First Line of Inquiry: The Benefits of Photography
Photography has hundreds of benefits ranging from the common to the extremely useful benefits. We could take for example, an advertisement that needs photos in order to show visuals of the product that they are trying to sell. Photographs could also save important points in our world such as old landmarks that fade away or to be used to solve a crime. Yet people don’t realize that it’s photography.
Photography for advertisement
In today’s modern world, we are living in a world where there are so many choices of brands, products, or messages. To be successful in the market, they will need to stand out among its competitors. To do this, usually advertiser uses text, 3D graphics, animation and photography to attract attention. Goldprints.com estimates that 80 percent of advertising campaigns use photography to communicate their message. This is because it can result in instant reactions and associations.
Photography for advertisement
In today’s modern world, we are living in a world where there are so many choices of brands, products, or messages. To be successful in the market, they will need to stand out among its competitors. To do this, usually advertiser uses text, 3D graphics, animation and photography to attract attention. Goldprints.com estimates that 80 percent of advertising campaigns use photography to communicate their message. This is because it can result in instant reactions and associations.
Advertisers use photography to create an image in people’s mind so they are interested on their product or message. People voices can be heard through photography. For example, this ad from World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is trying to promote conservation of world’s most important species. Without a photograph of the zebra, this ad would not be as attractive and as engaging to people.
The zebra hand art is telling people that we are losing this species. We can clearly see that this ad is trying to remind us that we are destroying these special species habitat and we need to do something about it. WWF uses a lot of photography to voice out their messages. |
The zebra hand art is telling people that we are losing this species.
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Photography for solving crime
Photography can provide visual documentation of the scenes and locations of evidence within a crime scene. This will make the job of the investigators easier because they use the photos to recreate the scene for analysis to be used in the courtroom. These are examples of photography in a crime scene:
Photography can provide visual documentation of the scenes and locations of evidence within a crime scene. This will make the job of the investigators easier because they use the photos to recreate the scene for analysis to be used in the courtroom. These are examples of photography in a crime scene:
Q1. How can photography create awareness?
Photographs are powerful tools, which can be used to raise and also create awareness. Photography can fix problems and provide solutions. Photography provides information to environmental problems. Photography can even convince people to take action.
Examples on how photography can create awareness:
Examples on how photography can create awareness:
- Kinsol Trestle was one of the old structures, which sat deep in the heart of Cowichan valley in Vancouver Canada. People passed this bridge every day. After several fire, storms and other natural disasters, it was destroyed and forgotten by the people. But one local enthusiast thought that it needed to be saved, so, he took a picture and posted it on the internet. People then donated money to rebuilt this structure. This picture is portraying the bridge of hope. This is telling people that no one is taking care of this bridge and they need to do something about it.
Kinsol Trestle - Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada "A Bridge Of Hope". Photo courtesy: Toad Hollow Photography
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2. The Bear Mountain development project. People started abandoning this place after some battles over each other. The good thing was that a group of photographers noticed that and took action through photography by writing and posting photos on a blog. As soon as people are aware of the story behind the problem, people tended to take action and cared about the problem. Now Bear Mountain is a tourist attraction and destination in Langford, BC Canada.
Q2. How can photography be useful to capture best moments?
Photography can capture best moments in so many ways. You would not want to forget the happy moments you had with your friends and family. So by photography you can capture your happiness, sadness, excitement moments, etc.
Capturing moment is very important and special. It is the way we express our feelings and keep all memories that we had in the past. We can also use all best captured moments in photography to remember how we used to be, to imagine the past and the things we had been through as a memorable moments. Without documenting all these best moments, we will not be able to look back and will forget those cherished memories that we had. Therefore, capturing moments through photography is a good way to not loose important and memorable moments. |
These photos are very important events in people lives. Photography has helped people to remember these moments.
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Without documenting all these best moments, we will not be able to look back and will forget those cherished memories that we had. Therefore, capturing moments through photography is a good way of keeping important and memorable moments.
Q3. How can we express ourself through photography?
You can express yourself through photography in many ways. We can take a picture of a sunrise in the morning with a calm background to symbolize warmth and your peaceful state of mind. You can also take a picture of a bunny hopping in green pastures, which illustrates happiness and joy. Black and white photographs can express sadness or drama, for example, a child sleeping on a dirty street. Photography can express emotions and this can be a starting point to trigger actions.
Second Line of Inquiry: The Evolution of Photography
Q1. What is the history of photography?
Photography started when camera obscura was discovered. That is when you poke a hole in a dark room and the light passes reflecting it upside down with colours and full details.
The first record of this technique was by philosphers Mozi, Aristotle and Alhazen around 400 B.C- 1040 A.D. In 1490 Leonardo Da Vinci recorded camera obscura in detail and used it to trace things. Then in 1700 camera obscura became famous because people like Rembrandt using it. In 1724 a man name Johaan Heinrich Schulze discovered that substances react like silver nitrate making the first photos, but the problem was that the pictures would fade.
Not until 1826, a man discovered Helliography. He was Joseph Nicérphor Niépce. Heliography (in French, héliographie) is " the photographic process which is known for its photographic process from nature, View from the Window at Le Gras (1826 or 1827). The process used Bitumen of Judea, a naturally occurring asphalt, as a coating on glass or metal. It hardened in proportion to its exposure to light. When the plate was washed with oil of lavender, only the hardened areas remained". It took 7 days for the sun to expose the pictures.
After Joseph Nicerphor Niepce died, his friend Louis Daguerre made the first camera, which was known as the Daguerreotype in 1833. Then in 1839, the French bought it and made it free to the world. This meant a lot because it only took 7 minutes for the camera to process the first human photo, which was a picture of a person getting his shoes polished.
The first ‘Selfie’ was taken by a man named Robert Cornelius. In the 1840 Henry Fox Talbot invented the calotype Camera. His product was working well but failed in the market. Sir John Herschel invented the name photography. Those days, it took a long time to process a photo. Hence, people used drugs and neck bracelets to keep themselves still. This explains why no one ever smiled in a photo on earlier days. The first photoshop was when they placed Abraham Lincon’s head and a more noble body.
The first world coloured photograph was taken in 1861 and was picture of a tie. Then Richard Leach Maddox, an English photographer and physician, invented the the lightweight gelatin negative plates for photography in 1871. In 1878 an Englishman by the name Edward Muybridge placed 12 cameras and made world the first movie.
In 1885 George Eastman invented the Kodak and his camera was in the market 3 years later. It was the first hand held camera in the world. He made the roll camera popular too. In February 1900, George Eastman's company, Eastman Kodak introduced the Brownie camera. This camera was popular because it was cheap and offered the concept of a snapshot. In 1925 Oskar Barnack invented the first easily-hand held camera which let people to go mobile. The first digital camera was introduced in 1975, which was made by Steve Sasson. Finally, in 1990, cameras have changed and progressed into a digital type, and in the year 2000 handphones or smartphones featuring cameras as a photo-taking function.
The first record of this technique was by philosphers Mozi, Aristotle and Alhazen around 400 B.C- 1040 A.D. In 1490 Leonardo Da Vinci recorded camera obscura in detail and used it to trace things. Then in 1700 camera obscura became famous because people like Rembrandt using it. In 1724 a man name Johaan Heinrich Schulze discovered that substances react like silver nitrate making the first photos, but the problem was that the pictures would fade.
Not until 1826, a man discovered Helliography. He was Joseph Nicérphor Niépce. Heliography (in French, héliographie) is " the photographic process which is known for its photographic process from nature, View from the Window at Le Gras (1826 or 1827). The process used Bitumen of Judea, a naturally occurring asphalt, as a coating on glass or metal. It hardened in proportion to its exposure to light. When the plate was washed with oil of lavender, only the hardened areas remained". It took 7 days for the sun to expose the pictures.
After Joseph Nicerphor Niepce died, his friend Louis Daguerre made the first camera, which was known as the Daguerreotype in 1833. Then in 1839, the French bought it and made it free to the world. This meant a lot because it only took 7 minutes for the camera to process the first human photo, which was a picture of a person getting his shoes polished.
The first ‘Selfie’ was taken by a man named Robert Cornelius. In the 1840 Henry Fox Talbot invented the calotype Camera. His product was working well but failed in the market. Sir John Herschel invented the name photography. Those days, it took a long time to process a photo. Hence, people used drugs and neck bracelets to keep themselves still. This explains why no one ever smiled in a photo on earlier days. The first photoshop was when they placed Abraham Lincon’s head and a more noble body.
The first world coloured photograph was taken in 1861 and was picture of a tie. Then Richard Leach Maddox, an English photographer and physician, invented the the lightweight gelatin negative plates for photography in 1871. In 1878 an Englishman by the name Edward Muybridge placed 12 cameras and made world the first movie.
In 1885 George Eastman invented the Kodak and his camera was in the market 3 years later. It was the first hand held camera in the world. He made the roll camera popular too. In February 1900, George Eastman's company, Eastman Kodak introduced the Brownie camera. This camera was popular because it was cheap and offered the concept of a snapshot. In 1925 Oskar Barnack invented the first easily-hand held camera which let people to go mobile. The first digital camera was introduced in 1975, which was made by Steve Sasson. Finally, in 1990, cameras have changed and progressed into a digital type, and in the year 2000 handphones or smartphones featuring cameras as a photo-taking function.
Q2. How has photography changed over the years?
B.C – A.D Camera Obscura
Mo-Ti or Mozi (5th century, about 400 B.C) A Chinese Philosopher from the 5th Century has the earliest appearance about a device that could project an image from a small hole inside a completely dark room. He recorded the fact that light rays traveled through a pinhole and the image outside of the room appears reversed inside the darkened room. |
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Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 – 1519)
He published the first clear description of the camera obscura; this is what he wrote “Close all shutters and doors until no light enters the camera except through the lens, and opposite hold a piece of paper, which you move forward and backward until the scene appears in the sharpest detail. There on the paper you will see the whole view as it really is, with its distances, its colours and shadows and motion, the clouds, the water twinkling, the birds flying. By holding the paper steady you can trace the whole perspective with a pen, shade it and delicately colour it from nature”. He also studied the human eye to duplicate the camera obscura.
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Key take away:
- The technology of photography opened up the world that we would be unaware of otherwise. It can be widely used to record the past, the present, the near and the far.
- Photographs have not replaced verbal and written accords of events, but they have certainly supplemented them.
- We can forever lock in time memorable moments in our lives including the birth of a child, graduation, marriages, etc. In the contrary, photography has also brought wars, death, and natural disasters to our home.
- Photography has brought information to people that they might never have experienced without it, but we must learn to interpret and evaluate this information accurately if we are to benefit from the information presented.
Q3. Who are the famous photographers?
1. Berenice Abbott
Berenice Abbott started her work as a sculptor in 1921. In 1923, she became an assistant in the photography studio of “Man Ray”. In 1926 Berenice started her own studio. She usually work as an architectural photographer but, she started taking photographs of celebrity portrait with mono colors. Her photographs are usually mono (black and white) photographs. She died on 9 December 1991 at the age of 93. Berenice Abbott was one of the most independent and respected photographers of all times. These are some of her pictures:
Berenice Abbott started her work as a sculptor in 1921. In 1923, she became an assistant in the photography studio of “Man Ray”. In 1926 Berenice started her own studio. She usually work as an architectural photographer but, she started taking photographs of celebrity portrait with mono colors. Her photographs are usually mono (black and white) photographs. She died on 9 December 1991 at the age of 93. Berenice Abbott was one of the most independent and respected photographers of all times. These are some of her pictures:
2. Mario Testino
Mario Testino worked hard as a kid to earn money to go to photography school. After earning enough money to go to a photography school, he lived in London with his friends. He then worked as a waiter in New York city because after his life in London, he needed the money to support himself.
At the age of 21, Mario Testino tried to work in a Gucci Campaign. Gucci is an Italian luxury fashion brand that is highly respected in the market. His Gucci campaign was a success and this was when other companies gave more recognition to Mario as a professional photographer.
Mario Testino was always wildly obeyed of his influenced as a fashion photographer. His photographs have intentionally been published in many famous magazines. He has been working for 35 years as a photographer and enjoys every moments of it! These are some of his works:
Mario Testino worked hard as a kid to earn money to go to photography school. After earning enough money to go to a photography school, he lived in London with his friends. He then worked as a waiter in New York city because after his life in London, he needed the money to support himself.
At the age of 21, Mario Testino tried to work in a Gucci Campaign. Gucci is an Italian luxury fashion brand that is highly respected in the market. His Gucci campaign was a success and this was when other companies gave more recognition to Mario as a professional photographer.
Mario Testino was always wildly obeyed of his influenced as a fashion photographer. His photographs have intentionally been published in many famous magazines. He has been working for 35 years as a photographer and enjoys every moments of it! These are some of his works:
3. Anna-Lou Leibovitz
Anna started her photographer career as a photographer in the Rolling Stone Magazine. Her works were recognized and were put in some exhibitions, books and also magazines. Then she, started working with the Vanity Fair Magazine, which is a popular culture, fashion and current affairs magazine published by Condé Nast.
Anna is considered one of America’s best portrait photographers. She developed her trademarks using bold colors and posted at the Rolling Stone. She showcased several books and did a lot of major exhibitions. She is still working for Vanity Fair Company as a photographer. Her bold color photography is influenced by the rock music. These are some of her photographs:
Anna started her photographer career as a photographer in the Rolling Stone Magazine. Her works were recognized and were put in some exhibitions, books and also magazines. Then she, started working with the Vanity Fair Magazine, which is a popular culture, fashion and current affairs magazine published by Condé Nast.
Anna is considered one of America’s best portrait photographers. She developed her trademarks using bold colors and posted at the Rolling Stone. She showcased several books and did a lot of major exhibitions. She is still working for Vanity Fair Company as a photographer. Her bold color photography is influenced by the rock music. These are some of her photographs:
Q4. What is the history of photographic camera?
Third Line of Inquiry: The Different Types of Photography
Q1. What are the different styles of photography?
Landscape Photography
Fashion Photography
Journalistic Photography
Street Photography
Wedding and Portrait Photography
Still Life Photography
Food photography
Wildlife Photography
Stock Photography
Q2. What are the different types of cameras?
Q3. What is the difference between film and digital camera?
During early years, all electronic devices were in analog. Digital technology replaces the era of analog technology over the years. So does for photography. These are the basic differences between film and digital photography.
Film using Analog Camera
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Digital using Digital Camera
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The sensor
This is the difference depth of field of a camera. Digital sensors are smaller in size than a 35mm film, therefore the depth of field will be much higher and blur backgrounds cannot be created. |
The sensor has a film that is sensitive to light and placed behind the lens. This result in the photo being taken using the camera is ‘printed’ on the film. For you to take new shot, the film has to be rolled and you need to use a new or ‘fresh’ film to be placed behind the lens
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The sensor is built from a tiny light sensitive sensors of which each of the sensor represents a pixel. When the shutter opens, the light hits the sensor and each pixel gets its ‘value’. Together, they will make a photo. Instead of using a film roll, it uses a digital media or media storage card
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The cost of a photo
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It costs more because film costs money. You need to pay for the roll after you finished the roll. After that you need to develop the negative and print the photo. Each button pressed costs money.
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It costs nothing compared to a film using analog camera. You can delete pictures and discarded at no cost.
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The capacity
This refers to the storage of a camera, the amount of pictures can be stored in a camera |
The capacity of film is limited because one roll can only hold 36 photos. If the roll is finished, then you need to change into a new one.
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Photos are kept in an erasable memory card that can hold hundreds and sometimes thousands of photos.
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The feedback
This means instant ability to see result of a photo |
You cannot see the result of a photo straight away because the process of a photo using film camera has to go through few process before you can see the printed result.
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With digital camera, you will have a small LCD screen to enable you to see the result of a photo. So, if we don’t like a shot of a photo, we can erase and take another shot until you can get your desired photo.
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New shooting angles
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Film camera will not give you the ability to shoot an object without looking into the viewfinder. Since you continuously have to look into the viewfinder to take the shot, you might loose a moment during taking the photo.
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You can take photos without continuously looking into the viewfinder all the time. This allows us to take a photo as much as you can to capture a moment and not to miss that moment because the LCD screen allows us to shoot the moment just by looking at it.
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Changing conditions
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If you use the wrong roll of film for the wrong condition, it will result in a bad photo, for example, grainy photo or reddish photo. You need to understand the differences of each roll of film for different conditions.
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Digital camera has several functions that can be adjsuted according to the condition, for example indoor or outdoor condition. This will save money and time.
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Quality
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It is arguable that film photography has more advantages over digital photography. The evolution of digital camera gives a better quality result than a film photography as digital camera has the ability to adapt to different conditions.
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Q4. How to take a good photograph or picture?
To capture a good shot, we have to ask some of these questions. Why do you want to capture it or what is the purpose of the shot? And what comes to your mind when capturing this shot? These questions would help you get a perfect shot. Technically you should understand these functions:
These are some important tips to take good pictures:
These are some ways to get a good picture!
- Correct shutter speed: To get a perfect shot, you will need the correct shutter speed. Slow shutter speed is perfect for night time or low light. Fast shutter speed helps you to freeze the action.
- Correct ISO (International Organization for Standardization): ISO is the level of sensitivity of camera to the available light. The lower number of ISO will make it better, sharper and less noise. The higher number of ISO will be perfect for low light conditions.
- Camera control: Aperture is a set of blade that control the amount of light entering the camera. It is usually located in the lens. Aperture controls the depth of field or the sharpness of the focus.
These are some important tips to take good pictures:
- Look at your subject in the eye: It is important to have a direct eye contact with the subject. An eye-level angle will give you a personalize moments that can result in good engaging photos.
- Use a plain background: A plain background will give more focus on the subject rather than a distracting background.
- Use flash outdoors: You can eliminate the shadows by using a flash to lighten the face of a subject.
- Move in close: If your subject is small you might want to move forward to the subject. The goal is to fill the picture area with the subject you are photographing. Up close you can reveal telling details, like a sprinkle of freckles or an arched eyebrow.
- Move it from the middle: Sometimes the middle of the picture is not always the best position of a subject. You can try exploring different location of a subject to give a different result.
- Lock the focus: To have a sharp object, you need to lock the focus on the object. If you decide to move the object into a different position, make sure you lock the focus of the object then recompose the picture.
- Know your flash’s range: Most cameras, the maximum flash range is less than fifteen feet or five steps. Therefore, make sure you are close to the object when taking a picture.
- Watch the light: Light will affect everything on the picture. Heavy lights will enhance the details of an object, where a softer light will soften the details of an object.
- Take some vertical pictures: Sometimes it is good to turn your camera sideways to give a vertical picture instead of horizontal ones. This will look better for pictures such as the lighthouse, Eiffel Tower, a child jumping up and down, etc.
- Be a picture director: Picture Director picks good location, arrange people, add some props to make the picture looks more lively and meaningful.
These are some ways to get a good picture!