Mastering Photography: Basic Theory and Techniques

Outline:

1. Introduction

• Overview of the course objectives.
• Key topics to be covered.

2. Weeks 1-3: Basics of Light and Exposure

• Week 1: Light direction and quality.
• Week 2: Camera settings for exposure.
• Week 3: Practical exercises on exposure.

3. Weeks 4-5: Color Techniques

• Week 4: Introduction to color theory.
• Week 5: Practical color exercises and assignments.

4. Weeks 6-8: Composition and Design

• Week 6: Framing, cropping, and angles.
• Week 7: The rule of thirds and leading lines.
• Week 8: Experimentation with natural environment adaptation.

5. Weeks 9-11: Digital Post Production

• Week 9: Understanding color spaces.
• Week 10: Tools and software for post processing.
• Week 11: Digital image manipulation.

6. Weeks 12-13: Image Capture and Output

• Week 12: Identifying and correcting image problems.
• Week 13: Output to different mediums.

7. Week 14: Review and Practice

• Review: Comprehensive review of all topics.
• Practice Tests: Assess knowledge and readiness.
• Final Portfolio Project: Compile best work into a portfolio.

8. Conclusion

• Reflection on progress and skills gained.
• Encouragement for continued learning and experimentation.

Week 1: Camera, Lenses, and Attachments (12%)

• Topics: Types and specifications of digital cameras, appropriate lens selection, camera settings.

Activities:

• • Read Materials: Study the types and specifications of digital cameras.
  • Practice Sessions: Use different cameras and lenses to understand their characteristics.
  • Explore Settings: Adjust various camera settings to see their impact on image quality.
  • Practical Exercise: Take photos using different lenses (wide, standard, telephoto) to observe changes in perspective and framing.
  • Assignment: Research and select a lens for a specific photography scenario, then take photos to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Week 2: Camera, Lenses, and Attachments Continued

• Topics: Lens attachments, camera supports.

Activities:

• • Lens Attachments: Practice using various lens attachments like hoods, filters, and extenders.
  • Camera Supports: Try different camera supports such as tripods and monopods.
  • Quiz: Test your knowledge on lens types and attachments.
  • Practical Exercise: Use different lens attachments to see how they affect your photos.
  • Assignment: Evaluate the stability and ease of use of different camera supports for a specific photography style.

Week 3: Exposure and Meters (18%)

• Topics: Use of light meters, f-stops, and shutter speed.

Activities:

• • Read Materials: Learn about different types of light meters and their uses.
  • Practice Sessions: Use light meters in various lighting conditions.
  • Experimentation: Adjust f-stops and shutter speeds to achieve desired exposures.
  • Practical Exercise: Experiment with different exposures to understand the effects of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.
  • Assignment: Capture a scene in challenging lighting using a light meter to determine the correct exposure.

Week 4: Exposure and Meters Continued

• Topics: Interpreting light meter readings, histogram interpretation.

Activities:

• • Interpretation Practice: Interpret light meter readings in various scenarios.
  • Histogram Reading: Learn how to read and interpret histograms.
  • Experimentation: Adjust exposure settings based on histogram analysis.
  • Practical Exercise: Capture images in different lighting conditions and analyze histograms.
  • Assignment: Create a portfolio demonstrating correct exposure using histogram data.

Week 5: Lighting (28%)

• Topics: Evaluating lighting options, light modifiers.

Activities:

• • Study Setups: Review different lighting setups and their effects.
  • Experimentation: Use light modifiers like gels, reflectors, and umbrellas.
  • Practice Ratios: Determine optimal lighting ratios.
  • Practical Exercise: Set up a basic lighting arrangement and use different light modifiers.
  • Assignment: Photograph the same subject using different lighting setups for comparison.

Week 6: Lighting Continued

• Topics: Lighting types and usage, backlighting techniques.

Activities:

• • Lighting Practice: Use natural, studio, and flash lighting.
  • Backlighting Techniques: Experiment with backlighting.
  • Review: Placement and usage of main, fill, background, and accent lights.
  • Practical Exercise: Create an image using backlighting techniques.
  • Assignment: Document the effects of different lighting setups on your photos.

Week 7: Lighting Continued

• Topics: Theory of light, filters, and gels.

Activities:

• • Study Theory: Understand light spectrum, color temperature, and color balance.
  • Experimentation: Use filters and gels for color correction.
  • Manipulation Practice: Manipulate light properties.
  • Practical Exercise: Use gels to change the mood of your photos.
  • Assignment: Create images showcasing different color temperatures.

Week 8: Composition and Design (19%)

• Topics: Color relationships, natural environment adaptation.

Activities:

• • Study Color Theory: Learn about color theory and the color wheel.
  • Practice Adaptation: Adapt to different natural environments.
  • Experimentation: Experiment with subject placement and lighting direction.
  • Practical Exercise: Apply the rule of thirds to enhance balance in photos.
  • Assignment: Capture photos with varied compositions to observe their impact.

Week 9: Composition and Design Continued

• Topics: Framing and cropping, angle of view effects.

Activities:

• • Framing Practice: Frame and crop pictures within the camera's viewfinder.
  • Aspect Ratios: Learn about different aspect ratios.
  • Angle Experimentation: Experiment with angles of view.
  • Practical Exercise: Capture a subject from multiple angles.
  • Assignment: Create a visual story using different framing techniques.

Week 10: Digital Post Production (13%)

• Topics: Color space understanding, file formats.

Activities:

• • Review Tools: Review digital post-processing tools and software.
  • Learn Color Spaces: Understand different color spaces and their uses.
  • File Formats: Select appropriate file formats for different purposes.
  • Practical Exercise: Edit photos in various color spaces.
  • Assignment: Convert images into different file formats and note the differences.

Week 11: Digital Post Production Continued

• Topics: File management, digital image manipulation.

Activities:

• • Organize Files: Organize digital files and learn about backup systems.
  • Manipulation Practice: Manipulate digital images using software tools.
  • Impact Understanding: Understand the impact of manipulations on image quality.
  • Practical Exercise: Create a backup system for your photos.
  • Assignment: Edit images focusing on different aspects of manipulation, showing before and after results.

Week 12: Image Capture and Output (10%)

• Topics: Appropriate formats, identifying image problems.
• Activities:
• • Study Formats: Understand appropriate formats for final job requirements.
  • Problem Identification: Identify common problems in images.
  • Problem Correction: Correct these problems using software tools.
  • Practical Exercise: Identify and correct common image issues.
  • Assignment: Create a troubleshooting guide for common image problems.

Week 13: Image Capture and Output Continued

• Topics: Output to different mediums.

Activities:

• • Output Practice: Output images to different mediums.
  • Resolution Requirements: Learn about resolution requirements for different devices.
  • Archival Processes: Review archival processes for printed images.
  • Practical Exercise: Print photos using different mediums.
  • Assignment: Create an archive system for your printed images.

Week 14: Review and Practice

• Topics: Comprehensive review of all topics.

Activities:

• • Practice Tests: Take practice tests to assess knowledge and readiness.
  • Focus on Weaknesses: Address areas of weakness identified in practice tests.
  • Review Concepts: Review key concepts and techniques.
  • Practical Exercise: Complete a comprehensive photography project.
  • Assignment: Compile your best work into a portfolio, showcasing your growth and skills.

Week 1: Camera, Lenses, and Attachments (12%)

• Read materials on types and specifications of digital cameras
• Experiment with different cameras and lenses
• Adjust various camera settings and observe impact on image quality
• Take photos using different lenses (wide, standard, telephoto)
• Research and choose a specific lens based on a given scenario
• Take photos to demonstrate the suitability of the chosen lens

Week 2: Camera, Lenses, and Attachments Continued

• Practice using various lens attachments (hoods, filters, extenders)
• Experiment with camera supports (tripods, monopods)
• Test knowledge with a quiz on lens types and attachments
• Use different lens attachments and evaluate their effects
• Evaluate camera supports for stability and ease of use in a specific style

Week 3: Exposure and Meters (18%)

• Read materials on light meters and their applications
• Use light meters in various lighting conditions
• Adjust f-stops and shutter speeds for desired exposures
• Experiment with different exposures to understand effects on brightness and sharpness
• Capture scenes in challenging lighting using a light meter

Week 4: Exposure and Meters Continued

• Interpret light meter readings in various scenarios
• Learn to read and interpret histograms
• Adjust exposure settings based on histogram analysis
• Capture images in different lighting conditions and analyze histograms
• Create a portfolio demonstrating correct exposure using histogram data

Week 5: Lighting (28%)

• Review different lighting setups and their effects
• Use various light modifiers (gels, reflectors, umbrellas)
• Determine optimal lighting ratios
• Set up a basic lighting arrangement and use different light modifiers
• Photograph the same subject using different lighting setups for comparison

Week 6: Lighting Continued

• Use natural, studio, and flash lighting
• Experiment with backlighting techniques
• Review placement and usage of main, fill, background, and accent lights
• Create an image using backlighting techniques
• Document the effects of different lighting setups

Week 7: Lighting Continued

• Understand light spectrum, color temperature, and color balance
• Use filters and gels for color correction
• Practice manipulating light properties
• Use gels to change the mood of photos
• Create images showcasing different color temperatures

Week 8: Composition and Design (19%)

• Learn about color theory and the color wheel
• Adapt to different natural environments for photographic advantage
• Experiment with subject placement and lighting direction
• Apply the rule of thirds to various subjects
• Capture photos with varied compositions to observe their impact

Week 9: Composition and Design Continued

• Practice framing and cropping pictures within the viewfinder
• Learn about different aspect ratios
• Experiment with angles of view for different effects
• Capture a subject from multiple angles
• Create a visual story using different framing techniques

Week 10: Digital Post Production (13%)

• Review digital post-processing tools and software
• Understand different color spaces (sRGB, Adobe RGB)
• Select appropriate file formats for different purposes
• Edit photos in various color spaces
• Convert images into different file formats and note differences

Week 11: Digital Post Production Continued

• Organize digital files and learn about backup systems
• Manipulate digital images using software tools
• Understand the impact of different manipulations on image quality
• Create a backup system for digital photos
• Edit images focusing on different aspects of manipulation, showing before and after results

Week 12: Image Capture and Output (10%)

• Understand appropriate formats for final job requirements (JPEG, RAW)
• Identify common problems in images (white balance, dust spots)
• Correct common image problems using software tools
• Identify and correct common image issues
• Create a troubleshooting guide for common image problems

Week 13: Image Capture and Output Continued

• Output images to different mediums (print, web)
• Learn about resolution requirements for different devices
• Review archival processes for printed images
• Print photos using different mediums
• Create an archive system for printed images

Week 14: Review and Practice

• Take practice tests to assess knowledge and readiness
• Address areas of weakness identified in practice tests
• Review key concepts and techniques from all topics
• Complete a comprehensive photography project
• Compile best work into a portfolio showcasing growth and skills