RED DEER COLLEGE COURSE OUTLINE: d-slr Cameras 2: The Creative Modes COURSE CRN#: PHTO 3001A INSTRUCTOR: Thomas W. Cooper Email: thomas.cooper@rdc.ab.ca Office hours: Will respond within 48 hours CLASSTIME: Self-paced, 12 weeks, 24/7 access LOCATION: This course is only available through on-line delivery. Red Deer College Blackboard Learning Management System (Blackboard LMS) OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE: This follow-on to the d-slr Cameras I: Camera Basics course offers an in-depth, task-based exploration of the Creative Modes: Programmed Auto, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual mode. Also included are Canon s A-DEP mode and other specialty modes such as Pentax s TAv mode. Subject selection/targeting and AF modes, to address stationary and moving subjects, are covered in depth. Photographic composition and essentials of Depth of Field are introduced and Field Assignments assist students in applying camera/compositional knowledge. The course also includes theory and exercises using Exposure Compensation, White Balance and ISO to correct photographic issues or enhance creativity. The course concludes with a practical Final Assignment OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: Operate their d-slr cameras (any and all models of Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony cameras) using all of their Creative shooting modes Understand and apply the Rule of Thirds for more expressive, creative and professionallooking compositions Correct lighting issues with their various White Balance settings Apply White Balance settings creatively Correct exposure issues with the Exposure Compensation function Use Exposure Compensation as a creative function
Correct for low light conditions with ISO Understand the uses of basic equipment (lenses, filters, cleaning equip., etc.) PREREQUISITE(S): Successful completion of d-slr Cameras 1: Camera and Composition Essentials REQUIRED TEXT(S): No textbooks required. Course modules will be accessed online via the Blackboard LMS. MATERIALS AND SPECIAL FEES: Students taking this course require access to a Digital Single Lens Reflex (d-slr) camera (all models of Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony cameras). Optional equipment for DPCP students includes a monopod, tripod and telephoto (zoom) lens in the 18-200mm zoom range. INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEDULE: Topic Assignments Week 1 Introduction Module Read; nothing to submit. Week 2 Week 3 Module A Setting the Auto Focus (AF) Point Module B: Photographing in P mode Module C: Setting the Auto Focus (AF) Mode Read material on the Auto Focus (AF) Area Modes and on setting and using AF points on your make and model DSLR camera; Field Assignment #1: Submit one image following the FA instructions for Setting an Auto Focus (AF) Point for a Portrait; Field Assignment #2: Submit one image following the FA instructions for Setting an Auto Focus (AF) Point for a Landscape or Similar Composition. Read material on Photography Basics: Apertures, Shutter Speeds and the Relationship Between Them; Read material and perform Tasks related to shooting in P mode with your make and model DSLR camera; Field Assignment #1: Submit one image following the FA instructions for Power of P Mode even at night; Field Assignment #2: Submit one image following the FA instructions for P Mode and Candid Shots. Read material on setting up your camera s AF Modes to take into account continuous motion, no motion or potential motion of your subject(s);
Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Module D: Overriding P mode with a P shift Module E: Exposure Compensation Module F: Photographing in Shutter Priority Mode Module G: ISO, Low Light and Noise Field Assignment: Submit a minimum of two images (and a maximum of three images) for the Setting and using AF Modes FA. Read course material and perform the tasks related to overriding the P mode settings with a P Shift on your make and model DSLR camera; Field Assignment: Submit two images for the Field Assignment on overriding the P mode with a P shift as outlined in the FA instructions. Read material on the corrective uses of Exposure Compensation; setting Exposure Compensation values on your camera; Field Assignment #1: Submit one image appropriately using Corrective Exposure Compensation as outlined in the FA instructions; Read material on the creative uses of Exposure Compensation; Field Assignment #2: Submit one image for Creatively applying Exposure Compensation as outlined in the FA instructions. Read the introductory slides on the various uses of this shooting mode; Read and answer task questions on finding & changing shutter speed values on your model camera; Do Shutter Priority Mode Exercises tasks; Field Assignment #1: Submit one image on Freezing the Action as per the FA instructions; Field Assignment #2: Submit one image on Showing an Appreciation of Time and Movement as per the FA instructions. Read material on ISO and noise reduction; setting ISO on your camera; setting Noise Reduction on your camera;
Week 8 Module H: Photographing in Aperture Priority mode Field Assignment: Submit two images as per the FA instructions on Using Higher-Than-Normal ISO for a Fast Shutter Speed. Read the slide on Depth of Field; Read slides on Depth of Field, the factors that affect/control/determine Depth of Field and how Depth of Field is distributed; Read and answer task questions on finding & changing aperture values on your model camera; Do Aperture Priority Mode Exercises tasks; Field Assignment #1: Submit one image as per the FA instructions on Showing a Minimum Depth of Field; Field Assignment #2: Submit one image as per the FA instructions on Showing Control Over Depth of Field. Week 9 Module I: White Balance Read material on the corrective uses of White Balance; Read material on the creative uses of White Balance; setting White Balance on your camera; Field Assignment #1: Submit one image following the FA instructions on using Corrective White Balance for a Realistic Look; Field Assignment #2: Submit one image following the FA instructions on showing The Creative Uses of Setting Your Own White Balance Week 10 Module J: Photographing in Manual Priority Mode Module K: Photographing in Specialty Creative Modes Read the overview slide on Manual Mode; Read slide(s) on using Manual mode on your model camera; Perform the Manual Shooting Mode Exercises tasks; Answer the Diagnostic Practice Scenarios; Field Assignment #1: Submit one image as per the FA instructions on Capturing the Beauty Around You; Field Assignment #2: Submit one image as per the FA instructions on Expressing Your Creative Self. Identify any specialty creative modes on your camera and investigate their unique applicability.
End of course Final Assignment Submit your Final Assignment images. IMPORTANT DATES: NOTE: The following dates are subject to change based on the needs of the students at the instructor s prerogative. Students will be notified ahead of time of any changes. Date End of Week 1 End of Week 2 End of Week 3 End of Week 4 End of Week 5 End of Week 6 End of Week 7 End of Week 8 Important Information Submit one image for Setting an Auto Focus (AF) Point for a Portrait Field Assignment; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions; Submit one image for Setting an Auto Focus (AF) Point for a Landscape or Similar Composition Field Assignment; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions. Submit one image for The Power of P mode even at night! Field Assignment; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions; Submit one image for P mode and Candid Shots Field Assignment; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions. Submit two images that show two of the three possible uses for setting and using AF Modes as covered in the module; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions. Submit two images that show before and after uses of the P shift as covered in the course material and as described in the Field Assignment instructions. Submit one image showing a corrective use of Exposure Compensation as described in the Field Assignment instructions; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions; Submit one image showing the creative use of Exposure Compensation as described in the Field Assignment instructions; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions. Submit one image for Freezing the Action as described in the Field Assignment instructions; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions; Submit one image for Showing a Sense of Time and Movement as described in the Field Assignment instructions; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions; Submit two images for using higher than normal ISO settings to help freeze subject movement or motion under low or restricted light conditions; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions; Submit one image for Showing a Minimum Depth of Field as described in the Field Assignment instructions; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions;
End of Week 9 Submit one image for Showing Control Over Depth of Field as described in the Field Assignment instructions; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions. Submit one image showing a corrective use of White Balance as described in the Field Assignment instructions; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions; Submit Field Assignment image(s) for the creative uses of White Balance as described in the Field Assignment instructions. End of Week 10 Submit one image for Capturing the Beauty Around You as described in the Field Assignment instructions; End of course Submit one image for Expressing Your Creative Self as described in the Field Assignment instructions; include explanatory text as per the FA instructions. Submit Final Assignment images for final grading METHOD OF EVALUATION: Students are strongly encouraged to submit module-related work on a weekly basis to measure progression of skills. The final assignment invites students to submit photographs for a professional judging of the technical and compositional merits of their work. Assessment Weight Week 1 assignment(s) 5% Week 2 assignment(s) 5% Week 3 assignment(s) 5% Week 4 assignment(s) 5% Week 5 assignment(s) 5% Week 6 assignment(s) 5% Week 7 assignment(s) 5% Week 8 assignment(s) 5% Week 9 assignment(s) 5% Week 10 assignment(s) 5% Final Assignment 50% Total: 100%
Completion/submission of original student work is required. Late, incomplete, or plagiarized submissions may result in a grade of U (unsatisfactory) for that particular requirement. It is expected that the student will complete the course within the specified dates that the course is active. Extensions will not normally be permitted. GRADING SYSTEM: As per the Red Deer College grading policy, a grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory) for credit-free career development courses will be awarded upon completion of this course. A grade of S is based on receiving a minimum overall grade of 50% in this course. 0 49 Failing. Does not meet minimum expectations. 50-69 Acceptable work. 70 79 Average work. Meets expectations. 80 89 Above average. Exceeds expectations. 90 96 Very good to outstanding. 97 100 Outstanding work.. CHANGES TO THE COURSE OUTLINE: Changes in the course outline may be made after the first class providing this is done in consultation with the students and instructor and reviewed by the Program Coordinator for completeness and consistency with all college policies. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: As college students, you must accept responsibility for managing your own learning. You are responsible for understanding and completing modules and exercises that comprise this course. Completion of these exercises is extremely important in mastering the subject matter. You are encouraged to communicate regularly with your instructor shared knowledge and experience enhances individual learning. You are strongly encouraged to communicate with instructor if you are encountering difficulty with the subject material.