Photography basics.During the summer of 1994, I took over 500 photographs. In order to get this many shots, I spent a good part of the summer walking about with a camera in my hands. Of the original 500, 17 prints were reproduced in my new camp brochure, and about 20 more were mounted on the wall in my office. That's only 7 percent of an entire summer's worth of shots. If you need only a few general pictures of your grounds, facilities, and campers, a professional photographer should be able to do the job in one day. However, if you need photos for a new brochure or an elaborate photo montage montage (mŏntäzh`, Fr. môNtäzh`), the art and technique of motion-picture editing in which contrasting shots or sequences are used to effect emotional or intellectual responses. , it will take even a professional at least two to three days (at about $500 a day) to do the job right. Of course, I had the option of hiring a professional photographer for my projects, but few professionals could take the time to do the job and get the variety of shots I wanted at a price I could afford. If you are in the process of revamping your brochures or other promotional materials, and if you are planning to take your own pictures, the following tips may help. Equipment Purchasing a quality camera with good lenses and a flash should cost only a little more than a one-day shoot from a professional photographer. If you don't already own one, buy a fully automatic SLR (1) (Scalable Linear Recording) A line of magnetic tape drives from Tandberg Data that evolved from the QIC Data Cartridge format. See QIC. (2) (Single Lens Reflex) A camera that uses the same lens for viewing and shooting. (single lens reflex) 35mm camera with interchangeable lenses. That is, you want a camera with both automatic exposure and automatic focus. For the best variety of shots, you want at least two lenses: a short 35-70mm lens for indoor and close range shots, and a 70-210mm lens to capture candid faces or action shots when you don't want to be on top of the subject. Another option is to purchase one of the newer, lightweight and compact 28-200mm zoom lenses. You also need a flash to light up faces when the sun is behind the subject and to provide extra lighting indoors and in shaded areas. Make sure your camera can automatically calculate proper exposure when you need fill-in flash. Film The typical camp photography display or brochure has three or four shades of Noun 1. shades of - something that reminds you of someone or something; "aren't there shades of 1948 here?" reminder - an experience that causes you to remember something "sky" blue and three or four shades of "green" grass. Camper complexions range from a cool blue to a warm brown. Your display and brochure will look much better if all pictures have the same color balance In photography and image processing, color balance (sometimes gray balance, neutral balance, or white balance) refers to the adjustment of the relative amounts of red, green, and blue primary colors in an image such that neutral colors are reproduced correctly. . The solution to the problem is to shoot as many pictures as possible with a single type of film. Color slide film Many printers work only from slides, so if you will be using pictures in a brochure, check with your printer first. Slides reproduce well, however, they have less exposure latitude Exposure latitude is the extent to which a light-sensitive material can be over or underexposed and still achieve an acceptable result. Since the acceptability of the result is dependent on both personal aesthetics and artistic intentions, the measurement of exposure latitude is by than color negative (print) film. That means shadows tend to go black and overexposed o·ver·ex·pose tr.v. o·ver·ex·posed, o·ver·ex·pos·ing, o·ver·ex·pos·es 1. To expose too long or too much: Don't overexpose the children to television. 2. highlights tend to go completely white. Making prints from slides increases contrast and reduces latitude still further. Fill-in flash will help. Color negative (print) film If you are not taking pictures for reproduction, moderate speed (100 ASA Asa (ā`sə), in the Bible, king of Judah, son and successor of Abijah. He was a good king, zealous in his extirpation of idols. When Baasha of Israel took Ramah (a few miles N of Jerusalem), Asa bought the help of Benhadad of Damascus and ) color negative film has fine grain, good color saturation (bright colors), excellent exposure latitude, and flattering flat·ter 1 v. flat·tered, flat·ter·ing, flat·ters v.tr. 1. To compliment excessively and often insincerely, especially in order to win favor. 2. skin tones. For action shots, a fast film (400 ASA or higher) produces best results. Black and white If you produce a limited number of calendars or yearbooks, you will find that color printing “colour separation” redirects here. For other uses, see colour-separation overlay. Color printing is the reproduction of an image or text in color (as opposed to simpler black and white or monochrome printing). is expensive. Although reproducing color prints in black and white is an option, starting with black and white film produces better results. Beware! It is much more difficult to take good black and white photos than good color. This is because composition and tonalities are more critical to black and white photography. Experiment with black and white as well as color film. Technique Don't use fast film as a substitute for proper technique. Take pictures the same way you shoot a target rifle: Take a moderate breath, let it out half way, then squeeze the trigger (squeeze the shutter button The shutter button is a button found on many cameras. When you press it, it opens the shutter of the camera. On many cameras, the shutter will then close automatically after the shutter speed has elapsed. ) slowly. Leaning against a tree or wall while holding your elbows against your chest will also help steady your grip on the camera. A tripod is also an option (unless you need to keep up with a bunch of fast-moving campers). With practice, you should be able to squeeze the shutter button without shaking the camera. Cropping Camp photos should be cropped very tightly in the viewfinder The preview window on a camera that is used to frame, focus and take the picture. On analog cameras, the viewfinder is an eye-sized window that must be pressed against the face. Point-and-shoot digital cameras use small LCD screens that are viewed several inches from the eyes. before you take your picture. Focus on one camper working on a project, receiving individual archery archery, sport of shooting with bow and arrow, an important military and hunting skill before the introduction of gunpowder. England's Charles II fostered archery as sport, establishing in 1673 the world's oldest continuous archery tournament, the Ancient Scorton instruction, or making a play at first base. Capture a small group of campers laughing, examining a new plant, paddling pad·dling n. 1. The act of moving a boat by means of a paddle. 2. A spanking or beating with a paddle. Paddling of ducks: a company of ducks on water—Lipton, 1970. a canoe. Frame the main subject with as few other distractions in the photo as possible. A zoom lens allows you to get larger group shots or close-up shots without disturbing the moment. Light The most frequent mistakes amateur photographers Amateur Photographer is the title of a British photography magazine, published weekly by IPC Media, a Time Warner subsidiary. The magazine provides articles on equipment reviews, photographic technique, and profiles of professional photographers. make involve lighting. Be sure to follow these important basic rules: * Make sure you have adequate lighting. Even with automatic cameras, it is still possible to take pictures that are low in contrast. If you take pictures in the shade and rely only on natural lighting, subjects will look flat and uninviting, and faces will have a greenish tone. Use a flash. * When shooting outdoors, be aware of where the sun is. If subjects are standing with their backs to the sun they may be captured in silhouette silhouette (sĭl'  ĕt`), outline image, especially a profile drawing solidly filled in or a cutout pasted against a lighter background. . Either shoot with your back to the sun or use a flash to
fill in subjects' faces.
Take lots of pictures Professional photographers are generally better technical photographers than we are, and they usually have better equipment. But one of the most important advantages they have over amateurs is their willingness to shoot a lot of film. Don't be surprised if you have to shoot an entire roll of film before getting one shot you really like. When shooting action or candid shots, don't take a lot of time to figure out the best camera angle. Just start taking pictures and keep moving around so you get a variety of perspectives. If you're not happy with the results, study the slides or prints to figure out what you could have done better. Then go back and take more pictures. Don't waste time analyzing the situation while you're shooting, or you may lose an opportunity for a great photo. A great way to manage You may think, "but I don't have time to wander around just taking pictures all summer." This is true, and you still have the option to hire a professional photographer, but taking pictures is a wonderful way to "manage by walking around." All camp directors walk around camp during the summer to observe staff and campers. Your camera is the perfect excuse for hanging around during recreational swim or a Friday night cookout. Campers generally love to have their pictures taken. And you can even post the results at the main lodge at the end of the week. And about those 463 leftover pictures from last summer. The parents of my campers were thrilled to receive candid photos of their children when the summer was over. RELATED ARTICLE: More photography tips from Suzanne G. Merriman, CCD CCD in full charge-coupled device Semiconductor device in which the individual semiconductor components are connected so that the electrical charge at the output of one device provides the input to the next device. * Arrive at the scene at least 10 minutes before you start shooting. Observe the surroundings, lighting, subjects, and activity. * Capture fun, beauty, action, serenity. Don't have people line up and say "cheese." * Vary the height from which you take photos. Lie down, stand on a ladder... Your photos will take on a new perspective. Suzanne Merriman is the director of institutional advancement at Chaminade college preparatory school Chaminade College Preparatory School may refer to:
Robert I Robert I, duke of Normandy Robert I (Robert the Magnificent), d. 1035, duke of Normandy (1027–35); father of William the Conqueror. He is often identified with the legendary Robert the Devil. . Rhodes is the director of Deerkill Day Camp in Suffern, N.Y. |
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