Introduction to Photography

Definition: The art and science of capturing images using light.
Types of Photography:
- Portrait: Focus on individuals or groups, emphasizing facial expressions.
- Landscape: Depicts natural scenery, often wide views.
- Macro: Close-up photography of small subjects, revealing details.
- Street: Captures candid moments in public spaces.
- Product: Focused on showcasing products, often for commercial use.
- Event: Documents occasions like weddings, parties, and concerts.
Camera Types:
- DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex): Interchangeable lenses, manual controls, high image quality.
- Mirrorless: Compact design, interchangeable lenses, electronic viewfinders.
- Point-and-Shoot: Simple operation, fixed lens, portable.
- Smartphone Cameras: Convenient, integrated features for quick capture and editing.
Key Concepts:
- Exposure: Combination of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
- Composition: Arrangement of elements; includes the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing.
- Lighting: Natural vs. artificial light; golden hour and blue hour for optimal results.
- Focus: Depth of field; shallow focus for portraits, deep focus for landscapes.

Definition: The process of capturing moving images on electronic media.
Types of Videography:
- Documentary: Non-fiction films that document reality for historical records.
- Commercial: Promotional videos for brands or products.
- Event: Captures live events like weddings, concerts, and parties.
- Narrative: Tells a story through scripted scenes and actors.
Equipment:
- Cameras: Similar to photography, but may include camcorders and action cameras.
- Tripods/Stabilizers: Ensures steady shots and reduces shake.
- Microphones: Essential for high-quality audio; lavalier, shotgun, and handheld types.
- Lighting Kits: Enhances visibility and quality of the shoot.
Key Concepts:
- Frame Rate: Number of frames captured per second (fps); common rates are 24, 30, and 60 fps.
- Resolution: Clarity of the video; common formats include 1080p, 4K, and 8K.
- Editing: Post-production process; includes cutting, transitions, color grading, and sound design.
- Storytelling: Importance of narrative structure; beginning, middle, and end.

Photography Techniques:
- Long Exposure: Captures motion over time, creates effects like light trails.
- HDR (High Dynamic Range): Combines multiple exposures for a greater range of tones.
- Bracketing: Taking multiple shots at different exposures for later merging.
Videography Techniques:
- B-Roll: Supplementary footage that enhances the main video narrative.
- Time-lapse: Captures a sequence of frames at set intervals to show changes over time.
- Slow Motion: Recording at a higher frame rate to create dramatic effects.

Both photography and videography rely on understanding technical principles and creative skills.
Mastery involves practice, experimentation, and continuous learning about new techniques and technologies.

Art and Science: Involves capturing images through the manipulation of light.
Types of Photography:
- Portrait: Highlights individuals or groups, focusing on expressions and personality.
- Landscape: Showcases natural scenery, often incorporating wide vistas to evoke feeling.
- Macro: Specializes in extreme close-ups, revealing intricate details of small subjects.
- Street: Candidly captures spontaneous moments in urban settings.
- Product: Aimed at highlighting and marketing products through styled imagery.
- Event: Chronicles significant occasions like weddings, parties, and concerts.
Camera Types:
- DSLR: Known for high-quality images and versatility with interchangeable lenses.
- Mirrorless: Compact and lightweight, utilizing electronic viewfinders and interchangeable lenses.
- Point-and-Shoot: Designed for simplicity, these cameras are portable with fixed lenses.
- Smartphone Cameras: Offer convenience with built-in features for quick photo capture and editing.
Key Concepts:
- Exposure: The balance of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO affects image brightness.
- Composition: Techniques like rule of thirds and leading lines guide the arrangement of photographic elements.
- Lighting: Use of natural and artificial light; optimal times include the golden hour and blue hour.
- Focus: Depth of field varies; shallow focus is used for portraits, while deep focus suits landscapes.

Process Definition: Involves capturing moving images using electronic media for storytelling.
Types of Videography:
- Documentary: Non-fiction film style that captures reality and historical moments.
- Commercial: Promotional visuals aimed at marketing products or brands.
- Event: Records live happenings such as weddings and concerts.
- Narrative: Driven by scripted storytelling featuring actors.
Equipment:
- Cameras: Includes specialized devices like camcorders and action cameras beyond traditional photography cameras.
- Tripods/Stabilizers: Tools to ensure steady shots and eliminate motion blur.
- Microphones: Diverse types (lavaliers, shotguns) are crucial for capturing quality audio.
- Lighting Kits: Essential for improving visibility and photo/video quality during shoots.
Key Concepts:
- Frame Rate: Measures the number of frames per second; typical rates include 24, 30, and 60 fps.
- Resolution: Defines video clarity, with common formats such as 1080p, 4K, and 8K.
- Editing: Involves cutting, transitions, color grading, and sound design to enhance footage.
- Storytelling: Emphasizes narrative structure featuring a distinct beginning, middle, and end.

Photography Techniques:
- Long Exposure: Captures motion over time, creating artistically rich effects like light trails.
- HDR: Merges multiple exposures to create images with a wider range of tones.
- Bracketing: Involves taking various shots at different exposures for post-processing.
Videography Techniques:
- B-Roll: Supplementary footage that enriches the narrative of the main video.
- Time-lapse: Captures a series of images over time to depict change and progression.
- Slow Motion: Achieved by recording at higher frame rates, adding a dramatic flair to footage.

Photography Tools:
- Adobe Lightroom: Used for organization and basic editing of photos.
- Adobe Photoshop: Comprehensive photo editing software for detailed image manipulation.
- Capture One: Known for its powerful color grading and tethering capabilities.
Videography Tools:
- Adobe Premiere Pro: Popular software for video editing with extensive features.
- Final Cut Pro: Editing software favored among Mac users for its efficiency.
- DaVinci Resolve: Renowned for color correction and professional video editing functionalities.

Mastery in photography and videography requires a blend of technical understanding and creative skills.
Continuous practice and experimentation are essential to staying updated with new techniques and technology advancements.