This is a transcript of Mr Ng En Fook's presentation dated 5.9.1993. All credits for authorship of the presentation text go to Mr Ng En Fook. Although written in the days of film before the advent of digital cameras, his pointers and advice are still very much valid today.
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[Presented by Mr Ng En Fook on Sunday, 5 September 1993]
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At this Photographic Prize Giving Presentation Ceremony it is entirely impossible to transfer the know how all about photography to you all.
What little things I know of photography which I can remember, I am willing to share with you all. Because God's way of life in this world is "Love", so sharing my experience to you all is love too.
In your photographic competition here are mostly pictures of 'Static' subjects. The quality common to static subjects is immobility, they remain still unless moved by external forces.
Typical subjects for this kind are for instance:- Landscapes, seascapes, flowers and trees. Inanimate objects of nature are most man-made objects:- architecture, machinery, works of art, objects of daily life, posed portraits, fashion shots, still lives and reproductions.
Now let us find out what is photography.
WHO INVENTED PHOTOGRAPHY?
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Photography was not invented by any one man. It is the combination of the sciences of optics and chemistry. It is the result of investigation and discovery on the part of many chemists and other scientists. Some of the important discoveries were made more or less accidentally.
The word photography means:- _Photo_ means light and _Graphy_ means write. The meaning of photography in the dictionary is- The art of obtaining pictures by all the agency of light upon sensitive surfaces. Photography is picture language, the newest version of the oldest form of graphic communication. Unlike the spoken or written word, it is a form of communication that can be internationally understood. The essential purpose of photography is communication or are compelled -to inform, educate, entertain, reform or share some experience with others. Photography provides the simplest and cheapest means of preserving facts in picture form.
WHAT IS A PHOTOGRAPHER?
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A photographer is a person who takes pictures with his camera, to tell a story with photographs. Creative photographers are artists in the true meaning of the word - makes a deliberate effort to express what he feels about what he sees. Creative
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photographers are found among amateurs as well as professionals. A photographer must tell a story with photographs. Imagination and creative ability are necessary to develop the original idea into an interesting picture story. Human interest often contains humor.
A photographer must be like a News Features photographer in a newspaper firm.
1) Can plan his picture and develop his idea anywhere, anytime and any subject.
2) Must be bold, _ability to plan_ expected and unexpected picture story:- Basic Idea (_Simple_)
3) In addition, he must have sufficient photographic experience to take care of the technical details almost automatically.
4) Or a News Photographer- requires sharp shooting ability, absolutely control of equipments, must know when to shoot and when to wait, a keen sense of timing and a developed sense of news judgment is essential.
_Referring to the subject of the photographer must have the ability to plan!_
From these three words 2) "_ability to plan_" makes me a press photographer. Before that I was a processor, that means doing photographic processing in a darkroom in the Information Department in Kuala Lumpur.
On one occasion during the funeral services of Sir Henry Gurney (U Joe's note: October 1951), I was given the opportunity to use a camera to do some shooting of the funeral service because at that time our department only had a few official photographers, so I was fortunate to be call to assist in taking pictures at my own discretion in St. Mary's Church compound outside and the state funeral parade along Clock Tower. So before I shoot any pictures at the funeral, I try to use my _ability to plan_ and ask myself if I shoot this picture would it be good for news?
Then after the funeral service, I went back to office darkroom to develop the official photographers' films and mine. When the processing of the films were dried and sent for the Editor to select a few pictures for publication in the various newspapers- to my surprise some of my pictures were selected for publication and from that time onwards the editor like my way in picture taking and whenever there is a shortage of official photographers I was given the chance to take pictures. As time passes,
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I was promoted to be one of the official photographer in our department. Then I decided to take up a photography correspondent course in America to further my knowledge in Photography.
So you all see having "_ability to plan_" before taking any pictures will lead us to success.
Coming to photographic experience to take care of the technical details almost automatically the photographer must know his camera well:-
1) The lens that produce the picture.
2) The film that retains it
Its other components are merely auxillary devices that control the three operations by which a picture is made:- 1) Aiming 2) Focusing 3) Exposuring.
1) Aiming - Without an accurate aiming device, a photographer cannot accurately compose his subject.
2) Focusing - Focusing a camera means adjusting the lens-to-film distance in relation to the lens-to-subject distance to a point that produces a sharp image.
3) Exposing - Exposing is admitting the amount of light to the film that will produce a negative or transparency of correct density or a colour transparencies of pleasing color. Two devices control this:- 1) the diaphragm, a variable aperture built into the lens, controls the amount of light admitted to the film. 2) the shutter, in conjunction with the built-in timing device regulates the length of time the light is admitted to the film.
There are two types of shutters:-
1) Between the lens shutters
2) Focal-plane shutters are built into the camera.
What are the four principal factors that govern exposure in making negatives or transparencies?
1) The type of subject 2) the intensity of the light 3) the speed of the lens 4) the speed of the film
Five reasons for stopping down a lens in making an exposure.
1) To regulate exposure 2) to increase depth of field 3) to increase depth of focus, for example (a portrait certain part sharp and certain part blur) 4) To increase
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over-all sharpness 5) To obtain selective focus.
What is the most important single qualification for a commercial photographer?
It is that the commercial photographer must be a good technician or master of his trade.
What is the best camera for a photographer?
The best camera is the camera that suits the photographer's work or suits one's need is on the basis of the following considerations.
The personality of the photographer.
The purpose of camera must serve.
The quality of workmanship of the camera.
The price the photographer wishes to pay.
Today the best suitable camera is the 35mm cameras for general use:-
The characteristics is- small, lightness, inconspicuousness maneuverability - prerequisites for fast and unobserved photogrpahing of people, action, and events.
Super-fast lenses are generally available only for 35mm cameras.
Broadly speaking - there are four main branches of photography - 1) Portraiture 2) Commercial Photography 3) Developing, Printing and Enlarging for amateurs and 4) Motion Picture Photography.
What degree of contrast is required in negative emulsions use for?
a) Portraiture - low contrast emulsions
b) Commercial photography - medium contrast emulsions
c) Copying line drawings - high contrast emulsions.
In commercial photography there are at least eight branches:-
1) Aerial Photography 2) Real Estate Photography 3) Legal Photography 4) Industrial Photography 5) Publicity Photography 6) Architectural Photography 7) Action Photography 8) Copying Photography.
As a general rule, what kind of pictures do most editors of newspapers and magazines buy?
Pictures as one that is original, dramatic, distinctive, romantic, curious, thrilling, unique, odd, apt to be talked about.
In commercial photography - where a 10 per cent distortion cannot be tolerate.
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Distortion is not caused by the lens but the angles involved.
The most general method of minimizing this trouble is to reduce the angular field covered by the lens by moving the camera farther from the subject.
Wide-angle distortion cannot be corrected by camera swings.
Lens coverage depends on 1) Focal length. 2) Angular field.
1) Focal length- centre of lens to camera field.
2) Angular field- (the degree of coverage)
Lens coverage is greater with short focal length.
Example 4" by 5" negatives:-
1) Long focal length 12 inches = 31º - 50º
2) Short focal length 5 inches = 80º - 110º
A lens has a fixed angular coverage power.
When a lens opens full aperture less angular covering power.
When a lens opens small aperture more angular covering power.
Portraiture "smooth out" blemishes, etc (pimples not very clear) but at F22/vice versa - (pimples can be seen sharply)
What is the meaning of exposure Latitude?
This refers to the degree of over or under-exposure that can be tolerated and still get a good picture.
Why is it that when an image is projected on the focal plane, the image turns upside down?
The lens optics are such that the lens reverses the image as it passes through (In other words - light travels straight)
_Meters_ - In-camera meters measure a subject to produce an 18% grey.
As an example, measure an 18% grey card under subject lighting and you will produce a negative exposed for mid tones which will also (depending on development) render a printable black and white or colour (on the average) give the correct reading for calculating exposure.
Under the same lighting, measure a black surface and the meter will recommend opening the lens approximately two stops. It is giving you the exposure which would render the surface as an 18% grey.
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Conversely, measure a white surface and the opposite will be true. The meter will now recommend closing down approximately two stops from 18% grey reading - producing a negative which will print the white as a 10% grey.
Therefore, best results will be achieved by measuring exposure from an 18% grey card with an in-camera meter.
An incident meter will automatically give an approximate reading for a mid-tone negative, as it too reads the light required for an 18% grey.
Practically used by me for this 40 years in photography - Practical and fast way (measure by the back of my palm).
To buy a camera to suit an individual, three things must be remembered.
1) The Focal Length of the lens. 2) The Relative aperture and shutter speed. 3) Covering power of the lens.
_On Films_:- A photographer must be familiar with these qualities.
1) Type and base. 2) size. 3) color sensitivity. 4) speed 5) definition and 6) gradation.- to evaluate any type of film and determine which is best for his kind of work.
Where should sensitive photographic films be stored?
It should be stored in a cool, dry location where it can be protected from heat, gases, such as motor exhaust gas, coal gas, hot places and dampness.
COMPOSITION
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What is photographic composition?
Photographic composition is simply the arrangement of subjects within the picture area. Refer to photostat copies on composition.
Three basic principles of composition for the photographer.
1) A picture should be simple
2) A picture should have a centre of interest.
3) A picture should make good use of leading lines of movement.
_The 4 strong points of composition_
[Graphic]
Where to place the centre of interest
The most powerful and attention drawing of these is the top left intersection.
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[Graphic]
Never divide the picture into two equal parts by dividing vertical line because the eye will be confused as to which half is more important.
[Graphic]
Notice that this diagram is much more visually pleasing than the former because the centre of interest is on a "strong" point of composition.
[Graphic]
Balance of Tonal Masses:-
Heavy tonal mass on one edge appears off-balance, eye finding no counter attraction on the opposite side.
[Graphic]
Balanced.
Light plays a strong point in composition.
Light and shadow become part ofa n arrangement.
In art there are two types of tone:- 1) Notan - dark light 2) Chiaroscuro - light & shadow.
Three general masses of tone - dark, middle adn light
Three points you should watch to be a successful interior photographer:-
1) Composition
2) Lighting
3) Details of subject
Composition of lines:-
Two types of lines - straight lines and curved lines
Straight lines suggest strength, vitality, security, power and masculinity.
Curved lines suggest femininity, gracefulness of movement, liveliness & sweetness.
A subtle curve is the most beautiful line - S curve - outline of a woman's body.
Three directions of lines:- horizontal, vertical and diagonal
Horizontal line indicates= repose, peacefulness, serenity, quietness & stability.
Vertical line suggests= height, dignity, courage, aspiration, slenderness & spirituality.'
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Diagonal line gives a feeling of movement.
_Selection and Balance_:- The key to good composition selection
Emphasize it by 1) Tonal Contrast 2) Differential Focusing 3) Cropping
_Landscape Photography_
Normal rules must be applied:- lighting, composition, selection of filter, film developer combinations best suited to producing an attractive tonal rendition of a multi-colour subject.
_7 important factors_ 1) View point. 2) Composition (Refer to subject on composition) 3) Lighting. 4) Foreground interest. 5) Cloud filtering. 6) a frame. 7) people interest.
1)_Viewpoint_:- maintain interest in three distinct planes - foreground, middle ground and background.
2)_Composition_:- refer to subject on composition.
3)_Lighting_:- the interplay of highlight and shadow areas, gives the suggestion of relief and depth in a two-dimensional print. Control of lighting in landscape photography is as important as in interior set-ups where you can position lamps anywhere you like.
4)_Foreground interest_:- Any landscape picture should contain enough subject interest to have powerful, dramatic impact at the same time leading the viewer's eye into the rest of the picture.
5)_Cloud filter_:- A colour filter tends to absorb light of colours other than its own and transmit light of its own colour. In other words our eyes see things different from what is produced in the final picture.
6)_A Frame_:- Viewpoint with something to frame your picture between you and the main area of the subject. Like a branch curving in the foreground and some shadow on the ground.
7)_People interest_:- Include a figure in the landscape so that to show it is not depopulated or lifeless rural area.
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TIPS
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For any photographic competition in submitting pictures for judging, an 11" x 14" and etc. will be most pleasing compositional shape.
A newspaper photographer must be able to get results under all kinds of difficulties and be so well grounded in the fundamentals of photographic technique that the manipulation of the camera is practically instinctive.
For news photography to be published in newspapers - any pictures taken must have these qualities:- 1) Information. 2) Persuade and entertain. 3) Significant moment. 4) clean shave. 5) human interest picture.
Photography is not learnt from books but from taking photographs, making mistakes and taking more photographs.
_The Knowledge of Basic and Fundamental Photography
Written are what I know and remembered._
Photographer
Ng En Fook
[ENDS]
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