🖼️Art and Technology Unit 4 – Digital Photography and Manipulation

Key Concepts in Digital Photography

• Digital photography captures images using an electronic image sensor instead of traditional film
• Images are stored as digital files (JPEG, RAW) on memory cards or other storage devices
• Digital cameras allow for immediate review and editing of captured images on the camera's LCD screen
• Key components of a digital camera include the lens, image sensor, shutter, and aperture
• Megapixels measure the resolution of the image sensor, with higher megapixels allowing for larger prints and more detail
• Dynamic range refers to the camera's ability to capture a wide range of tones from dark to light
• White balance adjusts the color temperature of the image to ensure accurate color representation under different lighting conditions
• ISO sensitivity determines the image sensor's sensitivity to light, with higher ISO values enabling shooting in low-light conditions but potentially introducing noise

Camera Basics and Settings

• Aperture controls the amount of light entering the camera through the lens opening
  • Measured in f-stops (f/2.8, f/5.6), with lower numbers indicating a wider aperture and shallower depth of field
  • Affects depth of field, the area of the image that appears in focus
• Shutter speed determines the duration of time the camera's shutter remains open to expose the image sensor to light
  • Measured in fractions of a second (1/60, 1/250) or seconds (1", 2") for longer exposures
  • Faster shutter speeds freeze motion, while slower shutter speeds can create motion blur
• ISO adjusts the sensitivity of the image sensor to light
  • Higher ISO values (800, 1600) allow for shooting in low-light conditions but may introduce noise
  • Lower ISO values (100, 200) provide better image quality but require more light
• Exposure triangle refers to the interplay between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in determining the overall exposure of an image
• Shooting modes (Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual) allow for varying degrees of control over camera settings
• RAW vs. JPEG file formats offer different levels of image quality and post-processing flexibility

Composition Techniques

• Rule of thirds involves dividing the frame into a 3x3 grid and placing key elements along the lines or at their intersections to create a balanced composition
• Leading lines guide the viewer's eye through the image towards a focal point
• Symmetry creates a sense of balance and harmony by mirroring elements across an axis
• Framing uses natural or man-made elements to surround and draw attention to the main subject
• Negative space is the area around the main subject that helps to define and emphasize it
• Perspective can be manipulated by changing the camera's angle or position relative to the subject (bird's eye view, worm's eye view)
• Depth can be conveyed through the use of foreground, middle ground, and background elements
• Simplicity involves minimizing distractions and focusing on the essence of the subject

Lighting and Exposure

• Natural light refers to sunlight and varies in color temperature and intensity throughout the day
  • Golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) provides warm, soft light
  • Blue hour (before sunrise or after sunset) creates a cool, ethereal atmosphere
• Artificial light includes continuous lights (lamps, LED panels) and flash (built-in, external)
• Hard light creates strong shadows and high contrast, emphasizing texture and form
• Soft light minimizes shadows and provides a more even illumination, flattering for portraits
• Exposure refers to the amount of light that reaches the image sensor, determined by the combination of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO
• Histogram is a graphical representation of the tonal distribution in an image, helping to assess exposure
• High dynamic range (HDR) techniques combine multiple exposures to capture a wider range of tones in high-contrast scenes
• Reflectors and diffusers can be used to manipulate and control the quality of light

Post-Processing Fundamentals

• Non-destructive editing preserves the original image file while applying adjustments on separate layers or through parametric editing
• RAW processing involves converting RAW files into a usable format (JPEG, TIFF) and applying initial adjustments to color, exposure, and sharpness
• White balance correction adjusts the color temperature of an image to ensure accurate color representation
• Exposure adjustment allows for the manipulation of brightness, contrast, highlights, shadows, and overall tonal range
• Color correction involves adjusting the hue, saturation, and luminance of individual colors or the entire image
• Sharpening enhances the edge contrast and detail in an image, but over-sharpening can introduce artifacts
• Noise reduction minimizes the appearance of grainy or speckled patterns, particularly in images shot at high ISO values
• Cropping and straightening can improve composition and correct perspective distortions

Digital Manipulation Tools and Techniques

• Layers allow for the non-destructive combination and blending of multiple images or adjustments
• Masking enables selective application of adjustments or effects to specific areas of an image
• Retouching involves removing blemishes, smoothing skin, and enhancing facial features
• Compositing combines multiple images into a single, seamless composition
• Filters apply various effects (blur, distortion, stylization) to an image
• Dodge and burn tools selectively lighten or darken specific areas of an image
• Clone stamp and healing brush tools allow for the removal of unwanted elements or the duplication of textures and patterns
• Adjustment layers apply color and tonal adjustments without permanently altering the underlying image

Ethical Considerations in Photo Editing

• Journalistic integrity requires that news images accurately represent reality without misleading manipulations
• Advertising and commercial photography may involve extensive retouching, but should avoid promoting unrealistic or harmful beauty standards
• Disclosure of significant manipulations is important to maintain trust and transparency with viewers
• Respect for copyright and intellectual property rights is crucial when using or modifying images created by others
• Consent and privacy concerns arise when editing images of individuals, particularly in sensitive contexts
• Preservation of historical accuracy is important when restoring or manipulating archival images
• Environmental and social responsibility should be considered when depicting scenes or subjects that could influence public perception or behavior

Practical Applications and Projects

• Portrait retouching involves enhancing facial features, smoothing skin, and correcting blemishes while maintaining a natural appearance
• Landscape photography often benefits from post-processing to optimize exposure, color, and sharpness
• Product photography requires precise control over lighting, composition, and editing to showcase items in the best possible way
• Fine art photography allows for creative expression and manipulation to convey artistic vision
• Photo restoration involves repairing damage, correcting color casts, and reconstructing missing elements in old or deteriorated images
• Panoramic stitching combines multiple images to create wide-angle or 360-degree views
• Time-lapse photography captures a sequence of images over an extended period to compress time and reveal gradual changes
• Photo book and portfolio design requires careful selection, sequencing, and presentation of images to tell a cohesive story or showcase a body of work