Introduction to Photography Quiz

Introduction to Photography

• Course title: Introduction to Photography
• Instructor: Dr. Salma Youssef M. Kamel
• Academic year: 2024/2025

Etymology

• Photography means "drawing with light"
• Coined in 1839 by Sir John Herschel
• Based on Greek words: phos (light) and graphê (drawing/writing)

What is photography for famous photographers

• Dorothea Lange (American, 1895-1965): Photography captures a moment in time, holding life still. The camera teaches people how to see without one.
• Elliot Erwitt (1928-2023): Photography is observation, finding interest in ordinary places. It's about the way you see, not what you see.
• Ansel Adams (1902-1984): A great photo fully expresses feelings about the photographed subject.
• Annie Leibovitz (1949-): Seeing and framing never stops; it's always on.

Visual Communication Circle Dance (Aldous Huxley)

• Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) explored visual communication and sight-related theories.
• His work includes influential novels on the dehumanizing aspects of scientific progress, notably Brave New World.
• "The more you see, the more you know."

Film Camera Types

• Large Format Cameras: Use sheet film.
• Medium Format Cameras: Use 120 film; not perforated. Formats include 6x6.
• 35mm Cameras: Use 35mm film; perforated. Include format variations like full frame, 3:2 aspect, and crop 1.0x
• Instamatic Cameras: Use 126mm, 110mm, and disk film.

Special Format Cameras

• Cameras with unique formats.

Instant Cameras

• Cameras that produce chemically developed prints shortly after taking the picture.

Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera (DSLR)

• Uses a prism and 45-degree mirror to view the photographed scene from the viewfinder through the shooting lens

Mirrorless Cameras

• Have no prism or 45-degree mirror.
• Use Electronic Viewfinders (EVF) showing the image that the sensor outputs on an LCD or OLED screen
• Advantages: compact size, relatively quick focusing, high frame rate.
• Disadvantages: often a smaller range of lenses and accessories, mediocre battery life.

Important Abbreviations

• SLR (Single Lens Reflex)
• MILC/ILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera)
• CSC (Compact System Camera)
• DIL (Digital Interchangeable Lens)

Parts and Function of Digital Camera

• Shows diagram of camera parts and their functions

Camera Parts Functions

• Diagram of camera parts
• Explains viewfinder function, how light is reflected/refracted

Location of Memory Cards

• Cameras often have one or two card slots, doubling storage space.
• Card location varies by camera type.

Location of Battery

• Battery types and power vary.
• Power capacity is evaluated based on the number of shots possible.

Type of Lens Mount

• Different camera brands have unique lens mounts.
• Lens adapters enable use of cameras and lenses from incompatible systems.

Hot Shoe

• Electronic connector on the top of most cameras.
• Allows control of compatible equipment, such as flashes, microphones, and wireless triggers.

45° Mirror

• Essential part of DSLR optical viewfinder (OVF) system.
• Positioned behind the lens to reflect light into the viewfinder.

Viewfinder in Mirrorless Cameras

• Captures images without a mirror.
• Use electronic viewfinders (EVF) to display images digitally.

External Connections

• Most digital cameras have a USB port to connect to computers.
• Others may have HDMI, flash sync, and audio inputs.

Viewfinder Adjustment

• Use the diopter wheel to adjust the viewfinder for clear visibility

Mode Dial

• Camera modes vary; Full Automatic, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual.
• Different modes are accessible; landscape, portrait, sports, night, macro.
• Fully Automatic mode is like a point-and-shoot camera, and the camera determines the best settings.

Custom Modes

• Custom modes allow users to save custom settings for later use.
• C1-C3 (Custom 1-3)

Drive Mode

• Includes One-shot mode, Continuous High (rapid shooting), Continuous Low (slower shooting), and silent options.

Self-timer(s)

• Offers delay between pressing the shutter and firing.

Picture Style

• Preset, adjustable parameters affecting image rendering of JPEG/MOV files

Info displayed on LCD

• Shows the camera mode, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, exposure scale, and more.

Metering System

• Matrix metering (multi-segment/evaluative) accounts entire frame
• Partial accounts 8% -15% of frame
• Center weighted focuses on the frame's center
• Spot focuses on the exact center

High-Light Metering

• New mode in some models, primarily targeting proper exposure of highlights without overexposure.

Focusing System

• Focus mode controls autofocus or manual focus via a switch or dial, and modern DSLRs often use phase-detect autofocus.

White Balance

• Adjusting ratios of sensitivity between colours in digital cameras to match the characteristics of the light.
• Modes include: daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, and flash.

Drive Mode

• Includes One-shot, continuous high/low, and silent modes for various shooting needs

Exposure Triangle

• Relationship of three variables (ISO, aperture, and shutter speed) determining exposure.
• Adjusting any one variable will affect the others.

Overexposed Photo

• Excessive light causes washed-out highlights, losing detail.

Underexposed Photo

• Insufficient light yields dark shadows, details lost

Correct Exposed Photo

• Details in both shadows and highlights, good tonal range.

Shutter Settings

• Controls the time the sensor is exposed to light. The best choice depends on whether the subject is stationary or moving.

Aperture Settings

• Controls the amount of light reaching the sensor. Choices are linked to depth of field and compensation for lighting.

ISO Setting

• Controls the sensitivity of the sensor to light. High ISO values can increase sensitivity but at the cost of noise. The choice depends on lighting, desired depth of field, and shutter speed.

Summary

• Covers various camera types, functions, and settings.
• Includes historical context and explanations of technical terms.

Test your knowledge of key concepts and historical figures in photography through this engaging quiz. Delve into the etymology of the term and explore famous photographers' perspectives on the art of capturing images. Enhance your understanding of photography's role in visual communication.