We cover a lot during each meeting of the Photography Basics/Introduction to Photography class, but the main lesson is the most important thing.
The main lesson is always a technique that ties camera operation composition in light and significantly improves our ability to create pictures in manual exposure mode.
Before each meeting ends, I make sure that the photographers in the class can perform the technique taught as the main lesson, so I can be sure they can study and practice it for homework.
Everyone leaves knowing what to do.
But of course, as with learning anything new, we make mistakes.
I always make it a point that the photographers in the class should view mistakes as a way to strengthen their learning and understanding of photography.
When we can figure out what went wrong, then we know what to do right
1. Chasing the Exposure Indicator While Metering
While metering in manual exposure mode one of the first
things I see new photographers do manual do is treat the camera’s exposure indicator as the be-all and end-all when it comes to tonality /exposure, but remember: when we use the meter an exposure indicator to achieve a standard tonality that tonality is a mid tone or a mid value; we could think of this as a midpoint on the tonality scale or a mid gray but this could also be thought of as a mid color.
If you rely on it without considering what we’re photographing, the whites in the picture or other things we consider bright appear too dark in the photograph.
On the other hand the blacks in our
picture or other things were considered dark come out too bright.
We should think of using the meter and the exposure indicator to achieve our standard tonality, and then make any changes to achieve our preferred tonality from the standard
tonality.
Once we achieve our preferred tonality, there is no longer any reason to engage the meter or the exposure indicator.
2. Forgetting to Reevaluate Light Intensity and Reset Camera Settings
Imagine making pictures indoors where it’s relatively dark, but we’re getting a good tonality.
We then step outside into the bright sunlight and forget to re-meter to get new exposure and ISO
settings.
If we use the settings that got us a good tonality indoors with less intense light than when we make a picture outside, the image's tonality will be way too bright.
3. Letting The Technical Part of Camera Operation Distract from Composition
Over-thinking doesn’t help.
Although we rely on the camera as a tool to make photographs, there’s no need to let it overshadow composition and light.
Technically excellent camera operation won’t save a dull composition, but a thoughtfully and uniquely composed, engaging photograph can always withstand a few technical weaknesses.
4. Thinking There’s a “Perfect Exposure”
Remember, nothing is perfect, like everything else in
Photography, especially composition.
Absolute Perfection doesn’t exist because perfection is subjective.
We’ve gotta learn to trust that whatever exposure settings we use to effectively communicate what we need to communicate through our picture, although never perfect, does the job we need to do
5. Ignoring ISO—or Having the Idea That Noise Is Bad
I meet a lot of “noise-averse”
photographers.
Noise is a visual element in our work that we need to consider; this is why I suggest people turn off noise or reduction during my classes.
When used appropriately, increasing noise can support our intended communication; however, we may want to create a composition that would benefit from as little noise as possible.
The
bottom line is we need to use noise thoughtfully and be open-minded about it.
Remember, the more we study and practice, the fewer mistakes we’ll make.
The Introduction To Photography classes are starting soon.
If the schedules don’t work for you, we could arrange a series of private lessons covering the same material.
