LECTURE OUTCOMES  Important because it highlights what’s important

in the photo and what isn’t. The viewer depends

 Value photography as one of the modern forms of art. on what’s focused as a guide for analyzing the
 Define photography from the artistic point of view and composition and exploring the image.
familiarize yourself with the techniques of producing a
good photograph.  Lighting
 Characterize and define narratives, appropriation,  Refers to how the light source, which can be
borrowings, and ownership of the artists or any natural or artificial, is positioned in relation to
agency in the art world. your subject. The position and quality of light
 Develop students’ artistic ability in any form they can affect any number of things in your final
would like to appropriate an art. photo, from clarity to tone to emotion and so
much more.
PHOTOGRAPHY AS AN ART FORM  A light source impacts everything in
photography including the character, separation,
 It is a process in which images (light reflections) are colors, textures, mood and the story of the
marked on light-sensitive material. image.
 From Greek words, photos or phos (light) and graphe  Example: Sunkissed, natural light, front light
(lines or drawing). (ring light example), backlight (silhouette), soft
 Described as the art of creating or drawing durable light (diffuse), hard light (direct to the subject).
images by recording light using either photographic
film or image sensor (Spencer, 1973).  Exposure
 When a photograph is made, light or some other form  The overall brightness or darkness of a
of radiant energy, such as an X-ray, is used to record photograph. More specifically, it’s the amount of
a picture of an object or scene on a light-sensitive light that reaches the film or camera sensor
surface. when a picture is being taken. The more you
expose the film or camera sensor to light, the
 Today, it is a powerful means of communication and lighter your photo will be. The less light, the
a mode of visual expression that touches human life darker your photo will be.
in many ways (Eder, 1945).
 For example, photography has become popular How do you determine the correct exposure?
as a means of recording memories. Most of the 1. Shutter Speed. This is how long the shutter is
billions of photographs taken today are open, expressed as a measurement of time. For
snapshots – casual records to document example, 1/100 means that your shutter is open
personal events such as vacations, birthdays, for 1/100th of a second. The longer the shutter is
and weddings. open, the brighter the photograph will be, as
 The art of photography is based on the artist’s there was more time to let in the light.
selection of the image and the overall composition of
the photo. 2. Aperture. This is how big the opening is that lets
light in, expressed in f-stops. F-stops are
PRINCIPLES OF PHOTOGRAPHY counterintuitive, because the larger the number,
the smaller the opening. For example, f/2.8
 Focusing allows twice as much light into the camera as f4,
 Process of adjusting the lens to find the and 16 times as much light as f11. Aperture
maximum resolution, sharpness, and contrast affects the depth of field: Larger openings create
for your chosen subject.
 a shallower depth of field, while smaller openings subject/s are at intersection points and lines align
make more of the image in focus. with guidelines.

3. ISO. This is how sensitive your camera’s sensor  Leading Lines

is to light, expressed in a number. The higher the  A compositional technique where human-made
ISO number, the more sensitive your camera will or natural lines lead the viewer's eyes through a
be to light. photograph to the subject or the heart of the
image.
 Composition  Lines lead the eye towards the subject. There are
 It refers to the way you position the elements of many different types of line - straight, diagonal,
a scene within the frame such that your curvy, zigzag, radial etc. Each can be used to
photograph tells a story or conveys a message. enhance our photo's composition.
 Hence, it gives a structure to your photo.
 It also determines how your image appeals to  Shallow Depth of Field
your viewer and attracts them.  A shallow depth of field refers to an effect where
very little of the image is in focus.
 For instance, an image might include an in-focus
COMPOSITIONAL TECHNIQUES IN PHOTOGRAPHY subject, but have a blurred-out background. This
is common in portrait photography.
 Framing
 Framing is a popular compositional technique Why is a shallow depth of field effect important?
that involves using elements of a scene to create 1. A shallow depth of field separates the subject
a frame around your subject. This may serve to from the background, helping the subject stand
emphasize your subject but can also provide out.
context and help you tell a story through your 2. A shallow depth of field generally blurs the
image. background.
 For example, if you shoot the view from your
bedroom window, but don’t include the window  Deep Depth of Field
frame or any part of the room, the viewer will  Entire shot remains in focus.
have no way of knowing that you were inside  Deep depth of field effects is common in
looking out, and it would look like any other landscape photography, where detail is a key
landscape or cityscape image. This is just a basic compositional element.
example, but the possibilities are endless. For
instance, you might do the same thing using a  Contrast
doorway, a bookshelf, a mirror, or even the  It is created when two or more opposing
branches of a tree or shrub. elements are present in a photograph. Light
against dark, warm against cool. But contrast
 Rule of Thirds includes physical elements too. Texture is
 A composition guideline that places your subject another way to utilize the principle of contrast in
in the left or right third of an image, leaving the photography.
other two thirds more open. While there are other  Main purpose is to emphasis difference but can
forms of composition, the rule of thirds generally be distracting if they weren’t properly used.
leads to compelling and well-composed shots.
 Divide your photo into thirds horizontally and  Balancing Elements
vertically. Try to arrange subjects so that the
  Placing your main subject off-center, as with the the window would be perfect for shooting
rule of thirds, creates a more interesting photo, silhouettes.
but it can leave a void in the scene which can
make it feel empty. You can achieve a balanced APPROPRIATION
composition and even out the main subject's
"visual weight" by including another object of  In the visual arts, the term appropriation often refers
lesser importance to fill the space. to the use of borrowed elements in the creation of
 Symmetry and Pattern new work.
 We are surrounded by symmetry and patterns,  The borrowed elements may include images, forms,
both natural and man-made. They can make for or styles from art history, or from popular culture, or
very eye-catching compositions, particularly in materials and techniques from non-art contexts.
situations where they are not expected. Another  Since the 1980s, the term has also referred more
great way to use them is to break the symmetry specifically to quoting the work of another artist to
or pattern in some way, introducing tension and a create a new work.
focal point to the scene.
Appropriation may be carried out for various reasons…
 Viewpoint  Pay respect or admire other art (homage).
 Before photographing your subject, take time to  Create new meaning.
think about where you will shoot it from. Our  To challenge ideas about art or topics.
viewpoint has a massive impact on the  To learn style or technique.
composition of our photo, and as a result it can  Question the concept of originality or artistic tradition.
greatly affect the message that the shot conveys.
Rather than just shooting from eye level, Appropriation is not just copying as it is consciously trying
consider photographing from high above, down to communicate through borrowing.
at ground level, from the side, from the back,
from a long way away, from very close up, and POSIT FIVE ACTS OF CULTURAL APPROPRIATION
so on.
 Object Appropriation
 Use Shadows  Content
 Shadows can be used in photography to employ  Style
many of the composition techniques we already  Motif
discussed, for example to add depth, texture and  Subject
contrast to an image. They can also help you
draw attention to specific points in your photos or
add a sense of drama or mystery.
 If you want to start using shadows in your
composition, make a habit of spending a few
moments taking in a scene before you start
shooting. Ask yourself where the light is coming
from and how you can use this to your
advantage. For instance, you might notice that
the sunlight pouring through the shutters is
creating interesting patterns on a person sitting
nearby. Or maybe the harsh light coming from