DAY 11

PHOTOGRAPHY 101

Definition of Photograph/Photograph

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Merriam-Webster defines “photograph” as “a picture or likeness obtained by photography”¹ and “photography” as “the art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface (as film or a CCD chip).”²

Whew! Don’t worry, there’s no test on this later. Let’s simplify things a bit and say that photography is artistry with light. Light is the most important ingredient in photography (besides a camera). Without light, you will not be able to produce a photograph.

Many of the settings on a camera are concerned with light. The aperture (f/stop) manipulates how much light reaches the sensitive surface referred to above, and the shutter speed controls how long the amount of light is allowed to be present. There’s also an ISO setting that indicates the degree of sensitivity of the sensitive surface to the light. These three settings work in conjunction with each other to help you produce a well-exposed photograph.

At times, there isn’t enough available light to produce a quality photograph. Fortunately, additional light can be introduced through the use of flashes and studio lighting. Most modern cameras come with a built-in flash, and many have additional flashes available that can be added onto the camera. For the majority of the “Photography 101” series, we will be working with available light and how to produce well-exposed photographs with your existing camera equipment. There’s no need to purchase more equipment; the sun is free! —CWN