The Basics of Photography Update Feb 2018

Introduction to Photography

by Lisa Chase

Email contact for further quick photo questions
lisa.chase@sd71.bc.ca

The focus of this session will be to introduce you to the basics of composition, how the camera works in automatic mode, how to upload and organize photos on your computer, open a Flickr account, learn a little about basic editing, and learn about what you can do with your photos after you take them. Hopefully, you will have a little fun while trying to get a little more use out of your camera.

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” 
― Dorothea Lange

Skylar "the wonder dog"

 Finn " the hairy monster"

Rosie "the trouble maker"

Holding a camera/how to focus in auto mode

How to hold a camera

Camera modes

Basic Composition/Rule of thirds
10 Questions     Rule of thirds   Composition    More composition
Fill your Frame

Info on sd cards

Re-formatting a card/deleting photos. This can be done through your camera by going to menu, then find format on the camera functions.The reason you want to reformat is so you do not lose information or leave unnecessary"junk" on your card.

Formatting SD cards 

Setting picture quality/size of photos by going through menu on camera. I like to have my settings set to large so that if I do get a good photo it could be blown up. Some of you will have a raw setting on your camera, if you are taking high level photos and plan to do a lot of editing shooting this size is OK, however some computers cannot upload raw images because they are so large.

Setting picture size

Photo size: Print quality vs Internet quality. If you want to enlarge your photos, you should check your settings to make sure they are set at the largest size possible. If you are just uploading to a website or for 5x7 printing from the computer, simply set your camera around med size. 

Flickr: a photo sharing site
chase flickr

Saving photos to Flickr allows you to share with friends and family while keeping your photos stored safely online. You can organize your photos into albums by clicking on the organize button. Flickr now has a mobile phone app so you can upload photos from your phone. There is also an editor within the photo program.

Flickr Photo Sharing Site

Heading out to shoot: common mistakes.

1. Not getting close enough
2. Be aware of what is in the background of your shot
3. Have a focal point for your shot and be aware of elements of composition
4. Be adventurous and try new things!

Sample still life photo of shell. The first shot is not as well composed as the second. See if you can figure out why the second shell photo is a better one.

Answer: The second photo is taken closer, the background is more interesting and clean, the lighting is diffused, rule of thirds is used, it fills the frame.

Assignment: Go out and shoot
focus on focal point, and elements of composition.


Uploading: Always upload photos onto your computer first. Never replace an original photo with an edited one. All edited photos should be renamed and saved as a separate file. Example Flower.jpg (original) Flower1.jpg (edit 1) Flowered2 (edit 2). Keep your photos organized into folders by subject or date on your computer. Upload your photos onto the m:drive under Chase Photo 2019 Pro D, create a folder with your name on it.

Links to: Pixlr    

What you can do with your photos... check out  Zazzle, Photobooks, Slideshows

shutterfly   Blurb   London Drugs  

Sample photos taken by Isfeld students, thank you to Isfeld students for inspiring me and allowing me to use your photos to help teach others.

mai's photos
alyssa's photos
kieran's photos
kalyssa's photos

Check out some of these other links below.

Photography Quotes ( Become inspired by some of the greats!)

Digital Photography School ( An excellent resource, I highly recommend)

Isfeld Advanced Photo ( check out the Isfeld site for interesting photo assignments)