DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 1 – 1099 – COURSE NOTES
DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD
Camera Introduction
1. Camera Overview
DSLR or Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera System: Interchangeable lenses on the camera body, uses a
mirror to reflect the image into a view finder.
Crop Sensor vs Full Frame
The difference between a full frame camera sensor and crop sensors is the physical size of the
sensor. Full frame sensors are 35mm x 24mm while crop sensors are smaller than this and can vary in
dimensions.
Mirrorless Camera System: interchangeable lenses, smaller, lightweight, and does not use a mirror to
reflect the image into the viewfinder.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 1 – 1099 – COURSE NOTES
DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD
Medium Format / Large Format: a digital camera that has a larger sensor than a 35mm, or full frame
DSLR camera.
What camera is right for you?
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Establish a budget for a camera body, lens, memory card and camera bag or safe storage case
Research camera systems in your price range and compare key features
Go to a camera store and hold the cameras in your price range, navigate menus, look at lens
selection and take photographs in the store
Get a feel for how the camera operates, most camera stores will have starter kits with
everything needed for your first camera system, from there you can either add to the kit of
upgrade when the time is right.
Camera Lenses:
Camera lenses are brand specific to the brand of camera you are using, for instance, Canon make Canon
lenses for Canon cameras, Nikon lenses for Nikon cameras, Sony lenses for Sony cameras etc. There are
adapters that can be purchase to mount lenses to a different brand of camera, for instance, an adapter
can be used to mount a Canon lens to a Sony camera. However, it is best to use the brand of lenses that
are designed to be used on the same brand of camera. There are also other brand lenses like Sigma that
are made for other camera brands like Canon or Nikon. All brand lenses are available in a range of focal
lengths in both Zoom or Prime (fixed focal length).
Camera Handling and Care:
Cameras and especially lenses must be treated as fragile. Handle all cameras and lenses with care, they
contain glass and complex electronics that should never be dropped or exposed to water. Although
some professional grade cameras are more durable and weather resistant, it is good practice to treat all
cameras and lenses the same way. Cameras and lenses must be stored and transported in dry protective
cases. A good bag or case to store and transport your equipment is a great investment.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 1 – 1099 – COURSE NOTES
DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD
Camera Memory Cards:
Memory cards are available at different speeds and capacity, the memory card contained inside the
camera must also be treated as fragile and handled with care. This memory card is what records the
information or digital media that makes up a photograph. Memory cards should be transferred/copied
to a computer, media backed up after every use and then formatted by the internal camera formatting
software prior to every further use.
Camera Tripods:
Tripods for cameras are a great asset to help stabilize your camera when taking a photo, this can also
help with composition as the tripod will allow for micro movements when making adjustments to
composition. Tripods are available in different sizes and materials: aluminum, steel or carbon fibre for a
lighter weight. Tripods also have a range of mounting option for the cameras: ball heads, brackets,
gimbal heads or panoramic heads etc.
Camera Setup:
File Format:
On the camera menu system, navigate to the file format section and select the desired file format you
would like to use when capturing images. Most cameras have the option for JPEG file format that can be
in small, medium or large file sizes. As well, DSLR, Mirrorless and Medium Format cameras will have the
option to utilize a file format called camera RAW. This file format will capture more unprocessed
information from the cameras digital sensor that can be used when processing the file in postproduction tools like Adobe Photoshop. For best results use either camera RAW file format or high
resolution JPEG file format to capture the most amount of colour information and detail when taking a
photograph.
Colour Profile:
On the camera menus system there will also be an option to select a colour profile to work with when
taking photographs. Depending on the camera system used there will be options for SRGB, Adobe RGB
1998, Pro Photo RGB or all of the above. Select the desired colour profile, this can always be converted
later in tools like Adobe Photoshop.
Format the Memory Card:
Prior to a photoshoot, it is good practice to format the memory card inside the camera to ensure the
card is ready to be used with the camera and has the maximum capacity available to store the media
captured. Memory cards should be treated as temporary storage, be sure to check the files on the
memory card first to make sure the media has already been transferred to a storage device.
Interchanging cards between different camera systems is not recommended without formatting the
card prior to use.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 1 – 1099 – COURSE NOTES
DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD
Camera Shooting Modes:
Most DSLR and Mirrorless camera systems will have options for different shooting modes. Program Auto
Exposure (P on Canon EOS cameras) – The camera is in mode “Auto” all settings will be adjusted for you
based on the surrounding light of the viewing area, Aperture Priority (Av on Canon EOS cameras) – The
user may adjust the aperture of the camera while all other settings are automatically adjusted, Shutter
Priority (Tv on Canon EOS cameras) – the user may adjust the shutter speed value while all other
settings are automatically adjusted and Manual (M) – the camera is in full control of the user. On some
cameras there is also a BULB setting, this is a feature that allows manual control of the shutter to be
open when the button is pressed and closed when the button is released
For this course we will start by using Aperture Value, this will provide the user with selection of the
Aperture Value only, other camera settings like ISO value and shutter speed value will be adjusted
automatically. Similar to AV, we will also explore the TV or Time Value shutter priority mode which
allows the user to select the shutter speed value, other camera setting will automatically be adjusted.
White Balance Setting:
Each camera has the ability to control the colour temperature of light and therefore the accuracy of the
colors being recorded in each photo. Although color correction is something that can be done in postproduction, it is good practice to take the photo correctly in camera as we have the option to set a white
balance profile or even a custom white balance profile before taking the photograph.
Internal Camera Light Meter:
When you look into the camera viewfinder, you will see a resemblance of the below image of a light
meter. This tool is located inside the viewfinder to give the photographer visual feedback of the current
exposure based on the camera settings and subject the camera is pointing at. The goal is to position the
indicator in the center of the range and this will achieve a good exposure. However, this meter will
change when you move your camera and point at a different subject that requires a different exposure.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 1 – 1099 – COURSE NOTES
DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD
Exposure Triangle Introduction:
Aperture: wide aperture (low number) allows more light to enter the camera but has a shallow depth of
field, closed aperture (high number) allows less light to enter the camera but with a greater depth of
field.
Shutter Speed: a high shutter speed value will freeze motion but allow less light to enter the camera, a
slow shutter will produce motion blur and allow more light to enter the camera.
ISO: a low ISO value will make your camera sensor less sensitive to light and produce less noise in the
image, a high ISO value will make your camera more sensitive to light, but as a result, your image will
have more noise.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 1 – 1099 – COURSE NOTES
DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD
Composition: The Rule of Thirds:
When composing an image, break it down in your mind into 9 pieces using the above grid as a
framework. This grid then provides 4 important areas in your composition to place elements or subjects.
By doing this, the idea is that your image becomes more balanced and the viewer will interact with your
image more naturally.
The rule of thirds grid is also a great tool as it gives you horizontal and vertical lines to frame your image
horizon so that it is level and more pleasing to view. This grid can also help position your focal point or
main subjects into the correct location of the frame. Once you have positioned the focal point, look for
leading lines that can draw the viewers eye movement to that location in the image. This can be a real or
an imaginary line element that helps guide the viewers eye movement when taking in a photograph.
Location, Time of Day, Weather Conditions:
When selecting a location to capture images it is good practice to first scout the location and analyze the
lighting conditions at different times of day, this will be different throughout the day/month/year
depending on the time at which the location is visited. This will allow for a selection of the best time of
day to capture the intended image with ideal lighting conditions. Weather can also play a big a factor in
affecting the changing natural lighting conditions.
Controlled Lighting / Natural, Strobe or Constant:
Adding controlled light to an image can help with changing the mood of the photograph, direct the
viewers eye to key subjects in the composition and make the image more engaging or unique in
appearance. There are three options when considering to use controlled light sources, natural light,
constant light or strobe light.
Controlling Natural Light:
As mentioned above, location, time of day and weather conditions are all
important factors to consider when using natural light in a photograph. With
natural light the light source is constantly moving and changing in intensity.
It is possible to control natural light with modifiers like a bounce disc for
positive/negative fill or diffusion to soften or reduce the intensity of light
being used. These kinds of light modifiers are a great asset when using
natural light and are both portable and relatively inexpensive, a great place
to start when modifying natural light.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 1 – 1099 – COURSE NOTES
DEVELOPED BY MARK WHITEHEAD
Constant lighting:
Constant light sources are available in all kinds of shapes and sizes with ranging power output.
Photography specific constant light units are not entirely necessary, if you have access to lamps or lights
in your home, these can be used in photography and may be a good place to start before investing in
more expensive photography specific light sources. Most constant lights for photography would be in
the form of an LED light source that has a range in power output and control over colour temperature
giving more flexibility when used in capturing images.
Strobe Lighting and Camera Flash Units:
The challenge when using constant light sources for photography would be the power output, for the
most amount of flexibility, strobe lighting is best. This offers more control and flexibility from the light
source and with the desired camera settings for shutter, ISO and Aperture. Strobe lighting can come in
the form of smaller camera flash units that can be used both mounted on the camera or positioned off
camera; as well as larger professional grade strobe units that offer increased power output through
battery or cable. Strobe lighting does need to be controlled by means of a transmitter that will
communicate from the camera to the light source unit. Depending on the camera used, the setting for
the shutter speed will also have a “shutter sync speed” which is the maximum speed that can be used
with the strobe. More professional grade transmitters and strobes may have the option to achieve
higher shutter sync speeds.
Modifying Constant Lighting or Strobe Lighting:
Camera flash units, strobe units and constant light units for photography have the ability to add
modifiers to control, shape and diffuse the light coming from the source. These modifiers can be added
in front of the light and come in all shapes and sizes for a range in application.