Suggestions for Photographic Self-Assignments
Getting the most out of your camera
Here are some questions/suggestions to help you explore some uses of your camera that you do not know much about. These may start you thinking about other possibilities.
§ Can you set the ISO on your camera? Can you use that to your advantage?
§ What setting does your camera have that you have not used? Spend time learning how to use that for your advantage. Take pictures of a scene/subject using that new setting. Take pictures of the same scene/subject without that setting. Is there a difference? Is it worth using?
§ Choose a setting – and use it for what is not intended! What is the result if you use the night setting in the day time?
§ Take a photograph without setting the white balance. Set the white balance and take another picture. What did you learn?
§ What happens if you photograph lights at night – but move your camera instead of holding it steady?
§ Does your camera have a “smile detector”? What happens if you take a group picture and one person is not smiling?
§ Try what Freeman Patterson calls “thinking sideways.” Draw up a lost of “photographic rules” and then photograph so that you break the rules. E.g. Always hold the camera steady VS Jump up and down while photographing
§ What are some other “rules” you try to follow? Suggestions from National Geographic
§ Set some SELF-ASSIGNMENTS, e.g.
o Do some “practice photos” in the space where you will be photographing (take into account time of day, lighting to be used). Try different camera settings. Jot down information. Use program, flash, no flash, set aperture, set shutter, etc.
o Position a person near a window – how best get sufficient lighting on the person’s face
o Take a portrait – with flash – have person stand a few inches from a blank wall. Then have person stand about a foot from the wall. Which gives the best results? Do you have a silhouette behind the person?
Here are some questions/suggestions to help you explore some uses of your camera that you do not know much about. These may start you thinking about other possibilities.
§ Can you set the ISO on your camera? Can you use that to your advantage?
§ What setting does your camera have that you have not used? Spend time learning how to use that for your advantage. Take pictures of a scene/subject using that new setting. Take pictures of the same scene/subject without that setting. Is there a difference? Is it worth using?
§ Choose a setting – and use it for what is not intended! What is the result if you use the night setting in the day time?
§ Take a photograph without setting the white balance. Set the white balance and take another picture. What did you learn?
§ What happens if you photograph lights at night – but move your camera instead of holding it steady?
§ Does your camera have a “smile detector”? What happens if you take a group picture and one person is not smiling?
§ Try what Freeman Patterson calls “thinking sideways.” Draw up a lost of “photographic rules” and then photograph so that you break the rules. E.g. Always hold the camera steady VS Jump up and down while photographing
§ What are some other “rules” you try to follow? Suggestions from National Geographic
§ Set some SELF-ASSIGNMENTS, e.g.
o Do some “practice photos” in the space where you will be photographing (take into account time of day, lighting to be used). Try different camera settings. Jot down information. Use program, flash, no flash, set aperture, set shutter, etc.
o Position a person near a window – how best get sufficient lighting on the person’s face
o Take a portrait – with flash – have person stand a few inches from a blank wall. Then have person stand about a foot from the wall. Which gives the best results? Do you have a silhouette behind the person?