exploring photography: an introduction to cameras pinhole, film, digital created by nicole schrensky

Exploring Photography:An Introduction to Cameras

Pinhole, Film, Digital

Created by Nicole Schrensky

click the camera to begin

Welcome to the wonderful world of photography!

After completing this program you will be able to:

• Identify different types of cameras• Explain how these cameras are different• Understand how the cameras work

How to use this presentation Clicking this arrow will move

you forward

This arrow will move you back to the previous page

Clicking the camera at anytime will take you to the main menu

Main MenuOn this page you can select what kind of camera you want to learn about. You

may also choose to skip ahead to the final assessment. At any point during this program you may return to this menu by clicking the camera at the

bottom of the screen.

Before you begin it may be a good idea to review some photographic terms!

Which camera would you like to discover?PinholeFilm Digital

Skip ahead to the final assessment

Terms to KnowWe need to be familiar with common

photographic termsClick on the term to see the definition

Aperture FocusCamera Lens

Exposure ShutterFilm

Aperture

The aperture is the size of the hole in the lens that light may enter through. The size of the

aperture is referred to as the f-stop.

LensThe lens is the glass that collects and focuses the light as it enters the camera.

Click on the video below to quickly learn about three different camera lenses!

Shutter

The shutter is a set of curtains that opens to let light into the camera. The speed these

curtains open and close determines how much light may enter the camera.

Exposure

The exposure is the amount of light that enters the camera and is collected by the film or

sensor.

Film

Film is a piece of plastic that is coated with emulsion. Emulsion is light sensitive and

records any light that hits it.

Focus

The focus is the sharpest and most defined area of a photograph. The focus can be changed by

adjusting the focal length of the lens.

Camera

A camera is a light proof box. This means no light can get in! Within it is light sensitive film or a digital sensor that reacts to the light let in

by the shutter.

PinholeDissecting the camera. How it works. Different types. Qualities of an image.

Pinhole Cameras

A pinhole camera is a very basic camera. It has no lens and only one aperture. Every pinhole

camera is different and as a result every pinhole image is too!

Dissecting the CameraA pinhole camera has three main parts:

1. The light tight chamber-most commonly a cardboard box2. The image plane-where the film is placed 3. The pinhole-where the light enters the box

How it Works

1. The shutter is lifted and the pinhole is exposed2. Light reflects off of the objects in front of the camera

and enters the pinhole3. The light sensitive paper or film on the image plane

collects the light4. The image is recorded upside down and backwards on

the film or paper5. The shutter is placed over the pinhole to prevent

more light from entering

Camera Obscura

Pinhole cameras were created based off of the knowledge of camera obscura. Camera

obscura is the term used to describe the way light flips and the colors invert when it enters through the pinhole. This is why film contains

negative images!

Camera ObscuraHere’s a fun fact:If you were to have a black room with no light leaks and you cut a hole

the size of a quarter in one of the walls, the outside image would reflect onto the opposite wall upside down and inverted!

Qualities of a Pinhole Image

There are three main aspects of a pinhole image:

1. Light Leaks2. Overlap3. Vignette

Light LeaksLight leaks occur when the camera is not light-tight. Light enters the camera

through seems or cracks and it appears on the image as an over exposed mark. They may also occur once the film is out of the camera if the film is

not rolled tightly.

OverlapSome pinhole cameras cause images to overlap. This means that the film was

not fully advanced after a frame was shot so one frame lays partially on the other. This can also be called double exposure.

VignetteThe vignette of a photograph refers to the edges when they are faded or blacked out. This occurs because of the edges of the pinhole. It can also be

done by exposing the sides of the film when it is rolled up.

Types of Pinhole CamerasBecause pinhole cameras are so simple they can be made of almost anything!

2 of the most popular pinhole cameras that can be bought are:

Now you will be asked a few questions about pinhole cameras

For this section simply click the answer you think is right!

Pinhole cameras are very technologically advanced.

TrueFalse

Sorry but that’s not the correct answer. Remember, pinhole cameras can be made out

of a box!

Click to go back and try again

Correct! Pinhole cameras are very basic.

Click to move to the next question

When light enters through a small hole, the image is upside down and inverted.

This is called…a. Light Invernob. Camera Obscurac. Image Obscurad. Light Flip

I’m sorry but that is not the correct answer.

Click to go back and try again

I’m sorry but that is not the correct answer.

Click to go back and try again

I’m sorry but that is not the correct answer.

Click to go back and try again

Correct! Camera obscura cause the image to invert when passing through a tiny opening.

Click to continue

Congrats!

You’ve completed pinhole cameras!

Return to the main menu to select a different camera!

FilmDissecting the camera. How it works. Different types. Qualities of an image

Film Cameras

A film camera exposes light to light sensitive film in order to record an image. The film must

then be developed in order to see the images.

Dissecting the Camera

How it Works1. Light enters the camera through the lens.2. The light is reflected off of a mirror system so the image can

be shown in the view finder.3. The shutter released is pushed an the shutter opens.4. Light enters through the shutter and hits the film.5. The film collects the image.6. The film advances to the next frame.

Qualities of a Film ImageThere are 3 common qualities that can be found

in film images:1. Noise

2. Highlights3. Resolution

NoiseIf an image has noise this means it has random marks of light or lack there of

in what should be a smooth area. Sometimes it adds to an image as an artistic effect, other times it can be distracting.

HighlightsThe highlights of an image are the lightest areas of the image. The highlights

of film images are very similar to what the human eye sees and as a result are very graceful.

ResolutionResolution describes the amount of detail/info held in an image. Film photography dominates landscape photography because of this. Digital cameras have a limited amount of memory where as film does not. This

means film can hold much more detail.

Types of Film Cameras35mm

Medium Format

Large Format

Now you will be asked a few questions about film cameras

For this section simply click the answer you think is correct!

Because film cameras are old they produce images that are poor quality with very low resolution.

True False

Sorry that is not the correct answer. Remember, film is used for landscape photography!

Click to go back and try again

Correct! Film has unlimited resolution!

Click to continue

There are many different types of film cameras for many different types of film

True False

Sorry that is not the correct answer. Try again!

Click to go back and try again

Correct! The three most common sizes of film are 35mm, medium format, and large format.

Click to continue

Congrats!You’ve completed film cameras!

Return to the main menu to select a different camera!

DigitalDissecting the camera. How it works. Different types. Qualities of an image

Digital Cameras

Rather than storing images on film, a digital camera stores images digitally. The images can be downloaded and edited on computers very

easily.

Dissecting the Camera

How it WorksA digital camera operates very similarly to a film camera

1. Light enters the camera through the lens.2. The light is reflected off of a mirror system so the image can be

shown in the view finder.3. The shutter released is pushed an the shutter opens.4. Light enters through the shutter and hits the sensor.5. The sensor collects the image and stores it on the digital memory

Qualities of a Digital Image

There are two very distinct aspects that you may see in some digital images:

1. Pixel2. Zoom

PixelDigital images are created by tiny squares called pixels. The higher the pixel

count the better the image. If an image has a low resolution it has a low pixel count and the individual squares will be visible.

ZoomThere are two types of zoom, digital and optical. An optical zoom changes the

focal length of the lens where as a digital zoom crops the image. Because the image is cropped the pixels become visible.

Types of Digital Cameras

Two of the most popular types of digital cameras are:

1. Compact2. SLR (Single Lens Reflector)

CompactCompact cameras are the most popular cameras. They are very easy because

they use an auto focus lens, auto exposure, and a built in flash. All the user simply has to do is turn it on, point, and shoot. This is why they are

often called point and shoot cameras!

SLR SLR stands for single-lens reflex. This type of camera uses a mirror and prism

system to reflect the light entering the lens to the view finder allowing the photographer to see exactly what will be captured. Although equipped

with automatic settings the camera is set up for everything to be manually operated.

Now you will be asked a few questions about digital cameras!

For this section simply click the answer you think is correct!

Digital cameras are easier to use because of today’s technology.

True False

Correct! Digital cameras are much easier to use because of advances in technology!

Click to continue

Sorry that is not the correct answer, try again!

Click to go back and try again

Digital images are made up of tiny squares called…

A. ResolutionB. PixelsC. Pictorial Squares

Sorry that is not the correct answer. The resolution is the size of the image which

includes the amount of these tiny squares.

Click to go back and try again

Correct! The tiny squares are called pixels!

Click to continue

Sorry, pictorial squares is not the correct answer!

Click to go back and try again

Congrats!You’ve completed digital cameras!

Return to the main menu to select a different camera!

Final EvaluationYou will now be asked questions to evaluate what you’ve just learned! You

may return to the main menu at any point by clicking the camera at the bottom of the screen!

Are you ready? Good luck!

Define “exposure”

A. The amount of light that enters the camera and is collected by the film or sensor

B. The most illuminated parts of an image.C. What the photographer sees in the

viewfinder

Correct! The exposure is the amount of light collected for the image.

Click to continue

Sorry that is not correct. Try again!

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Sorry that is not correct. Try again!

Click to go back and try again

What is a shutter?

A. The button pushed to take a picture.B. A set of curtains that opens to let light enter

the camera.C. The circular piece placed on the lens to

protect it from scratches.

Sorry that is not correct. Try again!

Click to go back and try again

Correct! The shutter is a set of curtains that opens and closes allowing light to hit the film or sensor.

Click to continue

Sorry that is not correct. Try again!

Click to go back and try again

What type of camera is this?

Film PinholeDigital

Sorry that is not the correct answer. Try again!

Click to go back and try again

Sorry that is not the correct answer. Try again!

Click to go back and try again

Correct! This is a medium format film camera!

Click to continue

Which image is an example of double exposure?

Sorry that is not the correct answer. Try again!

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Correct! One image was taken on top of another making it a double exposure!

Click to continue

The black, faded edges of this image is referred to as…

Pinhole effect UnderexposureVignette

Sorry that is not the correct answer. Try again!

Click to go back and try again

Sorry that is not the correct answer. Try again!

Click to go back and try again

Correct! The black faded edges are called vignette.

Click to continue

Congrats!

You’ve completed “Exploring Photography: Cameras”!

Now go and explore the world with your camera!