May 01, 2015
Friday 45 min
10:15 -11:00
Photography - the telephoto lens
Today Will connected the telephoto lens to his camera and we ventured to the parking lot to take some photos of objects from a distance. I placed a small plastic bird in various places around the rear parking lot and instructed Will to take photos of said bird. With trial and error, Will learned how to fill the frame with the subject of his photos, and to adjust the length of his lens to get the photo he desired. We found subjects around the area, for Will to photograph and to practice this skill. We had a lengthy discussion about finding the light and doing what you can to keep his subject in the light. He learned to watch for his shadow and keep it out of his photos. We also discussed taking photos of people, when they were not aware of your actions, which Will felt this was poor manners. I suggested that people often change their appearance when they know they are having their photo taken, and sometimes they look better when they are more natural. Also we strive to tell a story with our photos, and maybe it is necessary and even better to capture people in action.
Will’s homework is to take at least ten photos of objects using the telephoto lens. I want him to ‘fill the frame’ with the subject, which is to get the subject as large as possible in the picture.