DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY – 1165 – WEEK 1

DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD

1. Cameras Overview: 35mm SLR Film Camera

SLR – Single Lens Reflex

A single lens is attached to the front of the camera, allowing light to enter the camera which is reflected
off a mirror up into the viewfinder that contains a prism so that the photographer can view the image. A
roll of 35mm film is loaded into the camera to capture images by exposing the negative to light. The film
contained inside of the camera is exposed to light when the mirror and shutter move out of the way.
This film then needs to be processed and developed before the photographer can view the image that
was taken.

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DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD

2. DSLR Overview: Digital Single Lens Reflex

• Digital as we are working with a digital camera that contains a sensor and electronic controls.
Single lens as we are only attaching one lens to the front of the camera. Reflex because the light enters
the lens and bounces off a mirror, up into a prism contained in the viewfinder that allows the
photographer to view the scene before taking the photo. When the photographer is ready to take the
photo, the mirror, moves out of the way so that the light exposes the camera sensor, similar to a 35mm
SLR camera.
• This light entering the lens is controlled by aperture, shutter speed and ISO to manipulate the
light and create an exposure of the image onto the camera sensor.
• The aperture is controlled by the aperture ring inside the lens itself. This aperture opens and
closes allowing either more or less light to enter the camera. Shutter speed and ISO are both
adjustments made to control light by manipulating elements found inside the camera itself, while the
aperture ring is inside the actual lens.
The camera sensor which would be replaced by a film negative on a 35mm SLR camera, is a
digital chip that records light in RGB, Red Green and Blue information. This information is then
processed into millions of tiny pixels that make up the photograph you see. This image is made up of
pixels and referenced in “megapixels” – a 20 megapixel image is 20 million pixels of RGB information. All
cameras have a different output file size depending on the quality of camera, this can range from 4mp
all the way up to 100mp.

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DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD

3. Camera Handling:

Cameras and especially lenses must be treated as fragile. Handle all cameras and lenses with care, they
contain glass and complex electronics that should never be dropped or exposed to water. Although
some professional grade cameras are more durable and weather resistant, it is good practice to treat all
cameras and lenses the same way. Cameras and lenses must be stored and transported in dry protective
cases. A good bag or case to store and transport your equipment is a great investment.

With Digital cameras, the memory card contained inside the camera must also be treated as fragile and
handled with care. This memory card is what records the information or digital media that makes up a
photograph. Memory cards should be transferred/copied to a computer, backed up after every use and
then formatted by the internal camera formatting software prior to every further use.

4. Setting up the Camera: File format, Format Card

On every camera there are a few different options for what type of file will be created when a photo is
taken. This can be set within the main menu, navigate to the image quality or file type menu and select
either high resolution JPG, RAW or on some cameras, both.

After a photoshoot, make sure to back up your photos on a computer or external hard drive. Once this is
done you can format your memory card so that you are ready for the next photoshoot. Be sure to
format your memory card after you have backed up your photos or if you are using a different camera.

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DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD

5. File Management and Storage

When it comes to managing your media and storage of your work, it is essential to use high quality hard
drives that are reliable. This is very important as the equipment used to create the media, laptops,
computers, cameras etc are tools, the actual value is in the work created. It is good practice to use one
hard drive as a primary “working drive” and at least one hard drive as a “back-up drive”. As a working
professional, it is standard to have at least one backup of all the media you have created at any given
time, good practice would be 3 measures of redundancy, meaning, 3 backups of all media and one of
these is off site or stored at a different location. Tools can be replaced, your time, your work and your
deliverables to clients cannot be replaced without investing the time once again and recreating the
media. Start practicing good file management and storage now, even while you are in school.

6. Camera Settings: M, P, AV, TV, BULB.

On the left hand side of most DSLR cameras you will see a dial which determines the camera mode
settings, this dial may vary between cameras and brands but the main settings are consistent: Program
Auto Exposure (P) – The camera is in mode “Auto” all settings will be adjusted for you based on the
surrounding light of the viewing area, Aperture Priority (Av on Canon EOS cameras) – The user may
adjust the aperture of the camera while all other settings are automatically adjusted, Shutter Priority (Tv
on Canon EOS cameras) – the user may adjust the shutter speed value while all other settings are
automatically adjusted and Manual (M) – the camera is in full control of the user. On some cameras
there is also a BULB setting, this is a feature that allows manual control of the shutter to be open when
the button is pressed and closed when the button is released, a remote for the shutter actuation will be
required to use this feature without camera shake and image blur in your images as your camera will
move slightly when pressing the shutter release button even if it is mounted on a tripod. To find out
more about your cameras specific shooting modes, read the user manual that came with the system.

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DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD

7. White Balance

Each camera has the ability to control the temperature of light and therefore the accuracy of the colors
being recorded in each photo. Although color correction is something that can be done in post-
production, it is good practice to take the photo correctly in camera as we have the option to set a white
balance profile or even a custom white balance profile before taking the photograph.

8. Taking a Photo

Handling your camera properly is very important, make sure to hold the camera grip firmly and support
the weight of the camera and lens with both hands. Try to avoid shaking the camera while taking photos
as this can result in blurry, poor quality images. Stabilize your whole body while taking photos or
consider using a tripod if the weight of the camera is too much.

Compose your image, good composition skills are the key to becoming a great photographer, be sure to
keep in mind some of the principles of design when composing a scene. Here are a few things to think
about to start composing a photograph.

The Rule of Thirds:

When composing an image, break it down in your mind into 9 pieces using the above grid as a
framework. This grid then provides 4 important areas in your composition to place elements or subjects.
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DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD

By doing this, the idea is that your image becomes more balanced and the viewer will interact with your
image more naturally.

The rule of thirds grid is also a great tool as it gives you horizontal and vertical lines to frame your image
horizon so that it is level and more pleasing to view. This grid can also help position your focal point or
main subjects into the correct location of the frame. Once you have positioned the focal point, look for
leading lines that can draw the viewers eye movement to that location in the image. This can be a real or
an imaginary line element that helps guide the viewers eye movement when taking in a photograph.

The principles of design

When composing an image, also be sure to consider some of the following principles of design, as a
photographer, you are composing elements that follow a predetermined visual design.

BALANCE – is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space. Balance
provides stability and structure to a photograph. It’s the weight distributed in the composition by the
placement of your elements.

EMPHASIS – is the part of the design that catches the viewer’s attention or the focal point of the image.

MOVEMENT – is the path the viewer’s eye takes through the photograph, often to focal areas. Such
movement can be directed along lines, edges, shape, and color within the composition.

PROXIMITY – creates relationship between elements. It provides a focal point. Proximity doesn’t mean
that elements have to be placed together, it means they should be visually connected in some way.

ALIGNMENT – allows us to create order and organization. Aligning elements allows them to create a
visual connection with each other.

REPETITION – strengthens a design by tying together individual elements. It helps to create association
and consistency. Repetition can create rhythm (a feeling of organized movement).

CONTRAST – is the juxtaposition of opposing elements (opposite colors on the color wheel, or value light
/ dark, or direction – horizontal / vertical). Contrast allows us to emphasize or highlight key elements in
your composition.

SPACE – Space in photography refers to the distance or area between, around, above, below, or within
elements. Both positive and negative space are important factors to be considered in every
composition.

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9. Exposure Triangle

Component Analogy Control Light Aesthetic Notes

“Sort of” like a Volume Increase More Light More Noise Grainy, Distorted,
Knob for Light numbers Unclear, Artistic.

ISO Increasing/decreasing the light

(Sensor sensitivity) electronically after it has come
through the lens. Decrease Less Light Less Noise Smooth, Clean, Clear,
numbers Sharp.
An “easy way” to turn up the
light with the twist of a knob...

However, when we turn up

electronics too high,
distortions start to happen. (In
digital cameras the result is
NOISE)

Test your camera to find your

preferred/acceptable ISO
settings.

“Sort of” like Shutters on Slower More Light Longer Motion Reveals motion.
a Window shutter speed Blur
Viewer sees more
Shutter Speed The amount of light that enters More blur motion trail
(Shutter Angle) is controlled by the length of
time they are open.

The longer they are left open, Video: use ½ the

the more light will come in. frame rate for a
normal amount of
Use the shutter speed you Faster Less Light Shorter Motion motion blur in video.
require. (in film they call this 30 FPS… Use 1/60
shutter angle)
shutter speed Blur
Shutter Speed…
Less blur 24FPS=1/48…
60FPS=1/120

Freezes motion.

“Sort of” like the Size of Lower F – More Light Thin Focal Plane Intimate, specific,
the Window Stop Number draws the eye to one
Shallow spot.
Aperture Controlled by a series of blades Depth of Field
(Iris, F-Stop, Depth of Field) inside the lens converging toward
the center. Narrow area in focus

Generally, lenses have a

“sweetest spot” in the F-Stop
range where they are the Higher F – Less Light Wide Focal Plane Everything is clear,
sharpest. Very high/low settings Stop Number encourages us to look
can cause problems with Deep all over the picture.
diffraction/sharpness. More Depth of Field
expensive lenses generally
perform better. Wider area in focus

Test your lenses to find their

specific characteristics.

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DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD

10. Exposure Triangle Graphic

Exposure Triangle Summary:

Aperture: wide aperture (low number) allows more light to enter the camera but has a shallow depth of
field, closed aperture (high number) allows less light to enter the camera but with a greater depth of
field.

Shutter Speed: a high shutter speed value will freeze motion but allow less light to enter the camera, a
slow shutter will produce motion blur and allow more light to enter the camera.

ISO: a low ISO value will make your camera sensor less sensitive to light and produce less noise in the
image, a high ISO value will make your camera more sensitive to light, but as a result, your image will
have more noise.

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DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD

Internal Camera Light Meter

When you look into the camera viewfinder, you will see a resemblance of the below image of a light
meter. This tool is located inside the viewfinder to give the photographer visual feedback of the current
exposure based on the camera settings and subject the camera is pointing at. The goal is to position the
indicator in the center of the range and this will achieve a good exposure. However, this meter will
change when you move your camera and point at a different subject that requires a different exposure.

Homework Assignment: Due Week #3

Review PDF handout while holding your camera, become familiar with your camera while reading
through the provided PDF, practice handling the camera, changing exposure settings, transferring files,
formatting the memory card and taking photos.

Recommended: if you do not already have one, download a copy of your cameras user manual from the
manufacturers website. Read through this manual to know the full extent of your cameras capabilities
and features, your camera may be capable of much more than you think!

Practical Homework Assignment: 15%

o Practice taking photos and submit 3 photos of different landscape images

o Each photo must be photographed using RAW image file format
o Each photograph must be correctly exposed in camera using Manual camera mode with no
additional editing or RAW processing applied

3 Images Captured - Each image is graded out of 5 for a total of 15 marks from the following criteria:

o Images were photographed using RAW file format /1

o Images were photographed using Manual camera mode /1
o Images were correctly exposed in camera /1
o Images are in focus /1
o Images were composed with attention paid to rule of thirds and basic principles of design /1
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