Basic Photography

• Types of cameras
• How cameras work
• Manual camera controls
• Camera techniques

Objectives of the Module
This module will enable you to use a 35mm SLR or rangefinder camera competently. You will understand how to take great photographs instead of hit and miss shots and use the full functionality of your camera instead of always switching the dial to the green square (or auto function). This includes manual exposure reading, knowing what shutter and aperture controls to use for a given photograph, manual focusing and choice of lenses. Students will also understand what film ISO to buy and/or use. You will also learn how to manipulate the camera to produce varied photographic effects.

Practical Exercise
Shoot one roll of film following exercises in handouts.

• Assessing Negatives
• Composition

Objectives of the Module
In this module you will learn how to assess film, learning what makes under, correct and over exposed negatives. You will also learn techniques to alter image quality through exposure control. You will assess negatives/images from Practical Exercises in module 101. In addition you will learn the compositional differences between how we perceive our surroundings and how our cameras and films record images. This includes seeing better pictures, framing the image, composition and visual selection and perception of depth.

Practical Exercise
Evaluating Negatives from Module 101 Slide presentation on other photographers work and discussion on composition Shoot one roll of film following exercises in handouts.

• Test strips
• Contact sheets
• Enlargements

Objectives of the Module
In this module you will learn how to produce a contact sheet from negatives. You will learn how to use the darkroom safely and use a combination of light-sensitive paper, enlargers and chemicals to produce prints. You will learn how to make test strips and produce quality final prints in the darkroom using a focus finder and a framing easel.

Practical Exercise
Making test strips Making contact sheets Making print enlargements

• Variable Contrast Paper
• Printing Controls: Dodging, Burning

Objectives of the Module
You will continue practice from Module 103 learning how to improve basic printing techniques through altering contrast in prints with variable contrast paper and localised print adjustments such as 'printing and shading-in' (or burning and dodging) techniques. You will assess your own understanding of each process and plan a further course of action or study to improve on the skills you have learnt.

Practical Exercise
Use of Variable Contrast Paper Burning and Dodging