Introduction to Photography

• Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film
• It employs principles of light, optics, and chemistry to produce visual representations

Historical Overview

• The word "photography" was coined in 1839 from the Greek words φῶς (phos), meaning "light," and γραφή (graphé), meaning "drawing" or "writing"
• Early photography involved lengthy exposure times and cumbersome equipment
• The development of the daguerreotype and calotype processes marked significant milestones in the 19th century
• George Eastman's invention of flexible roll film and the Kodak camera in the late 1880s made photography accessible to the masses

Core Components

• The camera is the primary tool, consisting of a lens, aperture, shutter, and image sensor or film
• The lens focuses light onto the sensor or film
• The aperture controls the amount of light passing through the lens
• The shutter determines the duration of exposure to light
• The image sensor or film records the image
• Light is the fundamental element that makes photography possible
• Understanding the properties of light, such as intensity, color, and direction, is crucial
• Composition involves arranging visual elements within the frame to create an aesthetically pleasing image
• Key compositional techniques include the rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry, and perspective

Types of Photography

• Portrait photography captures the likeness of individuals or groups
• Landscape photography focuses on capturing natural scenery
• Photojournalism documents newsworthy events and stories
• Fashion photography showcases clothing and accessories
• Wildlife photography captures animals in their natural habitats
• Street photography captures candid moments in public places
• Fine art photography is created as an artistic expression
• Macro photography captures extreme close-ups of small subjects

Exposure Triangle

• Aperture: Controls the amount of light entering the camera and affects depth of field
• Shutter Speed: Controls the duration of exposure to light and affects motion blur
• ISO: Measures the sensitivity of the image sensor to light
• Each element affects the brightness and clarity of an image
• Adjusting one setting often requires compensating with the others
• Depth of field refers to the range of distance within a scene that appears acceptably sharp in an image
• A wide aperture (low f-number) results in a shallow depth of field, blurring the background
• A narrow aperture (high f-number) results in a large depth of field, keeping both foreground and background sharp

Digital Photography

• Digital cameras use electronic image sensors to capture images
• Common sensor types include CCD (charge-coupled device) and CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor)
• Resolution is measured in megapixels (MP), indicating the number of pixels in an image
• A higher megapixel count allows for larger prints and more detailed images
• Image stabilization reduces blur caused by camera shake
• Optical image stabilization (OIS) physically moves the lens or sensor to compensate for movement
• Digital image stabilization (DIS) uses software to reduce blur

Lenses

• Prime lenses have a fixed focal length, offering high image quality and wide apertures
• Zoom lenses have a variable focal length, providing flexibility in framing
• Wide-angle lenses have a short focal length, capturing a broad field of view
• Telephoto lenses have a long focal length, magnifying distant subjects
• Macro lenses are designed for close-up photography

Lighting Techniques

• Natural light harnesses sunlight to illuminate subjects
• Artificial light includes studio strobes, speedlights, and continuous lights
• Diffused light is soft and even, reducing harsh shadows
• Direct light is strong and creates distinct shadows
• Fill light is used to brighten shadows and reduce contrast
• Backlighting separates the subject from the background

Color in Photography

• Color temperature measures the warmth or coolness of light, measured in Kelvin (K)
• White balance corrects color casts to ensure accurate color rendition
• Color theory explores how colors interact and evoke emotions
• Saturation refers to the intensity of colors
• Contrast refers to the difference between light and dark areas in an image

File Formats

• JPEG is a compressed format suitable for general use
• RAW is an uncompressed format that retains all image data
• TIFF is a lossless format often used for archiving
• Understanding the characteristics of each file format ensures appropriate image storage and editing

Post-Processing

• Post-processing involves editing and enhancing images using software such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, or Capture One
• Basic adjustments include exposure, contrast, white balance, and color correction
• Retouching removes blemishes and imperfections
• Cropping adjusts the composition of an image
• Sharpening enhances detail