An introduction to the basics of photography.

1. FotoFoto FundasFundas
byby
SKSK SrinivasSrinivas

2. One soft click, aOne soft click, a
flash of light… and aflash of light… and a
precious momentprecious moment
captured forever.captured forever.

3. “We make
photographs
to understand
what our lives
mean to us”.
Ralph Hattersley

4. A good photograph depends on
understanding …
Your light. Your camera. Your subject.Your light. Your camera. Your subject.

5. The ScienceThe Science

6. Cameras that you
can buy …
•Tapori camera-
phone.
•Point-and-click.
•Bridge camera.
•DSLR camera
•DSLT camera
•Mirrorless camera.

7. What’s the difference?
SENSORSENSOR
andand
OPTICSOPTICS

8. When you click your picture, the
camera’s shutter opens briefly. Light
enters through an aperture, and falls
onto a photosensitive sensor or film.
The sensor “converts” incident photons
into electrons and an image is generated
via the camera’s processor.
(The photoelectric effect).
Current technology – Point-click and bridge cameras.

9. SLR = single lens reflex.SLR = single lens reflex.
Reflex = reflective mirror.Reflex = reflective mirror.
Light enters via the lensLight enters via the lens
aperture, strikes a mirror.aperture, strikes a mirror.
Image from the mirror isImage from the mirror is
rectified by arectified by a pentaprismpentaprism andand
directed into the viewfinder,directed into the viewfinder,
and to your eye.and to your eye.
When you click the shutter,When you click the shutter,
the mirror briefly moves outthe mirror briefly moves out
of the way, and light strikesof the way, and light strikes
the sensor / film.the sensor / film.
D-SLR cameras

10. SLT = single lens translucent.SLT = single lens translucent.
T = translucent mirror.T = translucent mirror.
Light enters via the lensLight enters via the lens
aperture, strikes a translucentaperture, strikes a translucent
mirror. Part of the image frommirror. Part of the image from
the mirror is rectified by athe mirror is rectified by a
pentaprismpentaprism and directed intoand directed into
the viewfinder, and to yourthe viewfinder, and to your
eye.eye.
When you click the shutter,When you click the shutter,
the mirror does not move.the mirror does not move.
Light strikes the sensor / film.Light strikes the sensor / film.
D-SLT cameras

11. No mirror at all.No mirror at all.
Worth buying? NO.Worth buying? NO.
Reasons:Reasons:
–– Technology not mature.Technology not mature.
–– Poor battery life.Poor battery life.
–– No clear improvement inNo clear improvement in
image quality.image quality.
–– Heat generation.Heat generation.
Verdict: Wait and watch.Verdict: Wait and watch.
Mirrorless cameras

12. Bigger sensor = Better image.Bigger sensor = Better image.
Better optics = Better image.Better optics = Better image.

13. Pixels?Pixels?
•• Pixel = picture element.Pixel = picture element.
•• One single cell in aOne single cell in a
matrix of cells thatmatrix of cells that
forms a sensor.forms a sensor.
•• Megapixel = oneMegapixel = one
million pixels.million pixels.
•• For the same sensorFor the same sensor
size…size…
–– higher number ofhigher number of
pixels = more detailedpixels = more detailed
image.image.
–– But … larger file size.But … larger file size.

14. Want a good picture? Get a good camera.Want a good picture? Get a good camera.
And learn how to use it.And learn how to use it.

15. So, which one do I buy?
That depends on …
Your money
What you want to do with
your camera.
Beginner / Casual:
Bridge or entry-level DSLR
camera. ~ Rs. 30K
Serious amateur:
Prosumer DSLR. ~ Rs. 50K
Professional:
Full-frame DSLR . > Rs.100K
Seriously rich professional:
Medium format-camera.
Rs. 10 lacs to Rs. 30 lacs.

16. How about a second-hand camera?
• NO.
• You never know how the
camera has been used.
• Each camera has a finite
number of shutter
actuations, after which it
will eventually fail.
• The cost of replacing the
shutter and any other
parts will exceed the cost
of a NEW camera.
• However, second-hand
lenses can be considered.

17. The exposure triangle.The exposure triangle.

18. Confused?
Only four things
matter …
Aperture
Shutter speed
ISO and…
FOCUS.

19. ApertureAperture
Lets in the light.
Given by ‘f’ number or
f-stop.
‘f’ number is the ratio
of the focal length to
the aperture diameter.
Eg. 10mm focal length,
entrance pupil 5 mm =
f/2
Bigger aperture = more
light = brighter picture.

20. The lens aperture …The lens aperture …
controls light and depth of field.controls light and depth of field.
•• Wide aperture = shallow depth of field.Wide aperture = shallow depth of field.
•• Background will be blurred. Best for portraits.Background will be blurred. Best for portraits.
•• HoweverHowever … wide aperture = blurry edges and… wide aperture = blurry edges and
distortion.distortion.
•• Narrow aperture = deeper depth of field.Narrow aperture = deeper depth of field.
•• Objects in the background will be in focus.Objects in the background will be in focus.
•• Best for landscapes and macro photography.Best for landscapes and macro photography.
•• HoweverHowever … narrow aperture = darker images, noise,… narrow aperture = darker images, noise,
image cut off at the edges (image cut off at the edges (vignettingvignetting).).

21. f/1.8f/1.8

22. f/2.8f/2.8

23. f/8f/8

24. f/14f/14

25. ISO (International standards organisation)
•• ISO number indicates theISO number indicates the
sensitivity of the sensor orsensitivity of the sensor or
film, to light.film, to light.
•• Higher ISO =Higher ISO =
 higher sensitivityhigher sensitivity
 Brighter imageBrighter image
 Faster shutter speed.Faster shutter speed.
BUT …BUT …
More noiseMore noise
Inferior image quality.Inferior image quality.
•• Depending on yourDepending on your
camera…camera…
–– ISO 200 or less = brightISO 200 or less = bright
daylight.daylight.
–– ISO 200ISO 200--400 = diffuse cloudy400 = diffuse cloudy
conditions.conditions.
–– ISO 400ISO 400--800 = indoors, with800 = indoors, with
bright lighting.bright lighting.
–– After ISO 800, on mostAfter ISO 800, on most
cameras, noise will becameras, noise will be
significant.significant.

26. ISO 50 ISO 200 ISO 800
ISO 1600 ISO 3200 ISO 10000

27. Shutter speed
• Shutter speed = image
sharpness
• High shutter speed = freezes
movement.
• Lower shutter speed =
creates a blur and the
illusion of movement.
• Hand-held camera = at least
1/100 sec.

28. 1/4000 sec,
f/5.6,
ISO 200

29. 1/3200 sec,
f/5.6,
ISO 400

30. Get focused (or is that focussed?).
• Autofocus
– Single shot autofocus AF-S, AF-A.
• One shot, one subject.
– Continuous autofocus (servo), AF-C
• Sports, birds, etc.
– Focus tracking.
• Moving subjects, birds, sports, trains, etc.
– Face recognition / Eye autofocus
• Portraits, group photos
– Multipoint Autofocus
• Move the focal point around.
• Manual focus
– IMO, the best focus method for stationary subjects.

31. LensesLenses • Telephoto / Zoom lenses
– Variable focal lengths.
– 18-55mm, 70-300mm,
200-500mm, etc.

32. LensesLenses
• Prime lenses
– Fixed focal lengths.
– 30mm, 50mm,
85mm, etc.
• Prime lenses produce
sharper images. Less
distortion.
• Lighter, easier to use.
• Usually affordable.

33. Little more technical stuff…
White Balance
• The camera needs to know
what is supposed to be white
and what is not.
• Otherwise, you end with
weird colours.
• “Cool” colour temperature =
Blue-indigo colours.
• “Warm” colours = orange,
redddish.
• Normal colour “temperature”
= 5500K.

34. Thumb rule: Use Auto WB setting, for now.Thumb rule: Use Auto WB setting, for now.

35. A bit more technical stuff. RAW or JPG?
•• RAW is the camera’s basicRAW is the camera’s basic
image format. Unprocessedimage format. Unprocessed
image directly from theimage directly from the
sensor.sensor.
•• Like a photographic negative.Like a photographic negative.
•• An expert can extract a lot ofAn expert can extract a lot of
image data from RAW filesimage data from RAW files
BUT …BUT …
•• RAW images needRAW images need specialisedspecialised
software. And RAW formatssoftware. And RAW formats
areare proprietoryproprietory..
•• JPG is what you get afterJPG is what you get after
the RAW image isthe RAW image is
processed inprocessed in--camera.camera.
•• Already compressed,Already compressed,
sharpened and desharpened and de--noisednoised
for you.for you.
•• Can be directlyCan be directly
downloaded from thedownloaded from the
camera and viewed orcamera and viewed or
printed.printed.

36. So which is better? RAW or JPG?
• RAW contains all the
image’s original data.
• Therefore, a RAW file is
preferred by experts
who do a lot of image
processing.
• But, a RAW file is much
bigger. And requires
specialised software.
And expertise.
• JPG is a processed image. So,
there is some data loss.
• But, it’s a cleaner image,
ready for use. And takes up
less space on your camera’s
memory and on your PC.
• Most DSLR cameras (and
bridge cameras) produce very
good JPG images.
• JPG images can be read by
almost any imaging software
and operating system.
• Bottom line: For general
use, JPG is more than
enough.

37. No more technical stuff…No more technical stuff…
The artsy part of photography.The artsy part of photography.

38. You don’t take a photograph. You make it.You don’t take a photograph. You make it.
AnselAnsel AdamsAdams

39. What makes aWhat makes a
good picture?good picture?
Clean, sharpClean, sharp
subject.subject.
Correct exposure.Correct exposure.
Minimal noise.Minimal noise.
COMPOSITION.COMPOSITION.

40. The elements of composition…
• Exposure / Sharpness
• Positioning / Rule of
thirds
• Lines / Diagonals
• Contrast / Texture
• Background
• Bokeh
• Framing
• Story / Mood
• Largely subjective. Composition is NOT …
rocket science.

41. The great funda of photo composition
…The Rule of Thirds

42. Rule of thirds - 1783
Applies to any image, in
general.
“image should be imagined as
divided into nine parts by two
equally spaced horizontal lines
and two equally spaced vertical
lines. Important compositional
elements should be placed
along these lines or their
intersections”.

43. Like this…Like this…

44. Like this …Like this …

45. Not likeNot like
this …this …

46. Not likeNot like
this …this …

47. Like this …Like this …

48. Not bad.
But this is better.

49. The rule of thirds and lead room.The rule of thirds and lead room.
Give space, like this…Give space, like this…

50. Not like thisNot like this

51. Lead room … room to “move”.Lead room … room to “move”.

52. Room to run …

53. Second funda – Use Space.
Fill the frame.

54. Like this.

55. Or like this.

56. Or third funda … Use
negative space.

57. FourthFourth FundaFunda …Draw the…Draw the
viewer into your image.viewer into your image.

58. UseUse
LeadingLeading
lineslines

59. Bent LinesBent Lines

60. Lines … need not be straight.

61. See what I mean?

62. UseUse colourcolour

63. How about this?How about this?

64. ColourfulColourful enough?enough?

65. Look for textureLook for texture

66. Texture…Texture…

67. See?See?
Texture.Texture.

68. And contrastAnd contrast

69. Contrast…Contrast…

70. Contrast…Contrast…

71. Symmetry is nice.Symmetry is nice.

72. Really niceReally nice

73. Nature is … symmetryNature is … symmetry

74. And patternsAnd patterns

75. Patterns like this.Patterns like this.

76. For landscapes … Watch the horizon.

77. Again … watch the horizon!

78. And … please correct any distortion.

79. BokehBokeh
Fancy way of saying
“blurry background”.

80. BokehBokeh depends on:depends on:
•• Lens aperture.Lens aperture.
•• Lens focal length.Lens focal length.
•• Relative distancesRelative distances
between the subject, thebetween the subject, the
background and you.background and you.

81. This is BADThis is BAD
bokehbokeh. Sharp. Sharp
but flat.but flat.

82. Sharp subject.Sharp subject.
Good position.Good position.
BADBAD bokehbokeh..

83. This is betterThis is better

84. This is prettyThis is pretty
good.good.

85. FramingFraming

86. Another frameAnother frame

87. This is a frame too.This is a frame too.

88. How about theseHow about these
frames?frames?

89. Simplify …Simplify …
have one mainhave one main
subjectsubject

90. See? TotalSee? Total
confusion!confusion!

91. Look for Balance

92. Create mood

93. Pensive

94. Solitude

95. Serenity

96. Silhouette

97. Boiling mad!

98. One picture = thousand words.One picture = thousand words.
What’s the story in your image?What’s the story in your image?

99. Daily bread

100. She dumped
me!

101. Let’s put our heads togetherLet’s put our heads together

102. End of day’s playEnd of day’s play

103. Hungry,Hungry, kyakya??

104. I got the jump onI got the jump on
you!you!

105. Speaks for itself!Speaks for itself!

106. Change your POVChange your POV

107. A different
POV

108. Research
your shot
… before
you take it.

109. Another greatAnother great fundafunda ……
Always watch the backgroundAlways watch the background
BAD backgroundBAD background BetterBetter

110. Subject is really sharp, but …bad
background

111. Subjects are sharp
but…
background is bad.

112. Better.

113. The mostThe most
importantimportant fundafunda
… forget the… forget the
rules.rules.
Seize theSeize the
momentmoment

114. Or miss it!Or miss it!

115. Smartphone photographySmartphone photography
The smartest thing you can
do is … don’t use your
smartphone.
A cameraphone will never be
as good as a DSLR.

116. Why not?Why not?
Tiny little sensor.Tiny little sensor.
Much smaller optics.Much smaller optics.
Horrible imageHorrible image
distortion. Flat images.distortion. Flat images.
Fixed focal length.Fixed focal length.
Fixed wide apertureFixed wide aperture
(f/2).(f/2).
No shutter.No shutter. PoorPoor
dynamic range.dynamic range.
Poor lowPoor low--lightlight
performance.performance.

117. Then, why not put in a bigger sensor?
And bigger optics?
Because of …
–Cost
–Thickness
–Heat

118. StillStill …
A cameraA camera--phone is …phone is …
Convenient. Discreet .Convenient. Discreet .
And, not all that bad.And, not all that bad.

119. You can get decent images …
Lowest possible ISO. No Auto mode.Lowest possible ISO. No Auto mode.
Fancy camera apps are pointless.Fancy camera apps are pointless.
Use a tripod.Use a tripod. Not aNot a selfieselfie stick. Astick. A
tripod. Has three legs.tripod. Has three legs. SelfieSelfie sticks aresticks are
for scratching your back.for scratching your back.
If possible, use an external lightIf possible, use an external light
source. Onsource. On--camera flash is useless.camera flash is useless.
Same rules of image compositionSame rules of image composition
apply. Use them.apply. Use them.
And … no weird filters!And … no weird filters!

120. Not bad …Not bad …
for afor a
phone.phone.

121. Samsung J7Samsung J7

122. SamsungSamsung J7J7

123. Why
are my
photos
blurry?

124. Get sharp
• First – know your camera. Really know it. Second – GET A TRIPOD.
• Do not use the LCD screen to focus and shoot. Use the viewfinder, and
press the camera firmly against your forehead.
• But first check that the viewfinder is not blurry by itself!
• Use correct ISO setting. Above ISO 800, you will get noise.
• Use f/5 to f/8, depending on the situation. Find out the “sweet spot” of
your lens. Usually f/5.6 to f/8 for most lenses.
• f/3.5 and lower will give you nice bokeh, but fuzzy edges.
• Optimal shutter speed for hand-held imagery is at least twice the lens
focal length. For eg. for a 50mm lens, use not less than 1/100 sec.
• Or, use a TRIPOD.
• Do not trust auto-focus all the time. Use MANUAL focus.Use MANUAL focus.
• If you can afford it, get an external flash (speedlight).
• Unless you are desperate, do not use the little on-camera flash.

125. • Process your image.
– To enhance. Not to cheat.
– Contrast adjustment, noise
reduction, cropping.
– Sharpening.
– Recomposing, repositioning
your subject.
Generally avoid major
manipulation, unless you’re
doing it for money.

126. Image processing … free.
• Unless you are a professional (and even
if), use open-source software.
• Darktable – comparable to Lightroom
• GIMP – comparable to Photoshop.
• Both are open-source. Free.
• Most camera manufacturers provide free
imaging software when you buy their
cameras. More than enough for basic
image processing.

127. The final question …
• Do I need to hire a professional photographer?
• Answer: NO.
• Modern DSLR cameras produce high quality images and are
designed to be user-friendly.
• The science is easy. Image composition is easy.
• Use open-source software or the manufacturer’s software.
• All you need to do is to PRACTISE.
• Invest in a decent entry-level DSLR, one or two good lenses, and
one speedlight. Enough for many years of memorable photography.

128. Photography – basic kit
• Entry-level crop-sensor DSLR.
• 18-55mm kit lens and 70-300 mm
lens (optional).
• 50mm, f/1.8 portrait lens (Nifty-
fifty). It’s cheap, and really sharp.
• Preferably, an inexpensive
speedlight.
• And one basic tripod.
• Total package will cost less than
hiring a “professional” for a single
photo shoot.
• And will create memorable photos
for a lifetime.

129. Cheatsheet
For general use:
Set camera to Aperture
mode.
Aperture: f/4 to f/5.6
ISO 100-400.
Exposure time: 1/100
sec or more.
JPG mode. Image
quality: Best.
Lens: 18-55mm or
50mm.

130. Using a flash.Using a flash.
We use a flash…We use a flash…
–– In poor ambientIn poor ambient
light.light.
–– As a fillAs a fill--flashflash
against brightagainst bright
ambient light.ambient light.
–– To freeze motion.To freeze motion.