How a Camera Works
Commercial Photography
Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications
Lesson Plan
Performance Objective
 Upon completion of this lesson, students should be aware of how a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR)
camera works, both when taking a photo and when not taking a photo.
 The student will be able to describe technical specifications of various DSLRs and digital camera
imaging sensors.
Specific Objective
 Define terms associated with the lesson.
 Identify reasons why aperture adjustments on a camera are necessary.
 Take photographs that show mastery of shutter speed controls.
Terms
Viewfinder
Pentaprism
Sensor
Aspect Ratio
Shutter
Body
Pixel
Megapixel
Time
When taught as written, this lesson should take approximately 60 minutes to teach.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the activities may result
in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed.
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
1
130.91. (c) Knowledge and Skills
(1) The student applies academic knowledge and skills in commercial photography. The student is expected
to:
(A) apply English language arts knowledge and skills by demonstrating use of content, technical
concepts, and vocabulary; using correct grammar, punctuation, and terminology to write and edit
documents; and composing and editing copy for a variety of written documents such as brochures; and
(B) apply mathematics knowledge and skills by identifying whole numbers, decimals and fractions
applied to measurement, percentages, depth of field, aperture, resolution, and scale; demonstrating
knowledge of arithmetic operations; using conversion methods such as fractions to decimals and
inches to points; and applying measurement to solve a problem.
(3) The student understands and examines problem-solving methods. The student is expected to employ
critical-thinking and interpersonal skills independently and in teams to solve problems.
(5) The student understands commercial photography systems. The student is expected to analyze and
summarize the history and evolution of commercial photography.
(10) The student applies technical skills for efficiency. The student is expected to employ planning and timemanagement skills to complete work tasks.
(11) The student develops an increasing understanding of commercial photography. The student is expected
to:
(E) demonstrate knowledge of different types of cameras and lenses and their applications to
photography;
(L) produce a variety of photographs using current, industry-standard production processes; and
(M) evaluate photographs using principles of art, commercial photography standards, and criticalthinking skills.
(G) demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of different types of photographic media;
(L) produce a variety of photographs using current, industry-standard production processes;
Interdisciplinary Correlations:
English-English I
 110.31(b)(1). Reading/Vocabulary Development. Students understand new vocabulary and use it
when reading and writing.
 110.3(b)(11). Reading/Comprehension of informational text/procedural texts. Students understand
how to glean and use information in procedural texts and documents.
 110.53(b)(2)(B) employ precise language and technical vocabulary to communicate ideas clearly and
concisely
Occupational Correlation (O*Net – www.onetonline.org/):
Job Title: Photographer
O*Net Number: 27-4021.00
Reported Job Titles: Photographer, Advertising Photographer, Studio Photographer
Tasks: Take pictures of individuals, families, and small groups, either in studio or on location.
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
2
Adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus based on a combination of factors such as lighting, field
depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed.
Determine desired images and picture composition, selecting and adjusting subjects, equipment, and lighting
to achieve desired effects.
Estimate or measure light levels, distances, and numbers of exposures needed, using measuring devices and
formulas.
Soft Skills: Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension
Accommodations for Learning Differences
It is important that lessons accommodate the needs of every learner. These lessons may be modified to
accommodate your students with learning differences by referring to the files found on the Special
Populations page of this website.
Preparation
 Review and familiarize yourself with the terminology and proper camera handling techniques.
 Acquire various DSLRs or DSLR parts for example usage with students.
 Prepare copies of student handout and quiz.
 Have materials ready to go prior to the start of the lesson.
References
Langford, M., & Bilissi, E. (2013). Langford's advanced photography: The guide for aspiring photographers. (8th
ed.). Burlington, MA: Focal Press.
Hirsch, R. (2008). Light and lens: Photography in the digital age. Burlington, MA: Focal Press.
Instructional Aids
 Textbook or computer program diagrams and charts
 Lesson Plan: How a Camera Works
 Slide Presentation: How a Camera Works
 Instructor computer or projection unit
 Online websites or camera catalogues and magazines
 Multiple DSLR cameras
 DSLR parts such as sensors or mirrors
 How a Camera Works Handout
 How a Camera Works Quiz
 How a Camera Works Quiz Answer Key
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
3
Introduction
Introduce the lesson by doing showing the students a DSLR and ask students if anyone wants to try to explain
the process of how a camera works. Pass around a DSLR or parts for student inspection.
Display and discuss the slide presentation with the class. Students may take notes. (Optional)
•
•
•
Inform students that in order to have control over their cameras, they first must know how they work.
Ask students if they have ever built a pinhole camera before. If so, how did it work?
Explain to students that DSLRs, film cameras and pinhole cameras all work in the same basic way. Their
fundamental job is to take in light and record an image. The only differences are in the ways they
record that light and the materials on which the images are recorded.
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
4
Outline
Outline
MI
Instructor Notes
Introduce lesson by doing the following:
Show students a DSLR. Ask students if
anyone wants to try to explain the process
of how a camera works.
Go through the Slide Presentation with
students. Discuss the following:
I: Introduction
II: Parts of a Camera
III: Inside a Camera when a Picture is Not
Being Taken
a. Mirror use when camera is not
exposing photo
b. How the light travels and bounces
inside of a camera
IV: Inside a Camera when a Picture is Being
Taken
a. Mirror flips up when camera is
exposing photo
b. Sensor records the image
c. How light travels when the photo is
being exposed
V: Summary
Note: Take the lens off of a DSLR
and have students gather
around to look inside at the
mirror, sensor, etc. Be mindful
not get any dust, etc. on your
imaging sensor.
If possible, try to find broken or
discarded DSLR parts such as
mirrors or sensors that you can
pass around the class for
students to see and touch.
Multiple Intelligences Guide
Existentialist
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Kinesthetic/
Bodily
Logical/
Mathematical
Musical/Rhythmic
Naturalist
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
5
Verbal/Linguistic
Visual/Spatial
Application
Guided Practice
 Throughout the slide presentation, the instructor may stop periodically to review terminology and
check students’ understanding of the basic inner workings of a camera.
 The students may demonstrate how a DSLR works using actual cameras or camera parts.
Independent Practice
After going over the Slide Presentation, the instructor may do the following:
 Give students the How a Camera Work Handout.
 Have students label the various camera parts using knowledge from lecture and in-class discussions.
 Have students research different types of DSLRs and their sensors using online sources or magazines.
Summary
At the end of the lesson, the students should be familiar with the talking points and key terms from the slide
presentation. Students should be able to independently describe the paths of light both when a photo is being
taken and when it is not. Students should be able to successfully label the inner-workings of a camera, either
by using the handout or by drawing them on the board or on paper.
Evaluation
Informal Assessment
Any and all of the following may be used as informal assessments…
 Instructor observation
 Students may label the inner-workings of a camera.
 Students may research cameras online and share their findings.
 Q & A session with class
 Instructor may discuss and reteach where needed.
Formal Assessment
Any and all of the following may be used as formal assessments…
 Completion of How a Camera Works Handout
 How a Camera Works Quiz and quiz key
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
6
Enrichment
Extension
A great enrichment activity for this lesson is to have students build pinhole cameras and focus on the extreme
basics of what makes a camera work. Then compare the differences between pinhole cameras and modernday DSLRs.
Another possible extension is to build a camera obscura out of a room with access to a window.
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
7
How a Camera Works Handout
Answer Choices:
Shutter
Mirror
Pentaprism
Sensor
Lens
Viewfinder
How a Camera Works Research:
Directions: Go online and find a DSLR for sale. Answer the following questions about the camera.
1. What is the name of this camera?
2. What type of sensor does this camera have?
3. How many megapixels does this camera have?
4. What is the MSRP (price) of this camera?
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
8
How a Camera Works Quiz
1. The size and shape of a sensor determines what?
a. The pixels
b. The pentaprism
c. The amount of light
d. The aspect ratio of a photo
2. How many colors can a pixel be?
a. 1
b. 100
c. 1,000
d. 1,000,000
3. Digital images are made up of tiny squares of color called what?
a. Pixels
b. Apertures
c. Pentaprisms
d. CMOS
4. A 10 megapixel camera takes pictures that have how many pixels?
a. 10
b. 100
c. 100 million
d. 10 million
5. When the shutter button is pressed on a camera body, the shutter opens and what else moves?
a. The mirror flips up
b. The sensor slides down
c. The pentaprism turns 90 degrees
d. The lens turns
6. The part of the camera that reflects the image out through the viewfinder is called the _______________.
a. Sensor
b. Lens
c. Photosite
d. Pentaprism
7. Which is the part of your camera that actually records an image?
a. Pentaprism
b. Mirror
c. Sensor
d. Viewfinder
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
9
8. The hard plastic shell that encompasses the mirror, sensor, pentaprism and much more is referred to as the
____________.
a. Camera body
b. Viewfinder
c. Photosite
d. Megapixel
9. In a film camera, what would be equal to the sensor in a digital camera?
a. The pentaprism
b. The lens
c. The body
d. The film
10. What is the name of the piece of the camera that you put your eye up to and allows you to look through
the lens?
a. The mirror
b. The viewfinder
c. The shutter
d. Pixels
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
10
How a Camera Works Quiz Answer Key
1. The size and shape of a sensor determines what?
a. The pixels
b. The pentaprism
c. The amount of light
d. The aspect ratio of a photo
2. How many colors can a pixel be?
a. 1
b. 100
c. 1,000
d. 1,000,000
3. Digital images are made up of tiny squares of color called what?
a. Pixels
b. Apertures
c. Pentaprisms
d. CMOS
4. A 10 megapixel camera takes pictures that have how many pixels?
a. 10
b. 100
c. 100 million
d. 10 million
5. When the shutter button is pressed on a camera body, the shutter opens and what else moves?
a. The mirror flips up
b. The sensor slides down
c. The pentaprism turns 90 degrees
d. The lens turns
6. The part of the camera that reflects the image out through the viewfinder is called the _______________.
a. Sensor
b. Lens
c. Photosite
d. Pentaprism
7. Which is the part of your camera that actually records an image?
a. Pentaprism
b. Mirror
c. Sensor
d. Viewfinder
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
11
8. The hard plastic shell that encompasses the mirror, sensor, pentaprism and much more is referred to as the
____________.
a. Camera Body
b. Viewfinder
c. Photosite
d. Megapixel
9. In a film camera, what would be equal to the sensor in a digital camera?
a. The pentaprism
b. The lens
c. The body
d. The film
10. What is the name of the piece of the camera that you put your eye up to and allows you to look through
the lens?
a. The mirror
b. The viewfinder
c. The shutter
d. Pixels
AAVTC: Commercial Photography: How a Camera Works
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2015. All rights reserved.
12