Standard

 

CPH 101 - Photographic Theory Fundamentals

Course Description

Introduces the fundamental theory, function, and application of the camera and camera lens. Also presents the basic principles of light and optics and exposure controls. Topics include: camera fundamentals, lens fundamentals, light, and metering introduction.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

 

Camera Fundamentals

Class

3

Lens Fundamentals

D. Lab

0

Light

P. Lab/O.B.I.

0

Metering Introduction

Credit

3

 

 

 


Prerequisite:

Program admission level math and English competency

Corequisite:

CPH 103 or CPH 105

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

CAMERA FUNDAMENTALS

10

0

0

Light, lens, and film

Describe qualities and characteristics of light.

 

 

 

 

Describe how light forms images.

 

 

 

 

Describe how lenses work (e.g., refraction, converging light, diverging light).

 

 

 

 

Explain how light traveling through a lens forms an image.

 

 

 

 

Explain how an image forms on the film.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the relationship between film speed and type of light.

 

 

 

Camera

Describe the anatomy of the camera.

 

 

 

 

Describe how the camera works.

 

 

 

 

Describe the various types of cameras and uses of these cameras.

 

 

 

 

Discuss advantages and disadvantages of each camera type.

 

 

 

 

Describe procedures and precautions for loading cameras.

 

 

 

 

Describe ways to support a camera.

 

 

 

Focus

Explain how turning the focusing control ring affects the distance between lens and film.

 

 

 

 

Discuss focusing on larger-format cameras.

 

 

 

 

Discuss how the split-image finder and auto focus cameras focus on an image.

 

 

 

 

Shutter speed

 

 

 

 

Define shutter speed.

 

 

 

 

Describe the effects of shutter speed (e.g., light, movement).

 

 

 

 

Describe the shutter scale.

 

 

 

 

Describe how the amount of light may affect the choice of shutter speeds.

 

 

 

Aperture

Define aperture, depth of field, and stopping down.

 

 

 

 

Describe the effects of widening or narrowing the aperture on depth of field and exposure.

 

 

 

Image control

Define focal length.

 

 

 

 

Explain how short focal length lens (wide angle) affects the size and perspective of an object.

 

 

 

 

Explain how long focal length lens (telephoto) affects the size and perspective of an object.

 

 

 

 

Match angle of view with focal length of lens.

 

 

 

 

Describe appropriate uses for and characteristics of each lens type.

 

 

 

 

Discuss advantages and disadvantages of each lens type.

 

 

 

 

Discuss how shutter speed, aperture, and focal length interact.

 

 

 

 

Discuss covering power.

 

 

 

 

Describe appropriate lens care.

 

 

 

LIGHT

10

0

0

Light control

Explain how aperture and shutter speed determine exposure and the effect this has on focus.

 

 

 

 

Describe various techniques for modifying the light falling on objects.

 

 

 

Sources

Discuss sources of lighting.

 

 

 

Backlighting

Define backlighting.

 

 

 

 

Describe advantages of backlighting.

 

 

 

 

Describe how to calculate exposure for backlighting.

 

 

 

Raking light

Describe the lighting effects of midmorning, afternoon, and evening sun on photographs.

 

 

 

Low light

Describe various techniques for handling low light situations.

 

 

 

Flash

Describe various types of flashes and how they work.

 

 

 

 

Discuss camera-to-subject distance and choice of aperture.

 

 

 

Filters

List purposes of filters.

 

 

 

 

List filter composition materials.

 

 

 

 

Describe various filters and the effects they create.

 

 

 

METERING INTRODUCTION

5

0

0

Metering systems

Describe how various metering systems work.

 

 

 

 

Discuss techniques for taking exposure readings.

 

 

 

 

Describe "correct" exposure as determined by a metering system.

 

 

 

Metering techniques

Describe how to compensate for a light background and a dark background.

 

 

 

 

Describe the result of underexposure and overexposure.

 

 

 

Flash meters

Describe how the flash metering systems work.

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

 

Books

 

Kodak Limited. (1986). The complete Kodak book of photography. New York: Crown.

Langford, M. (1980). The step-by-step guide to photography. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Langford, M. (1986). Basic photography (5th ed.). Boston: Focal Press.