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Photographic Principles: Lenses, Aperture, and Depth of Field

This module offers a step-by-step guide explaining how to photograph scenes using different apertures and focal lengths. It involves creating a series of photos of a subjects’ face with two different lenses, each photo using a different focal length.

Learning Outcomes

This project aims for a better understanding of the aperture and focal length of a DSLR. At the end of the assignment, the user should know how to change the aperture and focal length, and be able to recognize the changes each setting makes. The user should also have a better grasp of how aperture relates to the depth of field.

Materials Used

  • DSLR Camera

  • 18-55mm lens

  • 70-300mm lens

  • Tripod

  • Indoor Studio

  • Outdoor space

Software Used

  • Adobe Bridge

  • Adobe Photoshop

Setup Notes

  • DSLR should be secured on a tripod or set on a flat surface for all components

  • Camera Mode should be set to ‘A’ for all components

  • Make sure to record all photos using a RAW file format

  • Capture the files at the camera’s lowest ISO

  • Use daylight color balance for outdoor photos

  • Turn off Noise Reduction

  • Turn off Sharpening

  • Set the Color Space to Adobe 1998

Steps

  1. In an indoor setting, secure the camera on a tripod.

  2. Place the 18-55mm lens on the camera.

  3. Have a subject sit on a chair.

  4. Set the aperture of the camera to f/5.6.

  5. Compose the photo using the viewfinder so 80% of the subjects’ face fills the frame.

  6. Take a photo of the subject using a focal length of 35mm.

  7. Change the focal length to 45mm.

  8. To make sure the subjects’ face still fills 80% of the frame, the tripod will need to be moved further away from the subject.

  9. Take a photo of the subject.

  10. Change the focal length to 55mm.

  11. To make sure the subjects’ face still fills 80% of the frame, the tripod will need to be moved further away from the subject.

  12. Take a photo of the subject.

  13. Place the 70-300mm lens on the camera.

  14. Make sure the aperture is still f/5.6.

  15. Using a focal length of 100mm, compose the photo using the viewfinder so 80% of the subjects’ face fills the frame. The tripod will need to be moved further away from the subject.

  16. Take a photo of the subject.

  17. Change the focal length to 135mm.

  18. To make sure the subjects’ face still fills 80% of the frame, the tripod will need to be moved further away from the subject.

  19. Take a photo of the subject.

  20. Change the focal length to 200mm.

  21. To make sure the subjects’ face still fills 80% of the frame, the tripod will need to be moved further away from the subject.

  22. Take a photo of the subject.

  23. Using Adobe Bridge and Adobe Photoshop, name all files according to their respective focal lengths.

  24. Using Adobe Photoshop, create a composite of all six focal lengths used (35mm, 45mm, 55mm, 100mm, 135mm, 200mm).

  25. Label each image in the composite with its corresponding focal length.

Final Outcome

Composite of focal lengths

Composite of varying focal lengths

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