when taking pictures, you’ll have to carefully check your camera’s shutter speed, depth of field, and ISO.
Post-processing simply enhances your photographs through minimal retouches. The goal is always to make your picture look “perfect”. In fact, using post-processing software is not always really necessary. It can be a good challenge to take perfectly straight photos because you wouldn’t have a tool to tilt them with later.
Depend less on post-processing and focus more on honing your skill as a photographer.
Continuous Shooting is a Good Idea
Continuous shooting is a handy feature that’s slightly underrated. You might think that continuous shooting is only suited for specific situations, but really it’s not. In fact, it’s a good idea to always set your camera in continuous-shot mode. Sometimes, you think you’re being still when taking a picture but actually, you did micro-movements that end up significantly affecting your captures.
Prevent those small movements from ruining what could have been a good shot with continuous shooting. This also enables you to have plenty of choices later on. So many things have happened after a second. Besides, it’s always a good idea to have plenty of choices.
This list isn’t exclusive but these are common things overlooked by most people. While they seem petty and basic, most photographers still forget this. Keep in mind these short, simple rules and you’ll surely take quality pictures.
Explore or You’ll Never Know
The thing about photography is that it could seem scary and complicated, although it really isn’t. You’ve read through most of this book and you might feel like it’s a burden – there are lots of terms and rules that you’ll have to remember. But here’s the thing about photography – it’s never constant. While there are many rules or tips out there, there are also times that you have to break rules for the sake of art and beauty.
Don’t be afraid to get your camera dirty. This is another common rookie mistake. Considering the price you pay for a camera, most people tend to be very protective of it, making sure no dust gets in or that it doesn’t get scratched. That’s definitely the wrong mindset. Part of your photography adventure is wearing out your camera.
Go out and explore, you don’t have to take pictures just standing up or sitting down. Crouch a little, get on your knees, get on the floor, or even climb a tree. There are so many ways to position yourself when taking a picture!
If you’re worried about making your camera dirty – you can clean it when the day is over. You can also put cling wrap around it so that dirt won’t get inside the camera.
Those scratches and dirt on your camera speak a lot about you as a photographer. These “scars” don’t mean that you’re careless. They tell the story of all the adventures that you have been through with your camera.
Conclusion
Photography is all about sharing what’s special to you, in the best way possible. You want people to see and appreciate how cute your dog is? You won’t just stand up and then point the camera at him. You’d probably get on your knees have him as close to the camera as possible, making it look like he’s about to lick the camera. That image will surely grab people’s attention.
Photography captures moments and also creates them. That accidental picture you took of a tree? In ten years, it might have been cut off, but you were there to document something that existed. You have captured history. Do you remember that time that you had a hideous haircut and you didn’t want to go out your house for days? Well, there’s a photograph to remind you never to get that hairstyle again.
Photography allows people to see things in a different light. It’s always a priceless to take a picture of a person’s emotions. You get to capture something forever and it’s something that can never be repeated. A child’s laughter caught on camera is priceless. Seeing a photograph of a man mourning over the loss of his wife is painful and will tug your heartstrings.
Don’t be afraid to explore your surroundings. Take random pictures. Follow the rules (or not). In the end, your inner personality will shine in your photographs. People will look at it and see that it was really you who took that picture.
Hopefully this book has provided you with all the technical knowledge you need when it comes to photography. At the end of the day, these bits of info will be outweighed by your creativity. As the previous chapter said, don’t be afraid. Go out and explore! Look at the world in a new way.