Photography Fundamentals

I hope you’re starting to visualize your stories, because today we’re diving into the fundamentals of photography and how to look at everything with a new perspective. Taking a photograph is a way to tell a story in a single frame. We’re going to talk about different angles to take photos, lighting, composition, and much more.

Once you come up with your story idea and develop it, now it’s time for show and tell. You remember when we talked about making your story interesting to your audience and captivating them? Photography is one tool you can use to tell your story. Think of not only talking about something but showing what you’re talking about as well. It’s a part of emphasizing your point and helping people remember details about your story.

By planning ahead you’ll be prepared to take purposeful photos. When you look through the viewfinder of a camera or the back of your phone, think of what is in the frame. Does it belong in the story you’re trying to tell and does it add information to the viewer that you want them to see. Be intentional of what you emphasize. This can be accomplished through composition, lighting, or design. Think about the angle you’re photographing from as well. This will also help tell your story. Viewers will interpret what a photograph means to them, but if you do your job it will help them draw a conclusion much easier and possibly closer to what your intention was.

Next, click on the picture below to watch the lesson video. After you watch the lesson, close the video window and proceed to the Pre-Assignment Essay Instructions below.

Now PRESS the Pre-Assignment Essay Instructions below. Once you’ve completed the Pre-Assignment Essay proceed to the assignment. After you finish your assignment, write an essay about your experience and what you learned. Lastly, it’s time to test your knowledge. Take the Lesson 4 Final Quiz to complete Lesson 4. Remember to always check out what’s next at the bottom of the page. Have fun and keep sharing the human experience!