A self-instructional Module

Basic Digital Photography

A Self-Instructional Moduleby Hsingshu Elvis Yang, Joshua Winter and Monica Boon ________________ , ______________ , _______________

Univeristy of Hawaii at ManoaDepartment of Educational Technology ©Spring 2011

Introduction

Aloha and ekomo mai to our instruction-al module!

The knowledge of photography is valu-able and can be very useful in any professional or leisure situation. Very of-ten, students lack skills to take a proper photograph that will satisfy minimum requirements for a specific task or school work. In order to clearly address this gap in education, this project clarifies basic notions of the photographic procedure with the hopes to stop the perpetuation of this gap in American education.

By the end of this module, you should have learned:

Apply the focusSelect the appropriate shutter speed

select the appropriate focus

We hope you enjoy our self-instruc-tional module and pass this instruction on your own within 1 hour. While Elvis, Josh and Monica have been working together to develop this instructional module to fit your needs and your de-sire to gain more knowledge of your camera. Any and all feedback is appreciated. Thank you very much for completing our work!

Aloha nui loa, Elvis Yang, Josh Winter and Monica

Feel free to write in the margins prvided. Any and all feedback is greatly appreci-ated!

This camera represents tips and tricks that you can use on your camera.

Chapter 1: Apply the focusBehavior 1: Distinguish levels of focus.

Objective 1: Given a list of focus modes, the student will correctly select the focus range he prefers.

Information: Proper focus in digital pho-tography depends upon the proximity of distance. Macro mode enables you to get very close to your subject and capture its delicate structure. You don’t have to resort to enlarging then cropping when editing.

Rule: Proper focus of the digital photog-raphy depends upon the proximity of the distances.

Example Perfect focus on the flower.

Example Perfect focus on roses.

Non-Example This is a faliure attempting try to fo-cus on the purple flower.

Non-Example This is a faliure attempting try to fo-cus on the green leaves.

Position your object before you take the picture

Behavior 2: Distinguish focus setting.

Objective 2: Given a list of different size ob-jects, the student will correctly selectthe respective mode.

Information: Many consumer digital cam-eras have more than one focusing mode. When using an automatic mode, focus is locked whenever the shutter-release but-ton is pressed down half-way.

Rule: Assess camera mode before shoot-ing

Chapter 1: Apply the focusExamples:

BSS (best shot selector) could be used when shooting.

As pictures are easily affected by camera shake, check the Vibra-tion reduction.

Motion detection could be ena-bled or disabled.

Portrait Use this mode for taking portraits in which the main subject stand out clearly, Portrait subjects exhibit smooth, nartual looking skin tones

FoodUse this mode to take pictures of food. AF (auto focus) area mode is set to manual.

Night LandscapeUse this mode to capture night land-scapes. Slow shutter speeds are used to produce stunning night landscapes.

MuseumUse indoors where flash photography is prohibited (for example,, in museums and art galleries) or in other settings in which you do not want to use flash.

Behavior 3: Select a shooting position

Objective 3: Given a list of 4 types of posi-tion categories, the student will correctly select the appropriate position for a close up photograph of the subject.

Information : Proper focus of the digital photography depends upon the proximity of the subject. Macro mode enables you to get very close to your subject and cap-ture its delicate structure. You don’t have to resort to enlarging then cropping when editing.

Rule: Shooting position depends on size of subject.

Chapter 1: Apply the focusExamples:

You should be able to decide the distance of you and your objects by the size of your objects.

Close Up you are trying to take a close shot of this baby. you should get close to her within 1 -2ft distance .

Very farYou are trying to get the whole view of this 50ft tall light house, You should be away from it at least 500ft and take the shot from the top to get a better view .

Medium distanceYou are trying to get a face shot of a group of people. You should at least be 5 ft away from this group of people.

FarYou are trying to get a gorup of people and the beautiful background on the stage. You should be 20ft away from the stage.

Chapter 1: Practice Test1. Circle the letter below the photograph with the clearest focus.

A. C.

B. D.

Chapter 1: Practice Test

2. You are standing inside the USS Arizona Memorial and about 5 feet from the flag. Circle the letter of the mode used to get the clearest focus.

A. Indoors Mode

B. Sunset Mode C. Portrait Mode

D. Landscape Mode

3. You are standing outside of the USS Arizona Memorial about 50 feet away. Circle the letter of the mode used to get the clearest focus.

A. Backlight Mode

B. Sunset Mode

C. Portrait Mode

D. Landscape Mode


4. You are standing in front of this beautiful flower. Circle the letter of the mode that to get the clearest focus.

A. Macro Mode

B. Beach Mode

C. Portrait Mode

D. Landscape Mode

Chapter 1: Practice Test Answer Keys

1. A) The subject is blurry. B) The subject is blurry. C) The flowers are blurry. D) Correct. The bird is clear and well lighten.

2. A) Indoors Mode is wrong since object is outside. B) Sunset Mode is wrong since there is no sunset. C) Portrait Mode is wrong since there is no subject. D) Landscape is correct since the object is at a far distance. 3. A) Backlight Mode is wrong since the object is too far and is too big. B) Sunset Mode is not correct since there is no sunset. C) Portrait Mode is not correct since there is no subject. D) Landscape Mode is correct since the object is far and big.

4. A) Macro is correct since that is the only way you can take a picture of just the flower. B) Beach Mode is wrong since it is not a picture of the beach. C) Portrait Mode is wrong since there is no subject. D) Landscape is wrong since the object is close and small.

Behavior 4: Discriminate Motion Blur

Objective 5: Given four different pictures, the learner will correctly discriminate mo-tion blur.

Information: Motion blur is the apparent streaking of rapidly moving objects in a still image or a sequence of images such as a movie or animation. It results when the im-age being recorded changes during the recording of a single frame, either due to rapid movement or long exposure.The reason for movement blur is simply that the amount of time that the shutter of a camera is open is long enough to allow your camera’s image sensor to ’see’ the movement of your subject.So the number one tip in capturing move-ment in an image is to select a longer shutter speed. If your shutter speed is fast (eg 1/4000th of a second) it’s not going to see much movement (unless the the sub-ject is moving mighty fast) while if you se-lect a longer shutter speed (eg 5 seconds) you don’t need your subject to move very much at all before you start to see blur.

Rule: Long Exposure - A long exposure will allow time enough for the camera to pick up movement in the subject.

Chapter 2: Select the appropriate shutter speed

Example The movement of the ferris wheel from a blur.

Example The movement of his legs from a blur.

Non-ExampleThe short exposure captures the sub-

ject in movement without the blur.

Non-Example The short exposure captures the sub-

ject in movement without the blur.

Behavior 5: Distinguish Freeze Frame

Objective 5: Given 4 different pictures, the learner will correctly distinguish freeze frame.

Information: Freeze Frame is a technique often used by photographers to freeze a visual moment without capturing mo-tion blur. As well as controlling for a small amount of light entering the camera, fast shutter speeds can “freeze” motion.

Rule: Short Exposure - A short exposure will capture an instant in time withougt motion blur.


Example The short exposure captures an instant of the subject in movement without the blur.

Example The short exposure captures an instant of the subject in movement without the blur.

Non-Example Non-Example

Behavior 6 : Discriminate Brightness

Objective 6: Given four different pictures, the learner will correctly discriminate the appropriate brightness to portray the most clear view of the subject.

Information: The concept of brightness in photograph is not hard to understand. The longer you leave the shutter open for, the more light lands on the film, resulting in a brighter image. On the contrary, you will get a darker image if the exposure time is shorter.

Rule: More time, more light, brighter im-age.


Example Clear view of a subject.

Example Clear view of a subject.


Use flash if it is necessary.

Behavior 7: Identify Shutter Speed

Objective 7: Given four different pictures, the learner will correctly identify the right shutter speed for the specified outcome.

Information: The longer you leave the shut-ter open, the more light lands on the film, resulting in a brighter image. On an old-style manual camera, you used to get a shutter speed dial that looked like this:


Examples:

Motion Blur Slow shutter speed

Freeze frameFast shutter speed

Those numbers that you see in white are the shutter speeds in fractions of a second, and is the time taken from when the shut-ter opens to when the shutter closes, after you’ve press the shutter release.

The shutter speeds are 1/30th of a sec-ond, 1/60th of a second, 1/125th of a sec-ond, 1/250th of a second, etc.

Rule: Fast shutter speed - little light. It may cause freeze frame.Slow shutter speed - more light - It may cause motion blur.

Behavior 8: Calculate exposure time

Objective 8: Given a picture, the learner will correctly calculate its exposure time for the clearest outcome.

Information: The term shutter speed repre-sents the time that the shutter remains open when taking a photograph. Along with the aperture of the lens (also called f-stop), it determines the amount of light that reach-es the film or sensor. Digital camera modes are used to assist the photographer in tak-ing photos.

Rule: Desired outcome should align with proper exposure time mode.


Examples


Sports/AVYou are trying to take people and things in motion. You can change the aperture by choosing the sports mode or the AV mode.


A. B.

C.

5. Circle the letter below the photograph with motion blur.

D.

Chapter 2: Practice Test6. Circle the letter below the photograph with freeze frame.

A. B.

C. D.

Chapter 2: Practice Test7. Circle the letter of the option that appropriately describes the brightness of the photograph.

A. too dark

B. too bright

C. direct light

D. properly lit

8. Circle the letter next to the photograph taken with the appropraite shutter speed.

D.

B.A.

C.


9. Circle the letter of the option used to take this picture.

A. faster shutter speed

B. just right C. closed shutter

D. slower shutter speed

Chapter 2: Practice Test Answer Keys

5. A) The movement of the smoke is frozen in time with no blur. B) The movement of the dog is frozen without blur. C) Correct. The movement of the car makes blurry streaks of the lights. D) The movement of the man is not blurry.

6. A) The mouse and the cat are blurry. B) The water is blurry. C) Correct. There is no blur on the movement of the children. D) The car is blurry.

7. A) Correct. The subjects’ faces are dark and not clear. B) The picture is not bright. C) The subjects do not have direct light. D) The picture is too dark and not properly lighten.

8. A) Correct. The flowers are crispy and clear. B) The flowers are blurry. C) The flowers are blurry. D) The flowers are blurry. 9. A) A fast shutter speed will often cause a dark picture. B) Correct. The procedure used to take the picture is just right since the photo is clear and well lighten. C) A closed shutter makes it impossible to take a picture. D) A slow shutter speed causes an over exposed picture, a very light picture, or it may blur a movement.

Behavior 9: Identify camera focus. Objective 9: Given 2 different photo-graphs , the learner will correctly identify what focus mode was used.

Information: Only subjects within a certain range of the camera will be clearly cap-tured. Adjusting this range is called chang-ing the focus of the camera. Most digital cameras have an autofocus that auto-matically focuses on a subject. However, in some cases the autofocus feature does not work as the photographer intended. Instead of focusing on a foreground or background object and not the intended subject. While some photographic tech-niques emphasize out-of-focus subjects for artistic purposes, this module stresses basic digital photography and proper focus on intended subjects. Rule: Intended subjects should be clearly focused.

Chapter 3: Select appropriate focusExamples:

The camera focuses on the subject in the center of the frame.

The digital camera setting must coincide with the subject. Beach/Snow

Captures the brightness of such subjects as snowfields, beaches, or sunlit expanses of water.

Landscape ModeUse Landscape mode-people are in fo-cus in front of a large background.

These setting adjust the digital camera to properly capture the subject. Misuse of a setting can affect the quality of the pic-ture. Therefore, settings should be used only on subjects for that they are intend-ed. If the photographer is unsure of what setting should be used, often the camera has an Auto setting that will allow the camera to decide which setting is appro-priate. Automatic is usually represented by an A logo. The quality of Automatic setting photographs is less then if the ap-propriate setting was used. However, its quality is much better then using the in appropriate setting.

Behavior10: Identify how to frame a sub-ject

Objective 10: Given 3 different positions, the learner will correctly frame a subject to his visual outcome.

Information: Subjects should be properly framed within the limits of the photograph. Appropriate framing depends on the sub-ject’s size and the position from which the photograph is being taken. Pictures taken too close or too far tend to make the pho-tograph distracting. Including too much or too little of the subject is another fram-ing issue. Zooming and moving closer to the subject are the two methods used to improve framing the photograph. Close-ness to the subject is more effective than zooming, however, if closeness is not prac-tical, zooming is appropriate to properly frame the subject.

Rule: The subject should be properly framed according to its size and shooting position.


BSS (best shot selector) could be used when shooting.

Portrait person properly framed

Landscapeperson properly framed

Close-Upflower properly framed

Close-Upflower properly framed

Behavior 11: Apply camera focus to sub-jects.

Objective 13: Given four different pictures, the learner will correctly apply camera focus.

Information: Using the proper camera focus and properly framing the subject should produce an aesthetically pleasing photo.

Rule: Subject should be clearly focused and framed.


Frame the subject and then take the pictures . When the camera automatically selects a scene mode, the shooting mode icon changes to that for the scence mode currently enabled.

Frame the object Bee in-focus in field. Apply rule of third

when you frame your object.

Frame the subject Person in-focus in front of monument.

Apply rule of third when you frame your object.


10. Circle the letter of the shooting position to get the best whole body shot of this cat.

A. 1 feet away

B. 5 feet away

C. 20 feet away

D. 100 feet away


11. Circle the letter of the mode used to take this photograph .

A. Portrait Mode

B. Landscape Mode

C. Sunset Mode

D. Night Landscape Mode


12. Circle the letter of the picture taken 10 feet away using Close-Up mode.

A. *B.


13. Circle the letter of the photograph taken in focus using Close-Up mode.

B. D.C.*A.


14. Circle the letter of the out of focus photograph.

15. Circle the letter of the option that may have caused the photograph to be out of focus.

A. too far

B. close up mode

C. wrong exposure time

D. too dark

B.*A.

Chapter 3: Practice Test16. For each of the following scenarios. Circle the letter of the correct solution.

You drove up a hillside and stopped on a high ridge. The sun is setting. What mode should your camera set to?

A. Sunset Mode B. Landscape Mode C. Night/Party Mode

You realize the shot is too bright because you are facing directly to the sun. What should you do?

A. Turn on the backlight mode B. Change the shutter speed C. Turn on Portrait Mode

Now, your friends want you to take a photograph of them in front of the sunset. They want their faces to be visible. What do you need to change?

A. Turn on the backlight mode B. Change the shutter speed C. Turn on Portrait Mode

After 1 hour, the sky is pitch dark. You guys just started the fire and set up the tent. Your friends are dancing 5 feet away from the campfire. You want to take a clear photograph. What mode should your camera be set to?

A. Sunset Mode B. Landscape Mode C. Night/Party Mode

Chapter 3: Practice Test Answer Key

10) A) 1 ft is too close to the cat. B) Correct. 5 ft is the reasonable distance to take a portrait photo. C) 20 ft is too far for a portrait. D) 100ft is too far for a portrait.

11) A) Portrait Mode is requires a subject. B) Landscape Mode needs a bright and well lighten environment. C) Correct. Sunset Mode is a perfect option to photograph a sunset. D) Night landscape Mode is appropriate for a night scene.

12) A) The picture of the cat is on focus, most likely was taken 5 ft away with a portrait mode. B) Correct. Picture B is out of focus, demonstrating that the distance was too far for a portrait.

13) A) Correct. The flower is close, clear and well lighten. B) The photo is out of focus. C) The photo is out of focus. D) The photo is out of focus.

14) A) Correct. The person is out of focus. B) The person is in focus.

15) A) Too much light makes a picture brighter not out of focus. B) Correct. A close-up mode might distort the picture if it is too close. C) A wrong exposure might lighten, darken or blurry a picture, not make it out of focus. D) A picture that is dark is not a picture that is out of focus.

Chapter 3: Practice Test Answer Key

16) A) Correct. Sunset Mode should be used to photograph the sunset. B) Landscape Mode should be used in full day light. C) Night/party Mode should be used for night photographs.

A) Back light Mode is not correct since there is suffient light. B) Correct. The shutter speed has to be shorter since the light is too bright. C) Portrait Mode is not correct since the light is an issue.

A) Back light Mode is not correct since there is sufficient light. B) Correct. Slowing the shutter speed will give you more light. C) Portrait Mode is not correct since the light is an issue.

A) Sunset Mode is not correct since it is night. B) Landscape Mode is not correct since there is not enough light. C) Correct. Night/Party mode is correct since it is night.

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever... it remembers

little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”- Aaron Siskind

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.”

Dorothea Lange

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A self-instructional Module