Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation
Vinzons Avenue, Daet, Camarines Norte
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
GE ELEC 1 – READING VISUAL ARTS
Prepared by: Cristine Mae A. Garcia, LPT.
MODULE OVERVIEW
This module is designed to provide you with a foundational understanding
of photography. We'll start with the technical fundamentals of how a camera
works by exploring the Exposure Triangle. From there, we'll shift our focus to the
artistic side of photography, covering Composition and the critical role of Light.
The lesson concludes with a hands-on Activity to help you apply everything
you've learned.
Photography is more than just pressing a button; it's a powerful form of visual art.
It allows us to capture moments, tell stories, and share our unique perspective of
the world. Just like a painter uses a brush and canvas, a photographer uses light,
composition, and a camera to create a lasting image.
Whether you're using a fancy DSLR or just your smartphone, understanding a few
key principles can drastically improve your photos. In this lesson, we're going to
break down some of the most important concepts to help you move from
taking snapshots to creating stunning images.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
• Understand the three key components of the Exposure Triangle: Aperture,
Shutter Speed, and ISO.
• Identify and apply basic composition techniques like the Rule of Thirds
and Leading Lines.
• Recognize the difference between hard and soft light and use it to your
advantage.
• Practice taking photographs with a specific purpose in mind, using the
provided activity.
DEFINITION OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating images by
recording light, either electronically with an image sensor or chemically with a
light-sensitive material like film. Essentially, it's "drawing with light" as the word
itself combines the Greek roots "photo" (light) and "graphy"
(drawing). Photography is used in many fields, including art, science, and
business, and it encompasses a wide range of techniques and technologies.
Key Concepts
♣ Light
Photography relies on light to form an image on a light-sensitive surface.
♣ Camera
A camera acts as the tool to focus and capture this light.
♣ Image Sensor/Film
Modern digital cameras use electronic image sensors, while traditional
cameras use light-sensitive film to record the image.
♣ Digital vs. Analog
Digital photography involves electronic image sensors and memory
storage, while analog photography uses film and a chemical developing
process.
The Exposure Triangle
The Exposure Triangle is the cornerstone of photography. It refers to the three
settings that work together to control how much light gets into your camera,
and therefore how bright or dark your photo is. The three sides of the triangle
are:
• Aperture
• Shutter Speed
• ISO
Aperture
Aperture refers to the opening within the camera lens that controls the amount
of light reaching the image sensor. It's essentially the "eye" of the camera,
adjusting to different light levels like the pupil of the human eye. Think of the
aperture like the pupil of your eye. It's an opening in the lens that can grow
wider or shrink smaller. A wider aperture lets in more light, and a smaller aperture
lets in less.
♣ Wider Aperture (smaller f-number, e.g., f/1.8): More light, and a shallow
depth of field. This means your subject is sharp, but the background is
blurry. This is great for portraits!
Smaller Aperture (larger f-number, e.g., f/22)
♣ Less light, and a deep depth of field. Everything in the shot, from the
foreground to the background, is in focus. This is perfect for landscape
photography.
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is how long your camera's shutter stays open to let light hit the
sensor. Imagine it like a window blind: the longer it's open, the more light gets in.
♣ Fast Shutter Speed (e.g., 1/1000 sec)
The shutter opens and closes very quickly. This freezes motion and is
perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects like sports or a child running.
♣ Slow Shutter Speed (e.g., 1 sec)
The shutter stays open for a longer time. This results in motion blur, which
can be used creatively to capture light trails at night or make a waterfall
look smooth and silky.
ISO
ISO is your camera sensor's sensitivity to light. A higher ISO makes the sensor
more sensitive, which is useful in low-light situations. However, there's a trade-off.
♣ Low ISO (e.g., 100)
The sensor is less sensitive. This produces a clean, high-quality image with
very little noise (graininess). Use this when you have plenty of light.
♣ High ISO (e.g., 6400)
The sensor is more sensitive. This lets you take photos in very dark
environments without a flash, but it adds noise to the image, which can
make it look gritty.
The Art of Composition
Composition is all about how you arrange the elements within your frame to
create an interesting and balanced photograph. A few simple rules can make a
big difference.
♣ The Rule of Thirds
Imagine your photo is divided into a 3x3 grid, like a tic-tac-toe board.
Instead of placing your main subject directly in the center, try placing it
along one of the lines or at an intersection point. This creates more visual
interest and balance.
♣ Leading Lines
Look for natural or man-made lines in your scene, like roads, fences, or
rivers. These lines can "lead" the viewer's eye through the photograph,
drawing them toward the main subject.
Framing
♣ Use elements in the foreground to create a natural "frame" around your
subject. This could be a doorway, tree branches, or an archway. Framing
adds depth and context to your photo.
The Role of Light
Photography is literally "drawing with light." The quality and direction of your light
source are critical.
♣ Natural Light
The sun is your best friend. The "golden hour"—the hour after sunrise and
the hour before sunset—provides warm, soft, and beautiful light. Overcast
days offer soft, diffused light that is great for portraits.
♣ Hard vs. Soft Light
Hard light (like direct midday sun) creates strong shadows and high
contrast. Soft light (like a cloudy day or light from a large window) creates
gentle shadows and is generally more flattering.
References
• Adams, A. (2019). The Camera. Little, Brown and Company.
• Freeman, M. (2017). The Photographer's Eye: A graphic guide to
composition. Ilex Press.
• Langford, M., & Fox, A. (2018). Langford's Basic Photography: The guide for
serious photographers. Focal Press.