Welcome to the world of photography
By Fred Steiner

(copyrighted, please request permission to reprint)

Note to Icon viewers: People are always asking me questions about photograpy. So, to help them out, I put together this piece on digital cameras. It even has a quiz at the end. I hope this information helps you. (This is the first part of a series that was never completed.)

Someone once said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If so, your camera is a ticket to an adventure of a lifetime. The pictures you take will tell many words, many stories and will evoke much conversation. Photography is an art form. But, it is much more. The photos you take record your family, friends, pets and their emotions.

Your photos also record your day-to-day activities and personal belongings. Without realizing it, your photos reveal things about yourself. A poet expresses feelings through words and phrases. A painter does the same through colors and strokes from a brush.

A photographer's expressions are created by the images viewed and snapped through that small viewfinder on your camera. The viewfinder is your eye to world. Your camera is the artistic recording device. You are the artist who sees the image and captures it.

In this course you will begin to examine the world around you. As you photograph those captured images you will learn how to present them in a printed form.

Your images offer to others a glimpse of the thoughts, emotions and statements about the world from the point of view of one person - you. While photography is an art form, the camera is the mechanical piece used to create the art. There is much to learn about the camera to enable you to properly capture the images you seek.

The more familiar you become with your camera, the better prepared you are to express yourself through your images. The artistic expression occurs when the photographer best understands the capabilities and possibilities available through the camera. That is accomplished by understanding the elements of the camera and their purpose.

Photography is a hobby for many people. It is also a serious profession. Many people make their living taking pictures. Some photographers work in their own studios. Others are journalists who work for print or Web-based media.

Some work as freelancers and sell photos of everything from personal inventories for insurance purposes to the paparazzi who photograph celebrities. When you see a photograph on a billboard, the Web, in a magazine on a product you purchase, or in an art museum, a photographer earned income for taking the photo.

Learning Objectives

o Recognize the difference between digital and film cameras.
o Identify four major types of digital cameras.
o Understand the basic operations of a digital camera.
o Realize the important of your camera manual.
o Take several photos and review the images.
o Learn the steps required to transfer photos from a camera to a computer.

Key Vocabulary

Advanced compact - A camera that offers manual controls but not interchangeable lens
Audio/video out connector - The point on a digital camera where the USB cord is attached to transfer images to a computer
Automatic exposure - A camera option of a digital SLR or advanced compact
Battery - A camera's power source. There are two types: disposable (not able to be recharged) and rechargeable (may be used over again)
Battery charger - a device used to charge rechargeable batteries
Camera phone - The most basic type of digital camera
Camera manual - A booklet that explains how to use the features of your camera
Camera memory card - A device that captures and saves digital camera images
Camera shutter - An opening to the camera lens that exposes an image to the film or memory card reader
Camera features - A listing of the options provided by a specific camera
Darkroom - A room used to develop camera film using chemicals
Diaphragm - It determines the size of the lens opening
Digital camera - A camera that uses image sensors instead of film to record its images
Digital SLR - The most advanced digital camera of the four basic digital camera types
External flash - A flash unit that may be removed from a camera body
Film - Material that registers an image formed in a camera by its lens.
Flash mode - A camera setting that uses a flash to take a photograph
Focus - A lens adjustment needed to create a clear image
Interchangeable lenses - Lenses that may be removed from a camera body
JPEG or JPG - Acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group. A method of compression for photo images
Manual settings - Options available on a more advanced camera that provide a wide range of settings for the photographer
Mega pixel - One million pixels
Memory card reader - A device used to transfer photo images from a memory card to a computer
Monitor - A screen on a digital camera used to view a photographic image
Natural light - A photo taken without the use of a flash unit
Photo enlarger - Darkroom equipment used to expose a film image on photographic paper
Pixels - The smallest element of a digital photograph. It contains brightness and color.
Point-and-shoot - A camera acceptable for take snapshots with automatic focus, but offers few creative options
Shooting mode - The camera setting that enables a photographer to take a photo
Single-lens reflex digital - A camera offering the most features of the four basic types of cameras
SLR camera - Single-lens reflex camera that uses film
Shutter release button - The button used to activate the camera shutter
TIFF - Acronym for Tagged Image File Format. A method of compression for photo
images
USB cable - A cord used to connect a camera to a computer
Viewfinder - A photographer looks through this piece on the camera take a photo

Key Questions

1. What is the difference between a digital and film camera?
2. What are the four basic types of digital cameras and how do they differ?
3. What are the different types of memory cards available for digital cameras?
4. How is the image-holding capacity of memory cards determined?
6. What approach and thought process is required in taking a photo that best represents a classmate?
7. When finished taking a photo what steps are necessary to transfer the images onto a computer?

Your Camera

First, the single-lens reflex

Before we look at your camera, let's explain a standard camera that requires film to process its photos. It's called a single lens reflect or SLR camera. There's probably such a camera in your attic or in a box somewhere stored away in your house.

Until the early 1990s the SLR was a very common way to shoot photos. While digital photography is the direction taken by most photographers today, many professionals continue to use SLR film cameras. These cameras remain functional and accomplish the same photo shooting tasks that digitals accomplish.

The SLR works this way: Using a hinged mirror, the SLR reflects an image formed by the camera lens onto a viewing screen in the back of the camera. Light passes through the SLR lens to the viewfinder by way of the hinged mirror.

The photographer activates the camera shutter by pressing its shutter release button. When that happens the mirror moves up. That allows light to make its way to the back of the camera where it exposes the film. As it does this, a diaphragm closes to a pre-set opening on the camera lens. At this point, the camera photo is taken, or shot. Then, the hinged mirror goes back into place, thus blocking all light to the film.

To see the image, the film is developed in a photo darkroom. Once developed, the photographer has a permanent negative of the image on film. That negative is used to create the eventual photograph using a photo enlarger in a darkroom. The negative may be used over and over again to create a photograph in the darkroom.

SLR are not the only cameras take require film. Film is available for point and shoot cameras and advance compact cameras, for example.

The digital camera

Technology continually advances, improving the quality of digital photography. As this quality improves the most basic digital camera's photo abilities improve. However, cameras that do not offer manual settings will be limited in the options they have for a photographer's creativity.

There are four basic types of digital cameras: camera phone, point-and-shoot, advanced compact, and single-lens reflex. While each type varies from one another, their common point is that each uses a memory card to store its images instead of film. Images from the memory card may be transferred to a computer.

The memory card may be erased and used over and over again. Camera film, on the other hand, may be used only one time. Once it is developed its image may not be changed.

Camera phone: As camera phones become more developed this option for taking good photos becomes more and more realistic. However, while camera phones take photos, they offer the fewest creative options for photographers. Camera phone images lack the quality to create workable photographs.

Point-and-shoot: This camera offers acceptable snapshots, but it has limited options for creative control. It is small and compact. Its features include a single lens, flash, automatic exposure and focus. It is several steps above the camera phone.

Advanced compact: This camera is smaller and less expensive than the larger, more sophisticated SLR model. It includes more features than the point-and-shoot. Among these are manual settings, enabling the photographer with great creativity when shooting.

Single-lens reflex: The digital SLR offers several options, making it the most desirable of the four digital types. Included are interchangeable lenses, wide range of manual settings, many accessories and an external flash.

Examine your camera. Which type do you have? Let's discuss a few camera basics and then we will look at your camera manual.

Memory card

There are many types of digital memory cards. The type you need depends upon your camera model. While each is small, most have a huge capacity for storing photo images. Memory cards may store many more images than one roll of film. Photos you take are stored on the card. Once the card is removed from your camera you may connect to your computer several ways. One way is to connect the USB cable from your camera to your computer. Another way is to connect a memory card reader to your computer and place your memory card into the memory card reader.

The four major types of memory cards are Secure Digital (SD), CompactFlash, XD-Picture Card and Memory Stick.

How many photos does a memory card hold? It depends upon your camera mega pixel capacity. There are many variables in determining this. The chart demonstrates an approximate number of images a card may hold. Look at your memory card. What type is it? How much capacity does it contain? Compare your memory card with others in the class. How many different types can you identify? Which had has the largest capacity for storing photo images? How can you determine that?

Suggestion: For students interested in further information about memory card capacity, Google "digital memory card."

Approximate number of shots on a memory card
Camera File size* 128 MB 256 MB 512 MB 1 GB
2 MP 900 KB 142 284 568 1137
3 MP 1.2 MB 106 212 426 853
4 MP 2.0 MB 64 128 256 512
5 MP 2.5 MB 51 102 204 409
6 MP 3.5 MB 40 80 160 320

*Average file size for a high resolution JPEG Source: Lexar Media
(Chart from digicamhelp.com)

Where is your memory card located? Hold the camera as if you are going to take a picture. Look on the right side of the camera body. You'll see something that resembles a trap door with a hinge. On most cameras you will find the word "CARD" on the door.

Open the door. Your memory card is inside. Most cameras offer instructions on removing your card. Look for your instructions on the inside of the door. Warning: Turn your camera "off" before ejecting your memory card. "Push to eject," may be written on yours. Or, there may be a small lever to push. Eject your memory card.

Information on your card will identify the type of card you camera uses. It will also inform you of the amount of memory your card holds. Most cards have a very small piece on one side, which locks the card. It is simply a protection device that will keep you from erasing the card's content. Leave the card unlocked.

Camera batteries

So far, so good. Now hold your camera and turn it upside down so that you are looking at the bottom. On most cameras you will find another small door. Open the door. Your camera battery or batteries are inside. You may have a rechargeable battery in your camera.

If so, you should also have a battery charger that comes with the camera. You may have disposable batteries. If so, you will need to keep a supply of fresh batteries on hand. Place your battery/batteries back inside your camera and shut the door.

Your camera manual

Let's turn our attention to the camera manual. It's an important booklet. It holds the answers to most of the question you will have about your camera. The best advice for any student beginning to take photographs is this: Read the manual. Read it carefully. Read it over and over until things begin to make sense. While every camera in your class captures images, each has different features. The more familiar you are with your camera, the better equipped you will be in a photo-shooting situation.

Near the front of your manual is a directory. It explains the features of your camera. You'll discover your camera has more features than you realized. Take some time to study your camera features. Turn your camera on and off. Observe the sounds it makes when being turned on. Perhaps your camera lens opens when you turn on your camera.

When you turn on your camera, the monitor will light up. Don't be surprised if the monitor screen goes blank after a moment. It's simply on a mode to conserve the battery. If this occurs, activate the camera shutter to "wake it up."

Taking a photo

You will refer to your manual for additional features of your camera as this course continues. In this exercise you learn how to: turn your camera on and off, take a photo, review the photo taken, recognize that each photo image has a jpeg number, turn on your camera flash and take photos, and delete photos.

Don't become discouraged by all the information your manual holds. At this point, using your camera manual, teach yourself the following, one step at a time:
1 - Turn on your camera.
2 - Place it in the shooting mode.
3 - Take a photo of a classmate.
4 - Review your photo in the monitor display screen.
5 - Take a second photo of a different scene.
6 - Review the second photo.
7 - Turn on your camera flash mode and repeat the photo taking steps.
8 - Finally, delete photos that you don't intend to keep.

Congratulations! You've mastered the mechanical steps in taking and deleting photos.

Your first real shooting assignment

Shooting tips:
Before taking your next photo keep your back to the window when you take your photos. You want to use the light to your advantage. When shooting toward the window your camera obtains an incorrect reading of the actual light available in the room.

Become aware of the background in your potential photo. There may be posters, bookshelves, other students in view, or a clock on the wall. Be conscious of that clutter. You'll want photograph your subject in a setting with the least distracting background objects.

Try this photo assignment without using your flash. Use your flash only if the room is too dark or your images are too blurry.

Try taking photos holding your camera vertical and horizontal. When you review your photos, study the difference that a horizontal pose and a vertical pose make. One may work better than the other.

Take a photograph of a classmate

Now that you've taken some photos and reviewed them, become a bit more daring. More importantly, awaken all your artistic and creative abilities. You are becoming an artist and your camera is your artistic tool. Study your subject.

Ask yourself, "What pose best represents my subject?" Move closer. In your camera viewfinder, focus on your friend's face and body from the waist up or even closer. Ask your friend to place his hand under his chin and pose for you. Walk around your subject while looking through the camera viewfinder. Look for any angle other than a straight-on face shot.

Try any variety of these poses:
o Stand on a chair and shoot down on your subject.
o Lie on the floor and shoot up on your subject.
o Take a side view. Have your subject turn his head, but not his body, toward you.
o Take another side view. Have your subject place his hands behind his head and lean back in a relaxed pose.
o Take a third side view. Have your subject place one leg on the chair and relax his arms over his knee. Or, have your subject cross his legs Indian-style for a pose.

Review your photos:
Take some time to review all your photos. One thing you will notice is the difference between the photos taken without a flash (natural light) and the photos taken with a flash (flash mode). As you take more photos you will discover the need for a flash at times. You will also discover that your most artistic photos or dramatic photos are taken without a flash.

Find the pose that you like the best. Now perfect the shot. Ask your subject to tilt his head just a bit. Doing this creates a "friendly body-language pose." Find your pose and try about 12 more photos using only that pose. Spend some time reviewing all your photos.

Narrow your choices down to one photo. That's the photo you will take to your computer.

Connecting to your computer

You've observed that each photo image you've taken has a jpeg number. Write the number on a piece of paper. That is the photo number of the print you will eventually create.

In your next step you will transfer your image to your computer desktop. There are two methods to accomplish this step. It doesn't matter which step you use.

Method one: Your camera has an audio/video out connector. Find it. If you have a USB cable you may connect your camera to your computer using the USB cable provided with your camera. Turn your camera off before connecting it to the computer. Once connected to the computer you may turn your camera on.

Method two: Your camera may not have a built-in USB connection. If not, you may transfer your images by removing your memory card from your camera. Plug your card into a card reader, or PC card slot. Always remember to turn your camera "off" before removing your memory card.

Once you are connected to your computer, an icon will appear on your desktop. That icon represents your memory card. All the photo images you took in this project are available for you to work with. Find the jpg you wish to work with. Make a copy of it. Move the copy to your desktop.

In the next unit you will learn how to manipulate the image to create an good quality photograph.

Testing

Multiple-choice questions

1 - Which phrase best describes photography?
a. It is a science
b. It is an art form
c. It is a passing fad

2 - What is the purpose of a card reader?
a. It is a person who reads cards
b. It is a device used to download images from a memory card to a computer
c. It is an attachment to a camera that uses film

3 - What does it mean to shoot photographs with natural light?
a. It is a method of photography using flash units
b. It is not an option for digital cameras
c. It means that you are not using your camera flash unit

4 - Which of the following best describes a point and shoot camera?
a. A camera with the same capabilities as a single-lens reflect camera
b. A camera with the latest development in digital technology
c. A camera that offers limited options for creative photographic control

5 - Which of the following best describes the use of film in cameras today?
a. Film is no longer used by photographers
b. Film continues to be used by photographers despite the existence of digital cameras
c. Film is limited for use only in single-lens reflex cameras

6 - What is the purpose of a darkroom?
a. It is used to develop camera film
b. It is a tool used by digital photographers
c. It is a type of camera

7 - Which is the most accurate description of a camera memory card?
a. It may be used only one time
b. It stores photographic images
c. It is not required in a digital camera

8 - What steps need to take place before you remove camera's memory card?
a. Make certain that the room is dark so that your images will not become exposed
b. Turn off your camera
c. Make certain that your camera lens cap is in place

9 - Which answer best describes a digital single-lens reflex camera?
a. It is a camera with the capacity to hold only a single photograph
b. It is a camera offering the widest options of all types of digital cameras
c. It is a camera that provide on the basic creative options for photographers

10 - What is the purpose of a camera manual?
a. It is a history book that tells about the art of photography
b. It is a guidebook that explains various careers in photography
c. It holds the answers to most of the questions you have about your camera

11 - Where would you stand if taking a photo in a room?
a. With your camera facing the windows to obtain more natural light
b. With your back to the windows to obtain more natural light
c. It doesn't matter where you stand

12 - What do the initials JPEG represent?
a. They are a group of letters with no special meaning
b. Joint Photographic Experts Group
c. The amount of pixels your memory cards contains

13 - What is the purpose of a camera viewfinder?
a. It is what the photographer looks through to see the image being photographed
b. It works like a compass and shows the photographer which direction to shoot
b. It helps a photographer take pictures at night

14 - What does it mean to use a camera's flash mode?
a. The camera's flash unit is turned on when taking a photo
b. When the camera battery is low the camera automatically goes to sleep
c. The camera's flash unit is turned off when taking a photo

15 - Which phrase best describes an advanced compact digital camera?
a. A camera that offers basic manual controls to take photos
b. A camera that offers the fewest creative options for photographers
c. A camera that provide the widest range of settings and accessories available

True or false

1 - A digital memory card may only be used one time. False
2 - There are four basic types of digital cameras. True
3 - An SLR camera uses film, a digital does not. True
4 - A roll of film holds more images than a digital memory card. False
5 - It is possible to delete images from a digital memory card. True
6 - Digital cameras do not have built in flash units. False
7 - There are two methods to transfer photo images onto a computer
from a digital camera. True
8 - Any digital memory card will fit into your digital camera. False
9 - You must turn your camera off before transferring images to a computer True
10 - A photographer uses the viewfinder to view the image being photographed True

Reference page

Books:
"The Photographer's Handbook," third edition, by John Hedgecoe
"The Basic Darkroom Book," by Tom Grimm, Plume Publishing, 1978
"The Focal Digital Imaging A-Z," by Adrian Davies, Focal Press, 2005
"My First Week With My New Digital Camera," by Pamela R. Lessing, Capital Book, 2003

Web sources:
Steve's Digicams Digital Camera Dictionary
Digitalcamhelp.com
Digital Camera Warehouse.com