Introduction to Photography

1. INTRODUCTION

What is the first thing you think when you hear the word photography? Why are so many people that photography interests?

We started this unit considering several reflections. The picture goes beyond technique because it implies a look and because it can not be separated from cultural and social issues that surround us. We need to learn the operation of technique, instruments, concepts, but we should not forget though a photograph reflects something as it is no longer have the subjective gaze of who takes the picture. As we have seen in this video. Photography allows you to teach realities that are not always within our reach. It allows us to exist beyond time and place.

2. REFLECTION 

3. DEFINITIONS

- Photography is the art or process of producing images of objects upon a photosensitive surface (as film in a camera) by the chemical action of light or other radiant energy (Collins Dictionary)

- The art, practice, or occupation of taking and printiing photographs, making cine films, etc  (Collins Dictionary)

4. HISTORY

Task 1

In pairs will exchange ideas on what has been seen and heard in the video.

Task 2

Students will write a short summary of the conclusions.

Task 3

They will read its conclusions to share with the rest of students.

5. CAMERA

Task

Looking for the concepts on the Internet.

6. CONCEPTS OF COMPOSITION AND EXPOSURE 

The term “composition” applies not only to visual arts, but to music, dance, literature and virtually any other kind of art. In certain contexts, such as writing, this term may not be as widely used, but is just as valid nonetheless. In general, the term “composition” has two distinctive, yet related meanings.

First and foremost, composition describes placement of relative objects and elements in a work of art. Consequently, composition is a key aspect of a good work of art. There is hardly a way to overemphasize the importance of composition. Any aspiring artist ought to give composition of his work a lot of attention. A good composition is one that has just enough detail. Too few elements is bad because it robs the work of art of necessary detail that makes correct interpretation possible. It also ruins the balance of an image. And too many elements can be very distracting as well. Good composition requires good balance. It is best to make sure all the elements present are necessary for the idea or story you are trying to pass on. (https://photographylife.com/what-is-composition-in-photography/)

A photograph's exposure determines how light or dark an image will appear when it's been captured by your camera. Believe it or not, this is determined by just three camera settings: aperture, ISO and shutter speed (the "exposure triangle"). Mastering their use is an essential part of developing an intuition for photography. Achieving the correct exposure is a lot like collecting rain in a bucket. While the rate of rainfall is uncontrollable, three factors remain under your control: the bucket's width, the duration you leave it in the rain, and the quantity of rain you want to collect. You just need to ensure you don't collect too little ("underexposed"), but that you also don't collect too much ("overexposed"). The key is that there are many different combinations of width, time and quantity that will achieve this. For example, for the same quantity of water, you can get away with less time in the rain if you pick a bucket that's really wide. Alternatively, for the same duration left in the rain, a really narrow bucket can be used as long as you plan on getting by with less water. (http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/)

7. ASSESSMENT: 

- Participation (10%)

- Writing task (10%)

- Reflexion about photography video. Tasks and debate (10%)

- Presentation in group (20%)

- Test (50%)