Digital Photography Workshop
Conducted by Member Artist Frank Ceravalo
Aug. 8-9, 2009
LRAC member artist Frank Ceravalo led a group of students through a two-day workshop on digital photography. Lessons during the sessions included understanding camera settings, framing and composing a photograph in a camera viewfinder, learning techniques for use in the field, and understanding available digital tools, including tips on effective photo-editing. |
Frank was able to help students create interesting photographs, no matter what kind of camera. Here, one student is using a smaller point-and-shoot camera, while the other is using a digital SLR.
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Using a tripod can be helpful when using a slower shutter speed because the steady base diminishes blur. Frank shows a student how to set up a shot using a portable tripod.
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 These photos were used by Frank in the LRAC class to demonstrate a classic compositional device: The rule of thirds. In this image the focal point, the setting sun, is nearly centered in the photo. It's a nice image, but not really eye-catching. |
In this image, the photo uses the rule of thirds to divide the space. Imagine the photo is a rectangle, and divide it into thirds, vertically and horizontally. The sun is placed where two of those divisions intersect. The result is a much more striking image. |
The abundant flower beds at the Inn at Lost River (next door to the artisans cooperative) were ideal subjects for some of the photographers.
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The students also learned that unusual vantage points are often a good way of creating an interesting image. Here a student is taking a lower viewpoint by sitting.
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Here you can see the same subject -- shot in two very different ways. The images produced by the two students will be unique because of the vantage point, even though they are photographing the same flower bed.
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Finally, here's what one student had to say about the workshop: " It was a wonderful experience. Frank is an excellent photographer but he's also a great teacher! He organized his material well, and presented it in an easy style. Everyone was thrilled to learn about principles of balancing light, depth of field, and shutter speed and to have better command of the manual settings on their cameras. We had good practice sessions, plenty of personal time with him, and got tips on equipment and software. This class should be offered again!!! "
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| Photos provided by Frank Ceravalo and Margo Pfleger. |
