GCSE Photography Handbook During the Photography course, you will learn about various technical aspects involved in taking photographs, how to use Photoshop and refine and experiment with your images and learn about different genres within photography. You will develop a strong folder of images and ideas along with a journal for exploring the work of a broad range of photographers. Consider presentation at all times, take pride in your work and present your images and writing in a clear and concise manner. Getting to Know Your Camera Menu Button Settings Symbols to know What is an SLR? An SLR is a type of camera with one lens which is used both for viewing and for taking the picture. A mirror inside the camera reflects the image up into the viewfinder. When the picture is taken, this mirror moves out of the way- allowing the light entering the lens to travel directly to the sensor. Generally speaking, image quality is better with SLR cameras compared to compact cameras. You also have more control over your images in terms of camera settings, choice of lenses etc. Looking After Your Camera Always place a lens cap over the lens after using the camera Never leave the camera mirror exposed, always cover with either a lens or a body cap When changing lenses, do so quickly to avoid any dust getting inside the camera Only clean the lens with a clean, dry, camera cloth You can use an air blower to clean dust off of the lens and camera Mirrors and sensors should be cleaned professionally Avoid touching the lens or any internal part of the camera- even your finger prints can cause damage! Keep your camera in a suitable padded bag when it is not in use Composition Rule of Thirds -Divide your image with 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines, equally spaced to create 9 segments. -Position the most important elements along these lines or where the lines intersect (these points are called hot spots). Balancing Elements -Placing the main subject in the picture off centre (as with the rule of thirds) makes for a more interesting photo BUT it can create a bit of a void making the ‘scene’ feel more empty. A way around this is to add a subject into the image of less importance. Leading Lines -When we look at a photo, we seek lines which draw us around the image. By thinking about where you place your lines, you can pull your audience into your image; making them travel around the scene. -You have a huge choice of types of line you use: straight, diagonal, curvy, zigzag, radial etc. Symmetry and Patterns -We are surrounded by symmetry and patterns which range through natural and man-made states. These can make for eye-catching compositions when you least expect it. Using symmetry and pattern can help us pay attention and be drawn towards the focal point; helping to provide mood and interest. Viewpoint -Take time to think about where you are shooting your photograph from. How you identify your viewpoint can greatly affect the narrative you create. Rather than simply staying at eye level, think about taking a photo from a bird’s eye view (above the subject looking down), a worm’s eye view (below the subject looking up) or through (shooting through something, like a fence or window). Background -It’s important to think about the background of your shot. If it is too busy, it’ll detract the viewer away from your main subject. The camera flattens the background and foreground together- it is only the human eye that is clever enough to distinguish between the two. -To amend this, when you are lining up a shot, scan the space to locate a ‘plain’ background which won’t distract the viewer from the subject. Depth -Because a photograph is 2D, we need to consider composition to convey a sense of depth. You can support your photo by including objects in the foreground, middle ground and background. -Another technique is to overlap, obscuring one object with another. The human eye naturally recognises layers and spreads them out- enhancing depth. Framing -Nature is full of perfect frames; trees, archways, holes, tunnels. By placing these around the edge of your image, you help to isolate the main subject from the outside world. -As a result of your frame, you create a more focussed image whereby your eye is naturally drawn to the centre; helping you to tell the story. Cropping -Often a photo’s focal point (main subject) can lose power as if it is small, it is lost in the clutter of the surroundings. By cropping it tighter, you remove surrounding ‘noise’, ensuring the focus remains. You can crop your image to be perfect in Photoshop, but you should still consider the crop as you take the photo. Experimentation Modern day cameras tend to have SD cards, capable of storing hundreds of photos at a time. With this in mind, take the opportunity to explore, play, try new things and you will find a composition that is successful for the shot you are trying to take. Photographic Glossary- Key Terms Shoot Planning- Things to Consider Location Time/ Date Lighting (Natural/ Artificial- set up) Models/ Props Camera Settings (approximates) Composition (Plan out how you will take the photo- focal point, viewpoint, background) Try to include small sketches or diagrams, as well as selected images from past shoots or chosen photographers/ artists (where appropriate) to show your thought process and idea development. Remember to always have a Plan B if you are relying on a variable such as the weather or a specific type of lighting! Studio Set Up Plans If you are doing a studio shoot, remember to plan out your set-up. Where will the lighting be? What colour backdrop will you use? Draw out a sketch to show the examiner. Remember to include the model (even if it’s a stick man), lights, where the camera will be positioned and the backdrop. Annotating your Contact Sheet RED Box ORANGE Box GREEN Box In your orange box on your In your red box on your In your green box on your contact sheet, you should discuss contact sheet, you should contact sheet, you should areas for improvement for the discuss what didn’t work so discuss the parts of the shoot shoot. Maybe the shoot, in well in the shoot. What wasn’t that were successful. What are general, was a bit too dark or the successful? Why? you pleased with? What went focus wasn’t quite right. Explain Avoid using words like ‘bad’ or to plan? Maybe you portrayed how you know this and what you ‘rubbish’. Go for ‘unsuccessful’ the narrative well or the would do to improve this/ avoid it or ‘room for improvement’. lighting looked interesting. happening again. You can also put green boxes around the photos that you decide to Photoshop. These should be strong images from the shoot that you know could be even better if you edit them in Photoshop. You can put an orange box around a photo to demonstrate how you might improve it through cropping. Perhaps cropping it would bring in the rule of thirds or get rid of a distracting part of the image. Analysing Your Shots With this shot I was aiming to……… The lighting and the angle were chosen because……… I was inspired by the lighting of……. (photographer)……. My shots were trying to capture the style of…….(photographer)…. I did this by…… This particular shot was (or was not) successful because……… I could improve this image by………. If I did a reshoot, I would……… The settings on my camera for this shot was……….. For a better shot, I might try…... because………. (suggest adjusted camera settings) Analysing Photographers/ Artists Paragraph 1- Write WHY you are particularly interested in/ inspired by this photographer. Example: Martin Parr is a British photographer who focusses on the idea of ‘britishness’ in his photography. He mostly photographs in a documentary style. I am really interested in Parr’s work as I find his use of colour and candid style really inspiring. Paragraph 2- Discuss how the work links to your project. Example: Martin Parr’s work links to my project as I am focusing on the use of bold colours in photography. I also would like to shoot in a documentary style genre, and I will be taking my photos in Britain. The narrative of my images will focus around the idea of British values, which is similar to the narrative that is clear in most of Parr’s work. Paragraph 3- Analyse some of the photographer’s images- spot the similarities between their images. Use the deconstructing an image worksheet to help you if necessary. Remember to include the images you look at on your PowerPoints. Example: I have noticed that a lot of Parr’s images are taken using a fast shutter speed to freeze motion. He usually shoots outdoors, using natural light and occasionally using a ring light for even bolder colours. His ISO is probably quite low. Parr often uses the rule of thirds and therefore his photos have an interesting composition. Key technical words to use (you must use some of these in EVERY artist analysis): Light Composition Technique Natural/ Artificial? Rule of thirds Shutter speed- fast or slow? Set up? If so, where are the Leading Lines Depth of field- shallow or lights positioned? deep? Warm, cool or neutral? Layers (Foreground, Middle, Has the image been photo Background) shopped? Hard or soft? Viewpoint White balance Shadows/ lens flares/ Colour or black and white ISO silhouettes? Contrast? Texture Pattern Deconstructing a Photograph Paragraph 1- COMPOSITION What is the focal point? How has the photographer created the focal point? Has the photographer created a narrative/ mood within the composition? If so, how? Things to consider: Rule of thirds Leading lines Layers (foreground, middle ground, background) Viewpoint (worms eye, birds eye, through, eye level) Colour/ black and white/ pattern /shape/ texture Paragraph 2- LIGHT Describe the lighting used by the photographer Does the photographer use light to direct you to a particular part of the image? Where is the light coming from? Does the use of light create a particular mood or atmosphere? If so, how? Things to consider: Natural/ artificial light Set up light Warm, cool or neutral Hard or soft Shadows/ lens flares/ silhouettes/ contrast Paragraph 3- TECHNIQUE Describe the technical aspects of the photograph e.g.