Lesson One  Thursday Feb 3, 2005

Discuss the nature of photography a record, a reflection and an expression of personal experience. 
Identify and describe the differences and similarities between digital and film photography.

1. Introduction, management of course, structure of weekly meetings.

Principle: A camera is a tool.  The more you learn about the tool, the more you understand its capacity and limitations, and the more you can control it to achieve your photographic goals.

2. What is photography?
    An art or a craft? 
    A recreation, a recording medium, an expression?

3. What do you use photography for, why do you make photographs?
    Are you an occasional/holiday photographer, a travel/vacation photographer, an every day photographer?

4. What are you photographic goals?

5. What is digital photography and how does it differ from film photography?
    The equipment looks the same, and feels the same in use.
    The camera is still an optical device, but instead of using a photo-chemical process, is now a photo-electric process.

6. What's new in your digital camera?
    Video, audio
    real time review
    expanded post-processing options (including fixing some mistakes)

7. Important components of a digital camera
    a. body
    b. lens (aperture)
    c. shutter (time)
    d. sensor (ISO, WB)
    e. buffer
    f.  processor
    g. storage media

Digital Photo by the Numbers

2004 sales of digital cameras world wide: 53 million
Combined market share of big 5 (Canon, Sony, Olympus, Fujifilm and Kodak): 75%
2004 US digital camera sales: 23 million
Growth of US sales 2004 over 2003: 42%
Year that digital camera sales exceeded film camera sales: 2003

Parts of a digital camera
External:
    Body    
        Is it large enough to hold, small enough to carry?  Is it made "solidly?"  Is it too light, too heavy?
    Lens
        Does it move with zoom, does it offer protection, can you add filters?  What is the maximum aperture (f2.0, f2.8, f3.5?)
        Click to read more about lenses
    Controls
        Do you have control over aperture and shutter?  Full manual control?  Is there exposure lock, compensation?
        Are they intuitive, easy to use, buttons or menus?
Internal:
    Viewfinder
        Electronic or optical?  Does it show the entire image?) Click to read more about viewfinders
    LCD
        Can you preview the image?  Can you review the image?  Does it show the real time histogram?
    Sensor
        How many pixels?  What is the noise level at each ISO setting? How about color rendition?
        Click to read more about sensors
    DSP
         What is the processor speed, buffer size (how many photos can you take before you have to wait to write to media? 
        How much in-camera processing does your camera do?
    Focus
        What is the speed of auto focus?  Can you manually focus?
    Exposure
        Do you only have auto exposure or can you adjust exposure manually?
Other:
    Does the lens have threads for accessories (filters)
    Does your camera have a strap (neck or wrist?)

What is the life of a digital camera?

You should find 1 photograph that represents the goal for your own photography.
Submit the photograph to me via email (limit the size to 480x640 pixels, vertical or horizontal) by Tuesday 5pm and I will put it in the student photo section to view.

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