Yearbook Photography ~ Lesson 1

Photographers must be creative, self motivated, and confident. Somebody who isn't afraid to get right in the middle of the action to get that shot. Remember it is the photographer who takes the picture NOT the camera. The photographer sets the camera, and composes the shot, the camera just records the light.

This lesson is about picture composition. Picture composition is the arrangement of elements in a picture in such a way as to direct the viewer's attention where you want. Use the definitions below to help you answer the following questions for each picture.

• open a new, blank, Publisher document. Choose Letter, portrait.
• download 3 good pictures with people in them from the internet
• answer the following for each photo (hint: copy and paste)
1. What is the story this picture is telling you?
2. How was the rule of thirds used?
3. What is the field of view?
4. How does the background affect the photo?
5. How is the photo framed?
6. Is the photo horizontally framed well?
7. Is the photo vertically framed well?
8. Is the photographer in the best position?
• save to your H: drive
• hand in to the handin folder.

Be ready for anything

spontaneous moments make priceless pictures. Arrange  a single center of interest with all attention drawn toward that center. Don't let eyes look towards the camera.

Stay close/fill the frame

generally, the closer you get the better the photo. Getting closer eliminates distracting and unnecassary backgrounds and shows the subject more clearly.

Get people active

photograph people while they are busy. The pictures will have a feeling of lively spontaneity. Take action photos when the action is coming towards you.

Don't cut off appendages

watch out for feet or hands at the edge of the frame, or deliberately focus in on the face. Hands and faces are the most expressive and interesting parts of the body.

Patterns

repeating patterns attract a viewer's eye, but something that breaks that pattern really focuses attention on that break.

Hold the camera steady

the most basic rule is the most often overlooked. Holding the camera steady is vital for sharp, clear pictures. Press the shutter button with gentle pressure, don't jab it.

Angle

not all photos should be taken standing up staring into the camera. Experiment with interesting high and low angles. Taking a photo of someone from a low angle makes the person appear taller. The photographer should always try to be at the subjects eye-level.

 

Look for Good Lighting

lighting can make a great picture a yawner. Good lighting can make pictures more interesting, colorful, dimensional, and flattering to the subject. Strong sunlight is a wonderful source of good lighting, gymnasium flourescent lighting can be a challenge.

it must have visual interest. It must pique the viewer's curiosity enough to want to read the caption to find out more about it.

scenic shots can be framed with foreground elements. Foreground elements add a sense of distance, depth, and dimension.

imagine a tic tac toe board in your viewfinder. Locate the main subject off-center, usually at one of the intersections of the lines. Leave space for the subject to move into to imply action.

to impove poor lighting, but can cast shadows on the background if the subject is close to a bank of lockers, for instance. Indoors it freezes motion , but only within the flash range of about 12 feet (4m). Outdoors a flash can soften shadows and brighten colors.

Extreme long shot

Wide or Long shot

Medium Long shot

Medium shot

Medium close up

Close up

Extreme Close up

The optimum position for the subjects eyes is in the shaded area shown, 1/3 from top and 2/3 from bottom.

is deciding the vertical position of the subject

• the subject's head should never touch the top or bottom
• closeups that cut off the forehead must also cut off a balanced amount of chin

should allow slightly more space in the direction the subject is looking. Multiple objects use rule of ¹/₃rds.

When framing people cut the person between the joints

be sure that objects do not interfere with the camera shot