Assignment One

This is a dual written and photographic assignment designed to have you become more comfortable with the camera you plan to use in class. In a separate word document, complete the quiz to the best of your ability. There are no right answers for everyone. This is about learning what your camera can do and where some of the most important functions are located. I will check your notes along with your photos to make sure that you completed the assignment. When is this due (Next Week)? What do I turn in? You will create and bring a word document of the survey portion, and a collection of images to class.

PART 1 CAMERA SURVEY

1. Write down your name, major, email

2. What kind of camera do you own and do you own a manual? If not, find it. READ YOUR CAMERA MANUAL. If you need a manual for your camera, look up your make and model on line and you might be able to find one on the manufacturers website. If that doesn't work you should be able to download a pdf copy here. Please feel free to email me with questions if you have problems finding one. Write down the make and model of the camera you are using for this class.

3. What is the megapixel count on your camera?

4. What type of image file does your camera create (tiff, jpg, .RAW, .NEF) How many JPEG settings does it have? What is the difference between them? Does it have a RAW setting?

5. Does your camera have different shooting settings? identify these, for example you might find some labeled as low light, macro, mountain, portrait. List them all and describe what they do and when you would use them. Does your camera have Manual exposure settings (M, AV, TV,P)? What do those letters mean and why would you use them?

6. What are the different ISO sensitivity speed settings your camera offers. What do the different numbers mean? Describe how ISO effects the image quality and when you would use different ratings.

7. Find your white balance control. How many settings does your camera have, and what do they do?

8. What sort of recording media does your camera need (cf card, SD, SDHC, memory stick, etc) How much memory does it have?

9. Where is the Flash, how do you turn it on or off?

PART 2: SHOOTING ASSIGNMENT "ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW"

Take a series of photos (around 25) Make sure to follow the steps below. For the content, I want you to consider documenting your neighborhood, or something like the 150 yard radius around your current home base. Choose carefully and think creatively, as you have to stick to some rules here.

1. Take a self portrait of yourself using any camera method you chose. Make a self portrait that defines you in your space. Does your camera have a timer? How do you stabilize the camera? Take a picture at the highest resolution your camera offers, then take the same photo at the lowest. feel free to cover the mid points as well, but at least have 2 photos. (2 shots)

2. Without using your flash take a picture in a low light situation (inside, at night, maybe one lamp on) using a low ISO number. If you have shutter controls, try using a speed less than 60. You will likely be dealing with motion blur on the first image, so be willing to turn in some abstract (incorrect) looking images. Think of yourself as a drunk who might not be able to hold the camera steady, straight or still. Take a low ISO shot but stabilize the camera. Then take a shot with the highest ISO, this should be easier to get in focus. (3 shots) 

3. Take a series of still life images of something interesting using all the different white balances. (5-plus images) 4a. Take a couple pictures of your space as if you were a worm or from a baby's perspective (low to the ground). Consider the wonderment of a child discovering the room for the first time. If your camera has manual settings, try to take a picture of an object in the foreground with a deep depth of field, and try again with a shallow depth of field. (use AV, aperture priority, works best with up close shots). (3 images)

4b. If your camera does not have manual settings, use the same theme, take a photograph of something from as close up as you can get while maintaining your focus. Consider plants, textures, still life, anything that looks very unique and different from an abnormally close perspective. Step back away from the object as far as possible and take another image. How does your camera focus on things when it is set to autofocus? (3 images)

5. Take a photograph of a moving subject and try to capture it frozen in time, using a high ISO or Shutter priority. Then take an image with a low shutter speed of something moving. Try shutter priority. (2 image) 6. Take 3 pictures as if you are a giant looking down on the world from a high vantage point. (3 images) 7. Take at least 3 images, of any kind you like, that offer an interesting view of the space you chose to photograph. (3 images)