TEST WHAT YOU KNOW
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QU I Z : E X P E R I M E N T & P L AY
TEST WHAT YOU KNOW Yo u ’ v e m a d e i t to your last lesson! I hope it has been a f u n e x p e r i e n c e ! This is your last quiz. Take your time. H o l d y o u r c a m era. Test your knowledge.
L e t ’s t e s t y o u r k n o w l e d g e o f s o m e e x p e r i m e n t a l m et h o d s . 1 W H AT ’ S R I G H T ? S l o w i n g y o u r shutter speed A . C a p t u re s d e t a i l . B . C a p t u re s m o t i o n . C. Stops motion. 2 W H AT ’ S R I G H T ? To c re a t e a blue hued photo, change your white balance to A . Tu n g s t e n w h e n s h o o t i n g i n daylight. B. Flash when shooting indoors. C. Sunny when shooting indoors. 3 U N D E R E X P O S E. W h e n u n d e re x p o s i n g , t h e i m a g e f i l e is A . L a r g e r t h a n a n o v e re x p o s e d image file.
K a t r i n a K e n n e d y | E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e
Correct is good.
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Creative is fun. Use your knowledge of correct exposure to move into creative! B . S maller than an
6 OVERE X P O S E . S h o o t t o t h e
o v e rexposed image file.
right ref e r s t o
B . T h e b a c k g ro u n d . 10 EXPOSURE TRIANGLE
C . T he same size as an
A. Comp o s i n g a n i m a g e w i t h
R E V I E W. W h i c h i s a o n e s t o p
o v e rexposed image file.
the sub j e c t ’s w e i g h t o n t h e
d i ff e re n c e ?
right sid e o f t h e f r a m e . 4 U N DEREXPOSE. U n d erexposing shifts the
A. f/8 to f/5.6 B. Overe x p o s i n g a n i m a g e .
h i s t ogram
B. ISO 1600 to ISO 1000 7 OVERE X P O S E . W h e n
A . To the right.
highligh t s a re c l i p p e d , n o
C. f/1.4 to f/1.8
data is p re s e n t i n t h a t a re a B . To the left.
of your i m a g e .
Yo u w i l l f i n d t h e a n s w e r s o n page 79.
5 O VEREXPOSE. Overexposing
True or Fa l s e ?
i s u sed for this creative t e c h nique
8 FLASH R E V I E W. A h i g h e r I S O while us i n g t h e f l a s h
A . H igh key A. Incre a s e s f l a s h p o w e r. B . L ow key B. Decre a s e s f l a s h p o w e r. C . S tudio 9 FLASH R E V I E W. To u s e f i l l flash, fi r s t e x p o s e f o r : A. Your s u b j e c t .
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EX P E R I M E N T & P L AY
WHAT’S RIGHT? C o r re c t i s c o r rect, but take it a little further for creative! O n c e y o u k n o w the rules of correct exposure, have fun b re a k i n g t h e m to create interesting, unique images.
T
hroughout class
in intere s t i n g p l a c e s i n y o u r
Shutter Speed
we’ve focused on
frame. S e e w h a t y o u c a n
Playing with your shutter
achieving a correct
create.
speed is the easiest way to
e x p osure. Moving away from
g e t c re a t i v e . I l o v e p l a y i n g
“ c o r rect” can help us get to
Underex p o s i n g
c re a tive.
Try und e re x p o s i n g . S t a r t
with shutter speed.
with on e s t o p t h e n t w o . Tr y
In low light situations, you
R u l e s are there to help us
under e x p o s i n g w h e n l i g h t
can have a lot of fun with
u n d erstand the process, but
is comin g d i re c t l y i n t o y o u r
lights! Grab a tripod, place your shutter on bulb, point
Rule are there to help us understand the process, but rules are made to be played with. That play can lead to creative results! Don’t be afraid to stretch things a bit.
your camera at something moving, and shoot. The shutter will stay open until y o u p re s s i t a g a i n . Slow the shutter down even m o re . S h o o t a g a i n .
r u l e s are also made to be
lens. Se e w h a t c re a t i v e
p l a y ed with.
composi t i o n y o u c a n f i n d t o
Move The Camera
make th e s u b j e c t s i n g .
We w o r k re a l l y h a r d t o k e e p
O v e rexposing
o u r c a m e r a s s t e a d y. W h a t i f
L e t ’s begin with
While w e a re b re a k i n g r u l e s ,
you move it while taking an
o v e rexposing. What happens
try a fe w o t h e r t e c h n i q u e s .
i m a g e ? W h a t i f y o u z oo m i n
w h e n you overexpose
and out while keeping your
s o m ething with strong
White Ba l a n c e
s h a dows?
Set you r i n d o o r w h i t e b a l a n c e
shutter open?
to an ou t s i d e s e t t i n g . S e t
Defying the rules is fun. Find
O v e rexpose on a bright sun-
your ou t d o o r w h i t e b a l a n c e
a light display or grab your
l i g h t day when shadows are
to tungs t e n . Tr i c k y o u r
own lights and slow your
s t ro ng. Overexpose one stop.
camera i n t o g i v i n g y o u r
shutter speed down to 1/10th
T h e n two. Focus on your com-
photos a b l u e h u e b y u s i n g a
o f a s e c o n d o r l e s s . P re s s
p o s i tion, placing the shadows
tungste n s e t t i n g i n d a y l i g h t .
your shutter and move your
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c a m e r a . See what results you
73
g e t . I t will take some play a n d p r actice to get it just right! P l a c e y our camera on a tripod a n d m ove your lens while k e e p i n g the camera steady. A f e w q u i ck steps and you can c re a t e interesting, moving re s u l t s . 1 . S e t your camera to apert u re priority(AV or A).* 2 . S e t your aperture to f/20. 3 . S e t your ISO to 100. 4 . S e c ure your camera to a t r i p od. 5 . P l a ce your hand on the z o o m ring of yo ur lens. 6 . P re s s the shutter button. 7 . S l o wly turn your zoom ring. 8 . C h e ck your results. Tr y zooming faster and s l o wer. In to out and out Photogra p h y a n d C re a t i v i t y
Fo r m e t h a t i s w h a t
Photogra p h y i s a b o u t c re a t-
photography is all about. That
* Yo u c an also use program
ing. It’s a b o u t s e e i n g . I t ’s
i s t h e g o o d s t u ff .
mo d e ( P) or manual mode
about cap t u r i n g t h e l i g h t .
( M ) f o r this technique.
Through p l a y y o u s u d d e n l y
t o i n.
discover h o w t h e p i e c e s a n d P l a y. H ave fun.
parts wor k t o g e t h e r. Yo u ’ l l reveal th i n g s a b o u t y o u r camera y o u m a y n o t h a v e known be f o re .
What is it for you?
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EX P E R I M E N T & P L AY
UNDEREXPOSING W h a t h a p p e n s when you intentionally underexpose? Watch y o u r s h a d o w s t ake on a new look. Underexposing shifts t h e h i s t o g r a m to the left in interesting ways.
Perfect isn’t always creative. Shift your histogram to the left to darken your shadows and make your photos a little more unusual and interesting. There are post processing benefits too!
T H E BASICS OF UNDEREXPOSING
the more d a t a i s s t a c k e d u p
A t t his point in class you
on the l e f t - h a n d - s i d e .
u n d erstand what happens
c a n ’t b e re c o v e re d . T h e re i s a g re a t e r r i s k o f
w h e n you underexpose an
THE BEN E F I T S O F
n o i s e i n s h a d o w a re a s w i t h
i m a ge. Underexposing leaves
UNDEREX P O S I N G
u n d e re x p o s u re .
y o u r whites, not quite white.
I find a n u n d e re x p o s e d i m a g e
Yo u r overall image has a gray
is easie r t o p o s t p ro c e s s t h a n
Keep in mind, OVEREXPOSED
c a s t to it. The shadow areas
an overe x p o s e d i m a g e . W h y ?
i m a g e s c o n t a i n m o re d a t a
a re very dark.
t h a n u n d e re x p o s e d . W h i l e Data ca n b e re c o v e re d m o re
t h e u n d e re x p o s e d i m a g e m a y
W h e n you look at the
easily w i t h u n d e re x p o s u re
b e e a s i e r t o p ro c e s s , t h e
h i s t ogram, your data sits on
than wit h a n o v e re x p o s u re .
o v e re x p o s e d i m a g e h a s a
t h e left-hand-side. The more
When th e h i g h l i g h t s a re
g re a t e r r a n g e o f d a t a t o w o r k
e x t reme the underexposure,
clipped, t h e d a t a i s g o n e a n d
with.
K a t r i n a K e n n e d y | E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e
I t i s a photographic trade-off
In Photo s h o p a d j u s t l e v e l s .
The technique of
t o c onsider when choosing
Select th e m i d t o n e s l i d e r.
u n d e re x p o s i n g p a r t s o f
y o u r exposure.
Move it t o t h e r i g h t u n t i l
your image is called low
your his t o g r a m i s m o re
k e y p h o t o g r a p h y. I t i s a n
evenly d i s t r i b u t e d
i n t e re s t i n g a n d c re a t i v e
I u n derexpose in situations w h e n there is a risk of
a p p ro a c h t o p h o t o g r a p h y.
c l i p ping highlights. Bright
CREATIVE U N D E R E X P O S I N G
d a y s and white scenes
Underex p o s u re i s n ’t
a re two examples. Slightly
always b a d . I t c a n b e u s e d
u n d erexposing is a more
creative l y. N o t e v e r y o n e
re l i able option.
agrees w i t h t h i s m e t h o d , b u t
Clipping refers to either overexposing or underexposing an image so extremel y that no data exists in your image file. To view clipping in camera, turn clipping on in your camera’s menu. Areas that have been clipped will blink when you view the image on your LCD screen. S AV I NG THE UNDEREXPOSED
it can p ro d u c e i n t e re s t i n g ,
I M A GE
artistic i m a g e s .
I f y ou unintentionally u n d erexpose an image,
Focus o n y o u r c o m p o s i t i o n
y o u can save it in post
when ch o o s i n g t o o v e re x p o s e .
p ro c essing. Here are a few
Look for s u b j e c t s w i t h
a d j u stments to use in the
strong s h a d o w s a n d s h a p e s .
d e v elop module of Lightroom.
Underex p o s e o n e , t w o , a n d even thre e s t o p s . T h i n k
E x p osure - adjusts image
about cre a t i n g l i n e s w i t h
b r i g htness.
your sha d o w s f o r m o re v i s u a l interest . T h e c re a t i v e re s u l t s
F i l l Light - lightens shadows,
may var y, b u t y o u ’ l l h a v e f u n
w h i l e retaining black tones.
in the p ro c e s s .
B l a c ks - increases the black
Conside r u n d e re x p o s i n g
t o n es in a photo.
parts of y o u r i m a g e t o maintai n c o r re c t e x p o s u re
B r i g htness - brightens the
in other p a r t s . I n t h e p h o t o
m i d tones in a photo.
on page 7 4 , I i n t e n t i o n a l l y underex p o s e d m y s o n ’s f a c e
C o n trast - gives contrast to
in order t o c o r re c t l y e x p o s e
i m a ge midtones
his surro u n d i n g s . N o t i c e h o w it intens i f i e s h i s s h a d o w.
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EX P E R I M E N T & P L AY
OVEREXPOSING O v e re x p o s i n g i s typically on the list of things to avoid. A l i t t l e p l a n n e d overexposing creates interesting images w i t h a u n i q u e look.
H
ave you ever inten-
Benefits o f O v e re x p o s i n g
T h i s re f e r s t o o v e re x p o s i n g
tionally overexposed
Sometim e s w e o v e re x p o s e
i m a g e s a s a re g u l a r p r a c t i c e .
an image?
to get a n i m a g e t h a t n e e d s
Images with histograms
little po s t p ro c e s s i n g . We a d d
shifted toward the right
M o s t of us work to achieve
that litt l e b i t o f e x t r a l i g h t
h a v e a g re a t e r r a n g e o f
a c o rrect exposure -- the
and can o v e rc o m e p r i n t e r
shadows to highlights. Many
p e r f ect balance of shadows
differen c e s t o a c h i e v e a n
photographers use it as a
a n d highlights with the
image w e l i k e .
s t a n d a r d p r a c t i c e . T h e re i s
m i d tones evenly distributed a c ro ss the histogram.
risk in clipping highlights There is m o re d a t a p re s e n t
and losing data.
when an i m a g e i s s l i g h t l y W h e n we overexpose our data
overexp o s e d t h a n w h e n
High Key Photography
i s s t acked to the right hand
underex p o s e d .
H i g h k e y p h o t o s a re a
s i d e of the histogram. Our
fun way to mix up your
p h o tos look almost white and
Shootin g To T h e R i g h t
p h o t o g r a p h y. T h i s t e c h n i q u e
t h e shadows disappear.
Have yo u h e a r d t h e t e r m
is often used in a studio,
“shootin g t o t h e r i g h t ” ?
b u t y o u c a n c re a t e i t o u t s i d e of a studio with a few adjustments to your settings. The typical high key photo has no shadows, and a white b a c k g ro u n d a n d i s o f t e n described as bright and h a p p y. T h e t e c h n i q u e c a n be achieved in camera or in p o s t p ro c e s s i n g . T h e b a s i c idea is to shoot in flat light a n d o v e re x p o s e a s m u c h a s 4 stops! The technique is called high
K a t r i n a K e n n e d y | E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e
k e y because the highlights
77
a re pushed as h igh as they c a n go. All of the tone keys a re pushed to the right-hand s i d e of the histogram. S o h ow do you achieve a high k e y photo? 1 . F ind a correct exposure, using any of the t echniques we’ve covered i n class. 2 . Adjust your shutter speed 2 to 4 stops slower to a llow more light to enter t he lens. Re m ember that shutter s p e ed works in stops just as a p e r tures do! As you move d o w n the list, you are letting t w i c e as much light into your c a m era. 1/1600 1/1000 1/500 1/250 1/125
The fina l h i g h k e y i m a g e w i l l have few t o n o s h a d o w s . T h e
1/60
histogra m i s s h i f t e d t o t h e right. Id e a l l y t h e d a t a i s n o t
1/30 3 . L eave your ISO and
clipped. The exam p l e s a b o v e s h o w t h e
a perture at their original
same sc e n e p h o t o g r a p h e d
“ correct” settings.
with a c o r re c t e x p o s u re a n d
4 . S hoot.
at four s t o p s o v e re x p o s e d .
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f/2 . 8 | S S 1 / 2 5 | I S O 1 0 0 0 | 1 6 0mm | Metering-Spot
MY EXPOSURE EXPOSED I love breaking rules. S o m e t i m e s o p p o r t u n i t i e s p re s e n t t h e m s e l v e s t o p l a y with settings in beau t i f u l s i t u a t i o n s . I c o u l d n ’t re s i s t c re a t i n g a h i g h k e y image while shooting a w e d d i n g .
T h e bride was preparing just moments b e f o re t h e c e re m o n y. A l l t h e h u s t l e a n d b u s t l e h a d s u b s ided and she took a quiet moment b e f o re w a l k i n g d o w n t h e a i s l e . H e r b r i d e s m a i d s s u r rounded her, but she was the subjec t o f m y l e n s .
T h e Details
I applie d a K e l s e y S m i t h b l a c k
photograph in this manner?
I t o ok this photo in the
and whi t e p re s e t , m a k i n g
Wo u l d y o u r p o s t p ro c e s s-
b e d room of a home at
several a d j u s t m e n t s t o t h e
i n g b e d i ff e re n t ? S h a re y o u r
4 : 0 9 PM on August 6th, 2011.
photo a f t e r t h e p re s e t .
t h o u g h t s i n t h e f o r u m.
S h e was side lit by a sliding g l a s s door to he r right.
Black Cl i p p i n g - 1 3 Exposure + 1 . 9
I u s ed my 70-200mm lens on m y Canon 5D Mark II.
I croppe d t h e b a c k g ro u n d f ro m the pho t o t o e m p h a s i z e h e r
M y Technique
face.
I s e l ected an aperture of f / 2 . 8 to gather t he most light
Look Wi t h a C r i t i c a l E y e
a n d blur the bridesmaids in
Take a l o o k a t m y p h o t o w i t h
t h e background.
a critica l e y e . H o w d o e s t h e high key e ff e c t c h a n g e t h i s
I s p ot metered, exposing for
photo? Wo u l d i t h a v e t h e s a m e
h e r cheek. I then adjusted
mood if e x p o s e d c o r re c t l y
m y shutter spee d several
rather t h a n c re a t i v e l y ?
s t o p s slower. I held my b re a th, steadied the camera,
What ch o i c e s w o u l d y o u m a k e
a n d hoped to avoid camera
in a sim i l a r s i t u a t i o n ? Wa s i t
s h a k e. Perhaps not the
too risk y t o s h o o t a w e d d i n g
w i s est example of breaking t h e rules! M y I SO was 1000 to collect m o re light in a low light s i t u ation while shooting with a l o ng lens. Po s t Processing I s h ot this in RAW. I used L i g h troom to fine-tune the h i g h key effect. I s t a rted by adjusting my w h i t e balance. M y settings were: E x p osure +.35 H i g h light Recovery +18 C l a r i ty +43
TEST WHAT YOU KNOW ANSWERS. 1. B 2. A 3. B 4. B 5. A 6. B 7 . True 8. B 9. B 1 0. A H ow did you d o ? Try it at the b e g inning and end o f class. Review the l e s son for what you
got wrong. Give it a try again. If something doesn’t make sense, please ask in the forums. I’ll happily explain each answer in more detail. I’m here for you!
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EX P E R I M E N T & P L AY
FINAL EXAM Wo w ! Yo u ’ v e m ade it. Are you ready for your final exam? T h e f i n a l e x a m brings together everything you’ve covered s o f a r. H a v e f u n.
I
hope you have enjoyed EXPOSURE. My goal throughout class was to
h e l p you achieve the best p h o tographic results you can. T h a nk you for being part o f E xposure. I hope you’ve e n j o yed class and have had f u n learning with me. Re v i ew the Progress Report o n page 5 to see how far y o u ’ ve come! Fo r the following a s s i gnments, try shooting w i t h out looking at your h i s t ogram. Use the t e c h niques we’ve covered in c l a s s to create each image.
K a t r i n a K e n n e d y | E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e
A s s i gnment #1: Over & Under
Assignm e n t # 2 : Po r t r a i t
Assignment #3: Landscape
S e l e ct any subject for this
Find a h u m a n , c o o p e r a t i v e
Step outside for this
a s s i gnment. Shoot first in an
subject. P l a c e t h e m n e a r
assignment. Find a natural
e v e nly lit area and then in
a light s o u rc e . C re a t e a
s e t t i n g t o c re a t e a l a n d s c a p e
m o re direct, intense light.
correctl y e x p o s e d i m a g e u s i n g
p h o t o . C re a t e a c o r re c t l y
Ta k e two photographs in each
any of t h e m e t h o d s d e s c r i b e d
exposed image using any of
l i g h t situation.
in class .
the methods described in class.
1 . Obtain a correct exposure.
Suggest e d t e c h n i q u e s : Suggested techniques:
2 . Overexpose t wo stops.
• Hand + 1 R u l e • B ro t h e r B l u e S k y
3 . S hoot
• Gray c a r d • M r. G re e n J e a n s
4 . Underexpose two stops.
• Skin • Sunny 16
5 . S hoot. 6 . Repeat in your second l ight situatio n. 7 . Compare results. S h a re & A s k S h a re y o u r p h o t o s i n t h e
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? How far have yo u c o m e s i n c e th e b e g i n n i n g o f cl a s s ? D o y o u k n o w so m e t h i n g n o w t h a t yo u d i d n ’t k n o w s i x we e k s a g o ? H o w a re y o u u s i n g yo u r c a m e r a t o d a y th a t y o u we re n ’t ab l e t o w h e n c l a s s st a r t e d . Keep challenging yo u r s e l f . Ke e p t r y i n g ne w s e t t i n g s a n d
g a l l e r y. We ’ d l o v e t o s e e them! Please post any questions you have in the forum.
n e w t echniques. The m o re you practice, t h e m ore skilled you w i l l b ecome. E n j o y the process.
Yo u c a n a l w a y s s e n d m e a personal e-mail as well. k a t r i n a @ k a t r i n a k e n n e d y. c o m A l i t t l e m o re p r a c t i c e M y w e b s i t e , C a p t u re Yo u r 3 6 5, is filled with ideas and t e c h n i q u e s f o r i m p ro vi n g y o u r p h o t o g r a p h y. S t o p b y. S a y h e l l o . T h e re i s a l w a y s m o re t o l e a r n !
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70
QU I Z : E X P E R I M E N T & P L AY
TEST WHAT YOU KNOW Yo u ’ v e m a d e i t to your last lesson! I hope it has been a f u n e x p e r i e n c e ! This is your last quiz. Take your time. H o l d y o u r c a m era. Test your knowledge.
L e t ’s t e s t y o u r k n o w l e d g e o f s o m e e x p e r i m e n t a l m et h o d s . 1 W H AT ’ S R I G H T ? S l o w i n g y o u r shutter speed A . C a p t u re s d e t a i l . B . C a p t u re s m o t i o n . C. Stops motion. 2 W H AT ’ S R I G H T ? To c re a t e a blue hued photo, change your white balance to A . Tu n g s t e n w h e n s h o o t i n g i n daylight. B. Flash when shooting indoors. C. Sunny when shooting indoors. 3 U N D E R E X P O S E. W h e n u n d e re x p o s i n g , t h e i m a g e f i l e is A . L a r g e r t h a n a n o v e re x p o s e d image file.
K a t r i n a K e n n e d y | E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e
Correct is good.
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Creative is fun. Use your knowledge of correct exposure to move into creative! B . S maller than an
6 OVERE X P O S E . S h o o t t o t h e
o v e rexposed image file.
right ref e r s t o
B . T h e b a c k g ro u n d . 10 EXPOSURE TRIANGLE
C . T he same size as an
A. Comp o s i n g a n i m a g e w i t h
R E V I E W. W h i c h i s a o n e s t o p
o v e rexposed image file.
the sub j e c t ’s w e i g h t o n t h e
d i ff e re n c e ?
right sid e o f t h e f r a m e . 4 U N DEREXPOSE. U n d erexposing shifts the
A. f/8 to f/5.6 B. Overe x p o s i n g a n i m a g e .
h i s t ogram
B. ISO 1600 to ISO 1000 7 OVERE X P O S E . W h e n
A . To the right.
highligh t s a re c l i p p e d , n o
C. f/1.4 to f/1.8
data is p re s e n t i n t h a t a re a B . To the left.
of your i m a g e .
Yo u w i l l f i n d t h e a n s w e r s o n page 79.
5 O VEREXPOSE. Overexposing
True or Fa l s e ?
i s u sed for this creative t e c h nique
8 FLASH R E V I E W. A h i g h e r I S O while us i n g t h e f l a s h
A . H igh key A. Incre a s e s f l a s h p o w e r. B . L ow key B. Decre a s e s f l a s h p o w e r. C . S tudio 9 FLASH R E V I E W. To u s e f i l l flash, fi r s t e x p o s e f o r : A. Your s u b j e c t .
E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e | K a t r i n a K e n n e d y
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EX P E R I M E N T & P L AY
WHAT’S RIGHT? C o r re c t i s c o r rect, but take it a little further for creative! O n c e y o u k n o w the rules of correct exposure, have fun b re a k i n g t h e m to create interesting, unique images.
T
hroughout class
in intere s t i n g p l a c e s i n y o u r
Shutter Speed
we’ve focused on
frame. S e e w h a t y o u c a n
Playing with your shutter
achieving a correct
create.
speed is the easiest way to
e x p osure. Moving away from
g e t c re a t i v e . I l o v e p l a y i n g
“ c o r rect” can help us get to
Underex p o s i n g
c re a tive.
Try und e re x p o s i n g . S t a r t
with shutter speed.
with on e s t o p t h e n t w o . Tr y
In low light situations, you
R u l e s are there to help us
under e x p o s i n g w h e n l i g h t
can have a lot of fun with
u n d erstand the process, but
is comin g d i re c t l y i n t o y o u r
lights! Grab a tripod, place your shutter on bulb, point
Rule are there to help us understand the process, but rules are made to be played with. That play can lead to creative results! Don’t be afraid to stretch things a bit.
your camera at something moving, and shoot. The shutter will stay open until y o u p re s s i t a g a i n . Slow the shutter down even m o re . S h o o t a g a i n .
r u l e s are also made to be
lens. Se e w h a t c re a t i v e
p l a y ed with.
composi t i o n y o u c a n f i n d t o
Move The Camera
make th e s u b j e c t s i n g .
We w o r k re a l l y h a r d t o k e e p
O v e rexposing
o u r c a m e r a s s t e a d y. W h a t i f
L e t ’s begin with
While w e a re b re a k i n g r u l e s ,
you move it while taking an
o v e rexposing. What happens
try a fe w o t h e r t e c h n i q u e s .
i m a g e ? W h a t i f y o u z oo m i n
w h e n you overexpose
and out while keeping your
s o m ething with strong
White Ba l a n c e
s h a dows?
Set you r i n d o o r w h i t e b a l a n c e
shutter open?
to an ou t s i d e s e t t i n g . S e t
Defying the rules is fun. Find
O v e rexpose on a bright sun-
your ou t d o o r w h i t e b a l a n c e
a light display or grab your
l i g h t day when shadows are
to tungs t e n . Tr i c k y o u r
own lights and slow your
s t ro ng. Overexpose one stop.
camera i n t o g i v i n g y o u r
shutter speed down to 1/10th
T h e n two. Focus on your com-
photos a b l u e h u e b y u s i n g a
o f a s e c o n d o r l e s s . P re s s
p o s i tion, placing the shadows
tungste n s e t t i n g i n d a y l i g h t .
your shutter and move your
K a t r i n a K e n n e d y | E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e
c a m e r a . See what results you
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g e t . I t will take some play a n d p r actice to get it just right! P l a c e y our camera on a tripod a n d m ove your lens while k e e p i n g the camera steady. A f e w q u i ck steps and you can c re a t e interesting, moving re s u l t s . 1 . S e t your camera to apert u re priority(AV or A).* 2 . S e t your aperture to f/20. 3 . S e t your ISO to 100. 4 . S e c ure your camera to a t r i p od. 5 . P l a ce your hand on the z o o m ring of yo ur lens. 6 . P re s s the shutter button. 7 . S l o wly turn your zoom ring. 8 . C h e ck your results. Tr y zooming faster and s l o wer. In to out and out Photogra p h y a n d C re a t i v i t y
Fo r m e t h a t i s w h a t
Photogra p h y i s a b o u t c re a t-
photography is all about. That
* Yo u c an also use program
ing. It’s a b o u t s e e i n g . I t ’s
i s t h e g o o d s t u ff .
mo d e ( P) or manual mode
about cap t u r i n g t h e l i g h t .
( M ) f o r this technique.
Through p l a y y o u s u d d e n l y
t o i n.
discover h o w t h e p i e c e s a n d P l a y. H ave fun.
parts wor k t o g e t h e r. Yo u ’ l l reveal th i n g s a b o u t y o u r camera y o u m a y n o t h a v e known be f o re .
What is it for you?
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EX P E R I M E N T & P L AY
UNDEREXPOSING W h a t h a p p e n s when you intentionally underexpose? Watch y o u r s h a d o w s t ake on a new look. Underexposing shifts t h e h i s t o g r a m to the left in interesting ways.
Perfect isn’t always creative. Shift your histogram to the left to darken your shadows and make your photos a little more unusual and interesting. There are post processing benefits too!
T H E BASICS OF UNDEREXPOSING
the more d a t a i s s t a c k e d u p
A t t his point in class you
on the l e f t - h a n d - s i d e .
u n d erstand what happens
c a n ’t b e re c o v e re d . T h e re i s a g re a t e r r i s k o f
w h e n you underexpose an
THE BEN E F I T S O F
n o i s e i n s h a d o w a re a s w i t h
i m a ge. Underexposing leaves
UNDEREX P O S I N G
u n d e re x p o s u re .
y o u r whites, not quite white.
I find a n u n d e re x p o s e d i m a g e
Yo u r overall image has a gray
is easie r t o p o s t p ro c e s s t h a n
Keep in mind, OVEREXPOSED
c a s t to it. The shadow areas
an overe x p o s e d i m a g e . W h y ?
i m a g e s c o n t a i n m o re d a t a
a re very dark.
t h a n u n d e re x p o s e d . W h i l e Data ca n b e re c o v e re d m o re
t h e u n d e re x p o s e d i m a g e m a y
W h e n you look at the
easily w i t h u n d e re x p o s u re
b e e a s i e r t o p ro c e s s , t h e
h i s t ogram, your data sits on
than wit h a n o v e re x p o s u re .
o v e re x p o s e d i m a g e h a s a
t h e left-hand-side. The more
When th e h i g h l i g h t s a re
g re a t e r r a n g e o f d a t a t o w o r k
e x t reme the underexposure,
clipped, t h e d a t a i s g o n e a n d
with.
K a t r i n a K e n n e d y | E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e
I t i s a photographic trade-off
In Photo s h o p a d j u s t l e v e l s .
The technique of
t o c onsider when choosing
Select th e m i d t o n e s l i d e r.
u n d e re x p o s i n g p a r t s o f
y o u r exposure.
Move it t o t h e r i g h t u n t i l
your image is called low
your his t o g r a m i s m o re
k e y p h o t o g r a p h y. I t i s a n
evenly d i s t r i b u t e d
i n t e re s t i n g a n d c re a t i v e
I u n derexpose in situations w h e n there is a risk of
a p p ro a c h t o p h o t o g r a p h y.
c l i p ping highlights. Bright
CREATIVE U N D E R E X P O S I N G
d a y s and white scenes
Underex p o s u re i s n ’t
a re two examples. Slightly
always b a d . I t c a n b e u s e d
u n d erexposing is a more
creative l y. N o t e v e r y o n e
re l i able option.
agrees w i t h t h i s m e t h o d , b u t
Clipping refers to either overexposing or underexposing an image so extremel y that no data exists in your image file. To view clipping in camera, turn clipping on in your camera’s menu. Areas that have been clipped will blink when you view the image on your LCD screen. S AV I NG THE UNDEREXPOSED
it can p ro d u c e i n t e re s t i n g ,
I M A GE
artistic i m a g e s .
I f y ou unintentionally u n d erexpose an image,
Focus o n y o u r c o m p o s i t i o n
y o u can save it in post
when ch o o s i n g t o o v e re x p o s e .
p ro c essing. Here are a few
Look for s u b j e c t s w i t h
a d j u stments to use in the
strong s h a d o w s a n d s h a p e s .
d e v elop module of Lightroom.
Underex p o s e o n e , t w o , a n d even thre e s t o p s . T h i n k
E x p osure - adjusts image
about cre a t i n g l i n e s w i t h
b r i g htness.
your sha d o w s f o r m o re v i s u a l interest . T h e c re a t i v e re s u l t s
F i l l Light - lightens shadows,
may var y, b u t y o u ’ l l h a v e f u n
w h i l e retaining black tones.
in the p ro c e s s .
B l a c ks - increases the black
Conside r u n d e re x p o s i n g
t o n es in a photo.
parts of y o u r i m a g e t o maintai n c o r re c t e x p o s u re
B r i g htness - brightens the
in other p a r t s . I n t h e p h o t o
m i d tones in a photo.
on page 7 4 , I i n t e n t i o n a l l y underex p o s e d m y s o n ’s f a c e
C o n trast - gives contrast to
in order t o c o r re c t l y e x p o s e
i m a ge midtones
his surro u n d i n g s . N o t i c e h o w it intens i f i e s h i s s h a d o w.
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E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e | K a t r i n a K e n n e d y
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EX P E R I M E N T & P L AY
OVEREXPOSING O v e re x p o s i n g i s typically on the list of things to avoid. A l i t t l e p l a n n e d overexposing creates interesting images w i t h a u n i q u e look.
H
ave you ever inten-
Benefits o f O v e re x p o s i n g
T h i s re f e r s t o o v e re x p o s i n g
tionally overexposed
Sometim e s w e o v e re x p o s e
i m a g e s a s a re g u l a r p r a c t i c e .
an image?
to get a n i m a g e t h a t n e e d s
Images with histograms
little po s t p ro c e s s i n g . We a d d
shifted toward the right
M o s t of us work to achieve
that litt l e b i t o f e x t r a l i g h t
h a v e a g re a t e r r a n g e o f
a c o rrect exposure -- the
and can o v e rc o m e p r i n t e r
shadows to highlights. Many
p e r f ect balance of shadows
differen c e s t o a c h i e v e a n
photographers use it as a
a n d highlights with the
image w e l i k e .
s t a n d a r d p r a c t i c e . T h e re i s
m i d tones evenly distributed a c ro ss the histogram.
risk in clipping highlights There is m o re d a t a p re s e n t
and losing data.
when an i m a g e i s s l i g h t l y W h e n we overexpose our data
overexp o s e d t h a n w h e n
High Key Photography
i s s t acked to the right hand
underex p o s e d .
H i g h k e y p h o t o s a re a
s i d e of the histogram. Our
fun way to mix up your
p h o tos look almost white and
Shootin g To T h e R i g h t
p h o t o g r a p h y. T h i s t e c h n i q u e
t h e shadows disappear.
Have yo u h e a r d t h e t e r m
is often used in a studio,
“shootin g t o t h e r i g h t ” ?
b u t y o u c a n c re a t e i t o u t s i d e of a studio with a few adjustments to your settings. The typical high key photo has no shadows, and a white b a c k g ro u n d a n d i s o f t e n described as bright and h a p p y. T h e t e c h n i q u e c a n be achieved in camera or in p o s t p ro c e s s i n g . T h e b a s i c idea is to shoot in flat light a n d o v e re x p o s e a s m u c h a s 4 stops! The technique is called high
K a t r i n a K e n n e d y | E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e
k e y because the highlights
77
a re pushed as h igh as they c a n go. All of the tone keys a re pushed to the right-hand s i d e of the histogram. S o h ow do you achieve a high k e y photo? 1 . F ind a correct exposure, using any of the t echniques we’ve covered i n class. 2 . Adjust your shutter speed 2 to 4 stops slower to a llow more light to enter t he lens. Re m ember that shutter s p e ed works in stops just as a p e r tures do! As you move d o w n the list, you are letting t w i c e as much light into your c a m era. 1/1600 1/1000 1/500 1/250 1/125
The fina l h i g h k e y i m a g e w i l l have few t o n o s h a d o w s . T h e
1/60
histogra m i s s h i f t e d t o t h e right. Id e a l l y t h e d a t a i s n o t
1/30 3 . L eave your ISO and
clipped. The exam p l e s a b o v e s h o w t h e
a perture at their original
same sc e n e p h o t o g r a p h e d
“ correct” settings.
with a c o r re c t e x p o s u re a n d
4 . S hoot.
at four s t o p s o v e re x p o s e d .
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f/2 . 8 | S S 1 / 2 5 | I S O 1 0 0 0 | 1 6 0mm | Metering-Spot
MY EXPOSURE EXPOSED I love breaking rules. S o m e t i m e s o p p o r t u n i t i e s p re s e n t t h e m s e l v e s t o p l a y with settings in beau t i f u l s i t u a t i o n s . I c o u l d n ’t re s i s t c re a t i n g a h i g h k e y image while shooting a w e d d i n g .
T h e bride was preparing just moments b e f o re t h e c e re m o n y. A l l t h e h u s t l e a n d b u s t l e h a d s u b s ided and she took a quiet moment b e f o re w a l k i n g d o w n t h e a i s l e . H e r b r i d e s m a i d s s u r rounded her, but she was the subjec t o f m y l e n s .
T h e Details
I applie d a K e l s e y S m i t h b l a c k
photograph in this manner?
I t o ok this photo in the
and whi t e p re s e t , m a k i n g
Wo u l d y o u r p o s t p ro c e s s-
b e d room of a home at
several a d j u s t m e n t s t o t h e
i n g b e d i ff e re n t ? S h a re y o u r
4 : 0 9 PM on August 6th, 2011.
photo a f t e r t h e p re s e t .
t h o u g h t s i n t h e f o r u m.
S h e was side lit by a sliding g l a s s door to he r right.
Black Cl i p p i n g - 1 3 Exposure + 1 . 9
I u s ed my 70-200mm lens on m y Canon 5D Mark II.
I croppe d t h e b a c k g ro u n d f ro m the pho t o t o e m p h a s i z e h e r
M y Technique
face.
I s e l ected an aperture of f / 2 . 8 to gather t he most light
Look Wi t h a C r i t i c a l E y e
a n d blur the bridesmaids in
Take a l o o k a t m y p h o t o w i t h
t h e background.
a critica l e y e . H o w d o e s t h e high key e ff e c t c h a n g e t h i s
I s p ot metered, exposing for
photo? Wo u l d i t h a v e t h e s a m e
h e r cheek. I then adjusted
mood if e x p o s e d c o r re c t l y
m y shutter spee d several
rather t h a n c re a t i v e l y ?
s t o p s slower. I held my b re a th, steadied the camera,
What ch o i c e s w o u l d y o u m a k e
a n d hoped to avoid camera
in a sim i l a r s i t u a t i o n ? Wa s i t
s h a k e. Perhaps not the
too risk y t o s h o o t a w e d d i n g
w i s est example of breaking t h e rules! M y I SO was 1000 to collect m o re light in a low light s i t u ation while shooting with a l o ng lens. Po s t Processing I s h ot this in RAW. I used L i g h troom to fine-tune the h i g h key effect. I s t a rted by adjusting my w h i t e balance. M y settings were: E x p osure +.35 H i g h light Recovery +18 C l a r i ty +43
TEST WHAT YOU KNOW ANSWERS. 1. B 2. A 3. B 4. B 5. A 6. B 7 . True 8. B 9. B 1 0. A H ow did you d o ? Try it at the b e g inning and end o f class. Review the l e s son for what you
got wrong. Give it a try again. If something doesn’t make sense, please ask in the forums. I’ll happily explain each answer in more detail. I’m here for you!
E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e | K a t r i n a K e n n e d y
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EX P E R I M E N T & P L AY
FINAL EXAM Wo w ! Yo u ’ v e m ade it. Are you ready for your final exam? T h e f i n a l e x a m brings together everything you’ve covered s o f a r. H a v e f u n.
I
hope you have enjoyed EXPOSURE. My goal throughout class was to
h e l p you achieve the best p h o tographic results you can. T h a nk you for being part o f E xposure. I hope you’ve e n j o yed class and have had f u n learning with me. Re v i ew the Progress Report o n page 5 to see how far y o u ’ ve come! Fo r the following a s s i gnments, try shooting w i t h out looking at your h i s t ogram. Use the t e c h niques we’ve covered in c l a s s to create each image.
K a t r i n a K e n n e d y | E X P O S U R E C o r r e c t To C r e a t i v e
A s s i gnment #1: Over & Under
Assignm e n t # 2 : Po r t r a i t
Assignment #3: Landscape
S e l e ct any subject for this
Find a h u m a n , c o o p e r a t i v e
Step outside for this
a s s i gnment. Shoot first in an
subject. P l a c e t h e m n e a r
assignment. Find a natural
e v e nly lit area and then in
a light s o u rc e . C re a t e a
s e t t i n g t o c re a t e a l a n d s c a p e
m o re direct, intense light.
correctl y e x p o s e d i m a g e u s i n g
p h o t o . C re a t e a c o r re c t l y
Ta k e two photographs in each
any of t h e m e t h o d s d e s c r i b e d
exposed image using any of
l i g h t situation.
in class .
the methods described in class.
1 . Obtain a correct exposure.
Suggest e d t e c h n i q u e s : Suggested techniques:
2 . Overexpose t wo stops.
• Hand + 1 R u l e • B ro t h e r B l u e S k y
3 . S hoot
• Gray c a r d • M r. G re e n J e a n s
4 . Underexpose two stops.
• Skin • Sunny 16
5 . S hoot. 6 . Repeat in your second l ight situatio n. 7 . Compare results. S h a re & A s k S h a re y o u r p h o t o s i n t h e
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? How far have yo u c o m e s i n c e th e b e g i n n i n g o f cl a s s ? D o y o u k n o w so m e t h i n g n o w t h a t yo u d i d n ’t k n o w s i x we e k s a g o ? H o w a re y o u u s i n g yo u r c a m e r a t o d a y th a t y o u we re n ’t ab l e t o w h e n c l a s s st a r t e d . Keep challenging yo u r s e l f . Ke e p t r y i n g ne w s e t t i n g s a n d
g a l l e r y. We ’ d l o v e t o s e e them! Please post any questions you have in the forum.
n e w t echniques. The m o re you practice, t h e m ore skilled you w i l l b ecome. E n j o y the process.
Yo u c a n a l w a y s s e n d m e a personal e-mail as well. k a t r i n a @ k a t r i n a k e n n e d y. c o m A l i t t l e m o re p r a c t i c e M y w e b s i t e , C a p t u re Yo u r 3 6 5, is filled with ideas and t e c h n i q u e s f o r i m p ro vi n g y o u r p h o t o g r a p h y. S t o p b y. S a y h e l l o . T h e re i s a l w a y s m o re t o l e a r n !
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