The Basics of Photography

I was going to name this post "The Basics of Digital Photography," but there really isn't any difference between chemicals and photosites (i.e., film and digital) insofar as the basics go.

There are several things you need to consider and control to take a proper photograph.

1. Perspective.
2. Composition.
3. Exposure.
4. Focus.
5. Color temperature.

Let me briefly explain each of these.

First, you need to decide what perspective you want in your photograph. This has to do with the relationship of objects to one another. You will choose the location from which you shoot based on the desired perspective.

Second, you need to decide what you want to include in the photograph and where those things will appear within the frame. You will control this with lens choice. If you want to include very little, you will use a lens with a long focal length. If you want to include a lot, you will use a wide angle lens. Then you will aim the camera in the appropriate direction so things are arranged according to your desire within the frame.

Third, you need to expose the photograph for the appropriate amount of time so that the tones in the scene are recorded correctly. If you don't expose enough, the photograph will be too dark. If you expose too much, the photograph will be too bright. The exposure is adjusted using three tools at your disposal: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Shutter speed controls how long the exposure lasts. Aperture controls the size of the opening through which light passes as it enters the camera. ISO controls the sensitivity of the light-capturing medium. The higher the ISO number, the more sensitive the medium.

Fourth, you need to focus the correct distance in front of the camera so that the subject is sharp. Other things in the photograph may not be in focus, but the important thing is the subject.

Fifth and last, you need to ensure that the photograph doesn't have an odd color cast. There are several standard colors of light that we use when we talk about photography: sun, cloudy, shade, tungsten or incandescent, florescent, and flash. You either need to use the correct setting on your digital camera (called "white balance") or use the correct combination of film and lens filter on a film camera.

There you have it. The basics of photography. Once you master these five things, you'll be well on your way to having confidence in your ability to create a technically excellent photograph.