Part 1. Let's play the photography !

It's a surprise that too many people believe, "It's natural that the picture turns out blackish (dark) when it is taken at night or in the dark room".
Of course, there are models that can't avoid it, regardless of the film camera or the digital camera, but a camera with the function of exposure compensation can adjust the whiteness (lightness) / blackness (darkness) within a certain extent.
A camera with a manual setting have a wider range of compensation.

Operation of exposure compensation (COOLPIX 990)

To begin with, let's compare the difference of impression making the same subject whitish or blackish using the function of exposure compensation.
If you wish to make the result whitish, operate the exposure compensation button (or dial) to + (plus) side (at +2 EV, the entire frame becomes almost pure white).
On the other hand, if you wish to make it blackish, adjust it to - (minus) side (at -2 EV, the entire frame becomes almost pure black).

Example of shooting the same subject with exposure compensation

It can be freely adjusted between almost 'pure white' and almost 'pure black' by the compensation from +2 EV to -2 EV.
Comparing these pictures, you may feel that just the depth of color of the entire frame is changed, but imagine the impression if only one of them is shown.

In short, it is possible to take a light subject blackish or on the contrary a dark subject whitish.
Of course, only the depth of the entire frame changes, but, to our surprise, only the change of the depth of the entire frame will make the appearance of the picture much attractive.
What do you feel ? Only mastering this, you feel like to be a pro, don't you?

By the way, in case of ordinary camera using the silver-halide film, the result of the film exposed cannot be reviewed until it is developed.
Therefore, this exposure compensation was regarded as one of the most difficult techniques.
But, with a digital camera, it is not difficult at all as the result can be reviewed on the LCD monitor immediately, isn't it ?

Only one important thing is to confirm the desired depth by your eyes.
The way of operation and the range of compensation depends on the manufacturer or the model of digital camera.

Regarding the details of this section, refer to
Part 8. 'Introduction to Exposure' /
"Introduction to Single Lens Reflex Cameras
Who's Afraid of SLR Camera ?"

With a film camera, it is necessary to adjust the hue of the picture by selecting the type of film (daylight or tungsten type) according to the color of the light source (color temperature) or the purpose of the shooting, or attaching a filter in front of the lens to convert the color temperature.
On the contrary, a digital camera requires no such elaborate operation.
It automatically adjusts the hue of color of the entire frame by the function of automatic white balance so that a white subject may be reproduced as real white. It is the same as that of a video camera and is a very good features of a digital camera.

White balance set-up menu of COOLPIX 990
Along with AUTO (AWB), there are "Fine (="SUNNY")", "Cloudy", "Incandescent", "Fluorescent", and "Speedlite", just one of them is designated. Quite a correct white balance can be got if 'White Balance Preset' is used. The menu and function vary depending on the model or the maker, but anyway, it is possible to make the tone of a picture more correct, or conversely to enjoy the variety of tone.

But as this function is not perfect, it might be better to set the white balance manually if you think, 'the hue is strange'.
That depends on the model, but the only thing to do is to select the type of a light source.
If a few of light sources are mixed, the better result may rather be obtained with the automatic white balance (AWB).

If the different white balance setting is selected, a picture of a tone as if a conversion filter is attached to a film camera can be obtained.
You might better enjoy pictures with various kinds of color tone, as well as those correctly reproduced pictures.

Example of a shot under the lighting of a fluorescent lamp with "AUTO" white balance setting (Speedlite is off).

The image taken with a digital camera under the fluorescent lamp is very soft and beautiful. If camera shake and subject move is avoided, it is taken as it is seen.

Example of a shot taken under the light of a tungsten bulb with "Fine (="SUNNY")" white balance setting.

Same as taken with ordinary film (daylight type), it turns out orange and it gives warm impression.

Example of a shot taken under the sun with "Incandescent" white balance setting.

Same as taken with tungsten type film, it turns out bluish. Don't you feel it cold ?

Regarding the details of this section, refer to Part 11 'Enjoying the colors of a Picture' / "Introduction to Single Lens Reflex Cameras"

In many cases, we are in full belief that 'the subject itself comes out in the picture'.Therefore, usually, we aren't conscious that in what part of the subject the light hits and where the shadow drops.
But actually, a digital photo as well as a film photo takes "The light reflected by the subject."
A photo accurately records in what part of the subject the light hits and where the shadow drops.
Besides, as a photo is a completely still image, different from looking the real thing, to our surprise, it shows very clearly, how the light hits the subject or the shadow drops, to be good or bad.
Everyone may have experienced that the expression looks strange depending on the extent of the drop of the shadow or the reflection of the speedlight is a bit disagreeable.
We cannot see the light itself, except the very special case.
From the fact that the subject hit by the light is seen there, we only know that the light is there.
It is difficult for that very reason, but when you take a picture, please observe calmly 'in what part of the subject the light hits and where the shadow drops'.
I'm sure only that attention makes you able to take a bit distinctive picture.

Photo 7.
The light source is off to the upper left of the subject. The right side of the subject (the left side of the picture) is shadowed. It's quite natural, but please compare with photos 8. and 9.

Photo 8.
The light source is just upper left of the subject. Compared with Photo 7., the range of shadow is wider
and she looks a little more impressive (shadowed expression ?).

Photo 9.
Under the same condition as Photo 7. but the light is reflected and the shadow is made bright by a white paper placed at the right side of the subject (the left side of the picture). Compared with Photos 7. and 8., you feel it lighter, don't you ?

Regarding the details of this section, refer to '3.2. Utilizing light' of ' The Mysterious World of Photography' (Part 12.) / "Introduction to Single Lens Reflex Cameras"

Most women have a secret desire to "Come out slim in a photograph."
Men on the contrary wish to be taken "In a dignified manner."
Let's look for a know how to attain these easily.
This is not almighty since everybody has one's own shape, of course, but, one never loses by knowing the basics of pose and camera position.
The rest is how to arrange these.
Take not only others but also yourself and compare with each other, there must be interesting findings.
To bear in mind is only one thing. "Don't be too serious."
Now, let's start in a relaxed state......

Photo A.
Study of pose

Photo B.

Photo C.

It is usual to face just opposite to the camera like Photo A. when taking an ordinary picture.

By only facing to 45 degrees inclined, the subject looks very slim as shown in Photo B.
It's a clever trick to hold in your belly at the moment of shutter release.
Let's vary the position of hands in various way.

If the leg stepped forward is directed towards the direction of the camera, it looks longer by the length of the instep (Photo C.). That's the beauty of it.

Photo A.
Study of camera position (angle)

Photo B.

Photo C.

In most cases, one holds the camera at the position of an eye. When the zoom lens is set at the telephoto side, it doesn't matter much, but when it is set to wideangle side, it looks top-heavy like Photo A..

If lowering the camera position and shooting at the position of waist level of the subject, the proportion of the body looks as seen with naked eyes like Photo B..

Further lowering the camera and shooting at low-angle, it comes out 'in a dignified manner.'

In digital cameras, there are models of which lens section can be rotated (swiveled) to the body with LCD (NIKON COOLPIX 990 and COOLPIX 950 etc.) and the low-angle shooting (or the converse) can be made easily with them. This kind of mechanism is not possible with a film camera.

You may be surprised to know that the background appears very much different according to high or low camera position (angle) when shooting outdoors.

The subject makes various poses. And the camera person changes the camera position in various ways......And if shooting in motion, many new ideas come out.

If making it a rule 'to change the pose and the camera angle every time except reserve cuts of steps of exposure (bracketing)', more ideas will come out.
This rule that doesn't permit to take the next shot if a new idea doesn't come up is fatiguing.
And at the same time, it's enjoyable.
In case of shooting indoors, a table, a chair or a bed, in the outdoors, a building, a staircase or trees can be used effectively to increase the variety.

To sit in a chair. Only a small property like a chair increases the variety of poses. Let's think out the use of furniture in the home.

To sit on the floor. There are many ways of sitting. A womanlike sitting, manlike way of sitting cross-legged, etc.

To lie stretched. Though it's a plain background, it looks something significant.

For a souvenir picture taken with a self-timer, it's nothing interesting to be taken simply standing.
It's much more pleasant if all pose differently or, on the contrary, all make a same pose.

Example of souvenir photo of three

Try to jump

Now that you've come up to here, you must feel to try this and that. Under the situation mentioned above, it's a joke from now on. Please don't be serious. However, it will change the state of mind only to wear a wig or put on a seldom-used cloth. It's a kind of feeling of meeting another oneself unknown until now. Most people are apt to form their own image unconsciously to a fixed one. But usually how she (or he) looks to others is not fixed. Let's challenge to this make and that posture which are assumed to be bad. It's a fun !

These are three women that came into the picture before. Do you know who is who ? I'm content if you feel surprised, 'This one is she ?' Let's play about, assuming that 'The photography is simply one of jokes.'

As I mentioned before, a digital camera takes a picture just a moment after pressing the shutter button.
It's a lag of only a fraction of a second, but it's quite a tough fellow. For instance, it is very difficult to take a smiling face of a child.
However, as this time lag is unavoidable at the moment, let's press the shutter button a little earlier in anticipation of a coming shutter chance.
"Shoot many and you can make a hit." This is one of the essence of picture taking. Furthermore, a digital camera doesn't require film expenses.

Among digital cameras, there are models incorporating a function of "ultra high-speed (UH) continuous shooting" that can take 70 frames continuously at a rate of 30 frames per second (depends on a model, some model takes 40 frames continuously).
If you master this function, you won't miss a moment shift of expression of a little child.

Anyway shoot, shoot and shoot. It is a shortcut to a skilled photographer to shoot many and to select only good shots later.
A beginner who is technically undeveloped should take much more than a pro.

There are many who have a fixed idea of "A photograph can be taken for oneself", but in a shooting spot of a pro, many people are co-working.
A director who manages the entire image of pages of a magazine, a fashion stylist who manages the costume and background, a makeup artist who makes up the face and hair, a camera assistant who controls the lighting, and so on.
It is due to these people who work together for taking a good picture that really a good picture comes out.

It is not possible to hold a camera, to coax a baby to smile, and besides, to handle a reflecting board and lighting equipment for oneself.
Even I cannot make it.
Then, let's shoot in allotment of the work, for instance, "Father plays a photographer", "Mother holds a ref board and pleases a baby" and so on.
But it's a taboo to bother each other.
There is no sense quarreling with a collaborator. Let's carry on friendly, sticking to own role.
It is good to live in peace.

Father plays a role of a photographer and mother assists holding a ref board.

You will not believe such a photo can be taken by shooting outdoors (and that on a road !) spreading a deep-piled rug.
But it's true.

This time, mother handles a camera and father manages the lighting.

A bulb of about 300w will work depending on the use (lighting equipment, etc. will be explained minutely in Part 3).
For the time being, please challenge with a relatively light bulb in the home.
Set the speed of a digital camera high and even enjoy blurring or the hand shake.

Most people feel a little bit nervous "To have their photograph taken." Why ?
It's partly because "It is not known who on earth can happen to see the photograph."
And it's partly because they believe somewhere in the background of their mine that 'a photograph would show true oneself', isn't it ?

Readers who have read this article understand, don't you ? What a photograph shows is a mere optical image.
It may sometimes be true, but it is not always true.
Especially, a digital photograph can easily be processed after shooting, even an impossible image can be made.
Then, I think, it is sensible to give priority to 'enjoy to take a photograph or to have a photograph taken' rather to "Take a good photograph with efforts."
Don't' be too serious and let's take or be taken easily.

Photo A.
Turning over a child. Most children are delighted with this kind of thing. Please utilize a remote cord or a self timer.

Photo B.
It's as it were an ordinary family photograph, but it is nice that father and mother are a little apart and both are in proper poses.

Photo C.
Image making the most of father's hobby --- sea fishing. Let's simply enjoy.