This is a preliminary schedule for the three sections of DP Decal. The first few weeks are pretty set, but the schedule is fairly flexible and will be tailored around what you students want to learn.
- Week 1: Introduction, Sensor model
Introduction of the image sensor (light -> image)
Exposure parameters (aperture, shutter speed, sensitivity)
Using the photodecal.org website
Assignment: Experimentation with low-light photography
- Week 2: Exposure parameter side-effects
Overview of exposure parameter side effects (aperture: depth of field, shutter speed: blur, sensitivity: noise)
Metering types
Exposure program types
Assignment: Experiment with aperture, shutter speed, or sensitivity in low-light situations, observing side-effects.
- Week 3: Blur
Blur types: camera shake, subject motion
Camera shake analysis
Camera stabilization techniques, technologies
Assignment: Testing of stabilization techniques and technology, measurement of shake rate
- Week 4: No class
School Holiday =(
- Week 5: Noise
Definition of noise
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): light levels and Poisson probability
Megapixel Myth: pixels and SNR
Assignment: Test ISO at different sensitivities - at which point does noise become more problematic than blur?
- Week 6: Creative use of blur
Utilizing motion blur for effect: sense of activity/movement, panning
Long exposure applications: flowing water, star trails
Creative uses of camera shake
Painting with light
Assignment: Creative experimentation with motion blur, long exposures, camera shake, and light painting
- Week 7: Noise reduction
Noise reduction techniques: filtration, averaging, dark frame
Quantization: difference between in-camera ISO and digital pushing in software
Assignment: Utilize noise reduction on high ISO photos from Week 1, 2, 5 assignments
- Week 8: Flash and lighting
Why direct flash is terrible
Different flash modes/programs
Advanced flash techniques (bouncing, diffusers) to produce better results
Discussion of sidelighting, frontlighting, backlighting
Flash stop-action demo
(?Guest speaker: Mike Seeman?)
Assignment: Portrait session (in pairs?), compare direct flash to different techniques
- Week 9: No class
Spring Break =(
- Week 10: Dynamic range
Dynamic range of physical scene
Dynamic range limitations of sensor
Balancing detail vs. contrast
Assignment: Shoot large dynamic range environments - observe how contrast enhances images, but how difficult it is to retain detail
- Week 11: Manipulating dynamic range (DR)
Methods to expand dynamic range: RAW capture, shadows/highlights, HDR blend
Methods to shrink dynamic range: levels, curves
Assignment: Shoot large DR scenes and restore DR, and shoot small DR scenes and shrink DR
- Week 12: White balance
White balance in the brain and in the camera
Utilizing correct white balance: Automatic WB, presets, greycards, software adjustment, RAW
Assignment: Shoot the same scene using different white balance
- Week 13: Lens basics, Framing and perspective
Explanation of focusing, Snell's Law
Basic properties: Focal length and aperture
Concept of focus and "depth of field"
Focal length and field of view
Subject distance and perspective
Assignment: Test different combinations of focal length and subject distance to achieve consistent framing while altering perspective.
- Week 14: Depth of field
Review of depth of field
Depth of field factors (aperture, focal length, subject distance)
Effect of sensor format on depth of field
Depth of field consistency in magnification (focal length + subject distance)
Assignment: Experiment with shallow depth of field
- Week 15: (Up in the air)
Software sharpening
Autofocus
New technology showcase?
Assignment: ?
- Week 16: Equivalency
Lecture on Equivalency, and/or fun inter-section activity
- Week 1: Introduction, Sensor model
Introduction of the image sensor (light -> image)
Exposure parameters (aperture, shutter speed, sensitivity)
Using the photodecal.org website, wiki project
- Week 2: Exposure parameter side-effects, Assignments
Overview of exposure parameter side effects (aperture: depth of field, shutter speed: blur, sensitivity: noise)
Choose topic assignments
- Week 3: Blur
Blur types: camera shake, subject motion
Camera shake analysis: derivation of shake formula
- Week 4: Image stabilization technology
Presentation: Image stabilization technology
Overview of IS types
IS technology of the future (software)
- Week 5: Noise
Definition of noise
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): light levels and Poisson probability
Analog amplification (hardware) vs. digital multiplication (software)
Megapixel Myth: pixels and SNR
Assignment: Test ISO different sensitivities - at which point does noise become more problematic than blur?
- Week 6: Noise reduction
Presentation: Noise reduction methods
Noise filtration, image averaging, dark frame
In-camera noise reduction
Improving quantum efficiency
- Week 7: Flash
Presentation: Flash
How flashes work
Flash stop-action demo
- Week 8: Dynamic/tonal range, Final project intro
Presentation: Dynamic and tonal range
Sensor limitations
Software workarounds (HDR blending, shadows/highlights)
Hardware developments
Final project planning
- Week 9: No class
Spring Break =(
- Week 10: Deriving color
Presentation: Deriving color
Bayer filter
Alternatives to Bayer filtration
- Week 11: Basic Optics
How lenses work (basic Snell's Law)
Focal length and field of view
Definition of focus
Depth of field
- Week 12: Optics II
Presentation: Optics
Imperfect lenses and distortions, abberations
Specialized corrective elements
Future developments - lens design and optical materials
- Week 13: File formats
Presentation: Image file format
Current file formats
RAW data
Emerging formats
- Week 14: Equivalency
Equivalency lecture
- Week 15: Final project presentation
Presentation: Final projects
