Fundamentals of Photography

Short on time? This class is available HERE as a Fast Class, exclusively for CreativeLive subscribers.

As a photographer, you will need to master the technical basics of the camera and form an understanding of the kind of equipment you need. The Fundamentals of Digital Photography will also teach something even more important (and crucial for success) - how to bring your creative vision to fruition.

Taught by seasoned photographer John Greengo, the Fundamentals of Digital Photography places emphasis on quality visuals and experiential learning. In this course, you’ll learn:

• How to bring together the elements of manual mode to create an evocative image: shutter speed, aperture, and image composition.
• How to choose the right gear, and develop efficient workflow.
• How to recognize and take advantage of beautiful natural light.

John will teach you to step back from your images and think critically about your motivations, process, and ultimate goals for your photography project. You’ll learn to analyze your vision and identify areas for growth. John will also explore the difference between the world seen by the human eye and the world seen by the camera sensor. By forming an awareness of the gap between the two, you will be able to use your equipment to its greatest potential.

• Class Introduction
• Photographic Characteristics
• Camera Types
• Viewing System
• Lens System
• Shutter System
• Shutter Speed Basics
• Shutter Speed Effects
• Camera & Lens Stabilization
• Quiz: Shutter Speeds
• Camera Settings Overview
• Drive Mode & Buffer
• Camera Settings - Details
• Sensor Size: Basics
• Sensor Sizes: Compared
• The Sensor - Pixels
• Sensor Size - ISO
• Focal Length
• Angle of View
• Practicing Angle of View
• Quiz: Focal Length
• Fisheye Lens
• Tilt & Shift Lens
• Subject Zone
• Lens Speed
• Aperture
• Depth of Field (DOF)
• Quiz: Apertures
• Lens Quality
• Light Meter Basics
• Histogram
• Quiz: Histogram
• Dynamic Range
• Exposure Modes
• Sunny 16 Rule
• Exposure Bracketing
• Exposure Values
• Quiz: Exposure
• Focusing Basics
• Auto Focus (AF)
• Focus Points
• Focus Tracking
• Focusing Q&A
• Manual Focus
• Digital Focus Assistance
• Shutter Speeds & Depth of Field (DOF)
• Quiz: Depth of Field
• DOF Preview & Focusing Screens
• Lens Sharpness
• Camera Movement
• Advanced Techniques
• Quiz: Hyperfocal Distance
• Auto Focus Calibration
• Focus Stacking
• Quiz: Focus Problems
• Camera Accessories
• Lens Accessories
• Lens Adaptors & Cleaning
• Macro
• Flash & Lighting
• Tripods
• Cases
• Being a Photographer
• Natural Light: Direct Sunlight
• Natural Light: Indirect Sunlight
• Natural Light: Mixed
• Twilight: Sunrise & Sunset Light
• Cloud & Color Pop: Sunrise & Sunset Light
• Silhouette & Starburst: Sunrise & Sunset Light
• Golden Hour: Sunrise & Sunset Light
• Quiz: Lighting
• Light Management
• Flash Fundamentals
• Speedlights
• Built-In & Add-On Flash
• Off-Camera Flash
• Off-Camera Flash For Portraits
• Advanced Flash Techniques
• Editing Assessments & Goals
• Editing Set-Up
• Importing Images
• Organizing Your Images
• Culling Images
• Categories of Development
• Adjusting Exposure
• Remove Distractions
• Cropping Your Images
• Composition Basics
• Point of View
• Angle of View
• Subject Placement
• Framing Your Shot
• Foreground & Background & Scale
• Rule of Odds
• Bad Composition
• Multi-Shot Techniques
• Pixel Shift, Time Lapse, Selective Cloning & Noise Reduction
• Human Vision vs The Camera
• Visual Perception
• Quiz: Visual Balance
• Visual Drama
• Elements of Design
• Texture & Negative Space
• Black & White & Color
• The Photographic Process
• Working the Shot
• What Makes a Great Photograph?