Notes on Photography

What is Photography?

Photography is a vital way to capture life's moments. Through joy and sorrow, pressing the shutter freezes a scene into a lasting image—a time machine to revisit the past. Whether writing letters or sharing photos, discovering and spreading beauty around us inspires a more positive outlook on life. And the camera? It's the keen eye that magnifies every detail.

Back when my hands were still learning to hold a camera steady, photos already let me capture the world's charm and experience the value of every emotion. But great shots don't just happen! You'll need to learn some skills and, more importantly, develop your own unique perspective and ideas.

Future photography master, are you ready?

My First Camera

Choosing a camera is like choosing a friend—what matters most is how well you click!

For beginners, I'd recommend a standard digital camera—versatile and user-friendly. And remember, always carry extra batteries, unless you want a lesson you'll never forget... If you're drawn to vintage charm, you'll love film cameras. The photos they produce have a unique grain and tone, making them truly collectible. But do consider the long-term costs.

Shooting with a classic camera also has its own charm. Speaking of which, that friend who gave me my first camera... Haha, I should bring her that candy jar tomorrow.

In short, the best camera is the one that feels right in your hands.

Simple Composition Formulas

The key to stunning photos? Perfect composition! Here are two easy techniques: the Rule of Thirds and Symmetrical Composition.

Open your camera and imagine the frame divided into nine equal squares. Place your subject at any intersecting point—that's the Rule of Thirds. It creates visual harmony and works for nearly every type of photo. Highly practical!

Symmetrical Composition is even simpler! Split your frame along a central axis for perfect balance. I highly recommend this method when capturing our town's scenery, especially its architecture.

Light & Shadow: The Magic of Color

Different colors evoke different emotions, just as different lighting creates distinct atmospheres.

Warm tones like red, orange, and yellow bring feelings of warmth, passion, and joy. Cool tones such as blue, cyan, and purple convey coolness, depth, and mystery. Using a harmonious color palette creates unity, while bold contrasts can yield delightful surprises.

Light primarily falls into two types: soft and hard. Soft light is diffused and gentle—think cloudy days, foggy sunlight, or light through frosted glass. It's ideal for serene landscapes or floral scenes. Hard light is direct and intense, like bright sunshine or camera flashes, delivering bold and dramatic results.

Where there is light, there will be shadows. Don't worry if shadows appear in your frame—you can turn them into an artistic mood. Lastly, remember to capture the golden hour: the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset offers rich, layered light. As for the results? Try it yourself and see.

Case Study Sharing

Start by capturing life's simple beauties—the people and scenes around you. But when photographing people, pay extra attention compared to shooting still landscapes.

For example, if you want to capture a dashing full-body shot like mine, it's best to use a vertical composition and shoot from a low angle looking up to make my legs look longer. Look for side light or backlight to enhance dimensionality, but be careful not to overexpose... As for capturing my handsome face, that calls for a whole different set of techniques.

When it comes to photographing people, the most important thing is how to guide your model's mood and poses. Using props can help too. Get them to walk, run, or even jump, then use burst mode to capture the moment. The photos you select later will feel much more dynamic! If you've tried all the techniques and the results still fall short, post-processing might do the trick.

But remember, the original purpose of taking photos is to capture beautiful moments. If the pursuit of "perfection" starts to feel like a burden, then it's no longer worth it.