Shutter School: Learning to Love Your Lens

Lesson #6: Self-Timer--due September 20th

2009-09-07T19:06:00.006-05:00

3, 2, 1, Snap! Use the self-timer to capture self-portraits. When using the self-timer, first depress the shutter button halfway to lock focus and exposure. Then fully depress the shutter-release button to trigger the timer. When the shutter-button is pressed, the photo-taker must hurry into position…hopefully before the shutter goes off. Many digital cameras let you select the time it

Lesson #5: Macro Mode--WrapUp

2009-08-23T19:37:00.005-05:00

We gave Macro mode a try this weekend, but since it was Rob's and my first time getting up close like that, I'm not sure we've totally mastered the technique. We went for the more still life approach rather than the traditional flower approach. That's our style... and most of our plants around here are thirsty.We kept trying to decide whether our photos were just zoomed-in photos or actually "

Lesson #5: Macro Mode--due August 23

2009-08-09T17:24:00.006-05:00

Getting in closeMacro mode is used for capturing up close details of often small subjects.Most cameras use a flower symbol to represent Macro mode. Sometimes it is also represented by the letters "MF," which stands for "macro focus."Macro mode tells your camera to focus on a subject closer to your lens than the usual focal range, and will tell your camera to choose a large aperture (allow a lot

Lesson #4: Leading Lines--due August 2

2009-07-22T11:20:00.005-05:00

Following the LeaderUse leading lines to draw the viewer's eye through the photograph.Lines can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or even curved.Use leading lines to draw the viewer's attention to the focal point.Examples:From hubertk.From Alex Guerra.From arturodonate.Resources:"Better Photo Tips: Lines in your Photos" by Tedric Garrison."Leading Lines" from photoinf.com."Assignment 8: Leading

Lesson #3: Framing--Wrap Up

2009-07-19T12:46:00.005-05:00

I don't know about you but I was busy this week, and it was difficult to squeeze in the third photo assignment into my crammed schedule. Luckily a trip to the zoo and carrying my point-and-shoot in my purse allowed me to capture a couple of great framing shots.But I'm going to keep this technique in the back of my head as we move forward because even with the few images that I captured, I can see

Lesson #3: Framing--due July 19th!

2009-07-07T20:55:00.003-05:00

On the edge!Use foreground elements to frame your photo's subject.Architectural elements work well (windows, doorways, arches, and so on), but you can find any number of interesting elements to use for framing your photos.Make sure not to overpower the subject!This might be a good lesson to begin practicing depth-of-field. (we will have an upcoming lesson that addresses this more fully!) D of F

Lesson #2: View Angles--WrapUp

2009-07-05T13:47:00.006-05:00

Woohoo! We completed the second Shutter School lesson.This past week and a half we explored the world from a new perspective. We had to stand on chairs and get down on our bellies, but the photos from this assignment have an added level of intrigue. The unique view angles forced us to look at things differently, to consider them from another angle, to really understand how they interact with the

Just in time for the Fourth!

2009-07-02T13:09:00.003-05:00

Extra! Extra! If you're headed out for an amazing Fourth of July fireworks celebration, don't forget your camera! Here are some tips for capturing the awesome light displays as they illuminate the sky.From JuanJ. "11 Tips for Sparkling Fireworks Photos" from Photojojo."How to Photograph Fireworks Displays" by Darren Rowse."How to Take Great Fireworks Photos" by Jill."How to Photograph Fireworks"

Lesson #2: View Angles--due July 5th

2009-06-24T07:48:00.002-05:00

Get a new perspective! Typically we view the world head-on, in a straight forward direction. But to add interest to your photos, explore different angles.Get down onto the ground and angle your camera up and towards your subject.Get up on a chair or table and shoot from above.Examples: From Chealion.From johanna.ie.From GmAn-Photography. Other Resources: "Unusual View Angle" by Antti

Lesson #1: Rule of Thirds--WrapUp

2009-06-21T17:38:00.004-05:00

Congratulations on completing the first lesson of Shutter School!This past week and a half, we each experimented with the Rule of Thirds. It took a bit of practice, but I think that most of us would agree that by following the "rule" (whether you are cropping your photos as you snap the picture or after the fact with PhotoShop), most of our photos ended up even more spectacular!Here's a sample

Shutter School Flickr Site

2009-06-16T21:00:00.005-05:00

I've been practicing the "Rule of Thirds" a lot lately. It really helped to begin with that lesson, because instantly some of my pictures look better. That's definitely motivation to learn more! Now that I know about the rule, it seems like I'm looking at everything I see in a new way. "How would that look over to the side a bit?" or "Wow, that road divides everything in thirds just

Free Photo Editing Class

2009-06-12T07:07:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to share a link with you----Jessica Sprague is offering a free photo editing class. This is an online class that will teach you how to use some of the basic features of Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. She even includes a link to download a 30-day trial of the software. I'm definitely going to sign up for this. I've been wanting to learn about Photoshop and at this point, know

Lesson #1: Rule of Thirds--due June 21st

2009-06-10T08:00:00.003-05:00

Move it from the Middle!The goal of the Rule of Thirds is to create a photograph which is interesting and captures the viewer's attention. The Rule of Thirds enhances the impression of action.Divide the image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically; then crop your photo so that the main subjects are located around one of the intersection points rather than in the center of the imagePlacing

Share the Shutter School love!

2009-06-05T11:12:00.008-05:00

Want to add a Shutter School button to your own blog?Here's how in Blogger:While logged in to your Blogger account and looking at the "Dashboard," click on the "Layout" link.Choose "Add a Gadget" and then choose "HTML/Javascript."Copy the following HTML code: