Photography Fundamentals: Camera Types, Lenses, and Film Techniques

What are the basic features all cameras share?

Light-tight body, lens, aperture, shutter, recording medium (film/sensor).

How do you load film into a manual film camera?

Open back in subdued light, insert cassette, pull leader to take-up spool, advance until caught, close back, fire a few frames until counter = 1, check rewind knob turns.

In an SLR

how do focusing and exposure work?, Light passes through lens/mirror to viewfinder. Focus with focusing ring; exposure = aperture + shutter speed guided by light meter.

Name four camera types.

Viewfinder, twin-lens reflex (TLR), single-lens reflex (SLR), digital SLR.

Name common lens types.

Wide-angle, normal, telephoto, macro, fisheye.

Parts unique to a digital camera vs film SLR?

LCD monitor, playback button, memory card slot, data display panel.

How are shutter speed and aperture related?

Inverse: fast shutter = less light → needs larger aperture; slow shutter = more light → needs smaller aperture.

How does aperture affect depth of field?

Large aperture (f/2) = shallow depth, small aperture (f/16) = deep depth.

Define focal length.

Distance from lens's optical center to film/sensor at infinity; determines angle of view and magnification.

Advantages of interchangeable lenses?

Flexibility for wide, telephoto, macro, creative options beyond fixed lens.

Best uses of focal lengths?

Normal ~50mm: everyday scenes. Long 85-200mm: portraits/sports. Short 24-35mm: landscapes/architecture.

Prime vs zoom lens?

Prime = single focal length, sharper, faster. Zoom = variable focal length, versatile.

Focus vs shutter vs aperture?

Focus = sharpness. Aperture = depth of field. Shutter = motion blur. Together with ISO = exposure triangle.

Blur in foreground/background means what?

Shallow depth of field isolates subject, creative effect in portraits.

How to increase depth of field?

Use small aperture, short focal length, or increase subject distance.

Common lens attachments?

Hoods (reduce flare), polarizers (reduce reflections), ND (reduce light), color filters (tone), extension tubes/close-up filters (macro).

Main types of film?

B&W, color negative, color reversal (slide), special-purpose (infrared, chromogenic B&W).

Best practices for film storage/travel?

Store cool/dry, refrigerate long-term, avoid heat/humidity/X-rays, carry in hand luggage, let film warm before use.

Film speed vs grain?

Fast film (high ISO) = more sensitive, grainier, less sharp. Slow film (low ISO) = less sensitive, finer grain, sharper.

Special-purpose film examples?

Chromogenic B&W (C-41 processing), infrared (surreal effects), technical film (high contrast/science).

How is color represented in film?

3 emulsion layers (blue, green, red sensitivity) → each forms dye in cyan, magenta, yellow → combine into full color.