Photographer Proficiency Badge

Task 1: Produce 12 photographs taken using either a conventional or digital camera. The photographs must cover at least 4 different types of subject (e.g. landscapes, animals, portraits and action shots).

Architecture

Birds

Sports

Landscapes

Task 2a: Be able to tell the Examiner how prints from conventional or digital cameras are being processed and developed.

A photo on a digital camera, in this case a DSLR, or Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera prints a photo by allowing light through the glass in the lens reflecting off the mirror (which isn't found in a mirrorless camera) into multiple mirrors to reflect into your eyes located at the optical viewfinder. Upon clicking the shutter, the mechanical or electronic shutter in the lens will close, and the light that had previously entered the camera body will enter the image processor and be captured as a photo by the image sensor.

Task 2b: Diagnose faults in exposure and/or processing in examples supplied by the Examiner.

In the photo above, the shutter speed is too slow at 1/30s, which is means that 1 photo will be shot per 30 seconds. The shutter speed will then result in a effect called, ‘motion blur’, where fast moving objects will show as a blur. The ISO (Exposure) is also quite low at ISO 100, which results in the dark appearance of the photo.

Task 3: Demonstrate knowledge of photographs by artificial light (flash or photoflood) by arranging equipment provided by yourself for a portrait, still life or similar object.

On the left is the Nikon D5300 DSLR with flash facing the subject from a higher level, so that the final photo would not have the flash specifically on the subject, but in the background.

Task 4a: Discuss the main features of a conventional or digital camera (i.e. shutter speed, aperture and lens focusing) and how they are used to ensure technically good results

Shutter Speed

Definition: How fast or how slow the electronic or physical shutter closes.

Function: To change the speed that light enters the lens to be captured as a photo.

Uses:

• Fast Shutter Speed (eg. 1/1000s): Capture fast-moving objects to freeze the object.

• Slow Shutter Speed (eg. 1/30s): Capture motion blur for creative effect or use in low-light conditions.

Technical Considerations: Faster shutter speeds reduces light exposure, requiring higher ISO or wider apertures to maintain proper exposure. Slower speeds need stabilisation with the usage of a tripod or flat surface to avoid camera shake.

Aperture

Definition: The opening of the lens where light enters the camera.

Function: Controls depth-of-field.

Uses:

• Wide Aperture (eg. f/2.4): Blurs subjects in the background, isolating the subject, more for portraits

• Narrow Aperture (eg. f/16): Keeps more of the scene in focus, more for landscapes
  

Technical Considerations: Wider apertures let in more light, useful in low-light conditions but can reduce sharpness at the edges. Narrow apertures may introduce diffraction, reducing image sharpness.

ISO (Exposure)

Definition: The level of exposure in the photo.

Function: Increases or reduces the brightness of the photo digitally

Uses:

• High ISO (eg. 8000): Brightens the subject in low-light conditions if flash or photoflood is not available.

• Low ISO (eg. 100): Darkens the subject in high-light conditions to create dramatic effect.

Technical Considerations: Higher ISO values increase the likelihood of digital noise, which can reduce image quality by making it appear grainy.

Lens Focusing

Definition: How in focus or out of focus your subject is.

Function: Increases or decreases clarity and sharpness of the subject.

Uses:

• Manual Focus: Ensures a sharp subject, usually used for still life and portraiture.

• Automatic Focus: Used to be able to shoot a fast-moving object while maintaining a decent sharpness and clarity, as computed by the camera.

Technical Considerations: Proper focus on the intended subject is important for image sharpness. Autofocus may struggle in low-light situations, requiring manual adjustments.

Task 4b: State various types of cameras currently available and the use of accessories such as tripods, exposure meters, filters and close-up/macro lenses.

Currently, there are 3 main types of cameras, ranging from oldest to newest, Single Film Reflex (SLR), Digital Single Film Reflex (DSLR) and Mirrorless Cameras. Other types of cameras include Smartphone Cameras, Compact Cameras like Canon Powershots, Action Cameras like GoPros and 360° Cameras like Insta360.

Tripods & Monopods:

Tripods or monopods are used to hold the camera steady preventing blur when using a low shutter speed or to take sharp photos at low-light conditions.

Filters:

Neutral Density (ND) Filter - Used for smooth water surfaces or scenarios that require motion blur.

Graduated Neutral Density (GND) Filter - Balances exposure in high-light conditions, used in landscape photography especially during sunrise and sunset settings.

Colour Filter - Adds creative effect by adding or removing colour, used for studio photography.

Types of Lenses:

Close Up / Macro Lens - These types of lenses are used to take photos of very close up subjects, usually used for plant or insect photography.

Zoom Lens - Zoom Lenses are used to shoot a subject that is far away from the camera, usually used for wildlife or plane photography.

Prime Lens - A lens that has a fixed focal length (fixed zoom amount) , which is used for street and portrait photography.

Exposure Meters: Exposure meters helps in determining the correct exposure settings in the camera, which is especially important when shooting in manual mode or in challenging lighting conditions.