Formal Elements And Camera Skills
Overview
A painter starts with nothing and adds. A photographer starts with everything and takes away. The world is already there, cluttered and moving, and the only decisions available are where to stand, when to press, what to leave outside the rectangle and what to let go soft. That is a smaller set of decisions than a painter has, and it is why each of them carries so much weight.
This note is about seeing, and about the camera controls that turn seeing into a picture. It covers the formal elements as a lens delivers them, then aperture and depth of field, shutter speed and the rendering of time, focal length, viewpoint and focus point, and the compositional decisions that follow from all of them. The companion topic, Technical knowledge and understanding, deals with the apparatus itself: light, exposure control, the darkroom, image manipulation and output. Here the question is always what the picture says, not how the machine works.
Objectives
- Develop practical knowledge and understanding of the use of formal elements to communicate a variety of approaches
- Understand the camera and its functions, including depth of field, shutter speed, focal points and viewpoints
- Develop observational skills to record from sources and communicate ideas
- Understand the effects and creative potential of combining and manipulating different two-dimensional and three-dimensional materials and media
- Develop the use of digital and/or non-digital applications
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Formal Elements And Camera Skills. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which aperture setting will give the shallowest depth of field? A) f/2 B) f/8 C) f/11 D) f/22 Answer: A
- A photographer wants a moving cyclist to stay sharp while the background streaks with movement. The technique is: A) A long exposure on a tripod B) Panning at a slow shutter speed C) A very small aperture D) Front lighting Answer: B
- Which direction of light is best for revealing the texture of a rough stone wall? A) Frontal light from behind the camera B) Light raking across the surface at a shallow angle C) Overhead midday sun D) Soft overcast light Answer: B
- The relative size of near and far objects in a photograph is determined by: A) The focal length of the lens B) The aperture C) The position of the camera D) The shutter speed Answer: C
- Blur that affects every part of the frame, including things that were not moving, is caused by: A) Subject movement B) Camera shake C) Shallow depth of field D) A small aperture Answer: B
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
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