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 04/23/2005 07:40:47 PM · #1
A little background... I've decided to start from scratch and instead of relying on taking a lucky photograph I'm wanting to learn how to make one instead. This is turning out to be a little more difficult than I thought as instinct is trying to control the shutter and not the technicals.

I'm trying to think of the most basic cliche techniques out there. I dont mean cliche subjects like flowers, pets, and kids, but the techniques. High-key portrait, low-key portrait, water drop for action, etc.

So I'm looking for suggestions. What are some of the first techiques you learnt? What basic technique would you suggest someone learn?
 04/23/2005 07:52:43 PM · #2
Moods, you've got 8 ribbons from 70-odd challenges (a higher ratio than JJBeguin), you've won awards, are published, and are amongst the most favourite photographers on this site. what is it you think you don't know?

E
 04/23/2005 07:58:53 PM · #3
Originally posted by e301:
Moods, you've got 8 ribbons from 70-odd challenges (a higher ratio than JJBeguin), you've won awards, are published, and are amongst the most favourite photographers on this site. what is it you think you don't know?

E


Good point! LOL
 04/23/2005 08:04:08 PM · #4
Not really a technique but the relationship between aperture and shutterspeed and how they control the amount of light. Also what a change in aperture does to the depth of field.

The main thing I have to keep reminding myself of is to 'slow down' and think about what I'm trying to capture, what effect do I want etc.
 04/23/2005 08:08:00 PM · #5
Originally posted by moodville:
A little background... I've decided to start from scratch and instead of relying on taking a lucky photograph I'm wanting to learn how to make one instead. This is turning out to be a little more difficult than I thought as instinct is trying to control the shutter and not the technicals.

I'm trying to think of the most basic cliche techniques out there. I dont mean cliche subjects like flowers, pets, and kids, but the techniques. High-key portrait, low-key portrait, water drop for action, etc.

So I'm looking for suggestions. What are some of the first techiques you learnt? What basic technique would you suggest someone learn?


I find it VERY hard to believe that your wonderful photographs were the result of luck.
04/23/2005 08:10:00 PM · #6
The most important thing, I think, is to have something to say. If you don't have anything to say to the viewer, the image won't have anything for the viewer to recieve.

There is only one technique I know of that allows the photographer to control the entire process from conception to print -- that is the Zone System.

To compliment that system, a familiarity with the exposure of a scene would be very good. I don't mean knowing how to read a meter and set the exposure to take the shot -- I mean looking at the scene and knowing (without meter) where the relative stops of exposure are. The Sunny 16 system is probably the best place to start for a feel for the different types of light and how various conditions affect the available light.

I would place the basic compositional elements next of the list of things to know to make a photograph. Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines, form, space and all the others have been identified as being the basic items an individual will respond to visually. Knowing what they envoke in the viewer, alone and in combination, will go a long way toward knowing what is needed in the final product to produce the desired visual effect.

Color theory is next on my list. (didn't plan on this becoming a list, but so be it.) I don't necessarily mean an in depth study of color palettes and such, but an understanding of what basic colors make up the scene will be quite helpful. As an example of this, BradP wowed us in a recent thread with is knowledge of color by tweaking several photos by spending a couple of minutes selectively manipulating the color of the image.

Understanding why the various tools do what they do is likely the general theme to my list. Knowing how to use them to repeatedly produce a certain effect is good, but it will not be much help when it comes to having to figure out how to do something you haven't done before.

Just my thoughts, such as they are. ;)

David
 04/23/2005 08:11:46 PM · #7
Originally posted by e301:
Moods, you've got 8 ribbons from 70-odd challenges (a higher ratio than JJBeguin), you've won awards, are published, and are amongst the most favourite photographers on this site. what is it you think you don't know?


Everything. I picked up a camera and I snapped some pictures. People told me to watch my backgrounds and not put things in the middle of the shot. I snapped some more and got lucky.

I guess before I shot what was in front of me. Now I want to shoot what I see in my head. My pre-visualisation doesnt seem to be tying up with my technique/technicals and so I'm not achieving the desired effects. Instead of the camera controlling me, I want to control it. If that makes sense.
 04/23/2005 08:28:14 PM · #8
Funny you brought this up, as I am kind of there too.

Wish I knew what to suggest, and as other have mentioned, hard to improve on something so good (you).
I am trying to go back to basics too and rely less on Photoshop to "fix" my shots, but rather "adjust" them.

Odd roller coaster ride isn't it.
The more you know, the harder it gets instead of the other way around.
 04/23/2005 09:19:38 PM · #9
only suggestion i might offer is more book learn'n ;)

i;ve been taking more photographic courses (just finished color correction, color mgtment) at the local college and after each one -
i am surprized how little i know & how much my images improve

.. - studio lighting course starts in 10 days or so, (twice a week, 3 hours each , for 7 weeks ) less time for DPC shots but - i expect to raise my bar ;)

as far as early techniques that i started with, ballons & waterdrops & splashes,drips - then depth of field with macros & long lenses ...

but i find each challenge is a push to try something new or atleast a new perspective and having fun ;)
04/24/2005 12:21:10 AM · #10
Originally posted by BradP:
Odd roller coaster ride isn't it.
The more you know, the harder it gets instead of the other way around.


It's like growing up. As soon as you get older and find out the world is larger than the end of your street you start to think of yourself as a very small person.
 04/24/2005 12:50:48 AM · #11
You said My pre-visualisation doesnt seem to be tying up with my technique/technicals and so I'm not achieving the desired effects.

The acceptance of that reality is probably the best first step .. take what you've visualized and move to the next step. Close your eyes and see the scene from an analytical point of view -- where is the light source? (or sources) Is there shade or shadow? Ask yourself if the lighting as you imagine it to be will create the mood or highlights or shading you want.

Then take photos .. dozens or even tens of dozens. Try different lenses and apertures and shutter speeds and various combinations of all of them. And most importantly, do so consciously even if it means taking a notepad and writing down the settings in a deliberate attempt to STOP relying on the EXIF information the next day to tell you what you DID. Take charge of what you DO. And laugh at yourself when it all goes to hell and the props fall over or the cat bumps the table.

And keep speaking out loud to yourself as you make the handwritten notes on your settings ... tell yourself as if you're telling a partner or student or assistant that you're opening the aperture to decrease the depth of desired focus. SAY outloud that you're decreasing the shutter speed to create the sense of motion when the breeze moves the leaves on the stationary tree. Ask yourself if the shutter speed you've chosen (or think you might choose) will be fast enough to freeze the action or if there will be enough light at the needed aperture to even allow it.

The conscious deliberate efforts to focus and articulate the process will burn it into your memory -- and your muscles. You'll eventually develop the ability to see a scene unfolding and intuitively know that you need F11 instead of F5.6 to get the needed depth and you'll appreciate that in order to get that aperture with the dim light available, you're going to have to compromise shutter speed and risk some motion blur if you don't bump up your ISO.

When it happens in your hands without conscious assistance from your head ... well, then you'll be ready to say it's begun to work.

Personally ... I figure I'll be at that point (the intuitive point) sometime after the numeric count in my camera rolls over to 0000 for the second or third time . . .
 04/24/2005 03:16:07 AM · #12
This is interesting because I've felt the same too - but I've started (mainly due to time constraints) forsaking some artistic shots in favour of getting familiar with both a new camera and knowing what to do instinctively at a scene.

I'm now beginning to explore high and low key shots by careful, experimental metering and being brave with my ISO. Shooting RAW + JPEG has helped me to see what I shot and compare that to what I could have shot. The less I tinker with a RAW file the more I know I'm getting it right.

MrAnalogy has articulated well here - though disappointingly with only one analogy!
: )
 04/24/2005 07:42:48 AM · #13
one interesting thing i'd throw into this conversation, for the benefit of those who haven't ribboned, is that this is a completely different struggle from that of ribboning.

being at one with your camera and pleasing the dpc masses are two entirely different things; sometimes they intersect, but most often, not--and these two struggles should not be confused. this will become exceedingly evident in the quality of detail that you will begin to capture--detail that will give yourself awe and wonder in your own work, but, unfortunately, detail that will never be seen at 640 pixels.

good luck, and by all means, have FUN as you embrace this adventure.
 04/24/2005 08:17:54 AM · #14
Originally posted by moodville:
A little background... I've decided to start from scratch and instead of relying on taking a lucky photograph I'm wanting to learn how to make one instead. This is turning out to be a little more difficult than I thought as instinct is trying to control the shutter and not the technicals.

I'm trying to think of the most basic cliche techniques out there. I dont mean cliche subjects like flowers, pets, and kids, but the techniques. High-key portrait, low-key portrait, water drop for action, etc.

So I'm looking for suggestions. What are some of the first techiques you learnt? What basic technique would you suggest someone learn?


On of the best books on Basic photography I have seen is "PHOTOGRAPHY" by: Barbara London and John Upton. I used this dook as my text book when I was a collage photography instructor. It covers every thing from what light is to how to use a view camera. It was very helpfull to my students.
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