Photo Lessons in Japan - Step2
In this step2, you are going to touch the essence of professional photographers, how they create wonderful photos that customers are willing to pay for. What is it? As you know, photography is two dimensions. However, some photos look like they have three dimensions. This is what we call, "depth of field".
Secret of Photo Magic - Depth of Field
Look at this picture. Focused sharply on the model eyes, and the background is blurred. These types of images are often used in magazine ads, print ads - created by professional photographers. By finishing this lessons2, you are also able to create same type of photo by your DSLR camera.
If you are curious about the secret of photo magic - listen carefully what I am going to tell you.
Practice Session C)
Create ad. quality images by A (Aperture) mode
2) Set a mid - telescope lens, i.e. 50mm - 100mm.
3) Open aperture as widely as possible (low F number).
4) Place the model or the object (i.e. flowers) away from the background.
5) Be close to the model or the object. Most of the cases, you are not close enough.
6) Keep your focus locked on the model's eye or the object.
Ready - then shoot!
By using full functions of your DSLR camera, you have successfully made ad-quality images. Yah - this is the one you are looking for, aren't you?
One the other hands, If you would like to make a pan-focused image - focused on both foreground and background, just do exactly the opposite of the instructions above.
Practice Session D)
Shoot Pan-Focused images by A (Aperture) mode
2) Set a wide lens, i.e. 15mm - 24mm.
3) Close aperture as much as shutter speed reach to 1/125 i.e. F16.
4) Place the models, object or background close each other.
5) Be away from the model or the object as much as composite allows.
6) Be careful about shutter speed - better to use tripod in case of in-house shooting.
The image may be look like boring. But In some particular cases, a photographer must take a pan-focused image. Can you imagine what kind of the situations? For example, shooting a memorial picture of a ceremony or a party. Faces of all people from front row to back row must be clearly in focus. You probably remember when you had this type of photo taken, the photographer used a tripod and flash...
If you would like to take a pan-focused image, you should use large F number (closed aperture) - that means you need slower shutter or brighter subject. A tripod and a flash will improve the quality of the image in this situation. Also, the photographer often says, "do not move and your eyes keep open" - now you understand why they say this!
Quiz
Quiz 1) Look at the pictures above. One is taken by shutter speed 1/800 and aperture F2.8. The other is taken by shutter speed 1/30 and aperture F20. Can you tell me which picture is which?
Quiz 2) And more importantly, which one do you like - and why?
Photography Lessons Fee in Tokyo or Yokohama
Per person's charge JPY 10,000
- 1.5 Hours for private lessons
- 3 hours for group lessons (minimum 2 persons). Further discounts applied on 3 or more students group lessons.
- Available on Tokyo or Yokohama. Lessons in the other city (i.e. Kyoto) requires additional fee.
Kawaii Model Fee for the Photo Lessons
per person's charge JPY10,000
- 1.5 Hours for private lessons
- 3 hours for group lessons (minimum 2 persons). Further discounts applied on 3 or more students group lessons.
- A kawaii model will be arranged by Santos, subject to the availability of the model.
Above photo lessons are arranged by Santos Ota, Bijinzukan, Co., Ltd.