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Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
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Comments (links) at … http://www.people.vcu.edu/~rsleeth/OBTC2010_Randy_Sleeth_Photo_Comments.html
Photography Tips and
Techniques
… will
add more pics
to the
resentation
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Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
Brief Outline of SessionIntroduction
5
minutes
Comments and Examples
15 minutes
Hands-On Practice
40
minutes
Discussion
&
Critique
30
minutesSlide3
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Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
OverviewPhotographs can integrate meanings in behavior and portray displays of human potentialDigital pictures can demonstrate applications to learning
Application of Principles will improve the results
Participants may try
applying (with available
cameras)
some photography
principlesSlide4
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Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
If …“A picture is worth 1000 words”
then …
“1000 words is worth a picture.”Slide5
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Dr. Randy Sleeth rsleeth@vcu.edu
Now, for an extremely fast overview of
guidelines:
my point is not to teach the tips but to show that they exist and there are many of
them
Then, some examples …Slide6
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View images immediately Erase unwanted images Go home with wanted images
Suffer no delays waiting to analyze a shot
Experiment without wasting film.
“The best thing about digital is the instant feedback”Slide7
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Primary Rule of compositional theorySplit images into thirds both horizontally and verticallyNote resulting four axis points (next slide)
Consider the eight potential compositions
Place subject in or around an axis point
Find composition with best harmony.
“The rule of thirds”Slide8
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“The rule of thirds”
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Four axis points …Slide9
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Think Boy Scout:
”Be Prepared (1)”
Stay prepared:
Take unexpected photos
Always have a camera
Notice unexpected photo opportunities
Take advantage of limited opportunities
Create angles and frames
Remain poised for a shot
Use simple motions for expressions and movement
Catch comfortable subjects at what they do well.Slide10
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Think Boy Scout:
”Be Prepared (2)”
Subjects will come to you
Stay ready for unexpected opportunities
Think and act creatively
Prepare angles and framing
Keep open to possibilities
Great portraits do not require great smiles—or even faces.Slide11
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Perspective is everythingWalk around subjects to change perspective and find best viewing angle
Seek happy surprises: just move around
Focus on hands
Ask people to close their eyes
Use props to gain comfort
Relax with humor.
Perspective: “Add interest with your viewpoint”Slide12
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Apply metaphoricallySeek subjects “giving birth” to something
Seek subjects “acting parentally.”
“A mother comes to life
with her child”Slide13
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“Attend to surroundings”
Two pictures are better than one
Create sense of place with an “establishing shot”
Begin with head-to-toe picture
Then go in for the close-up
Never pass up a close-up
Attend to the scene perimeter
Seek symbols and details to reflect the focus of the scene or event
Look for “something different”
(angles & frames).Slide14
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Build upon existing familiaritiesSeek calm and cooperationTalk
Gain full attention
Announce intention to take pictures
Start snapping
Avoid pressure; just take the pictures
“It’s not life or death.”
“Get friendly”Slide15
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Make wanted images happenUse groups to create photogenic comfortMove people very close together
To break down defenses
To gain comfort
To add richness to composition
Remember: group shots make great shots
.
“Group people for
cooperation & relaxation”Slide16
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Learn that your feelings exceed your thoughtsOrganize intellectually; respond emotionally
See for yourself, not as others see
Emphasize content over form
Keep the message more important than the composition.
“Emphasize Emotion
Over Vision”Slide17
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“Say something
with your photographs”
Photographs become artist’s language
Photographs speak with dreams and metaphors
Photographs offer emotion, intellect, and imagination
(seen through form and content)
Educated viewers, accept, understand, relate to, and sometimes purchase your images.Slide18
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Photographic images deal reality:Assumed
Constructed
Well seen
Images “have a point” to the extent they communicate with viewers
Successful images always use photographer’s eyes to share emotion or intellect with viewers.
“Maintain visible rapport with viewers”Slide19
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We work on a relatively level playing fieldWe separate ourselves with unique visionQuality images require
Consistency
Thought
Understanding
Open mind
Zen of photography:
Open mind sees all
Camera snaps at infinite.
“Present a unique vision, consistently”Slide20
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Force a different view for deeper understanding of subject and subtletiesWork in series to demonstrate interest and deliberation
Find the unusual in ordinary or familiar objects
Challenge viewers with abstracting
Move close in to make ordinary objects seem wonderfully unusual.
“Challenge the obvious”Slide21
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Complex images not always intellectual Art often sees less as moreSimplicity communicates vision effectively
The “eyes” have it
Both foreground and background contribute
Simple backgrounds help
Cropping can cut out distractions.
“Keep it simple”Slide22
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Let photography influence growth and style
Let style emerge from ideas and interests
Show positive mood and passion in subjects
Explore to find connections and styles
Find unusual in the ordinary
Find ordinary in the unusual.
“Be yourself & have Fun
with your own style”Slide23
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Follow your interests:
“This is what I like”
“This is what I want to be doing”
Form a thick skin:
You will not know you are right
You will know what you like.
“Gain confidence in
your own taste”Slide24
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Let your camera do the math Seek interesting details …Move around – laterally and vertically
Look through viewfinder
Find angles and perspectives that work
Take plenty of pictures
Watch for little things
Find angles that add drama
Use contrasts to emphasize subjects
Know that what draws your attention may never happen the same way again.
“Take lots of pictures”Slide25
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Note: Actions and reactions occur quickly Shoot quickly and often
Electrons are cheap
One great shot justifies 100 other tries
Prefocus: Avoid “Hole in the Middle”
Get in tight to capture emotions
Depict relations in tight close-ups
Use power of extreme close shots
Keep subjects equidistant from camera
Focus on eyes
Move around to view all scene elements.
“Take LOTS of Pictures”Slide26
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We care about seductive frame-filling faces
Let viewers experience affection and attraction
Tell subjects to think about what they romance
Speak to bring out expressions
Show warmth and playfulness; get same back
Know smallest expression changes make and break images
Shoot a lot
Electrons are still cheap
Perfect moments are still rare.
“Close is Intimate”Slide27
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“Dial in the Diagonals – to Increase Appeal”
We all like pictures with diagonals and S curves
(think of the Nike “swoosh”)
Forego straight head and shoulders shots
Look for triangles
Position subjects comfortably
looking sideways
arms around legs
head toward camera.Slide28
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Position subjects close: shoulder-to-shoulderFill frames with facesOrganize groups members into rows
Place important people in important places
Position camera chest-high to avoid unflattering perspective distortion
Low camera emphasizes torsos and necks
High camera enlarges heads over bodies.
“Pose & Compose”Slide29
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Get to most critical places for actionKnow what will define setting(ends of races are rarely interesting)
Make your images different
Pre-focus to prepare for action
Search and employ the best vantage points.
“Know your setting”Slide30
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Avoid shooting into highly reflective surfaces(mirrors, windows, polished wood paneling)Avoid flash bounceback by positioning at a slight angle
Avoid eyeglasses glare
(flash reflecting off surface of glasses)
Ask for removal of eyeglasses
Raise lights
Ask glasses wearers to tilt downward slightly.
Plan and set up …Slide31
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“Avoid Posing”
Find vs construct photos
Stay in background
Wait for photos to happen
Engage in quiet observation
(to capture natural and real feelings)
Reality means timing
(think “point guard”)
Prepare for speed, alertness, position
"
Wait a second, I'm almost there!” – NOT!
Capture reactions to punch lines.Slide32
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“Encourage expressions”Talk in relaxed, non-forced way
Smile a lot
Model for subjects
Show relaxed and upbeat expressions and body language
Assume desired attitude
“Smiling photographers have smiling subjects.”
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“Most rules bend well”
Expect frequent exceptions
Break the rule of thirds when you have confidence in your composition
Allow exceptions to make you more critical of your own work – hard to do
Accept shooting advice of others, including non-photographers.Slide34
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Light always affects subjects “No such thing as bad light”“It’s not worth it…I’ll come back later” (no!)
Later does not happen
Later means never
Make good pictures with the light you have: Move around, get down low, change your angle, create a shaded area, use reflectors, control light and scene with flash
Artificial light can create many effects.
“Quality of Light – Always Crucial”Slide35
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Invest in some extraslively rechargeable batteries
large memory cards
but …
Great pictures do not require great gear
Great gear simply stays out of the way
More shots
better pictures.
“Attention to detail matters”Slide36
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Lots of pictures;
lots of close-ups
Gain richness
Direct attention
Example: OBTC pictures
Randy’s Highlighted tips Slide37
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“Lots of Close-ups …”Slide38
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“Lots of Close-ups …”Slide39
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“Lots of Close-ups …”Slide40
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Highlighted tips
2. Anticipated actions
Basketball point guard earns assists
Sequences note crucial moments
Example: Any "stopped motion" picture to capture a "critical moment”Slide41
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Reactions…Slide42
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Reactions and timing…Slide43
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3. Sequences and stages
Capture continuous processes with movies
Capture stages with pictures
Examples:
US Navy knot tying
Making an ice cream sundae"
Filling a classroom
Coalescing into groups
Highlighted tips Slide44
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Tie a “Bowline” Knot
Animated
Looks cool; sometines difficult to follow…Slide45
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Tie a “Bowline” Knot
Stages
Focus where you want…
Pass the end through a loop on the standing part
Round the standing part
Back through the loop.Slide46
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Pictures in Sequence
(watch here)Slide47
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loopSlide52
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Pictures in Sequence
Forming Teams …Slide54
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Pictures in Sequence
Forming Teams …Slide55
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Pictures in Sequence
Forming Teams …Slide56
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Pictures in Sequence
Preparing Class Exercise …Slide57
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“Squares” Exercise …”
Reactions:
“Done” and not involvedSlide58
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Activelyinvolved …
“Squares” Exercise …”Slide59
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Watching & Analyzing
(Observers behaving differently)
“Squares” Exercise …”Slide60
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Squares completed …
“Squares” Exercise …”Slide61
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“Pictures in Sequence …”
“Who are those other guys?”Slide62
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“Pictures in Sequence …”Slide63
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“Pictures in Sequence …”Slide64
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Highlighted tips
Reactions
vs. actions
Speakers have audiences
Leaders have followers
Example: Students displaying different levels of “involvement”Slide65
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Actions, reactions, and Timing …Slide66
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Anticipated Reactions…Slide67
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Dr. Randy’s 20-Item Guide to People Pix …Slide68
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(end.)Slide69
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(end.)