What’s Covered in the CPP Lighthouse Class?
The Quality of Light - When we describe light we generally talk about three primary elements. The brightness, color, and direction of light. The more you understand each of these elements – and the associated camera controls – the better your photographs become. Collectively these three elements define the quality of light. But there’s much more to consider about light.
The Camera - Cameras are tools. As a photographer, you want to use the best tool for the job. Today, the most common camera used by professionals is the digital SLR or Mirrorless camera. Its size and flexibility make it an ideal tool for just about anyone creating professional images. But you must also be aware of other options. Any good photographer knows their own capabilities and the capabilities of their equipment. You do a grave disservice to your client if you accept a job that you are not prepared or qualified to deliver.
Focus - Focus is one of those things that may seem so easy, but its underlying complexity can often create real problems for a photographer. To avoid frustration you need to understand a few key points about focus that will help make your photos look much better.
We cover focus theory as well as Depth of Field. We’ll dispel some common myths about focus and understand advanced focus techniques such as hyperfocal.
Exposure - It is the brightness of the light that drives our exposure settings so so we explore how we measure the brightness of the light. If you think about what's happening in front of your camera you begin to realize that there are two basic ways to measure the light's brightness. We can either measure the light before it strikes our subject or after it's already reflected off the surface of our subject. We study how to measure the light and try to understand how to set a proper exposure for our subject.
Composition - Every photograph is an expression of an idea or thought. The idea may be mundane, profound, or abstract, but the photograph is the result of the photographer’s desire to convey something meaningful. As a photographer, you have many tools at your disposal that can help you better communicate your ideas. Collectively they are Compositional Controls. They include design controls and photographic controls.
All these controls are rooted in the principles of artistic design and the elements of art. Understanding how all these elements fit together is crucial for creating impactful images.
Digital Workflow - Any digital image has a lifespan that begins the moment the shutter is pressed and the camera begins to capture the image. From that moment, the image begins a life that may have it passed around to different computers, manipulated and copied. If it is of sufficient quality, it may be used in some output device or printed and then saved in some archive.
Throughout this process, the image is subject to actions that can either enhance or degrade the original image. Good photographers will follow a pattern of steps in this process that are designed to maximize the quality of the image. In this class, we look closely at this lifecycle and see what steps you may want to include.
Lighting - It’s said that light is the most fundamental building block in photography. Learning to work with ambient light and control any supplemental light essential for a good photographer. We explore the equipment and techniques used by professionals to produce stunning images.
Learn about studio lights and the vast assortment of modifiers available. Study how to mix ambient light and flash to enhance your subject.
Color - Understanding color helps you design images that are pleasing to the eye and engaging to the viewer. Proper use of color creates a sense of order and provides for a balanced visual experience.
There are three parts to the color theories that we use today. The first is the color wheel. It provides the foundation upon which the rest of our theory is built. The second is color value which defines the lightness or darkness of a color. Finally, we have color harmonies. This defines how colors are put together in a way that we find appealing.
There is so much more but I don’t want your scrolling finger to get a cramp