1. Practicing Exposure Control

• Objective: Gain control over the exposure triangle by adjusting shutter speed, aperture, and ISO in different lighting conditions.
• Activity:
  • Start in manual mode (M) on your camera.
  • Practice adjusting shutter speed to freeze motion (e.g., fast-moving objects like cars) or to create motion blur (e.g., flowing water).
  • Use a wide aperture (e.g., f/1.8) to blur the background for portraits, and a narrow aperture (e.g., f/16) to keep landscapes fully in focus.
  • Adjust ISO in low light conditions and observe how higher ISO settings affect image noise.
• Scenarios:
  • Bright sunlight: Try low ISO, fast shutter speed, and moderate aperture.
  • Indoor low-light: Increase ISO, widen the aperture, and slow the shutter speed to maintain proper exposure.

2. Composing Shots Using the Rule of Thirds and Experimenting with Different Angles

• Objective: Improve composition by applying the rule of thirds and capturing your subject from different perspectives.
• Activity:
  • Enable the grid on your camera or smartphone to visualize the rule of thirds.
  • Position your subject along the grid lines or intersections for a more dynamic composition.
  • Experiment with angles:
    • Low angle: Shoot from below to make the subject appear more dominant.
    • High angle: Shoot from above for a more delicate or inclusive perspective.
    • Close-up vs. wide shots: Try both approaches to capture details and context.
• Scenarios:
  • Nature: Position a tree or mountain along a grid line.
  • Street photography: Capture people or architecture using varied perspectives for dramatic effects.

3. Capture Images in Natural Light Conditions and Experiment with Artificial Lighting Setups

• Objective: Practice shooting in natural light and using artificial lighting to understand how both affect exposure and mood.
• Activity:
  • In natural light, shoot during the golden hour or blue hour to capture soft, flattering light. Pay attention to shadows and how the light changes the feel of your images.
  • Experiment with side lighting and backlighting to create texture and depth.
  • In artificial light, set up a scene using lamps, LEDs, or flash. Use reflectors to bounce light or diffusers to soften it.
• Scenarios:
  • Portraits in the golden hour: Capture soft shadows and warm tones.
  • Indoor product photography: Set up a simple lighting arrangement with softboxes or off-camera flash to highlight details and textures.

These hands-on exercises will help you develop an intuitive understanding of exposure, composition, and lighting, allowing you to create well-balanced and visually compelling images in various scenarios.