Spring 2010 Photojournalism Final

ISO measures the film or sensor's sensitivity to light. This means that ISO determines how much light is needed to capture a properly exposed image. A higher ISO value indicates higher sensitivity to light, allowing for better image capture in low-light conditions. On the other hand, a lower ISO value indicates lower sensitivity to light, suitable for well-lit environments. By adjusting the ISO, photographers can control the exposure and quality of their images based on the available lighting conditions.

Depth of field is the term used to describe the range of distances in a photograph that appear sharp and in focus. It is controlled by the aperture setting on a camera, which determines the size of the opening through which light enters the camera. A larger aperture (smaller f-number) creates a shallow depth of field, where only a small portion of the image is in focus, while a smaller aperture (larger f-number) creates a larger depth of field, where more of the image is in focus from the foreground to the background.

The correct answer is "aperture." The aperture refers to the opening in the lens of a camera, which controls the amount of light that enters. It is measured in f-stops, with a larger aperture allowing more light to enter and a smaller aperture allowing less light. The term "apperture" is a misspelling and does not exist.

The rule of thirds is a composition guideline that suggests dividing an image into nine equal parts by using two horizontal and two vertical lines. The main idea behind this guideline is to place the subject or important elements of the photo off-center, along these lines or at their intersections. This creates a more visually appealing and balanced composition, as it adds interest and allows the viewer's eyes to move around the image more naturally. By placing objects away from the center, the rule of thirds helps to create a sense of depth and adds dynamism to the photograph.

Using a high ISO setting in photography can result in the appearance of graininess, grain, noise, digital noise, or noisiness in photos. This occurs because a high ISO setting increases the sensitivity of the camera's image sensor, which can lead to the amplification of the signal and the introduction of unwanted artifacts in the form of grain or noise. These artifacts can degrade the image quality and make the photo appear less sharp and clear.

The photographer is using the composition technique of leading lines. Leading lines are elements within a photograph that guide the viewer's eyes towards a specific point of interest, in this case, the girl. By carefully composing the photo so that the road she is standing on acts as a leading line, the photographer is able to direct the viewer's attention towards the girl.

Portrait mode works well for photographing people because it allows the camera to choose the narrowest depth of field. This means that the subject in focus will be sharp and clear, while the background will be blurred, creating a pleasing and visually appealing effect. By selecting a narrow depth of field, portrait mode helps to separate the subject from the background, drawing attention to the person being photographed and creating a professional and artistic look.

The lens opening f/2 allows in the most light because the f-number represents the ratio of the focal length to the diameter of the lens opening. A smaller f-number indicates a larger lens opening, which allows more light to pass through the lens and reach the camera sensor. Therefore, f/2 allows more light compared to f/16 and f/22, making it the correct answer.

In a dark gym during a volleyball game, a higher ISO setting is usually recommended to capture enough light and avoid blurriness in the photos. ISO 1600 is the correct answer because it is a high ISO setting that allows for better low-light performance, resulting in brighter and clearer images. ISO 400 and ISO 800 may not be sufficient in such low-light conditions, while ISO 200 and ISO 100 are too low and may result in underexposed images.

The Canon 18-55mm lens would be the best choice for taking photos of students working in a classroom because it offers a versatile focal length range that allows for both wide-angle shots to capture the entire classroom and zoomed-in shots to focus on individual students. This lens is also lightweight and compact, making it easy to handle in a classroom environment.

Shutter speed measures the length of time the shutter is open. This refers to the duration for which the camera's shutter remains open, allowing light to enter and expose the camera sensor or film. A longer shutter speed results in more light being captured, which is useful in low-light situations or when intentionally creating motion blur. Conversely, a shorter shutter speed allows less light to enter, resulting in a freeze of motion and is commonly used in fast-paced photography, such as sports or wildlife photography.

Shooting in program mode allows the camera to automatically adjust the settings, including the flash, based on the lighting conditions. In this mode, the camera will not fire the flash unless it determines that it is necessary to properly expose the photo. Therefore, by shooting in program mode, you can be sure that the flash will not fire in an event where flash is not permitted.

The "L" setting on the LCD screen indicates that the highest image size and quality is being used. This setting is usually associated with the highest resolution and least amount of compression, resulting in the best image quality. The other options provided, f/5.6 and 1600, are unrelated to the image size and quality settings on the LCD screen.

White balancing the camera helps the colors to reproduce realistically. This is because different light sources have different color temperatures, which can result in a color cast on the photo. White balancing adjusts the color temperature of the camera to neutralize the color cast and ensure that the colors in the photo appear natural and accurate.

The Canon 55-200 mm lens would be the best choice for taking photos at a baseball game because it offers a versatile zoom range that allows for capturing both wide-angle shots and close-up action shots. This lens would enable the photographer to capture the entire baseball field as well as zoom in on individual players or moments of the game.

To change between auto and manual focus, you use the switch on the lens. This is because many lenses have a switch that allows you to easily toggle between auto and manual focus modes. By switching to manual focus, you can have more control over the focus point and make precise adjustments according to your preference. On the other hand, switching to auto focus allows the camera to automatically adjust the focus based on the subject's distance.

The marking "f/1.8" on a lens indicates the lens speed. Lens speed refers to the maximum aperture of the lens, which determines how much light the lens can gather. A lower f-number, such as f/1.8, indicates a larger maximum aperture and therefore a faster lens. A faster lens allows for better low-light performance and the ability to achieve a shallower depth of field.

ISO setting determines the sensitivity of the camera sensor to light. In normal lighting conditions, a moderate ISO setting is usually preferred to capture a well-exposed image without introducing too much noise. ISO 400 is a commonly used setting that offers a good balance between sensitivity and image quality, making it the best choice among the given options. Higher ISO settings like 800 or 1600 may result in more noise, while lower settings like 100 or 200 may require longer exposure times, which can lead to motion blur in handheld shots.