F-Stop & Shutter Speed Calculator

A Non-Digital Artifact

Clint Rule

ITGM 705: Interactive Design & Media Application

Professor David Meyers

February 16, 2010

Proposal

My wife is a professional photographer. This being the case, I occasionally find myself assist-ing her on shoots. Every once in a while, she has a job that requires a second photographer. In my fumbling amateurish way, I have filled this position as well. This requires that I learn the fundamentals of photography. More than anything else, I struggle with remembering and under-standing the link between f-stop and shutter speed and the style of images that are produced by manipulating these mechanics of the camera.

My wife confirms that this is a very common struggle for beginning photographers. The only so-lution she has experienced has been rote memorization of a bulky matrix of numbers. She further admits that this still remains a problem for her on occasion, because some calculations that must be made are quite intensive for photographers--especially when out in the field.

Stated succinctly, the problem is that one set of camera operation fundamentals is a data set of unintuitive numbers and ratios (f-stop and shutter speed) that are very difficult to remember. Furthermore, these numbers are dynamically calculated given different lighting situations which adds another layer of difficulty for human memory and mathematical problem-solving.

The solution, therefore, is a portable, non-digital device that can store and calculate the data set.

The intended audience--generally speaking--is photographers. Though, those that will likely benefit most would be students, hobbyists, and prosumer photographers that want to better ma-nipulate their cameras for more control over their photographs. The haptic, tactile, and aesthetic qualities of the device could provide an essential mental model for the student. Professionals likely have much of the data and calculation committed to memory. Nonetheless, the portable, non-digital, inexpensive quality of the device may still secure it a place in many professionals’ camera bag.

Consumer-level photographers typically rely on the automatic settings of cameras, and are unin-terested in manual operation.

The context of operation would be any situation in which photographs may be taken. Since it will not require power or have any electronic components, it could be taken into places in which digital solutions would not--perhaps even the camera itself. On this note, one of the general goals of the project is a specific portability in which the product could be integrated into a typical equip-ment setup--something that attached to the camera or a tripod--allowing not just quick access but unobtrusive assimilation into the behavior of taking photos.

Early Visualization & Prototypes

The concept of a tube was quick to jump to the fore. This is due to its ability to have the data wrap around in a smaller area as op-posed to a wide, flat surface.

This also allows for the interac-tive surface in which outer tubes could slide around an inner tube.

Creating prototypes this early in the design process was necessary for this project. Try-ing to model whether the device would function correctly--due to its matrix of data on a physical form, twisting in opposite directions--was too difficult.

Visualiztion & Refinement

The left and right sides twist independent of one another. The F-Stop (right) side has a transparent overlay of the color coding; Whereas the Shutter Speed (left) side has the colors and numbers on the same surface.

This image displays that data sets flat--as though they were unwrapped from the tubular de-vice.The icons to the left of the F-Stop data set represents the Depth of Focus. The icons to the right of Shutter Speed data set represents the Stopping Mo-tion.

Depth of Field determines how much of the image is in focus. A shallow depth of field results in only the item in focus being sharp with the background and foreground blurry. A shallow depth of field is an F-Stop of 1.0.Stopping Motion describes the amount of blur following any motion in the image. A high shutter speed means the shut-ter is open for shorter period of time (1/2000 of a second).

Visualization & Refinement

This image displays an abstract cross-section of the device. The purpose is to show where each piece and layer falls in the stack.The colors used in this image have noth-ing to do with the color coding of the data sets in above images.This is probably more helpful to me in con-structing a prototype than explaining the device.

This sketch displays where the device might fit into a typical camera-tripod setup. The device would be outfitted with the female and male thread-ing that is standard in photography equipment.

Other opportune places might be attached to a single tripod leg or around the neck in the form of a neck-lace.

Prototype Construction

The biggest refinement that was made after the initial prototypes resulted in dou-bling the surface space of device. For every bit of space dedicated to repre-senting data, there had to be an equal amount of space dedicated to not show-ing data (see data strips image on previ-ous page). Otherwise one dataset would “lap” the other and thus deliver false readings.

Pictured here is the last paper prototype constructed before the final prototype.

I spent time playing in the PVC connector section of Home Depot. I found some pieces that would work well enough, but it did involve mildly altering my intended design. It was a good exercise in being forced to re-think some the minor haptic controls of the device.

Prototype Construction

Pictured here is the core of the device. The two, ridged endpieces rotate independ-ent of each other as well as the long piece in the middle.

The “skin” of the de-vice is pictured here. This contains all the data.

Notice the transparent overlay strip on the far right which slides over the top of the middle strip.

Final Prototype

Conclusion

The design process was rewarding. While I was not able to conduct research that could even begin to be extensive, it was informative to extract insight and feedback from a pro-fessional photographer. Plus, designing for a problem set and not just an interface felt more meaningful and energetic.

The non-digital aspect of the device quickly turned the interaction design process into something more of an industrial design process. If interaction design can be considered the managing of complexity, it is understandable why I felt that this device--espeically since it was non-digital, departed from ‘pure’ interaction design and arrived in the realm of industrial design.

In this regard, I felt somewhat clumsy in regards to texutures and ergonomic form. I am satisfied with my visualizations and what I have in mind. However, to be frank, I am not satisfied with the final prototype in this regard. Being left to the mercy of unintended, ready-made materials at my local hardware store is hardly ideal, and it provided a final prototype that is hardly ideal.

Nonetheless, the feedback and core function is apparent in the final prototype. Further-more, the interaction and the computation works. The tool could actually be used in the field as intended.