Foundational Photography Skills

No matter what type of camera you have, this five-lesson series explores basic photography skills. From composition to light to perspective, learn the principles of the medium to inform how to “read” others’ photographs and to hone your creative practice.

Unit 1 - Foundational Photography Skills Lessons

Composition

What makes a photograph visually compelling? How does one take a photograph with an interesting composition? What is composition? Learn the basic elements of composition in photography, focusing on the rule of thirds and the elements of visual art while focusing on four significant photography examples.

Perspective

Explore three compositional techniques that can be used when experimenting with perspective in photography. Examine photographs that utilize perspective in innovative ways and then create three photographs reimagining ways you can frame an image.

Color

Explore color in photography by briefly reviewing foundational color theory principles and examples. Create four images; one with warm colors, one with cool colors, one with complementary colors, and an intentionally black and white image.

Lighting

Learn photography lighting techniques. Create four photographs that incorporate the following lighting techniques: hard light, soft light, golden hour light, and back lighting.

Scale

This lesson explores scale in photography. Create three photographs that explore techniques of scale: leading lines, diminishing effect, and depth of field. Then digitally enhance images of your choosing in preparation for curating a body of work.