photography /noun/ -
the art or process of producing images
by the action of radiant energy and especially light
on a sensitive surface (as film or an optical sensor)
Notes on Photography
A photograph is a still visual unit of light + space + time. Photography is the process by which such a unit is created.
Photography is a science and an art, involving the collaboration of technology and human intuition/intelligence.
From the NY Times
The camera is the most common tool by which photographers are able to control and express light into the form of images/photographs.
In making photos, we aim to control exposure (how dark or light the image is), perspective (how deep or shallow the content of the image appears), and composition (the content of the image in relation to its frame). Sometimes in camera, we can also aim to control color (including the temperature of the light), but this is also something that is often controlled in post-production.
Exposure and perspective are most often controlled by the photographer via their camera/tool, and the main variables: ISO, Aperture + Shutter Speed
1) ISO - the sensitivity to light of the sensor/film (this also influences the grain of the image)
2) Aperture - the depth of field
3) Shutter Speed - how much light the shutter allows to hit the sensor; this also impacts motion within frame
4) Color temperature - when aiming to control the temperature of color in-camera, the Kelvin scale is utilized
Carrie Mae Weems, The Kitchen Table Series
Composition and what is included within the frame of the image are more heavily controlled by the photographer than by the camera/tool.
1) Composition - the visual structure of the image, including the Rule of Thirds - understanding your focal point + playing with balance within the frame
How was this made? Looking at the work of Zalmy Berkowitz
How to examine + work with light: Questions to ask
1) How much light do I have? - morning, midday, night?
2) What is the quality of the light? - gauzy, harsh?
3) What is the direction of the light?
4) How do I want my subject to be lit?
Photogs //
Jainé
Apps for Post-Production Processing via Phone + Additional Resources:
2) VSCO
3) Lightroom Mobile
Learning for yourselves: what do you like? What makes a good photography to you?
"Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see
and everything to do with the way you see them."
-- Elliot Erwitt
"Of course, it's all luck."
-- Henri Cartier-Bresson