Photography Foundation

Course outline

• Photo Composition

  Composition has a purpose in both art and in photography. It has three possible jobs:

  • Create Order,
  • Direct the Viewer,
  • Create Interest.

  Michael Freeman will teach you how to compose your photo, and you'll be submitting 3 new photos to demonstrate your composition skills.

  Lesson length: 27 minutes

  Assignment: Take a series of photos demonstrating creation of order, distracting the viewer's attention and adding interest (i.e. through unexpected content)

• Frame and Framing in Photography

  Learn how to frame your photograph.

  Michael will show you how to choose which part of the image to include and what to exclude, and how to divide a scene.

  You'll learn where the main subject of your photo should be and be taking photos alongside Michael and your classmates to demonstrate frame and framing techniques.

  This class includes cropping techniques, stitching, vertical framing, creating frames within frames, how to use negative space and understanding historic ratios.

  Lesson length: 29 minutes

  Assignment: Take a series of photos based on the theme of frames/framing. You can either uses lines in the image, make a vertical framing, place an object in an extreme off-centre position or create a symmetrical and precise composition (choose 3)

• Contrast and Balance

  Michael will teach you the fundamental concept of contrast and balance in photography.

  You'll learn and practice how to contrast between elements and parts of the image, from brightness and texture to sensation and meaning.

  You'll explore different kinds of balance, from static to dynamic, and finally the conceptual balance between content and the graphics of the image.

  You'll be taking photos which demonstrate your understanding of contrast and balance in a photograph.

  Lesson length: 30 minutes

  Assignment: Take 3 photographs demonstrating contrasting qualities, balancing different sized subjects, deliberate imbalence or using vectors to direct the attention of the viewer

• The Viewer's Eye

  You'll learn how to use the viewer's eye in your photography.

  Michael will explain the the psychology of perception as an aid to composition, and how to consider the different visual weight of subjects.

  You'll see how to use eye scan-paths (and what the viewer's eye sees in a photo, and in which order), how to attract (or repulse) an audience, perspective and how to use repetition and rhythm in your photography.

  You'll take photos to show how to satisfy or challenge your audience.

  Lesson length: 30 minutes

  Assignment: Take 3 photographs which demonstrate either an image in which a small figure is distinctly noticable, one of the 'Gestalt laws', a row/group of similar subjects or a 'flattened' image with little perspective

• The Graphic Elements

  You'll learn how to use graphic elements and visual vocabulary in your photography, and you'll discover why Cartier-Bresson viewed photos upside down.

  Michael will take you through using lines, shapes and vectors in your photos.

  You'll be practicing by uploading your own example photos with graphic elements.

  Lesson length: 34 minutes

  Assignment: Submit 3 photographs demonstrating either a single subject as a single point, two subject which are distinct enough to have a graphic relationship with one another, lines dominating the composition, use of an implied triangle or an image containing strong vectors

• Photographic Elements

  Michael will take you through the mechanics and optics of the camera and lens

  You'll learn how to use the camera and lens to create their own graphic elements and effects in the image.

  This lesson includes an in depth look at focus (deep, shallow, tilted), shutter and motion, focal length and the family of lenses, from wide-angle through standard to telephoto.

  You'll demonstrate what you've learnt in a series of photos showing focus, lens use and motion.

  Lesson length: 37 minutes

  Assignment: Submit 3 photographs demonstrating either deep focus, shallow focus, frozen motion, or motion blur.

• Composing with Light and Colour

  This lesson takes you through the use of light and colour in your photography.

  Michael will demonstrate high-key and low-key photography composition, you'll learn the art of chiaroscuro and you'll be exploring the use of colour including pastels, muted colours, and colour-accents.

  You'll practice with a set of your own photos which demonstrate your use of light and colour.

  Lesson length: 36 minutes

  Assignment: Submit 3 photographs demonstrating either a high-key image, a low-key image, chiaroscuro, colour domination, a two-colour scheme, colour accent, a scene in which all colours appear muted or a processed black and white image

• The Process of Shooting

  In the last lesson you'll learn how to find images and create a portfolio of images that satisfy your audience.

  Michael will show you how to analyse your images, how to plan your photography and anticipate and create reactive shots.

  You'll learn how to use juxtaposition, create expressive photos and use a documentary approach in your photography.

  Lesson length: 30 minutes

  Assignment: Submit 3 photographs demonstrating either a reaction shot of an unplanned moment, juxtaposition of two subjects, still-life or a situation where you could anticipate what would happen, but not able to influence