Basic Photography

This course provides basic instruction on the following subjects: the principles associated with light, optics, cameras, light-sensitive materials, equipment, still and motion-media shooting techniques, chemical mixing, image processing and printing, job control, and photographic finishing.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Theory of Light and Optical Principles

Chapter 2. Light-Sensitive Materials

Chapter 3. Photographic Filters

Chapter 4. Still Cameras and Controls

Chapter 5. Basic Photographic Techniques

Chapter 6. Photographic Assignments

Chapter 7. Portraiture

Chapter 8. Copying

Chapter 9. Chemical Mixing

Chapter 10. Image Processing and Control

Chapter 11. Black-and-White Printing

Chapter 12. Color Printing

Chapter 13. Motion Media

Chapter 14. Job Control and Photographic Finishing

Appendix I. Glossary

Appendix II. Formulas

Appendix III. References

Index

Assignment Questions

Detailed Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Theory of Light and Optical Principles

• Characteristics of Light

• Color Temperature

• Color Relationships

• Absorption

• Dispersion

• Daylight

• Artificial Light

• Tungsten-Halogen Lamps

• Principle of a Lens

• Characteristics of Lenses

• Focal Length and Image Size

• Lens Diaphragm

• How to Use Lenses

• f/stops Functions

• Circle of Confusion

• Hyperfocal Distance

• Conjugate Foci

• Image/Object Relationship

• Using Various Lenses

• Wide-Angle Lenses

• Ultra-Wide-Angle Lenses

Chapter 2. Light-Sensitive Material

• Contrast

• Emulsion Definition

• Construction of Black-and-White Film

• Color Negative Film

• Instant Picture Film

• Sheet Film

• Black-and-White Printing Paper

• Color Printing Papers

• Film and Paper Expiration Dates

Chapter 3. Photographic Filters

• Filters for Black-and-White Photography

• Neutral Density Filters

• Polarizing Filters

• Skylight Filters

• Darkroom Filters

• Filters for Color Printing

• Dichroic Filters

Chapter 4. Still Cameras and Controls

• Camera Types

• Small-Format Cameras

• Medium-Format Cameras

• Camera Controls

• Focusing Systems

• Direct-Vision Range Finder Focusing

• Selective Focus

• Aperture

• Image Sharpness

• Focal-Plane Shutter

• Selecting the Shutter Speed

• Combining Aperture and Shutter Speed

• Exposure Control

• Factors that Affect Exposure

• Reflection Properties

• f/16 Rule

• Reflected-Light Method

• Reflected Light Meter Reading Variations

• Brightness Range Method

• Causes of False Light Meter Readings

• Too Little Light

• View Camera

• View Camera Operation

• Electronic Cameras

Chapter 5. Basic Photographic Techniques

• Camera Supports

• Center of Interest

• Subject Placement

• Viewpoint and Camera Angle

• Symmetrical, or Formal, Balance

• Asymmetrical, or Informal, Balance

• Shapes and Lines

• Pattern and Volume

• Lighting

• Color Contrast

• Framing

• Rectilinear Perspective

• Height Perspective

• Dwindling Size Perspective

• Atmospheric Perspective

• Photographic Lighting

• Existing Light

• Fluorescent Lighting

• Pictures Outdoors at Night

• Automatic Electronic Flash Units

• Single Flash

• Off Camera Flash

• Synchro-Sunlight

• Open Flash

• Summary

Chapter 6. Photographic Assignments

• Equipment Security

• Framing People in their Environment

• People Working

• Group Pictures

• People in Action

• Explain the Action

• Background Information

• Investigation Photography

• Fire and Arson Photography

• Aircraft Accident Investigation Photography

• Procedures at the Scene of the Accident

• Product Photography

• Equipment

• Lighting Basic Shapes

• Diffused Light

• Lighting Spherical Shapes

• Creating the Lighting

• Product Photography Techniques

• Dulling Reflections

• Using a Mirror

• Photographing Glass

• Blocking Out a Background

• Corrective Photography

• Architectural Photography

• Inspection and Survey Photography

• Industrial Photography

• Photographing Large Machines and Equipment

• Intelligence Photography

• Ships

• Summary

Chapter 7. Portraiture

• Studio Equipment

• Lights and Accessories

• Film for Portraits

• Camera Height

• Posing

• Portrait Composition and Subject Placement

• Fundamental Portrait Lighting

• Main Light Distance

• Main Light Direction

• Lighting Ratio

• Side Lighting

• Rim Lighting

• Full-Length Photographs

• Pose and Composition

• Corrective Techniques

• Passport Photographs

• Personnel Identification Photography

Chapter 8. Copying

• Copyright

• How Long Copyright Protection Lasts

• Works of the United States Government

• Definitions

• Paper Money, Checks, and Bonds

• Cameras for Copying Large Originals

• Lenses for Copying

• Lighting Equipment

• Quartz-Iodine Lamps

• Black-and-White Line Originals

• Combined Black-and-White Line and Continuous-Tone Originals

• Special Applications in Copying

• Lighting the Original

• Kelvin Temperature of Illumination

• Determining Exposure

• Processing Copy Films

• Duplicating 35mm Color Slides

• Examining Results

• Summary

Chapter 9. Chemical Mixing

• Mixing, Testing, and Storing Equipment

• Hydrometers

• pH Meters

• Mixers

• Impeller Mixers

• Chemical Mixing Rules

• Containers

• Preparation of Photographic Solutions

• Chemical Safety

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

• Summary

Chapter 10. Image Processing and Control

• Preservative

• General Purpose Developers

• Changes in Developer with use

• Water Rinse Bath

• Time Required for Fixing

• Life of a Fixing Bath

• Rate of Water Change

• Film Processing Equipment

• Safelights

• Sheet Film Hangers

• Roll Film Tanks and Reels

• Timers

• Processing Methods

• Tray Processing

• Caution

• Tank Developing Sheet Film

• Tank Developing Roll Film

• Reversal Processing

• Color Negative Processing

• Color Reversal Film Processing

• Rotary Drum Processor

• Transport Speed

• Solution Temperature

• Quality Processing

• Tonal Gradation

• Process Monitoring

• Sensitometry

• Control Strips

• Densitometry

Chapter 11. Black and White Printing

• Contact Printing

• Contact Printer

• Contact Printing Procedure

• Test Print

• Exposing and Processing Prints

• Group Print Development

• Projection Printing

• Enlargers

• Condenser Enlargers

• Condenser-Diffusion Enlargers

• Enlarger and Easel Adjustments

• Composition and Cropping

• Local Print Control

• Minimizing Graininess

• Processing Defects

Chapter 12. Color Printing

• Additive Primaries

• Color Star

• Color Temperature

• Printing Color Negatives

• Making Color Prints

• Color Printing Viewing Filters

• Color Proof Sheets

• Trial and Error Printing

• On-Easel Analyzers

• Making Transparencies from Color Negatives

• Automated Printers

Chapter 13. Motion Media

• Filters

• Exposure Calculation and Control

• Key Terms

• Videotape Recorders

• Tape Format System

• Hi8 Track System

• Camcorders

• White Balance

• Tripods

• Making Pans

• Secondary Movement

• Area of Talent Included

• Extreme Closeup Shots

• Screen Direction

• Static Screen Direction

• Cut-In and Cutaway Shots

• Uncontrolled Action

• Recording Graphics

• Identifying Recorded Image Content

• Slating

• Visual Information Caption Sheets

• Videotape Care

• Summary

Chapter 14. Job Control and Photographic Finishing

• Restricted Data

• Classification Markings on Imaging Products

• Security Areas

• Safekeeping and Storage of Classified Material

• Reciept System for Classified Material

• Visitor Control

• Visual Information Job-Order Form

• Photographic Finishing

• Still Photography

• Print Mounting

• Slide Mounting

Appendix I. Glossary

Appendix II. Formulas

Appendix III. References

Index

Assignment Questions

• Assignment 1. Theory of Light and Optical Principles

• Assignment 2. Light Sensitive Materials and Photographic Filters

• Assignment 3. Still Cameras and Controls

• Assignment 4. Basic Photographic Techniques

• Assignment 5. Photographic Assignments

• Assignment 6. Portraiture

• Assignment 7. Copying and Chemical Mixing

• Assignment 8. Image Processing and Control

• Assignment 9. Image Processing and Control, Black--and-White Printing, and Color Printing

• Assignment 10. Motion Media, and Job Control and Photographic Finishing

Errata