Standford University Photography Course Material

Here is the link to access Standford University CS178 Digital Photography course.

Related Links and Information

MIT Opencourseware official website
MIT Free Photography Course List (note: you will find this course from this list) 
MIT video on youtube

MIT Free Photography Course - MIT 11.309J Sensing Place: Photography as Inquiry

Below youtube video were collected from the web of the lecture video from MIT  11.309J Sensing Place: Photography as Inquiry

Lecture 1



Lecture 2


Lecture 3


Lecture 4


Lecture 5


Lecture 6


Lecture 7


Lecture 8

Related Links and Information

MIT Opencourseware official website
MIT Free Photography Course List (note: you will find this course from this list) 
MIT video on youtube

Find this Interesting Video about a Amateur Photographer Using a Pro DSLR Digital Camera

This video were shot in Hong Kong by DigitalRev in 2011.  I found it interesting, hence I log it for future reference. The model (who is an amateur photographer) is using a Nikon 2009 vintage D3S DSLR to take pictures.

(Source: DigitalRev)

Nikon D3S Professional 2009 Vintage DSLR

How to do High Dynamic Range Photography?

What is HDR?

HDR photography picture stands for High Dynamic Range photography pictures, which show range of image greater between the light and dark area. In order to achieve HDR, you need to take the same picture on the same position for at least three times with different EV settings (i.e. -1, Normal, +1).  One of the picture is taken with normal setting , the second picture at least with one stop down (-1 of Normal ) of the normal setting and the last picture at least with one stop up than normal (+1 of Normal). HDR is measured in EV differences (known as stops) between the brightest and darkest parts of the pictures.  An increase of one EV (or one stop) is a doubling of the amount of light. The +1 stop help to expose the detail of the dark area and the  -1 stop the detail of the bright area.  Combining three pictures using a HDR software can made a picture showing details of normal light setting, the dark area and the bright areas.

HDR Image Taking with Normal Setting

HDR image Taking with EV difference (-1, Normal, +1)

Step of Using Digital Camera without Auto Exposure Bracketing

1. You need a camera that can can set +1 stop or more, and -1 stop or more. Any digital camera has this kind of setting.  Put the camera in a tripod, take a picture at normal setting, one picture at -1 stop and one picture at +1 stop of normal setting.
2. Combine the picture using a photo editing software such as Photoshops or Photomatix. Photomatix is the standard software used for HDR pictures.

Step of Using Digital Camera with Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB)

1. Set the camera AEB to take three pictures with different stops (i.e -1, 0, +1) to take the picture.
2. Combine the picture using a photo editing software such as Photoshops or Photomatix. Photomatix is the standard software used for HDR pictures.

If you do not want to go through the above steps, buy a DSLR camera (e.g. Sony a57 DSLR) or compact digital camera (e.g. Panasonic ZS20) come with built in HDR function to produce HDR.


I took the following HDR pictures using an Olympus E-PM1 micro 4/3 digital camera:

HDR Picture - Olympus E-PM1 Digital Camera

HDR Picture - Olympus E-PM1 Digital Camera

I bought a Sony T10 digital camera in 2006 which has built in auto exposure bracketing (AEB).  I used this AEB function to take the following HDR pictures:

HDR Picture - Sony T10 Digital Camera

HDR Picture - Sony T10 Digital Camera

Android cell phone or iPhone 4s both can take HDR Pictures
A few days ago I posted a few HDR pictures using digital camera of  cell phone(LG P500). Click here to see these HDR pictures. using Camera Phone.


Sample of HDR Pictures on the Web:
Stuck In Custom  - Good site to learn about HDR

HDR Tutorial Video

HDR Using iPhone or Android Phone
 

Thank you for visiting ZeroOneVisuals! Feel free to leave comments.

Resources for Learning How to Take Good Photorgraphy Pictures

There are many photography pictures online courses and learning  hosted by respectful camera or computer manufacturers.  You can taped in these online courses and learing stated below to learn how to take good pictures with your digital camera:


Canon
HP
Kodak
Microsoft Photography
Nikon Learn and Explore
Olympus Learn Centre
Sony Blog

Check it out, learn and practice how to take good pictures with your digital camera.

What types (DSLR Camera, Point and Shot Digital Camera or Mirrorless Digital Camera) of cameras you want?

Have you ever thought about what kind of digital camera is good for you?   By and large, there are three types of camera you can consider, namely:

1. Point and Shot digital camera
2. Micro 4/3 digital Cameras (or Mirrorless camera)
3. Digital Single Reflex Camera (DSLR camera)

Point and Shot Digital Camera 
In general point and shot digital camera is quite inexpensive now and small to carry.  If you only use it for posting to web or viewing with computer or printing 4R size picture, it may be your cup of tea.  Usually, this camera is not good for night shoot or using ISO higher than 200.  See Point and Shot Camera

Micro 4/3 Digital Camera and Mirrorless Digital Camera
Mirrorless camera pack a entry level  DSLR sensor (APSC) into a body smaller than digital single reflex camera.  Micro 4/3 is even smaller because it use a smaller sensor (60% of APSC) comparable to the frame size of 110 film. Micro 4/3 is a standard set by Kodak, Panasonic and Olympus.  If you want a better quality for picture that is acceptable using ISO 800 or even at ISO1600 depending on quality and size of the sensor, this kind of camera may be good for you. The micro 4/3 or mirrorless camera is still quite portable and can change different focal length lens.  See Mirrorless Camera.

Digital Single Reflex Camera (DSLR Camera)
If you want to become amateur pro or professional photographer, you may consider this type of bulky, heavy and lens interchangeable digital camera. DSLR camera may provide better picture quality and some of them can take pictures with ISO more than 3200 without noise.  See Affordable DSLR Camera.

In Short, as long as you had a brand name (i.e. Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Olympus, Sony etc) digital camera which suits your purpose and budget, you would be able to take quite a good pictures. Though, in general a good picture depends on quality of the camera and skill of the photographer.  The most important is to use whatever camera you have now, follow you heart and go out to record what you seen and feel it with your camera.  Enjoy it and Cheers!

7 Tips for Taking Good Pictures

Tips for Taking Good Pictures

   

1. Move closer to the subject
Subject is the main focus and interest of a good picture, hence move closer to the subject

Example: Move closer to the subject (flower)

Golden Rule of Third

 2. Golden rule of third composition
Place the main subject on one of the four lines or four intersections (i.e the green dot). See picture above under the topics "Move closer to the subject"

Fill in with flash under bright sun to eliminate shadows on the flower.

3. Use camera "fill in flash" function under bright sun
Use the function of "fill in flash" to fill the harsh shadows under the sun. Almost every digital camera has this function.

4. Try vertical picture (Portrait)
Vertical picture of certain subject (e.g.building or portrait) sometimes look better.


















5. Turn on the camera built in stabilization function or use a tripod under low light environment
Under low light, picture may appear not in focus due to lower setting of shutter speed.  If your camera has image stabilization device turn it on, otherwise use higher ISO or a tripod or use the flash (if possible).


6. Keep the background of the subject simple
Complex background diverts the focus interest of the picture. e.g. This picture has complex background.

7. Get a brand name camera not necessary expensive one
Nowadays, brand name point and shoot camera does not cost too much.  One can get a brand name for under $100 dollars.  Do not buy those no name camera. Even a brand name camera phone can take quite okay pictures for 4R size picture. Read camera review in the web and Google search.
Camera Review