Newsletter January 2021

Hey Pa!

Welcome to our second Newsletter!

The newsletter be a monthly thing that will include a lesson, a quiz, a challenge with a DIY, and common questions! Be sure to read the whole post and comment any photography questions below so they can be answered in the next newsletter. This newsletter will be about

Camera Basics!

There are 3 main camera modes besides auto and manual, each adjusts the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to suit the lighting conditions. The DSLR uses a technology called metering; this is where it tests an area ofan image so it can adjust the settings accordingly.

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Aperture Priority

Aperture priority is best used when you have plenty of light and you don't need to worry about shutter speed, this setting allows the to focus on the aperture. As the adjusts the aperture, the camera fixes the other settings.

Shutter Priority

Shutter priority is when a controls the shutter while the camera adjusts the other settings to compensate. This is best got sports and wildlife since the can control the shutter independently.

Program

Program changes with each brand of camera but it has different preset modes for different uses. Most DSLR cameras have a sports mode which sets the best settings automatically for the type of image the is taking.

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Lens Sizes examples

Ultra Wide Lens = 14-25mm; can be used to create exaggerated perspective/unnatural look.

Normal = 35-75; this is the default size; includes a lot of content in images.

Mid Telephoto Lens = 85-105mm; Isolates/separates background and subject.

Medium Telephoto Lens = 120-300mm; Isolates details, simplifies composotion.

Long Telephoto Lens= 300-800mm; Good for far away subject, allows the to get closer images without moving.

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Focal length

Focal length is what type of view length a lens has. The focal length if a lens can affect and image in different ways, it can make a subject seems closer without the physically moving closer to the subject.

Using a shorter lens when standing closer will create depth and perspective while using a longer lens and standing farther away will compress perspective.

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Here's a quiz to test your knowledge from this newsletter!

Quiz

In 5 days who is in 1st place will recieve a custom title and be the winner!

Challenge

Come take part in this challenge to use what you may have learned here and a DIY to help you with your photo!

Product Photography

In this challenge you will take a product of any kind (makeup, art, electronic, food, etc) and use the homemade ligtbox or reflectors to help make your photo stand out.

Prizes

1st place:

Title

75 coins

3 day feature

2nd place:

50 coins

2 day feature

3rd place:

25 coins

1 day feature

Lightbox

This DIY is on how to make your very own light box at home! The purpose of a light box is to get good quality photos with nice lighting, no random shadows and a plain background for a clean photo. Light boxes normally are around $20-$400. This is how you can make one with things you may have around your house!

For this DIY you will want to have

* a cardboard box

* packing tape

* a box cutter

* white tissue paper

* white poster board

The steps to create this are

Step 1:Cut out three sides of your box

Step 2: Cut white tissue paper to the approximate size of the box and tape down

Step 3: Snip the poster board to the same dimensions and drape for a white background.

Step 1: Cut out your light box

For the first step, you want to cut three sides of your box leavening two sides intact. When cutting, you want to have a 1-inch border on each side.

Step 2: Trim and tape the tissue paper

Next you want to grab your white tissue paper. You will want to cut it to the approximate size of your box. Then you will want to tape down the tissue paper to the outside of the box covering the hole. The tissue paper will act as a light diff, softening the incoming light and removing harsh shadows.

Step 3: Drape the poster board for a white background

Lastly, you will want to cut your poster board to match the width of your box. You will want the poster board to be long enough to extend out of the box. Now you will want to tape the top of the poster board to the top of back of the box. Then let it drape down and out of the box to create and “infinity” white background without corners.

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Commonly asked questions

1)Why does the exposure triangle even matter?

A) It is a common way of associating the three variables (ISO, aperture and shutter speed) which in turn determines the exposure of the photo. It is a balance of the three that achieves the desired look of a photo.

2)Which is the most important part of the exposure triangle?

A)All of the variables contained in the exposure triangle matter the same amount! Without ISO, for example, you could not have a proper exposure to the photo! That is why it is a triangle: each have the same amount of importance - even though they all have different roles to play.

3)Is it okay if I only use the automatic settings on my camera?

A)Yes! Of course! It’s totally fine :) We’re all on different levels in photography and you should never feel discouraged or frustrated if you only use automatic settings. Eventually, you definitely will be able to use the camera manually!

4)Can I still be a good photographer if I only use a phone?

A)The answer is yes!! Not owning a camera should not be stopping you from taking good pictures! Get outside, get creative and take some pictures for all of us to see :)

5)Are there any good apps for editing photos on a phone?

A)You bet! There are many options out there - Photoshop, Snapseed, the list goes on! We highly suggest you check out this Mobile Phone Lightroom Tutorial - where we explain the basics of how to take a photo like you would with a camera!

That concludes our second newsletter!

Be sure to our challenge and quiz! We hope this helps your photography grow!

-The mod team