Taking professional quality photos of your work

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:27:05 -0700

It is all about light - intensity, color and balance
Purpose is for humans to view your work
fish, birds, reptiles, bugs, other mammals all “see” differently from humans.
How the human eye works
Lens to focus light reflected from subject, diaphragm to control amount of light, 120 million rods for intensity, 6 million cones for RGB color, brain for interpretation, continuous light gathering, green light bias.
How a film camera works
Lens to focus light reflected from subject, diaphragm (aperture, “F” stop) to control amount of light, shutter to control duration of light, film to capture light
grains of silver halide, larger/smaller effect light sensitivity, ASA/ISO standards for measuring light intensity, ratio of area of diaphragm to focal length = “F” stop, 1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32 all .5 x amount of light passing, shutter speeds 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 all .5 x amount of light passing, color vs B&W, color temperature (white balance) measured on Kelvin scale
How a digital camera works
Lens to focus light reflected from subject, diaphragm to control amount of light, shutter to control duration of light, light sensor to capture light, computer to process output of light sensor, memory card to store captured image, buttons and menus to set desired options
sensor technologies, 256 levels of RBG, histogram, signal-to-noise ratio, sensor physical size, # of pixels not overly important, lens and computer software are keys to image quality, presence of computer is most distinctive feature differentiating digital from film cameras, types of memory cards

Common image adjustments
ISO to set signal strength on sensor, White balance to set color for sensor, Exposure, color Saturation, Brightness, Contrast, Sharpness, File format and image size (display, print, storage)
Lenses and filters
fixed, zoom, interchangeable, macro, bellows, polarizer filter
Light meters - incidence and reflected external, internal zone, spot, average
Flash units - internal, external, studio flash all have different output intensities
guide number of flash divided by distance = F stop required for any given ISO
How to set up and use studio strobes
just like on-camera flash but much brighter, directly control light output via knob, color is 5500 degrees kelvin (like sunlight), can trigger four ways (button, wire, photo sensor, RF signal with adapter), can control “shape” of light output (direct, bounce, reflected and light box), watt/seconds measures electrical output (not very useful), guide number measures light output (guide number divided by distance equals F stop required), incidence light meter, trial and error, common three light set up (primary set to full power, secondary set to half power and halo set to 1/4 power)
How to set up and use light tents
Use strobes or hot lights, set white balance for different colors of hot lights, light placement not overly critical, trial and error for balance, set camera on automatic and shoot away
What camera is right for me?
Most all are capable of great quality shots, brand doesn’t matter much, confluence of traditional camera makers providing lens and ergonomics designs and electronics companies providing packaging, sensors, computers and power systems, menus vs buttons a personal preference, whether you already have quality film camera lenses, “kit” lenses of dubious value on most digital SLR cameras, outstanding lenses readily available but expensive, use of film cameral lenses via adapters, built in lenses very good to outstanding on upper end fixed lens cameras, select based on how well you can set up and use the camera and how much automation you want between you and the resulting image.
Hands on workshops shooting large objects with studio strobes, small objects with light tents and flat art with daylight, strobes or hot lights with polarizer filter.
Afternoon tutorial sessions to improve levels of understanding

Building your own web presence in 5, 15 or 60 minutes

Thu, 8 Nov 2007 14:48:33 -0800

It really is possible for you to build your own web presence in far less time than you might imagine. Click the links to the below to download the class hand out materials in .pdf format.

Classes are taught in conjunction with Rogue Community College.

Taking professional quality photos of your work

Building your own web presence in 5, 15 or 60 minutes