The Art and Commerce of Visual Storytelling

In this lesson, you will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of photography and videography, two crucial mediums in the art of visual storytelling. We begin by defining these disciplines and exploring their roles in conveying stories through images and motion. Understanding the historical evolution of image and video capture technology provides valuable context for today’s tools and techniques. You will learn the basic differences between photos and videos in terms of their capture methods and intended purposes, setting a clear foundation for further study.

The lesson introduces essential camera types such as DSLR, mirrorless, and cinema cameras, highlighting their unique applications in visual media. We delve into key camera components including the lens, sensor, shutter, and viewfinder, and explain how different image sensors impact image quality and video resolution. You will gain an understanding of aperture and its effects on exposure and depth of field, as well as the dual role of shutter speed in managing exposure and motion blur.

Additionally, we cover ISO settings, explaining how they influence image brightness and noise levels, and introduce the exposure triangle — the interaction of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO that governs proper exposure. Achieving accurate colors is also emphasized through the importance of white balance. The lesson presents common lens types like prime, zoom, wide-angle, and telephoto, and discusses how focal length affects field of view and composition.

Fundamentals of framing and composition techniques are introduced to help you create impactful images and video footage. The crucial role of lighting, both natural and artificial, is outlined to enhance visual storytelling. You will understand different focus modes — auto and manual — and their significance for still and moving images, as well as the effect of various frame rates (fps) on the portrayal of motion in video capture.

The lesson also covers resolution and aspect ratios common in photography and videography standards. You will learn why selecting proper file formats and codecs is essential for effective image and video storage and editing. Finally, this lesson encourages a foundational mindset of visual storytelling—where intentional capture of images and video forms the basis for creating memorable and engaging narratives in your work.