Some of the basic terms related to both film and digital cameras:

What does the Shutter do? Controls the amount of time light is allowed to strike the film Controls motion

Shutter Speeds B 1 2 4 8 15 30 60 125 500 1000 2000 B represents bulb, which refers to the use of flash bulbs with earlier camera models. The 1 refers to a 1 second exposure, all other numbers are a fraction of a second. Shutter speeds are in 1-stop increments, so a change in settings either halves or doubles the speed

Leaf Shutter Located in the lens barrel A function of the aperture mechanism but is also controlled by the shutter speed Exposes the entire film plane as the metal leaves open

Controlling Movement Camera movement- results when shutter speed is too slow to hold the camera steady Subject movement- using a fast shutter speed to stop the action or a slow shutter speed to allow a blurring effect

Fast Shutter Speed Stops action Add an element of tension or dynamics

FAST SHUTTER SPEED – JUGGLING SHOTS NOTICE HOW OBJECTS ARE “FROZEN” IN THE AIR

Slow Shutter Speed Showing movement in a photograph Blurring the action in a scene

Panning Allows the subject to remain in focus Causes the background to appear out of focus because of camera movement Gives the illusion of dynamic speed

APERTURE

Aperture description… referred to as the opening inside a photographic lens. The size of the opening in a camera lens regulates the amount of light that passes through onto the film or sensor. Regulates the depth of field within a photo. Aperture size is usually calibrated in f-numbers or f-stops. Each of this value represents one time the amount of light either more or less in quantity.

Depth of Field Refers to the amount of the picture plane that appears to be in focus May be referred to as shallow, medium, or wide depth of field

This effect may be very dramatic with portraits. SHALLOW DEPTH OF FIELD:                                At f/2.8 only the focused subject will be sharp; foreground and background won't. This effect may be very dramatic with portraits.

WIDE DEPTH OF FIELD: With smaller apertures (f11) everything in the scene will be very sharp. Many lenses have a so-called sweet spot where the lens reaches the maximum sharpness (in many cases at f/8 or f/11).                               

Exposure

Exposure: the total amount of light allowed to fall on the photographic medium (photographic film or image sensor) during the process of taking a photograph.

How do you determine a correct exposure? 1. Control the exposure time and amount of light by adjusting the shutter speed and aperture settings

How do you determine a correct exposure? 2. Determine the sensitivity of the film Sensitivity of film to light is referred to as film speed Film speed is measured on a scale by ISO The faster the film speed (larger the number), the more sensitive the film is to light The slower the film speed (smaller the number), the less sensitive the film is to light

Fast Film speed The high sensitivity to light with the fast film speed produces a very grainy effect on the photograph.

Fast Film Speed -best for low light/ indoor due to the fact that it is more sensitive to light

Slow Film Speed The low sensitivity to light with the slow film speed produces a very detailed effect on the photograph. Little or no grains appear on the photograph.

Slow Film Speed -less sensitive to light, and does not produce the grainy look that a high film speed film would create.

Overexposure!!! Changing only the aperture setting by opening up with a correct meter reading results in overexposure- exposure to too much light. You don’t want this!

Underexposure Changing only the aperture setting by stopping down with a correct meter reading may result in underexposure- not enough exposure to light. You don’t want this!

Composition: the organization or grouping of the different parts of a work of art so as to achieve a unified whole.

Rule of Thirds Subjects placed in the center of the photo often look stiff and motionless Add interest by aligning your subject into one of the “thirds” of the photo

Framing Brings the focus to the subject Allows an object to act as a border around your subject Creates perspective and shows depth

Leading Lines Draw the viewer into the photograph May be created by organic or man-made forms Create depth and dimension

Simplicity selecting uncomplicated backgrounds avoiding unrelated subjects moving in close

Color May add intensity to an area of a photograph May help create a mood or feeling Can bring out the focus of the photograph

Photo Activity! We will make PHOTOGRAMS in the darkroom! Come up with a creative composition with various materials!

PHOTOGRAM PROCESS: (Step 1: in the classroom) Set up a random mix of objects on a sheet of paper. Consider a variety of shapes, materials (some transparent, some not), and size. I will take 3 groups in at a time After you make a “negative” print, I will show you the process of making a “positive” print.

Photograms Due at end of class: 10 points! Use any size paper today (8 x 10, 8 x 12 or 5 x 7) Considerations: A variety of objects Use of ink for transferring a drawing Arranging objects to create an image Have an object move across the paper slowly Use your hand or face within the composition Consider bookmarks, “frames”, or other interesting practical uses for your photograms