Understanding Your Digital Camera by: Barb walker

Photography The word comes from two ancient Greek words: Photo=Graph= Light Drawing

You are the Artist The Camera is the Tool

THE PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA By definition a camera is an image-forming device. The photographic film or digital storage card is the recording medium. Photographers control the camera and lens to expose a light recording material such as film to the required amount of light. Modern Digital Cameras replace film with an electronic image sensor – either a charge- coupled device (CCD) or complementary medal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS). The image sensor is a permanent part of the camera that captures the image.

1 - Image Sensor captures the image. 2 - The camera’s internal software processes the image. 3 – The image is transferred to an in-camera storage device. (Karbo, 2010, Chapter 4 Images: from light to RAM)

In a traditional camera, the film both records and stores the image. In a digital camera separate devices perform these functions. The Image Sensor captures the image and transfers it to an in-camera storage device of some kind. The storage devices are designed for temporary storage and should at some point be transferred to a computer and erased for reuse. Curtin, 2007, pg.48 INTERNAL MEMORY STORAGE most digital cameras come with a very small internal memory which is useful if your memory card becomes full. However this feature on most cameras only allows you to take pictures. FLASH MEMORY CARDS Almost all digital cameras use some form of a removable storage device in the form of a memory card. The most widespread cards are the CF and SD CF (Compact Flash Cards) About the size of a matchbook, these memory cards are commonly used in D-SLR Cameras. SD (Secure Digital Cards) Smaller and thinner, this card is used in most Compact Point and Shoots or Bridge Cameras. Olympus was slow in changing to the SD format. Sony still uses memory sticks.

Types of Digital Cameras Compact Point and Shoot D-SLR – Digital Single Lens Reflex Bridge Cameras

Compact Point-and-Shoot Cameras Compact Point-and-Shoot Cameras Compact point-and-shoots are designed for simple operation and are by far the best selling type of digital camera. They are popular with people who don’t consider themselves photographers but want an easy to use camera for vacations, parties, reunions and other events. Features one can expect include: The price range of these cameras increases with greater resolution measured in megapixels, and increased zoom lens capacity. Higher end point and shoots also offer more manual and automatic controls. (Harmon, 2010, pg.12) Autofocus Limited shooting mode choices Built in flash units (Wikipedia, 2010, Point-and-shoot camera)

D-SLR – Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras D-SLR – Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras ‘SLR’ is the name given to a camera that allows the user to view a scene through a single lens via a reflex mirror. SLRs are the top of the camera tree. They are preferred by professional and highly enthusiastic photographers because they: Allow an accurate preview of framing close to the moment of exposure Allow the photographer to choose a variety of interchangeable lenses Have larger image sensors allowing for extremely high resolution, up to 22MP (Harmon, 2010, pg.13) (Wikipedia. (2010). Digital single-lens reflex camera.) Allow the user to choose a wide variety of manual settings with accurate previewing

Bridge Cameras Bridge Cameras Bridge cameras fill the gap between SLRs and Compact Point-and-Shoot Cameras in both price and performance. Also referred to as SLR-like cameras, on a smaller/lighter scale they offer many features found on an SLR. Many offer full manual control over shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance and metering. Superior lens crafting gives these cameras a reputation for high quality images. Many may also accommodate an accessory flash. They are often referred to as Mega Zooms as it is not uncommon for bridge cameras to have long lenses, some up to 30x optical zoom. (Harmon, 2010, pg.13) (Wikipedia. (2010). Bridge camera.)

The lens acts as the eye of the camera. If not the most important feature on a camera, it is the most expensive. It is composed of several layers of glass/elements, and an aperture. LENS The lens serves 2 functions. With the assistance of the aperture it brings light into the camera and secondly it focuses or clarifies the image.

Aperture is a circular opening inside the lens. Aperture changes in diameter to control the amount of light reaching the image sensor when the shutter is released. The diameter is expressed in f-stops or F numbers f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 The larger the number the smaller the opening/diameter and less light reaches the sensor. Aperture

ZOOM LENS Magnifies or reduces the size of the image.

ZOOM CONTROL This feature activates the Zoom Lens in a compact point and shoot and bridge camera. It is often located near the shutter release button, but can also be on the back panel. The initials T and W indicate that the toggle or lever is a Zoom Control. T = Telephoto - Zoom In or Magnify W = Wide Angle - Zoom Out or Reduce image size

AUTOMATIC LENS COVER - found on most compact point and shoot cameras. LENS CAP –found on most bridge and D-SLR cameras. If the camera does not have an automatic lens cover, always use the lens cap when it is not in use! A SCRATCHED LENS IS A WORTHLESS LENS !

SHUTTER RELEASE The shutter release is the button that focuses the image and takes the picture. Pressing the button half way and holding it will activate the lens to focus. When a green light appears in the viewfinder or on the LCD panel the picture is ready to be taken. Pressing the button all the way after focusing opens the shutter in the lens and takes the picture.

FOCUS OPTIONS When auto focusing, most cameras will concentrate on what is in the center of the viewfinder or the LCD panel. However, off center makes for better composed shots. To auto focus off-center compositions, first center your subject, press the shutter release halfway. When the green light comes on the focus is locked, keep the button pressed and recompose the image by moving the camera. Then press the button all the way down. Check your manual for other focus options!

Shutter The shutter is an apparatus located in the body of the camera behind the lens. It opens and closes when the shutter release button is pressed all the way down after the focus is locked. The shutter opens and closes for a limited time allowing light to hit the image sensor. Shutter speed determines the amount of time the image sensor is exposed to light and is often referred to as the exposure time. Shutter speed is expressed in fractions of seconds. The smaller the fraction the faster the shutter speed. Lighting, distance, and movement are factors that influence shutter speed.

Accessory Electronic Flash ELECTRONIC FLASH Providing additional light, the flash may be set in front of the camera, on top of the camera as a pop-up flash, or in the case of an D-SLR or some bridge cameras, it may be a camera accessory. Built in Electronic Flash Pop-up and built in electronic flashes are also referred to as the “on board flash” and are not effective in illuminating the subject at a distance greater than feet. Pop-up Electronic Flash

1) Turn the on board flash on or off. Flash options are usually found on the back of the camera on the arrow pad but may also be found on the top of the camera in the mode dial. When on the Mode Dial, the photographer can easily turn the flash off. The flash option on the arrow pad allows the photographer to: Mode Dial Arrow Pad 2) Have the on board flash work automatically as natural light dictates. 3) Have the on board flash always on using it for fill flash. 4) And or set the red eye option.

Pop-up Flash Note: If your camera has a Pop-up flash and you cannot set your flash options, make sure the flash is physically extended!

FOCUS-ASSIST LIGHT AKA the focus-assistant lamp or illuminator. It helps the camera focus in dim lighting conditions and also assists in red eye reduction. 1) In low light situations it fires a beam of light which helps the auto focus lock. 2) In many cameras when the flash and anti-red eye are enabled it remains lit for as long as you half-press the shutter release. This decreases the size of the subject's pupils reducing the chance of red eye.

LCD PANEL – is one of the camera’s framing, composing and display options. Many cameras offer the photographer the option to use the panel or an optical viewfinder. The disadvantage of using the LCD panel is the increased chance of camera shake and difficulty viewing the panel in bright light. OPTICAL VIEWFINDER - like the LCD display panel, this option also allows the photographer to frame and compose. When using the viewfinder, there is less chance of image blurring due to camera shake. MONITOR/VIEW FINDER TOGGLE- This button is more common on dSLR and bridge cameras than compact point and shoots. The feature enables the photographer to turn off the LCD panel while using the viewfinder and vice versa.

MEMORY CARD SLOT In some cameras the battery is also housed in this slot. USB PORT This port accommodates a USB cable for uploading images to your computer. Locations will vary from camera to camera. Sample Memory Cards – Never force a card into a slot or into a card reader. If it does not go in easily, flip or rotate it!

On most D-SLRs and SLR-like/bridge cameras, the mode dial is located at the top of the camera, to one side of the flash/viewfinder hump. MODE DIAL

On many compact point-and-shoot cameras the mode dial is often found: A B A On the back of the camera. B On some models it is a lever. C On other models shooting modes are accessed in the menu-navigation button or arrow pad. C

Digital Camera – Menus & Programs Think of your digital camera as a small computer. The menu system along with all the control buttons gives access to the camera’s software. Navigating through the menu enables you to program your camera. Menu systems vary from camera to camera. They are a series of programs that can be viewed on the LCD panel. Some programs are used for small everyday tasks like viewing and deleting images. The menu system is also used for a number of more advanced tasks such as adjusting shutter speed, aperture, ISO (light sensitivity), white balance, and resolution. Check your manual for menu options that apply to your camera! (Karbo, 2010, Chapter 5 The camera’s menu system)

Digital Camera – Menus To make the process simpler break down menus into 2 categories: 1) Camera Set-up Menus - Basic Information needed to get started 2) Shooting Set-up Menus – Factors that influence the performance and quality of images Date & Time Language Formatting image devices ISO setting – sensitivity to light White Balance Image size - resolution Shooting Mode Flash Mode

ARROW, CURSOR, or NAVIGATION PAD - allows the user to toggle through menus and images. DISPAY BUTTON - changes information on the LCD monitor. OK BUTTON - sets and changes programs and executes commands. DELETE BUTTON - enables the user to erase unwanted images. PICTURE REVIEW – enables the user to toggle through images. MENU BUTTON – enables the user to select camera set-up and shooting set-up options. Check your manual for location and significance of menu buttons. MENU BUTTONS/CONTROLS!

Bibliography Curtin, D. (2007). The Textbook of Digital Photography; Marbelhead,MA. PhotoCourse.com Dummies.com. (2010). The Parts of a Typical Digital Camera - For Dummies. Retrieved August 11, 2010, from Harmon, D. (2010). The Digital Photography Handbook; New York, NY. Metro Books. Karbo,M(2010); The Digital Camera. A photo book by Michael Karbo. Retrieved August 13, 2010, from Wikipedia. (2010). Bridge camera. Retrieved August 12, 2010, from Wikipedia. (2010). Digital single-lens reflex camera. Retrieved August 12, 2010, from Wikipedia. (2010). Point-and-shoot camera. Retrieved August 12, 2010, from KaTrina Wentzel – Powerpoint presentation on photography presented at Josten’s Yearbook Workshop, July 2010.