Mattingly "AI & Prompt Design: The Basics of Prompt Design"
Boy Scouts Photography Merit Badge Course
1. Basics of DigitalBasics of Digital
PhotographyPhotography
Boy Scout Merit BadgeBoy Scout Merit Badge
2. Objectives
Basic photography terms
Digital camera Technology
Understand your camera
Take photographs
Download images
Editing digital photographs
Display photographs (web, email)
Printing
Ron MayberryRon Mayberry
3. • In FocusIn Focus
• Proper ExposureProper Exposure
• Pleasing to thePleasing to the
ViewerViewer
What is a good image?What is a good image?
5. Basics of DigitalBasics of Digital
PhotographyPhotography
Compose: This is the creative orCompose: This is the creative or
artistic part. Arrange all of theartistic part. Arrange all of the
elements of the picture within theelements of the picture within the
frame or viewfinder to produce whatframe or viewfinder to produce what
should hopefullyshould hopefully be a pleasingbe a pleasing
composition.composition.
Expose: This is the scientific andExpose: This is the scientific and
mechanical bit . Expose the image tomechanical bit . Expose the image to
light through the lens of the cameralight through the lens of the camera
and preserve the image for posterity.and preserve the image for posterity.
7. Basics of DigitalBasics of Digital
PhotographyPhotography
It’s all about the Light !It’s all about the Light !
8. Basics of DigitalBasics of Digital
PhotographyPhotography
It’s all about the Light !It’s all about the Light !
•Natural light (Sunlight)Natural light (Sunlight)
•Ambient (Light in this room)Ambient (Light in this room)
•FlashFlash
9. FlashFlash
Off Camera Flash.Off Camera Flash.
Why do we use it?Why do we use it?
Fill Flash.Fill Flash.
Main Light.Main Light.
Stop ActionStop Action.
10. Flash Mode
For dim light or for “filling in” backlit
pictures. Most cameras default to auto
flash, but you need to know how to
manually turn the flash off or on for special
conditions. Turn off the flash when it will
be useless. For example, photographing a
person far away under dim light
conditions.
12. Exposure - (histogram)
The ability to judge tonality in all colors is paramount in order to quickly
evaluate the overall scene and ultimately determine your “desired” exposure
Middle Light
Extra Light
Dark
Extra Dark
13. Exposure - (histogram)
The ability to judge tonality in all colors is paramount in order to quickly
evaluate the overall scene and ultimately determine your “desired” exposure
Middle Light
Extra Light
Dark
Extra Dark
14.
15. ApertureAperture
ApertureAperture is the size of the lens opening and is referredis the size of the lens opening and is referred
to as an “F stop”. Higher values represent a smaller aperture,to as an “F stop”. Higher values represent a smaller aperture,
llower values represent aower values represent a llarger aperturearger aperture
Examples of full stops are:
F5.6, F8, F11 or F16
Smaller aperture = less light (LDOF),Smaller aperture = less light (LDOF),
Larger aperture = more light (NDOF)Larger aperture = more light (NDOF)
16. Shutter SpeedShutter Speed
Shutter speedShutter speed is how long the shutter isis how long the shutter is
open and is indicated in fractions of a second.open and is indicated in fractions of a second.
Examples of full stops are:Examples of full stops are:
1/125, 1/250, 1/500 or 1/10001/125, 1/250, 1/500 or 1/1000
Faster shutter speeds = less light,Faster shutter speeds = less light,
slower shutter speeds = more lightslower shutter speeds = more light
17. ISOISO International Standards OrganizationInternational Standards Organization
ISOISO is the film or digital sensors “sensitivity” to the lightis the film or digital sensors “sensitivity” to the light
entering. Each stop in ISO will double or halve theentering. Each stop in ISO will double or halve the
sensitivitysensitivity
Examples of full stops are:
100, 200, 400 or 800
Lower ISO = less sensitive,Lower ISO = less sensitive,
Higher ISO = more sensitiveHigher ISO = more sensitive
18. Aperture < > Shutter Speed
Aperture and shutter speed interact to give a correct
exposure there is a balance between the two. These
settings would
give about the same exposure:
Shutter 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250 1/500
Aperture F22 F16 F11 F8 F5.6
Examples:
moving from f16 to f8 is:
TWO STOPS brighter.
moving from f5.6 to f8 is:
ONE STOP darker
moving from f4 to f2.8 is:
ONE STOP brighter
Every step in this table »
represents a ONE STOP
change in light.
19. Shutter Speed + Aperture = ExposureShutter Speed + Aperture = Exposure
Shutter speed and aperture interact to produceShutter speed and aperture interact to produce
goodgood exposure. While Auto Exposure is usually theexposure. While Auto Exposure is usually the
default,default, it can be overridden on some cameras byit can be overridden on some cameras by
setting the camera to:setting the camera to:
Aperture-priority auto:Aperture-priority auto: the user sets the aperture andthe user sets the aperture and
the camera sets the speed.the camera sets the speed.
Shutter-priority auto:Shutter-priority auto: the user sets shutter speed andthe user sets shutter speed and
the camera sets the aperture.the camera sets the aperture.
Manual:Manual: the user sets both speed and aperture.the user sets both speed and aperture.
20. Histogram ?Histogram ?
Each pixel in an image has a color which has been produced by some
combination of the primary colors red, green, and blue (RGB).
Each of these colors can have a brightness value ranging from 0 to 255.
A RGB histogram results when the camera logic scans through each of these
RGB brightness values and counts how many are at each level from 0 through
255.
Technically the histogram simply tells you if your image is properly exposed.
It provides an indication that some part of your image may be under or over
exposed, but that determination is yours to decide.
Underexposed Normal Exposure Overexposed
22. Sunny 16Sunny 16
Rough guidelines for the following outdoor lightingRough guidelines for the following outdoor lighting
condition @ ISO 400 – f/8condition @ ISO 400 – f/8
Sunny day outdoors — 1/2000 sec
Hazy bright day — 1/1000 sec
Bright cloudy day without shadows — 1/500 sec
Overcast day, or open shade on a sunny day — 1/250 sec
A heavily overcast day Deep shade — 1/125 sec
Woods on an bright overcast day — 1/60 sec
Just before a thunderstorm or a heavily overcast day — 1/30 sec
23. Why is the background all blurred in the right picture, and sharpestWhy is the background all blurred in the right picture, and sharpest
in the left ? Because if the exposure is made with a wide aperturein the left ? Because if the exposure is made with a wide aperture
( like f2.8 ), then objects farther away from the subject are thrown( like f2.8 ), then objects farther away from the subject are thrown
farther out of focus. This effect is referred to as "depth of field"farther out of focus. This effect is referred to as "depth of field"
So.. if the aperture is small (like f22) then objects in the backgroundSo.. if the aperture is small (like f22) then objects in the background
(and foreground ) will appear sharper. However, since more light(and foreground ) will appear sharper. However, since more light
was required to make the exposure on the left ( 1/4 Second ) thewas required to make the exposure on the left ( 1/4 Second ) the
subjects became blurred from MOTION. At 1/250th of a second, thesubjects became blurred from MOTION. At 1/250th of a second, the
shutter is fast enough to freeze motion.shutter is fast enough to freeze motion.
Depth of Field -DOFDepth of Field -DOF
24. White Balance
• White balance adjusts the white
Color quality of your image.
• Digital cameras usually have
adjustable white balance settings for
electronic flash, shade, sunlight,
fluorescent lighting and tungsten lighting.
• Most cameras default to “auto”
white balance and some cameras allow it
to be set separately.
25. The Rule of ThirdsThe Rule of Thirds
Place important elements of thePlace important elements of the compositioncomposition
where the lines intersect.where the lines intersect.
34.
Getting Close & Keeping SteadyGetting Close & Keeping Steady
When shooting fast-moving animals such as birds in flight, you may When shooting fast-moving animals such as birds in flight, you may
want a shutter speed as high as 1/1250th of a second to freeze your want a shutter speed as high as 1/1250th of a second to freeze your
subject. And of course, subject. And of course, proper technique in stabilizing your cameraproper technique in stabilizing your camera can can
go a long way.go a long way.
Camera AnglesCamera Angles
43. Digital CameraDigital Camera
features & terminologyfeatures & terminology
You don’t You don’t need to know terminology orneed to know terminology or
your camera’s features, you can just shootyour camera’s features, you can just shoot
““auto” and hope for the best. auto” and hope for the best.
OR!OR!
If you understand your camera and haveIf you understand your camera and have
experience using it’s features, you willexperience using it’s features, you will
take better pictures.take better pictures.
44. Understanding your cameraUnderstanding your camera
What are your camera’s abilities and limitations,What are your camera’s abilities and limitations,
what features does it have?what features does it have?
You need to read and understand your Camera’sYou need to read and understand your Camera’s
operating manual!operating manual!
You need to have experience shooting picturesYou need to have experience shooting pictures
and studying the results.and studying the results.
46. Pixels
A pixel is a contraction of the term Picture Element. Digital images are
made up of small squares, just like a tile mosaic on your kitchen or
bathroom wall. Though a digital photograph looks smooth and
continuous just like a regular photograph, it's actually composed of
millions of tiny squares as shown below.
On the left the full image, on the right the area in the red square
magnified to show individual pixels
Each pixel in the image has a numerical value of between 0 and 255 and is made up
of three color channels. So for example a pixel could be 37-red, 76-green and 125-
blue and it would then look like this . If it was 162-red, 27-green and 12-blue, it
would look like this .
47. File Types
• JPEG (JPG): The most common format.
This is a “lossy” compression
format that can be saved at
various
qualities.
• TIFF: A “loss-less” compression format
of
a higher quality that is better for
very high quality prints but
has larger file size.
• RAW: Actual image from the camera
48. Image Size
Refers to the dimensions
of the image, measured in
pixels. Pictures taken at
smaller sizes require less
memory and are suitable for distribution by email or on the
web. Conversely, the larger the image, the larger the size at
which
it can be printed or displayed without loosing quality (becoming
“grainy”).
49. Image Size
Image Size Pixels Print Size (@300dpi)
3264 x 2448 8MP 11” x 14”
2592 x 1944 5MP 8½” x 6½”
2048 x 1536 3MP 7” x 5”
1600 x 1200 2MP 5” x 4”
1280 x 960
1MP
4” x 3”
640 x 480 .5MP Email and Web
50. Practice with Your CameraPractice with Your Camera
The best way to take good pictures is toThe best way to take good pictures is to take a lot of them andtake a lot of them and
to experiment with your camera.to experiment with your camera.
• Understand your camera settingsUnderstand your camera settings
• Take pictures and do tests:Take pictures and do tests: Take the same pictureTake the same picture
several times while changing the settings for each shot. Then compare theseveral times while changing the settings for each shot. Then compare the
result. What settings work best under what conditions? What are theresult. What settings work best under what conditions? What are the
characteristics of your camera?characteristics of your camera?
• Digital pictures areDigital pictures are FREEFREE
• until you print them!until you print them!
51. Transferring PicturesTransferring Pictures
• Most cameras use a USBMost cameras use a USB
cable that connects the camera to the computer.cable that connects the camera to the computer.
52. PhotographingPhotographing wildlifewildlife takes patience, steadytakes patience, steady
breathing, perseverance,breathing, perseverance,
and a good cameraand a good camera
A Career in PhotographyA Career in Photography
53. Why photograph wildlife?Why photograph wildlife?
• Nature and wildlife is one of the primaryNature and wildlife is one of the primary
subjects of photography today.subjects of photography today.
• The natural beautyThe natural beauty that surrounds us in the form that surrounds us in the form
of landscapes, plants, and wildlife is a compelling of landscapes, plants, and wildlife is a compelling
subject to capture in still images.subject to capture in still images.
A Career in PhotographyA Career in Photography
55. Why photograph wildlife?Why photograph wildlife?
• Nature and wildlife is one of the primaryNature and wildlife is one of the primary
subjects of photography today.subjects of photography today.
• There are upwards of 46 million bird-watchers
in the United States
• The natural beauty that surrounds us in the form The natural beauty that surrounds us in the form
of landscapes, plants, and wildlife is a compelling of landscapes, plants, and wildlife is a compelling
subject to capture in still images.subject to capture in still images.
• But more than that, the experience of photographing wildlife is one of the But more than that, the experience of photographing wildlife is one of the
most thrilling forms of the craft. There is something deeply compelling about most thrilling forms of the craft. There is something deeply compelling about
being in the middle of a great migration, wading an Alaska stream with Brown being in the middle of a great migration, wading an Alaska stream with Brown
Bears, and documenting their beauty and behavior. Bears, and documenting their beauty and behavior.
A Career in PhotographyA Career in Photography
56. A Career in PhotographyA Career in Photography
Portrait PhotographyPortrait Photography
57. A Career in PhotographyA Career in Photography
Sports & Media PhotographySports & Media Photography
58. A Career in PhotographyA Career in Photography
Products & Advertising PhotographyProducts & Advertising Photography
59. Photographing WildlifePhotographing Wildlife
Some Parting ShotsSome Parting Shots
Passion! If you love observing and photographing wildlife
in their natural habitat and you get a rush
every time you are able to share a few special
moments with your subject… then
Patience & Perseverance
Wait for it, wait… wait… wait!Wait for it, wait… wait… wait!
You learn to take better pictures by takingYou learn to take better pictures by taking
Lot s of pictures,Lot s of pictures,
and the beauty of digital photography and the beauty of digital photography
is that bad pictures only cost you the amount is that bad pictures only cost you the amount
of time it takes to throw them away.of time it takes to throw them away.
““f/8 and be there” — the idea being you’ll f/8 and be there” — the idea being you’ll
never take a great photo unless you’re out never take a great photo unless you’re out
among the proper picture-taking raw material.among the proper picture-taking raw material.
You’ve taken the picture; is your job done?You’ve taken the picture; is your job done?
The Photography merit badge was one of the Original 57 Merit Badges issued by the Boy Scouts of America in 1911.
Capture the moment – make a memory - tell a story
One can define photography as &quot;the recording of light rays&quot;. That&apos;s why taking a good picture depends so much on choosing the lighting carefully.
One can define photography as &quot;the recording of light rays&quot;. That&apos;s why taking a good picture depends so much on choosing the lighting carefully.
The key to proper exposure is accurately measuring the lighting (pg 13 bshb)
The key to proper exposure is accurately measuring the lighting (pg 13 bshb)
It is also popular amongst artists. It works like this:Imaginary lines are drawn dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. You place important elements of your composition where these lines intersect.
Draw attention to center / foreground
Contrast adds interest by emphasizing difference in tone, color texture, size
Lead viewer eye
Symmetrical balance – divides image into distinct
Add or distract from subject.
Symmetrical balance – divides image into distinct
Try different angles-- Kilimanjaro
Try different angles-- Kilimanjaro
The amount of scene
The amount of scene
Discuss shutter speed / iso for stopping action
Discuss shutter speed / iso for stopping action
A camera consists of seven basic components: a viewfinder, a focusing mechanism, a shutter, an adjustable aperture, a lens, a body, and devices for controlling film alignment and advancement. In the example below we are using a Single Lens Reflex type camera to demonstrate the different components that make up a camera.
