Still Photography (Theory)

Paper Code: 
SPA 334
Unit I: 

•    An understanding of light and its properties.
•    Developing visual perception skills
•    A basic understanding and familiarity with digital photography terminology and principles.
•    Salient features of digital imaging.
•    A comparative and analytical study of the analog and digital media.
•    Understanding various modes and controls available on different camera models and applying these to achieve optimum performance.
•    The role of optics in image capture. A study of various lens options and there use for specific applications.
 

Unit II: 

•    The importance of accessories like external flash units, reflective media, corrective and creative filters and camera supports like tripods.
•    An aesthetic approach- dynamic and color composition theories and new theories practiced in the present context.
•    Familiarity with common errors and way to avoid or correct them.
•    In depth knowledge of depth of field-its relative factors and applications.
•    Being conversant with photoshop CS2 or CS3 tools and applying them for purposes of image enhancement.
•    Developing skills for constructive criticism of images, using aesthetic guidelines and evaluating the images for constant improvements on the basis of Metadata (exit information).
•    Identifying possible subjects of interest and shooting them with a purpose of building up a body of work comprising consistent outstanding images.
•    Learning to edit bracketed images to prepare a portfolio for submission.
•    Applying the skills learnt so far.
 

Unit III: 

•    Exploring possibilities of applying digital image capture to various fields of interest ranging from portraits to the Abstract, wide angle scenics to the stunning details of macro shots.
•    Understanding technical limitations of photography in certain situations and find alternate viable solutions to improve efficiency and final quality of output.
•    Creative seeing and visualization.
•    Mastering color management and color profile to be able to make consistently high quality prints of exhibition standards.
•    Understanding tonal qualities and tonal range.
 

Unit IV: 

•    Identifying the graphic elements in an image and capturing them to create a strong visual output.
•    The importance of shadows, highlights and monotones.
•    Perspective control.
•    Conceptual still life ¬– defining table top arrangements .
•    Identifying problems like noise in a digital image. Ways to avoid noise and reduce noise in pre and post production workflow.
•    The advantages of a full frame digital SLR system over other systems.