It is my opinion that Bryan Peterson has already written the best how-to, what-for and what’s-that photography book on the market titled, Understanding Exposure. There are other very worthy books, of course, but I have found the most succinct explanations come from this book. Most of my comments about the elements of photography will be direct quotes and excerpts from this incredible book. My copy is dog-eared (pun intended) from its travels to and from my practice sessions both in my studio and in the field.
I suggest you read the book in its entirety and refer to it often as you come to shooting situations which you would like to improve. On this page I will be adding content from his book and others as well as my own personal experience which may spur discussion on Home page of this blog.
Composition
Rule of Thirds. To make your shots a little more interesting try to compose them by drawing three imaginary lines evenly spaced, both horizontally and vertically through your shot. Areas of interest should be at the four intersections. So if you were shooting a dog running in a field show her body in one of those intersections. If you are shooting a single pet filling the frame, put her eyes in one of the intersections. If you are shooting a macro shot of a dog’s face you might try to get each eye in one of the two top intersected lines.
Try not to set up a shot with a sitting dog, chest front, in a horizontal frame, smack dab in the middle. Some of my favorite shots are of dogs looking left in the right side of the frame. I’ll be posting some of my favorites in future entries.
Photographic Triangle
In Understanding Exposure, Bryan Peterson speaks of the photographic triangle, which is comprised of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. The combined settings of these factors, can result in the exposure of your choice. Ignorance of these factors wastes time as you flounder in guessing and chance. Begin with one, understand what it does and adjust the other two to create that image you see behind your eyes.
Black Subjects
Mr. Peterson refers to the 18% Reflectance as correct in shooting either white or black subjects. A black dog will absorb most of the light falling on her and reflect only about 9% of the light. If you move in close and use your on-board camera meter on the dog alone, you will be able to correctly expose your subject.
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