From Class Notes

·      PASM camera modes

P: Program mode

A: Aperture Priority

S: Shutter Priority

M: Manual Mode

• We should use Program mode when we want to take decent photo in a short amount of time. Auto mode will be appropriate, but if we want to take control of camera more, Program mode is a better option.  The advantages using Program mode is although camera picks the Aperture and Shutter Speed for us, which has average combination, we can still take control on our pictures, by able to take control of flash, the ISO, Single or Continuous mode, the White Balance, compensation (forcing the camera to under or over expose the picture), and the aperture/shutter speed combination. The disadvantage using Program mode is, we cannot take complete control of camera, and we cannot take more than general photos. This picture is an example of success Program mode photograph, where the girl is in focus, with right combination of aperture and shutter speed.  However, this picture on the left is a failure where the bird is blurry. This is because the shutter speed that the camera gave was too slow, while photographer’s hands were trembling.

We should use Aperture priority when we want to control the Depth Of Field in our pictures, while letting the camera choose a shutter speed that goes along with it. Depth Of Field is the amount in front of and behind our focus point that is also in focus. Small apertures give large DOF, while wide apertures give shallow depth of field. It will be efficient to use when we take portraits and landscapes. The advantage of using Aperture priority is it lets us to use our brain and ourselves to take photos, instead of cameras. The disadvantage is we cannot take fast moving objects with Aperture priority, because the most of the objects would be blurry. This picture is an example of success use of aperture priority where by using a wide aperture, the photographer used a shallow depth of field, and made the background blurry while the girl is in focused.

We should use shutter speed priority when we take sports and action photographs. The advantage is, by using the fast shutter speed, we can freeze the fast actions, while camera picks up an appropriate aperture. The disadvantage is, we cannot control depth of field. 

Success Example of fast shutter speed:  

• Lastly, manual mode is used when we want to take absolute control on our pictures and cameras. We can change every functions in camera when we use manual mode. The advantage is, it makes consistent exposures, we can intentionally under or over expose, and we can bright or dark subjects.

Line is a path between two points that implies motion and suggests direction or orientation. There are many types of lines with different feelings.

Horizontal lines give serene and tranquillity, while conveys a message of ‘stability’. Layers of horizontal lines create rhythm or patterns in an image, which focus viewers’ eyes. However, horizontal lines can be accentuated by shooting in horizontal format.

In contrast, vertical lines illustrate other variety of moods. Vertical lines convey power, strength, and growth. For example, skyscrapers convey power and strength, while trees convey growth. However, using vertical framing will emphasize vertical lines even more effectively by accentuating their height. 

Oblique lines often depict movements, actions, and changes. These senses add a dynamic looks and feel to a picture.

Curved lines mostly emphasize quiet, calm, and sensual feelings.

 Lastly, lines that converge give depth and scale distances. 

My teacher suggested me to look for lines and arrange them within my viewfinder to illustrate specific feelings.

The second composition I used was texture. Texture is a surface quality or feel of an object, such as soft, smooth, rough, etc. This detail can be composed of surface irregularities or small forms on a surface. For example, the wood grain of an old plank is great example of surface irregularity, while a mass of roots from an ancient tree is small forms on a surface.

Also, texture is very effective when it is used in an oblique lighting condition. As light strikes the object from one side, it brings out the detail. However, textures may be actual or implied. This means, some texture photos are felt in touch, while others are shown by the way an artist created the work of art.