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TELEVISION

Fundamentals of Photography II

Series: Great Courses

4.6

(32)

Episodes

Rating

TVPG

Year

2015

Language

English

Publisher

The Great Courses

About

Great photography goes beyond knowing about how lenses and f-stops work. It's about creative problem solving under real-world conditions. Taking great photographs means knowing how to choose the right tool or apply the right technique to capture your subject in the best possible way.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1. Find the Picture

30m

Think of photography as visual problem solving. How do you find perfect shots in the midst of crowded "problem areas" like an historic mansion? How about in sparse environments like an abandoned farmhouse? Here, learn savvier ways to find the pictures you want-or may not have known you wanted.

2. Understanding Light

30m

Light, according to Professor Sartore, is what great photography is all about. In this lesson, he shows you how to take a more measured, thoughtful approach to various light sources, techniques, and effects-including back lighting, side lighting, floor lighting (also known as ghost lighting), and colored lighting.

3. Working with Light in a Landscape

30m

Landscape photography may seem easy-just a matter of going outside and snapping away-but there's an art to excellent landscape photographs. And most times, it doesn't require fancy diffusers and flashes. Discover the secrets of expert landscape photographers, including when to shoot and how to frame your foreground.

4. Taking Photos under and around Water

30m

Underwater photography is tricky, expensive, and often requires bulky special equipment. But there are certain strategies anyone can use to capture great photographs in aquatic environments. In this lesson, experiment with underwater shots (and have some fun!) using everyday tools like smartphones and a 10-gallon aquarium.

5. Photographing Reflections and Reflectivity

30m

Reflectivity in photography, when used the right way, can transform the annoyances of reflections and glares into powerful ways to add a splash of brilliance to dark scenes and create layered images. What are the ways you can make reflections work for you instead of against you? Find out here.

6. Photographing Shadows and Backlighting

30m

Any good photographer, whether professional or amateur, should know how to handle shadows. Here, turn off your camera's flash and learn how to find (or create) elegant lighting in shadowy scenes-whether it's diffusing light or highlighting shadows to create dramatic, memorable backdrops.

7. Big Results from Little Lights

30m

Professor Sartore shows you how to effectively wield the small lights that come with basic cameras. What happens when you take the flash off your camera? Diffuse it with a tissue? Play around with shutter speeds? As you'll discover, you can get big photographic results from these little lights.

8. Taking Studio Lights Outdoors

30m

The big lights of studio-lit photography, and the setups involved, don't have to be so intimidating. First, explore the two basic types of light that studio photographers use. Then, take the studio lights outside and experiment with studio lights plus ambient light-and even turn daytime into night.

9. Human Portrait Photography

30m

There are average, everyday portraits-and then there are unforgettable portraits. Focus here on candid, environmental portrait photographs outside the studio. You'll learn professional tips that can allow you to create deeper connections between the portrait's viewer and its subject.

10. Animal Photography

30m

From dogs and snakes to ducks and zoo animals, discover the secrets of interesting animal photography-the kind that stands out from the boring pet pictures we've all seen before. As you'll learn, the most important aspects of great animal photography are repeated access and plenty of time and patience.

Extended Details

SeriesGreat Courses

Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

Joel SartoreWriter

Joel SartoreActor