Course Code BPH100
Fee Code S1
Number of Assignments 8
Duration (approx) 100 hours
Comment from one of our Introduction to Photography students:
“Glad I signed up” G. Gadja
Throughout this course reference will be made back to our own perception of light through our eyes and the similarities and differences between the eye and the camera. One crucial fact underlies all photography, and for that matter, any “visual recording” medium. That fact is that although many and various technologies can produce images, the quality of those images is eventually judged by our own eyes. They act as a parameter for our technological design.
COURSE STRUCTURE
You will be given instructions throughout this subject guide to do various things … you may be asked to contact an organisation, you may be given something to read, or some information to research. Various tasks will be given to you to develop your knowledge and abilities in photography care. Along with these tasks, you will also be given a number of questions to answer at the end of each lesson. You are required to submit them as an assignment to your tutor.
1. Origins of Photography:
To discuss the principles those underpins photography and examine the evolution into digital technologies.
2. Film
To explain how photographic images are able to be captured on film or digitally. This lesson will also explain how photographic images are able to be captured by digital cameras.
3. Photo Equipment: Cameras
To provide you with a firm understanding of how you can work at improving your capabilities with respect to taking photographs
4. Photo Equipment
To determine appropriate application for a range of common items of photographic equipment and develop an understanding of how digital images can be transferred effectively from a digital camera
5. Processing/Developing Images
Developing Different Film Types, Processing Solutions, Fixer, Developer, Stop Bath, Fixing, Washing, Wetting Agents, Drying, etc.
6. Enlarging and Photo Manipulation
Describe the process by which photographic film may be enlarged. Also explains techniques that can be used to process digital photographs within a computer to achieve improved or changed images.
7. Lighting
To work more effectively with light when taking photographs.
8. Fault Finding
Common Problems, and how to deal with them.
AIMS
Discuss the principles those underpins photography and examine the evolution into digital technologies.
Explain how photographic images are able to be captured on film. This lesson will also explain how photographic images are able to be captured by digital cameras.
Provide you with a firm understanding of how you can work at improving your capabilities with respect to taking photographs. It provides a framework, upon which you will base your work in future lessons.
Determine appropriate application for a range of common items of photographic equipment and develop an understanding of how digital images can be transferred effectively from a digital camera
Explain how photographic film is developed.
Describe the process by which photographic film may be enlarged. Also explain techniques that can be used to process digital photographs within a computer to achieve improved or changed images.
Work more effectively with light when taking photographs.
To identify and avoid common faults in photographs.
Extract from Course Notes
CAMERA STABILITY
On shutter speeds under 1/125 second, chances of the picture being blurred are high (because of either camera movement or movement of the subject).
EXAMPLE:
If the correct exposure combination on an overcast day for 100 ISO film is F16 and a 30th second, you will risk camera shake.
(NB: When shutter speed or F stop is altered, this doubles or halves the exposure. Both variables thus alter the amount of light entering the camera in the same proportion; but in different ways).
Instead of F16 at a 30th you could choose one of the following:
F11 at a 60th (You determine this by doubling the light via the aperture and halving the shutter speed…the result is the same).
F8 at a 125th of a second
F5.6 at a 250th of a second.
By operating at F8 or F5.6 we can reduce the chance of camera movement.
If you want to freeze movement in a picture (eg: If you are photographing a moving person or animal), the lowest speed you should use is a 125th second.
If there is rapid movement or movement closer to the camera, then the photograph needs to be taken at a higher speed.
To stop a car speeding past at 75 kph for example, you would need a 1000th second whereas if the same car was moving towards or away from the camera a minimum speed of 1/125th would be acceptable.
Everyone’s ability to hold a camera still varies, as does every situation where you photograph moving objects, so despite recommendations, it is only experience which will teach you what minimum speeds you can use in different situations.
What happens when the meter tells you to set F stop at 2.8 and film speed at a 15th second; and F2.8 is our maximum working aperture. We have no choice but to follow the meter’s direction. If we had expected to shoot in dim light, we could have used a faster film (ie. with a higher ISO).
The other option is to hold the camera still and not photograph anything with much movement.
Camera movement can be reduced the following ways:
· Tripod and cable release.
Your finger pushing the shutter button can move a camera on a tripod. By using a cable attachment, you can release the shutter by pressing a plunger in the cable, greatly reducing any chance of camera movement.
· Sit the camera on a solid object.
Sitting the camera on top of a wall, fence, table or some other solid object, and composing your picture from that point.
· Using a timer mechanism to release the shutter.
· If the camera is sitting on a solid object or a tripod, you can set a ten second delay so the shutter releases without you pushing it and risking movement.
· Lean your body against a wall, fence or some other solid object when taking the photograph.
This reduces body movement.
· Stand with your legs apart.
This gives greater stability than with legs close together.
· Breathe out slowly and evenly as you press the button.