How to Use Digital Cameras for Classroom Projects

Coach PateApril 30, 2009

Projects due at the end of the year Algebra 3- Board Games

Using probability concepts that were learned in Chapter 13 you will get into groups of 3 or 4 then design and create a board game. Everything that is a part of your board game is to be created by your group. You will not be allowed to use any parts of an existing board game. You must incorporate 2 photographs as a part of your project as well as create 5 probability questions based on your game.

Geometry- Using the sheet provided you will pick 30 terms to present. Each term will need to be defined and have a picture of that object as seen in the real world. This will be done individually.

Where do we start?

Important Definitions APERTURE- Find a volunteer, a flashlight, and a partially

darkened room. Look closely into the eye of your volunteer. Examine the size of the person's pupil (the black, center portion of the eye). Now, while still looking at the eye, shine the flashlight towards the person's eye. The pupil will become dramatically smaller as the iris closes to let less light into the eye.    This is how the aperture of a camera works. The aperture is an iris in the lens that can be opened or closed to allow more or less light into the camera. The smaller the aperture the less light it allows to enter through the lens. This is one of the ways a camera regulates exposure. (www.http://home.surewest.net/frcn/definitions.html#APERTURE)

Important Definitions (cont.) SELF TIMER- The self timer allows the

camera to take a picture unattended. With it you can take a picture of yourself. Once the timer is set, you usually have about ten seconds to get into the picture. A flashing light or a tone signals when the picture is about to be taken.(http://home.surewest.net/frcn/definitions.html#RED%20EYE%20REDUCTION)

Important Definitions (cont.) IMAGE RESOLUTION The amount of data stored in an

image file, measured in pixels per inch (ppi).

(http://digital-photography-school.com/digital-photography-jargon-easy#ixzz0EYBWDmAJ&A

Important Definition (cont.)FLASH RANGE- The effective

distance the strobe light can illuminate the subject. Most digital cameras that have built-in strobe lights are effective to about 12 to 15 feet. It varies by brand so check the specifications carefully. (http://home.surewest.net/frcn/definitions.html#FLASH%20RANGE )

Important Definitions (cont.) FOCUS- Camera lenses have to be focused on the subject

to create a clear image just like your eyes do. Some cameras feature a lens with "fixed focus." This means that the lens was designed to be in focus all the time. This range is usually from about ten feet to infinity. Fixed focus lenses are usually found in cameras in the lower price ranges.    Better cameras have auto focus. There is some sort of mechanism in the camera that moves the lens elements to bring the image into focus. Some cameras are quite good at this and some have difficulty in low light situations. Most digital cameras have some sort of setting to force the camera to focus into some range such as Macro and Distant.(http://home.surewest.net/frcn/definitions.html#FOCUS )

Photographic Techniques

Photographic Techniques Rule of Thirds

The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts.

As you’re taking an image you would have done this in your mind through your viewfinder or in the LCD display that you use to frame your shot.

With this grid in mind the ‘rule of thirds’ now identifies four important parts of the image that you should consider placing points of interest in as you frame your image.

Read more: "Rule of Thirds" - http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds#ixzz0EYNajxRy&A

Photographic Techniques (cont.) Fill your Frame

You’ve largely got three options: Use your Optical Zoom - most point and shoot digital cameras these days

come with a zoom lens and all DSLRs are able to be fitted with one. Use them.

Use your Legs - most photographers have a built in zoom in the form of their legs. Don’t just rely upon your cameras zoom but actually position yourself effectively for close in shots.

Crop your Shots - the other option is to zoom in manually at home after you’ve taken your shots. This is a handy option to have but I personally prefer to use one of the first two options where I can because cropping shots later means if you want a large image that you’ll find that it becomes more pixelated. This is a good option if you’re just trimming shots but any major cropping will result in a loss of quality of your image.

Read more: "Fill Your Frame" - http://digital-photography-school.com/fill-your-frame#ixzz0EYOwJlTi&A

Photographic Techniques (cont.) Framing is the technique of drawing attention to the subject of your

image by blocking other parts of the image with something in the scene.

Frames for photographs come in all shapes and sizes and can include shooting through overhanging branches, shooting through windows, using tunnels, arches or doorways - you can even use people (for example shooting over shoulders or between heads) etc.

Your frame doesn’t need to go completely around the edges of your image - they might just be on one or two edges of your shot.

Read more: "Framing Your Shots - Photography Composition Technique" - http://digital-photography-school.com/framing-your-shots-photography-composition-technique#ixzz0EYPOKwUe&A

Photographic Techniques (cont.)Next time you take your digital camera out and line it up for a shot pause before you

press the shutter button and ask yourself:

“What is the Focal Point in this Picture?”

Some other ways to ask the same question might include - What is the central point of interest? What will draw the eye of the viewers of this picture? What in this image will make it stand out from others? What is my subject?

The reason a focal point is important is that when you look at an image your eye will generally need a ‘resting place’ or something of interest to really hold it.

Without it you’ll find people will simply glance at your shots and then move on to the next one.

Read more: "Using Focal Points in Photography" - http://digital-photography-school.com/using-focal-points-in-photography#ixzz0EYQuMcPI&A

Tip For Better Photography 6 Techniques to Enhance the Focal Point in an Image Position - Place it in a prominent position - you might want to start with the

rule of thirds for some ideas. Focus - Learn to use Depth of Field to blur out other aspects in front or behind

your focal point. Blur - If you really want to get tricky you might want to play with slower

shutter speeds if your main subject is still and things around it are moving. Size - making your focal point large is not the only way to make it prominent -

but it definitely can help. Color - using contrasting colors can also be a way of setting your point of

interest apart from it’s surroundings. Shape - similarly contrasting shapes and textures can make a subject stand

out - especially patterns that are repeated around a subject.

Read more: "Using Focal Points in Photography" - http://digital-photography-school.com/using-focal-points-in-photography#ixzz0EYRUpvQa&A

Tips (cont.) Position - Place it in a prominent position - you might want to start with

the rule of thirds for some ideas. Focus - Learn to use Depth of Field to blur out other aspects in front or

behind your focal point. Blur - If you really want to get tricky you might want to play with slower

shutter speeds if your main subject is still and things around it are moving. Size - making your focal point large is not the only way to make it

prominent - but it definitely can help. Color - using contrasting colors can also be a way of setting your point of

interest apart from it’s surroundings. Shape - similarly contrasting shapes and textures can make a subject

stand out - especially patterns that are repeated around a subject.

Read more: "Using Focal Points in Photography" - http://digital-photography-school.com/using-focal-points-in-photography#ixzz0EYRUpvQa&A

Tips (cont.) Take five or more shots of any scene:  Many times when you go to a location you’ve already seen

images from the area, or you’ve stopped at the visitor center to look at area postcards.  When you do this, it suggests a certain way of shooting the subject when you get to it.  This is a great inhibitor of creativity.

Keep asking yourself “what if”.  What if I change this, or change that.  What would the image be like with a different lens, or not setting up my tripod at its full height, or with a different white balance, or a filter, or a vertical orientation, or, or, or….

Composition is similar to a great chef creating a dish.  Take a little of this and a little of that, mix it together by trying new combinations, and create a masterpiece.

Tips (cont.)

Practice,

Practice,

Practice!

Tips (cont.)

For more help including video tutorials visit the site:

http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/digital_photography/tours/beginners/index.html