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 * Natalie Tran**

PHOTOGRAPHY

**Definition & Etymology** Photography comes from the two Greek words φωτός (//phōtos//), meaning 'light', and γραφή (//graphé//), meaning 'drawing'. Together the two Greek words mean "drawing with light". It is said that the first most well-known use of the word was during a lecture for the Royal Society of London in March 1839. The lecture was led by Sir John Herschel, a math mathematician, astronomer, chemist and photographer/inventor. However, it has been noted that on February 25 of the same year, a German newspaper, Vossische Zeitung, had already used the term. Photography is the art and science of recording images of the real world onto a object, such as paper, through light or other electromagnetic radiation. Lenses are used to control and focus the amount of light reflected from the intended object, onto the recording light-sensitive surface on the other side of the lens (camera film, etc.). The camera is the image forming device used in photography. This art/science form is great for capturing a moment that you are experiencing as photography can record a scene or image from almost anywhere. In low-light areas, the exposure of light into the lens must be longer and greater for a frame to develop.

**Uses** Photography can be used in so many ways, the list could be never-ending. It can be used to record and prolong memories (i.e. pictures from a wedding), capture moments one would like to share with others, and other personal uses. Photography can also be used in scientific experiments and studies, aiding in the recording the study/experiment for future reference. Military, police forces, and other forms of security force use photography for surveillance, data/profiling, and mass searches (for a missing person or criminal, etc). Photography can also be used to show the unseen beauty in a moment/visual, in terms of art. This is all just the tip of the iceberg in what photography is used for.

**Industries** Almost all industries use photography to help promote, enhance, or display their products, views, work, etc. The advertisement industry will especially use photography to display their products in a desirable way. The art industry uses photography to help capture a moment, or display the beauty in a manufactured/manipulated scene. In weddings, photography is generally desired to immortalize the moment. Photography is used in most industries including business, science, art, and personal/recreational places.

**Types and Genres** There are so many types of photography and genres in photography that one rage would not be enough to cover it all. However, I will list just the few more common types and genres to give an idea of what it is. Types of photography include but //do not exclude//:

Pictorialism Fashion photography Photojournalism Astrophotography Kinetic Photography Colour photography Portrait photography Street photography Macro-photography Micrograph Vintage print photography

**Skills Needed** Skills needed for the different jobs and uses of photography vary. In professional photography, like fashion photography, advertisement photography, and portrait photography, photography courses, or education, is required. The knowledge of lighting and photography devices are essential. There are certain methods, such as the "rule of thirds", which should be learned and taken into consideration when photographing.

**Five Amazing Photos** **1.** This photo was taken during the construction of the Rockefeller Center. With the background further than the foreground in size and proportion, this picture shows just how high they worked. I found this picture amazing as I loved the fact that they were on a construction beam drinking, smoking, and hanging out during their break time as if it was a normal thing to be hundreds of feet above the ground. There was no fear - they seemed to be enjoying themselves despite the dangers of the job. This was taken in black-and-white in a landscape shot. The size of the background objects to the foreground objects give it a get perspective of the heights they were at. The contrast in lighting, with the background being lighter than the foreground, has the eyes focusing on the men.

**2.** This beautiful photo is not one of my favourites more than it is //from// one of my favourite photographers. The overcast of sunshine that shines and reflects on to the puddle, with the reflections of the people clearly displayed, make for a perfect candid photo. It has a nice early spring morning feel. This far, landscape shot beautifully captures the distance of their walk, creating dimension. The road is a good example of one form of unity - continuation. Balance in this photo is found by the reflections of the objects in the water. The pond was a great device, and the contrasted shades of the wall, trees and people against the reflection of the sun was very effective. I found this so beautiful because it was so contemporary for something taken in the 50's, not to mention by a true amateur. I believe that most of the photo's charm comes from the background of the photographer, the late Vivien Maier. Never having taken a photography class - never being taught, just shows how talented and mysteriously intriguing she was. Especially because there is no full history of her other than her being a nanny (her photos and hidden talent were discovered after her death during an auction of her belongings), the mystery really leaves an enchanting feel to the photos.

**3.** One of the most famous photos, this candid shot is a perfect example of focus and continuation (a form of unity/harmony). This long shot photo perfectly shows the emotions experienced in the photo. I love the contrast in shades, with the sailor being dark and the nurse being white. The sea of people walking past also give a great feel and adds to the continuation with the depth of the road. Size and proportion is very effective here, with the people in the background much smaller than the two focused people being the largest of size. This also gives emphasis on the couple. This picture I find enchanting because there is a light, amorous feeling to the photo; it just makes you feel good. I love that the two did not actually know each other, but the passion is evidently there. The stance of the nurse was the cherry on top to this photo, giving it a very vulnerable feel as well.

**4.** This is one of my favourite photos that I have seen in a long time. The photo was obviously staged (it took 6 hours, 28 jumps, gallons of water and a bunch of agitated cats to get the perfect shot), but the intention is to have the true emotions of the jumper seep through as he is suspended in air in that fraction of a second. This is a far shot with no real focus; the entire photo is meant to be the focus. The use of lighting is well displayed as the shadows of all of the objects are visible on the bottom. Here, the water acts as the continuation in the photo, and the asymmetry of the objects is well played. Proportion and size scale is also seen here with the small kittens, the average size person, and the chair that seems to be larger than the rest (it is just closer to the lens). I think that the shadow is a good device to better enforce the fact that they are in the air. The use of chairs, water, and other materials give dimension to the photo, with not only a foreground and background. This was taken in black and white, and with that the contrast is well displayed. The darkness of the jumper's suit have you focusing on him, and then the shades of the other materials have you averting your eyes to glance over.

**5.** This photo I found particularly intriguing as my primary thought was that it was Photoshopped. What I found out was that this is a real photo taken in the twilight of day by a pond in Richmond Park, London (UK). The rule of thirds was definitely taken into account when taking this photo - the swan is placed on the last, bottom-right intersection of the three by three grid. All of the objects in the photo have unity with each other. Also, the path of the stream gives continuation. This is a contemporary form of nature photography. The landscape shot perfectly displays the intended focus by contrasting the entire background in a very dark colour, with the swan being the only white object. I believe this gives the swan emphasis. It is such a calm yet beautifully eery photo.

**Tips & Tricks** Photography can be as easy as clicking the shutter button, but taking a great photo requires skill and knowledge in the art photography. Some have photography skills come naturally, others need a few lessons. With a few tips and tricks up your sleeve, however, your skill in photography will augment higher, and your picture taking? Stellar.


 * **Rule of thirds** - Picture a three by three grid in the frame your are looking at. Is the focused object sitting awkward on the grid, or is it smack in the middle of an intersection? The trick to this rule is to remember that an object, preferably the object of importance, should be on an intersection, or on one of the lines of the grid. This is said to make a photo seem more beautiful.
 * **Lighting** - Lighting is a very important factor in taking a picture. Lighting can help give the right contrast or emphasis to the object(s) in the frame. Light too bright could saturate the image and make it unbearable to look at. Light too low, however, could lack the emphasis of an object, or even miss the focus. The objects may not be visible in low lighting. Light can be attained using natural light, or made artificially to achieve the right lighting. NOTE: it has been said that mixing artificial and natural light will result in bad exposure of the frames. The lighting will look off and unflattering. Also, they say that direct sunlight towards the lens or on the object is not great, either.
 * **Focus** - It is good to know which object in a frame you are trying to focus on. With it in mind, your photo could more easily speak out to people. If there is an object smack dab in the middle of your photo (as if it is the intended object to be focused), but you have blurred it and instead focused on the background, the photo may end up looking bad. Figure out what you want to focus, and make sure the focus of the lens is right.
 * **Angle** - Sometimes an object looks better if not seen straight from the front. With your better judgement, you should be able to find the best angle or side of an object to take. It could enhance the beauty of the image as well as the artistic value. Also, the frame angle is something to be greatly considered. //Would the photo of a mountain look better with the frame horizontal or vertical? Should the peak of the mountain be right in the middle, or should I slightly aim the camera to the side?// Keep questions like those in mind when taking a photograph.
 * **Shutter Speed** - The time that it takes holding down the shutter button can greatly impact the outcome of the photo. A quick click with a fraction of a second could result in a light, unsaturated photo. An image with the shutter held down for more than a second may heavily saturate or obscure the colour tones. If not still, the image may be destroyed if the shutter speed is slow as there is still light going through as you move it (you essentially would be changing the image by doing that).
 * **Be Steady** - A photo does not look good if it is blurred. You will not be able to see the objects. It is good to have a steady hand, especially when taking film pictures. As mentioned above, the exposure of the image could be greatly impacted if not steadied. The photos tend to not look good with a shaky hand. //Tripods// are one of the common mechanisms used to take a better photo.

**The Principles of Design** The Principles of Design, when followed, help create a more artistic, beautiful photo. When you look at a photo, especially if it is of great appeal, there will almost always be at least one form of principle of design in it. If you look for it, there may even be more. The Principles of design cannot be defined in one piece, rather than in sections by which the principles are in.


 * **Unity & Harmony** - Unity involves the relationship between the individual objects in the frame and the overall composition to the image. It discusses the need tie the various elements together; that the elements on the page seem to fit together - to belong with each other. Unity includes //repetition, continuation, proximity//, and more. It should give a sense of completeness - there should be a feeling of visual satisfaction where the objects
 * **Balance** - Balance is how the image or frame may appear equal, or balanced, based on the objects in the frame. It is like a balance beam, the sides should balance each other out. This could be with multiple miniature objects in contrast to a large object, or two equally proportional objects. It is said that we judge them against our ideas of physical structure. Some forms of balance include //symmetry// and //asymmetry.//
 * **Size, Scale, & Proportion** - This involves the comparison of measurements of the individual objects between each other. It accentuates and emphasizes other individual objects and creates a sense of unity to the overall image. Scale is normally judged by the realistic proportions of life. Proportion can involve the amount in coverage of a frame one object has over another. Size can emphasize other objects in a frame, as well as create variation and rhythm.
 * **Contrast** - Contrast has to do with the weight of a colour or shade, and its weight compared to other colours and shades in a frame. Contrast helps bring focus to a certain object, as well as emphasize the intended focus. A lot of contrast can be preferred to create variation in shades of colours.
 * **Rhythm & Pattern** - The repetition (or alternation) of an object that creates a sense of texture. It could make an object appear as if in movement, as well. Repetition could be an exact multiple of an object, or an altered or varying duplicate of an object. Variation can still create a pattern as the idea can still be seen. Rhythm involves the fluidity that all or a group of individual objects have with each other.
 * **Emphasis** - The focus and concentration towards a certain object or area in an image/frame. The object is normally larger in proportion, heavier in colour than the negative space, and in the foreground. Other elements are used to help this principle including colour, texture, and space.
 * **Focal Point** - The focal point is the area or individual object(s) in a frame that is the main focus of the photo. It can be displayed in many ways; blurred objects against a sharp, focused object; an emphasized object; an object where all other individual objects point towards or accentuates. Some examples include foreground focusing, miniature scene photography, and fish eye.

**Camera Angles** []

**Shot Length** **Extreme Shot** **Long Shot** **Medium Shot** **Close-Up** **Extreme Close-Up**

**Types of Lighting** **Spotlight** **Direction of the light** **Artificial Lighting** **Natural Lighting** **Tinted Lighting (Reflective)**