Lesson Materials: Digital Photography DeCal

Check out the Fall 2007 webpage to see the assignments given last semester

Advanced

Week 01: Sensor, Photo Basics
In week 1 we covered some history, the digital imaging sensor, and some basics of photography.

week1_sensorbasics.pptx (5.8MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week1_sensorbasics.ppt (8.6MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 02: Blur and blur reduction
We analyzed the nature of blur, and the factors that contribute to it, along with some techniques to use to lessen blur.

week2_blur.pptx (385kB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week2_blur.ppt (1.4MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)
week02_shutterspeed.xls (24kB, worksheet to calculate/plot focal length rule)

Week 03: Image stabilization and Noise
A brief overview of image stabilization, then a look at noise and how high ISO affects it.

week3_noise.pptx (2.03MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week3_noise.ppt (4.58MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 05: Creative blur
Blur isn't always bad - there are ways you can use it creatively too! We also did an actual demo of image stabilization, and looked a bit at noise filtration programs.

Links to noise reduction programs
week05_advanced_creativeblur.pptx (5.6MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week05_advanced_creativeblur.ppt (5.7MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 06: Flash and lighting
Guest speaker Michael Seeeman gave a presentation/demo on flash photography.

week06_advanced_flash.ppt (2.55MB)

Week 07: Focal length and perspective
Part 1 on lenses - introduction of focal length and relation to angle of view, and relationship between angle of view and subject distance, and its effect on perspective

week07_advanced_lenses.pptx (2.2MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week07_advanced_lenses.ppt (2.8MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 08: Depth of field and portraits
Part 2 on lenses - introduction of the concepts of focus and depth of field

week08_advanced_depthoffield.pptx (4.7MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week08_advanced_depthoffield.ppt (6.4MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 10: Lens characteristics and software fixes
Part 3 on lenses - a look at the various quality characteristics of lenses, and how they can be addressed with software

week10_advanced_lenses2.pptx (3.1MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week10_advanced_lenses2.ppt (3.4MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 12: Dynamic range
A look at dynamic range, and what it means for the scene and for what the camera can record.

week12_advanced_dynamicrange.pptx (1.3MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week12_advanced_dynamicrange.ppt (2.3MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 13: Dynamic range
Different techniques to restore detail in images, even if it appears to have crushed shadows or blown highlights

week13_advanced_restoringdynamicrange.pptx (626kB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week13_advanced_restoringdynamicrange.ppt (1.7MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 15: Deriving color and white balance
How digital cameras derive color information, and issues with white balance

advanced_week15_color.ppt (1.2MB)

Basic

Week 1 Assignment, Basic: low-light photography
Week 2 Assignment, Basic: Reducing shake
Week 3 Assignment, Basic: Fast shutter speed
Week 4 Assignment, Basic: Creative blur
Week 5 Assignment, Basic: Portraits
Week 6 Assignment, Basic: Macro
Week 7 Assignment, Basic: Product Photography
Week 8 Assignment, Basic: Landscape
Week 10 Assignment, Basic: Landscape
Week 11 Assignment, Basic: Sports
Week 12 Assignment, Basic: Processing I
Week 13 Assignment, Basic: Processing II

Week 01: Photo Basics
In week 1 we covered some history and basics of photography.

These are the Advanced files, but include everything in the basic section and more
week1_sensorbasics.pptx (5.8MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week1_sensorbasics.ppt (8.6MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 02: Blur and blur reduction
We took a look at blur, and demonstrated some techniques to reduce camera shake

week2_basic_blur.pptx (141kB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week2_basic_blur.ppt (720kB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 03: High ISO and Noise
A look at noise and how high ISO affects it.

week3_basic_noise.pptx (3.1MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week3_basic_noise.ppt (6.2MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 04: Creative blur
Blur isn't always bad - there are ways you can use it creatively too! We also looked at noise filtration programs.

Links to noise reduction programs
week04_basic_creativeblur.pptx (5.3MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week04_basic_creativeblur.ppt (5.4MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 05: Portraits
Guest speaker Salgu Wissmath, a former Daily Cal photo editor and current instructor for the Intro to Photojournalism DeCal, gave a presentation on portraits. You can find her powerpoint below

week05_basic_portrait.ppt (9.7MB)

Week 06: Macro
Week 6 was a short discussion about macro photography (taking pictures with high magnification)

week06_basic_macro.pptx (1.06MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week06_basic_macro.ppt (1.15MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 08: Landscapes
Week 8 was a short discussion about landscapes

week08_basic_landscape.pptx (3.72MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
week08_basic_landscape.ppt (3.79MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)

Week 10: Landscapes 2
Guest presentation by landscape photographer Mike Seeman.

week10_basic_landscape2.pdf (6MB)

Week 11: Sports
Guest presentation by Golden Bear Sports photographer Kelley Cox.

week11_basic_sports.ppt (2.24MB)

Week 12: Processing I
A short demo on histograms, and curves adjustments to manipulate brightness and contrast

week12_basic_contrast.ppt (620kB)

Week 15: Digital SLR
An introduction to the Digital SLR camera, and the capabilities and advantages they have over ordinary consumer cameras.

basic_week15_dslr.pptx (2.77MB, download this if you have Office/Powerpoint 2007)
basic_week15_dslr.ppt (3.07MB, download this if you have an older version of Powerpoint)