Friday, March 18, 2016

Week 4 Writing Assignment:


1.What are the limitations/ advantages of the automatic settings on a camera?

 
An advantage of using the automatic setting on a camera is that the camera makes calculations based on built-in algorithms. The camera attempts to makes everything as neutral grey as possible by adjusting tone levels. The photographer is free to concentrate on composition alone. The camera handles exposure and light conditions. The automatic setting is a great learning tool for beginning photographers in that they can see what choices the computer is making, and can learn to understand why.

 
A disadvantage of using the automatic setting is that the camera’s computer does not know what it’s “seeing” as far as human interpretation. The computer does not know what the photographer is intending to accomplish artistically. Also, the computer may not know the intended subject of a picture. An overall reading can leave an intended subject underexposed.


 
2.What are the mechanics of a digital camera?

 
The main function of the camera is to capture light. The mechanics of the camera allows for light to pass through the image sensor. Certain components make the exposure, control light, and control effects. The basic parts of the camera include:

 
Viewfinder = Allows the photographer to view scene.

 
Shutter = Covers the sensor, opens when the shutter release button is pressed, allows light to fall on sensor and creates a capture.

 
Lens = Allows zooming, focusing, use of aperture.

 
Aperture = Opening inside lens which allows light to pass through. Value is measured in f-stops, or f-number. Determines depth of field.


 
3. How does light become an image you can see on a computer screen?

 
Light becomes an image seen on a computer screen through the use of a light detector. A light detector, called a “charge-coupled device” turns light rays into electrical signals. LCD screens make images using pixels. Light from the photograph comes into the camera, hits the light detector, and is broken up into millions of pixels. The light detector measures brightness and color and stores the information. This information is made up of numbers which describe the details of each pixel.



 
4. How does this compare with a traditional film camera?

 
In a traditional camera, the light causes reactions to take place in the chemicals on the film. The film then needs to be developed using an automated developing machine. Various other chemicals are added to the film to make the photo appear.



 
5./6. What are the mechanics of vision? / How does light become an image you can understand?

 
Light enters the eye through the spherical cornea. The light then passes through a chamber containing liquid. The back of the chamber contains the iris. The circular aperture in the iris is called the pupil. The iris regulates regulates the diameter of the pupil, and the amount of light passing farther into the eye by contracting and relaxing. Behind the iris is the crystalline lens. This lens is mounted on the ciliury muscle. This muscle squeezes the lens, reducing the focal length. Behind the lens is a chamber filled with fluid called the vitreous humor. At the back of the vitreous humor is a light-sensitive structure called the retina. The retracting structures of the eye, the cornea, and the lens cast an image on the retina. The retina changes light into electrical signals that are transmitted by the optic nerve. The interpretation happens in the brain.



 
Sources:

http://www.apnphotographyschool.com/equipment/camera-mechanics-how-does-the-camera-work/
http://www.explainthatstuff.com/digitalcameras.html
https://www.kenlyonsphotography.com.au/advantages-disadvantages-using-cameras-auto-mode/
http://www.math.brown.edu/~banchoff/Yale/project14/vimechanics.html
http://www.nkcf.org/how-the-human-eye-works/

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