An overview of digital photography- middle school class. Using Nikon D3100 DSLR

2. Camera Basics

3. 6 Things to KNOW
1. KNOW your camera settings
2. HOLD the camera still
3. No DISTRACTIONS
4. Take A LOT of photos
5. Tell a STORY
6. Capture a MOOD

4. World’s 1st Selfie
• Robert Cornelius,
October 1839
• 3 to 15 minute
exposure

5. Camera SAFETY
• CAMERA STRAP!
• NEVER face lens
down
• Don’t leave it on the
ground!
• Secure to tripod
• No running
• Water + electronics=
BAD
• DON’T FORCE
ANYTHING!

6. Camera SAFETY
• Proper way to hold a DSLR
The photographer on the
left has no support for the
elbows with the camera in
the vertical position, but
the photographer on the
right has supported the
camera properly.

7. Camera SAFETY
• Proper way to hold a DSLR
The photographer on the
left has no support for the
elbows with the camera in
the vertical position, but
the photographer on the
right has supported the
camera properly.

8. Camera SAFETY
• Cleaning the Sensor

9. Camera Set-Up
1. Auto Off Timer Setting

10. Camera Set-Up
2.. Image Setting
3. Image Size

11. TYPES of Cameras
SLR (Single- Lens Reflex) and
DSLR (digital Single-Lens Reflex)
Uses a series of mirrors
that reflect off the lens,
allowing the viewer to
see the image right-side
up . Traditional SLR
cameras used film, now
that has been replaced
with a digital image
sendor (DSLR).

13. TYPES of Cameras
Point & Shoot/Compact Camera
Camera designed for
simple operation, mostly
automatic settings so
easy for everyone to use.
Requires minimal
knowledge of camera
settings, and is portable.
Do not have mirrors like
an SLR, rather a lens

14. TYPES of Cameras
Camera Phone
Camera phones have
become extremely
popular and an easyand
convienient way to
capture photos and share
them instantly.
Depending on the type of
phone, some phone
cameras can be 8mp and
take professional-looking
images.

15. Comparison: Point & Shoot and DSLR
DLSR Compact/Point & Shoot
Much more expensive ($400+) Lower priced and more accessible
More settings/functions= more variety of
pictures, more creativity
Easy to use/portable, but takes control
out of the photographer’s hands
Ability to take pictures in difficult lighting
with increased ISO/shutter speed modes
Automated, ISO and shutter speed control
is limited
Ability to change out lenses/optical zoom Only digital zoom
Ability to change aperture Aperture is automated
More serious photography More casual photography

16. PART ONE: Basic Settings

17. Pre-set “SCENE” modes
Automatically changes settings
to fit the particular scene.
DOWNSIDE: Your camera
is not a brain- it may not
do what you want it to do
just by selecting a scene.
Use Scenes as a tool, but don’t rely on it!

18. Flash
• The flash adds artificial light
to the setting. Most of the
pictures you take with the
point and shoot camera will
be flash-off photos… you will
use it sparingly!
Using the flash makes pictures dull,
overexposed, and does not show fine
shadows and details. Natural light is a
much better option!

19. Flash
• You will want to make
sure the flash is off
most of the time, and
use other camera
settings to make up for
dim lighting.
There is a way
to ‘dull’ the
flash with the
DSLR diffuser
for challenging
indoor lighting.

20. Mini Assignment: Scavenger Hunt
With a group of 2 or 3,
you will be completing a
scavenger hunt that will
help you discover how to
use camera settings.
You will be using both the point &
shoot and the DSLR camera for this
assignment, so you do not need to go
in order of the questions.

21. Tripods
• A tripod is ESSENTIAL for a
clear photograph,
particularly in challenging
lighting situations or slower
shutter speeds (DSLR).
Become familiar with how to use
a tripod and bring at least one
with your group each day.

22. Manual Focus Mode
• There are two ways to focus:
manual and auto. Most of
the time you will be in auto,
but we are going to practice
using manual focus.

23. White Balance
Color “temperature” of
a photo. The white
balance setting corrects
unrealistic colors by
balancing it, based on
the type of lighting.
Keep white balance on A (Auto) unless
you notice an off color in your photos.

25. White Balance

26. White Balance

27. “Incorrect” White Balance
• You can also set white balance to change the mood of
your photo or make it look like a different time of day.

28. Single-Point Auto Focus
• To focus on a certain part of the scene.
• Camera has 11 separate focus points to choose from
• Start in the middle, move to other points.

29. Single-Point Auto
Focus

30. Single-Point Auto Focus
In Class Assignment: Using a single object (either inside or outside), practice
taking pictures using at least 5 different focus points. REMEMBER, no
distracting background!

31. Single-Point Auto Focus
CAMERA SETTINGS:
• PROGRAM Mode
• ISO 200-400
• Flash OK
• Check EXPOSURE COMPENSATION

32. ISO
• Stands for “International
Standards Organization”
• The ISO setting measures
how sensitive the camera
is to light.
• Measured in numbers
from 64, 100, 200, 400,
800, etc.
• Changing the ISO can
affect the quality of the
picture.

33. LOW ISO
• ISO 50-100
• Good for CLOSE UPS
• Need BRIGHT OUTDOOR light
• USE a tripod!

34. LOW ISO
• SITUATIONS TO USE:
– OUTDOORS- in good lighting
– Close ups with detail
ISO 100

35. HIGH ISO
• ISO 400-800: Used for
dim light but not night
• 1600+ Indoor or night
shots.
Increases the camera’s sensitivity to
light, so its good for pictures without
ideal lighting. BUT- the catch is that it
creates “Noise”
ISO 800

36. HIGH ISO
• SITUATIONS
TO USE:
– INDOORS-esp
with
flash
– Action
– Low
lighting/even
ing
San Francisco @ ISO 6400

39. Noise Reduction

40. Noise Reduction
In very high ISO situations (over 800) make sure to
set the NOISE REDUCTION feature

41. ISO
• Low ISO: 50-100- outdoor sunny lighting, close
ups, MUST use a TRIPOD.
• Middle ISO: 200-400- Good for
cloudy/overcast days, medium lighting.
• High ISO- 800+ - Dim lighting, action shots,
increasing the ISO will lead to more ‘noise’

42. ISO- Student Examples

43. ISO- Student Examples

44. ISO- Student Examples

45. ISO- Student Examples
Setting the ISO on the DSLR:

46. ISO- Student Examples
In Class assignment: Practice using the ISO settings. Take some indoor
photos with high and low ISO, some outdoor photos and see what
changes

47. Single Point Auto-Focus and ISO
Assignment
• You are going to combine your
knowledge of ISO, white balance
and single-point auto focus

48. Single Point Auto-
Focus and ISO
we shouldn’t be
able to tell what the object is,
but it is still interesting.
how can you
make an ordinary object seem
amazing from three angles?
• You will take 3 photos of
each object: Each using a
different focal point
• You will use appropriate
ISO for the photos (and
you must be able to
explain WHY you used that
# ISO)
• You will use the
appropriate white balance
for the lighting (and be
able to explain)
• You will NOT have a
distracting background!
• NO BLURRY PHOTOS!
• One of your series must be
INSIDE

49. PART TWO: Advanced Settings

50. Optical ZOOM vs Digital
Digital Zoom: the camera
enlarges the image area at
the center of the frame
and trims away the
outside edges of the
picture. Not a true zoom-just
enlarges the image.
Optical Zoom:. An optical zoom is a
true zoom- it enlarges a picture while
keeping the resolution and sharpness
of the picture high. They produce
much better-quality images.

51. Types of Lenses
Digital Zoom: the camera
enlarges the image area at
the center of the frame
and trims away the
outside edges of the
picture. Not a true zoom-just
enlarges the image.
Optical Zoom:. An optical zoom is a
true zoom- it enlarges a picture while
keeping the resolution and sharpness
of the picture high. They produce
much better-quality images.

52. Optical ZOOM vs Digital

53. Program Mode

54. Auto Modes

55. Rule of Thirds
• COMPOSITION- professional
photographers think about the
composition of their photograph!
• Divide the photo into 3 sections
• The subject should be in 2 of the
‘intersections’

56. Rule of Thirds

58. Rule of Thirds

59. Rule of Thirds

60. • When editing on the Rule of Thirds
computer, Check
your rule of thirds in
iPhoto!
• Use the grid! With
one eye closed to
frame the subject
correctly
• CLEAR SUBJECT (no
distractions)

61. Rule of Thirds
On the sticky notes, write:
1. If it follows rule of thirds
2. Whether or not it’s a good
photo
3. Is it balanced?
4. ALSO- choose the best and
worst photo and write why.

62. Rule of Thirds- Student Example
Mini Assignment: On
either camera, use
your grid and
knowledge of rule of
thirds to take:
1. close up(inside or
outside)
2. Landscape
(anything without
buildings or people)
3. action photo
REMEMBER! It MUST have a clear
subject, no DISTRACTIONS, and
FOLLOW rule of thirds!

63. Aperture (F Stop)
• The size of the opening in the lens
when a picture is taken
• The larger the opening, the MORE
light gets in, the smaller the
opening, the LESS light gets in.
• Aperture is measured in “F Stops”

64. Aperture (F Stop)
• Moving from one F-Stop
to the next either
doubles or halves the
size of the opening in
your lens…
• LARGE OPENING=
Smaller f stop, smaller
depth of field.
• SMALL OPENING=
Larger f stop, greater
depth of field

65. Aperture Example

66. Why Change the F Stop?
• Changes the DEPTH OF
FIELD of your picture…
• Depth of Field is how
much of your picture is
in FOCUS
LARGE
DOF
(larger f
stop)
SMALL
DOF
(smaller f
stop)

67. Shallow Depth of Field
• Only part of the image will be in
focus, and the rest will be blurry
• This is LARGER aperture because
more light is coming in =smaller
f/stop (like f/2)

68. Shallow Depth of Field

69. Wide Depth of Field
• Most of the image will be in focus
• Smaller aperture because less
light is coming in= larger F/stop
(like f/22)

70. Wide Depth of
Field

72. SMALLER F/STOP= SMALL DEPTH OF
FIELD
LARGER F/STOP= LARGE DEPTH OF FIELD

73. When to change Aperture
• Landscape photos (so the
horizon is in focus)
• Building shots
• Anytime you want to see
ALL detail in a photo
LARGER APERTURE (low f
stop, like 2.8)
SMALLER APERTURE
(high f stop, like f11)
• Portraits
• Close-up photos
• Anytime you have a focal
point and don’t want the
background to be distracting
When changing Aperture, you should be in
APERTURE PRIORITY mode!

74. Student Examples:
Larger Aperture (smaller F Stop)

75. Student Examples:
Larger Aperture (smaller F Stop)

76. Student Examples:
Larger Aperture (smaller F Stop)

77. Student Examples:
Larger Aperture (smaller F Stop)

78. Student Examples:
Larger Aperture (smaller F Stop)
MINI ASSIGNMENT: Using a
DSLR, find an object that would
be appropriate for Small and
large aperture.
Take the photos, and review to
see if they turned out well, and
if you need to alter the F stop.
WRITE in your sketchbook what
F Stop you used for each photo
and WHY.

79. APERTURE QUIZ- #6
Picture A Picture B

80. APERTURE QUIZ- #7

81. APERTURE QUIZ- #8

82. Rule of Thirds/Aperture Project
You are turning in
3 PHOTOS TOTAL.
• 1 Close up photo of nature
(using large aperture/ LOW F
stop)
• One landscape (using small
aperture/HIGH F stop)
without buildings or people
• One photo of your choice
that shows DESTRUCTION.
Requirements:
• One photo MUST be
in black and white
- All 3 photos MUST
use Rule of Thirds
- Large aperture photo
MUST be done using
DLSR

83. Shutter Speed (DSLR)
• The amount of time the
shutter is ‘open’
• Measured in seconds
(1/1000 is much faster than
1/30)
• Most photos 1/60 or faster
• SLOWER than 1/60- need a
tripod

84. Shutter Speed
• When to change
shutter speed
(DSLR only):
– Is the subject
moving?
– Do you want to
freeze the image or
add some ‘blur’?
– SHARPNESS.

85. Shutter Speed

86. Shutter Speed
The FASTER the shutter speed,
the DARKER the photo.

87. Shutter Speed (DSLR only)
Shutter Speed Vs. Aperture
Aperture

88. Shutter Speed
• D3100 Range: 1/4000 of
a second to 30 seconds.
• Camera controls
aperture!
• “Semiautomatic”
TROUBLESHOOTING:
- Low lighting: “Lo” will
appear if you are trying a
long shutter speed: not
enough light!!
- Outdoors: “Hi”will appear-too
much light and image
will be overexposed.
- ISO: always check setting if
your picture isn’t turning
out correctly

89. Shutter Speed
TWO TYPES OF
ACTION PHOTOS:
1. BLUR
2. MOMENT IN
TIME

90. SLOW shutter speed: BLUR
• PANNING: To Create a
‘blur’ effect where the
subject is clear but the
background is moving, pan
across with your camera
slowly while pressing down
the shutter. This will make
your subject look like it is
moving faster....
• USE Shutter speed 1/30 or
1/60

91. Action & Movement- BLUR

92. Action/Movement
Examples of BLUR

93. Action/Movement
Examples of
BLUR
(SLOW SS)

95. Action/Movement: BLUR
DLSR:
• S Mode
• You need to
DECREASE the
shutter speed
when panning.
• Try 1/30 or 1/60.
Should not be
higher than
1/1000
• Use the TRIPOD
• Have enough light
Point and Shoot:
• POINT AND SHOOT:
• ISO 100, use LANDSCAPE mode for
panning. Follow subject with your body

96. FAST Shutter speed:
Action/Movement
• Moment frozen
in time
• Should be
clear!
• TIMING IS
EVERYTHING!

97. Action/Movement: Moment Frozen in
Time
• Precise MOMENT
• What is happening
before and after?
• FAST shutter
speed (over
1/125)

98. Action/Movement

99. Action/Movement
Do these pictures tell a STORY?

100. Action/Movement
Sports,
Animals, and
Water are

101. Action/Movement

102. Action & Movement-
Student Examples

103. Action & Movement- Student
Examples

104. Action & Movement- Student
Examples

105. Action & Movement- Student
Examples

106. Action & Movement- Student
Examples

107. Action & Movement- Student
Examples

108. FAST SS: Moment in time
DLSR:
• S Mode
• You need to INCREASE
shutter speed (over
1/125)
• Use the TRIPOD-especially
for close
ups like water
• Have enough light
• Press shutter down
halfway
Point and Shoot:
• Use Burst Mode
• Try action/sport mode
• USE A TRIPOD!
• Objects AND People
• Press shutter down halfway

109. Tips for Action Photos
1. Offset subject: don’t
place in middle of
frame.
2. Get in front of the
action! Coming toward
you, not going away
from you
3. Tell a story. Make us
interesting. Look for
interesting angle.

110. Mini Assignment: Partners OK
1. Practice 2 photos using
MOMENT IN TIME and FAST
shutter speed.
2. Practice PANNING with DSLR
for 2 different subjects to get blur
(Slow shutter speed).
3. Write: short description of
your photos and any
challenges/success you had in
sketchbook. (4 photos total)

111. Burst Mode Photo Montage

112. Burst Mode Photo Montage
Can also do this by ‘stitching’
panoramic photos (Point and shoot
ONLY)

113. Burst Mode Photo Montage
Examples

114. Burst Settings
On DSLR:
- Continuous shutter button-will
keep taking pictures as
long as you hold it down
- Flash disabled
- About 3 frames per second
On POINT and SHOOT
- Program: Burst Mode
- 2 photos

115. PANO: Iphone
- IOS 7 or newer
- Panoramic: For water
or lights only!
- People can be difficult
to shoot

116. PANO: Iphone

117. PANO: Iphone
• This is what can happen if you take action
shots of people:

118. Iphone Action App:

119. Iphone Action App:

120. Action Assignment:
1. Freeze the Action (moment in
time): ONE photo that freezes the
action. (THIS MAY NOT BE SOMEONE
RUNNING OR JUMPING)
2. Blur (DLSR) : 1 Photo with
BLUR where the subject is
clear and background is
blurred completely
3. Burst mode: take 3-6 photos
in succession that TELL A STORY
SPECIFICS:
- Background should
NOT be a distraction
(photo focused on
subject)
- At least one Photo
should be an object
(not a person)
- Subject should not
be centered
- MAKE IT
UNEXPECTED AND
INTERESTING.
YOU WILL TURN IN AT LEAST 5 PHOTOS