Photography study guide

 Study Guide and Quizlet: Introduction to Photography

1. Origins of Photography

Etymology

- Photography: Derived from Greek roots “Photos” (light) and “Graphé” (drawing or writing). Coined by Sir John Herschel in 1839.

- Camera Obscura: From Latin “Camera” (chamber/room) and “Obscura” (dark).

  - Function: Projects an upside-down image onto a surface using light entering a small hole.

 First Uses of Camera Obscura

- Initially a tool for drawing, later developed into portable models.

- Inspired the design of modern cameras.

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2. Photosensitive Materials

 Definition

- Photosensitive materials react to light. Silver, when combined with chemicals, is a key component in photographic processes.

 Key Discoveries

1. Medieval Alchemists: Discovered silver salts darken under light but misattributed the cause.

2. Johann Heinrich Schulze: Demonstrated silver salts darken due to light, not air or heat (1727).

3. Thomas Wedgwood: Used silver nitrate in a camera obscura but couldn’t fix images (1800).

4. John Herschel: Discovered sodium thiosulfate could fix silver images (1819).

Daguerreotype and Calotype

- Daguerreotype: Invented by Louis Daguerre in 1839; created detailed, single images on silver-coated copper.

- Calotype: Invented by William Henry Fox Talbot in 1841; introduced negative-positive process for multiple copies.

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 3. Photographic Techniques

Heliography

- Developed by Nicéphore Niépce (1822-1827).

- Used a pewter plate and bitumen solution to create the first known photograph.

Photograms

- Invented by William Henry Fox Talbot.

- Analog technique producing negative shadows using light and photosensitive materials.

- Gained popularity through avant-garde movements like Bauhaus and Surrealism.

Scannography

- Digital evolution of photograms using flatbed scanners.

- Captures 1:1 images with color and distortion effects.

- Combines photography with painting, collage, and drawing.

Xerox Art

- Emerged in the 1960s using photocopy machines to create artistic compositions.

  - Key Figures: Charles Arnold Jr., Wallace Berman, and Pati Hill.

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4. 19th Century Photography

Milestones

- 1822-1827: Niépce’s first photograph.

- 1839: Daguerre’s daguerreotype introduced publicly.

- 1841: Talbot’s calotype introduced.

Advancements

- Anna Atkins: Created the first photobook, "Photographs of British Algae" (1843).

- George Eastman: Introduced Kodak cameras with roll film (1888), making photography accessible to amateurs.

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5. Quizlet

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This guide summarizes key concepts, milestones, and techniques from the history and evolution of photography to aid learning and review.

# Photography Study Guide

## 1. 20th Century Photography

### First Half of the 20th Century:

- Key Themes:

  - Photography as a new artistic language.

  - Questioning photography as a tool for analyzing truth.

  - Modernity and the rise of cinema.

  - Crisis and/or freedom of artistic languages.

  - Politicization of art.

- Key Question:

  - Does photography kill the aura of artworks? (Walter Benjamin, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, 1935)

### Second Half of the 20th Century:

- Key Developments:

  - Photography challenges hegemonic modes of representation.

  - Popularization in Western art circuits.

  - Questioning the traditional photographer/model relationship.

- Major Schools:

  1. Boston School: Notable photographers include Nan Goldin and Philip-Lorca diCorcia.

  2. Vancouver School: Key artists include Jeff Wall and Rodney Graham.

  3. Düsseldorf School: Notable figures include Candida Höfer, Thomas Ruff, and Thomas Struth.

- Reflection Question:

  - Which of these schools would you join as a photographer and why?

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## 2. Shutter Speed and Creative Uses

### Basics of Shutter Speed:

- Definition: Shutter speed controls the length of time the camera shutter is open, affecting exposure and motion capture.

- Effects of Shutter Speed:

  - Fast speeds (e.g., 1/1000 sec): Freeze motion.

  - Slow speeds (e.g., 1/2 sec): Capture motion blur or light trails.

### Creative Uses:

- Frozen Movements: Examples include Jeff Wall’s Milk (1984).

- Light Trails: Capturing the path of moving lights in a dark setting.

- Motion Blurs: Used to show dynamic movement in scenes like dancing or traffic.

- Light Writing/Drawing: Writing or drawing with a light source during long exposures (e.g., Itziar Orakiz’s work).

- Abstractions & Night Scenes: Creative representation using slow shutter speeds.

### Activity:

- Develop a project representing movement through photography. Prepare ideas, find three sources of inspiration (literary, photographic, daily life), and sketch initial concepts.

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## 3. Camera Parts and Functions

### Outside Parts of a Digital Camera (DSLR):

- Body: The main structure housing internal components.

- Viewfinder: Used to compose and focus the shot.

- Camera Lens & Lens Mount: Focus light onto the sensor; interchangeable lenses attach via the mount.

- Shutter Button: Triggers the photo capture.

- Built-in Flash: Provides additional light for low-light settings.

- Screen: Displays settings and images.

- Mode Dial: Switches between shooting modes (e.g., manual, auto).

- Tripod Mount: Secures the camera to a tripod.

- External Flash & Hot Shoe: Allows attachment of external flashes or other accessories.

### Inside Parts of a Digital Camera (DSLR):

- Pentaprism (Mirrors): Directs light from the lens to the viewfinder.

- Iris Diaphragm: Controls the size of the aperture.

- Focal-Plane Shutter: Opens and closes to expose the sensor.

- Image Sensor: Converts light into an electronic signal.

- Image Processor: Processes the image data.

- Other Components: Batteries, memory card slots, connectivity ports.

### Key Parameters in Digital Photography:

- Exposure Triangle: Balancing ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.

- Focus, White Balance, and Focal Length: Essential for composition.

- Other Features: File format, metering mode, histogram, color space, image stabilization, flash usage.

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### Personal Tip:

- The best photography manual is your camera’s instruction booklet. Use it to fully understand your camera’s features and capabilities.

# Photography Quizlet

## 1. 20th Century Photography

### Questions:

1. What are some key themes in photography during the first half of the 20th century?  

   - Photography as a new artistic language, questioning photography as a tool for analyzing truth, modernity, cinema, crisis/freedom of artistic languages, politicization of art.

2. What was Walter Benjamin’s significant question regarding photography?  

   - Does photography kill the aura of artworks?

3. What developments occurred in photography during the second half of the 20th century?  

   - Photography became a medium to question hegemonic representation, gained popularity in Western art circuits, and challenged the traditional photographer/model relationship.

4. Name the three leading schools of photography in the second half of the 20th century.  

   - Boston School, Vancouver School, Düsseldorf School.

5. Which artists are associated with the Boston School?  

   - Nan Goldin and Philip-Lorca diCorcia.

6. What question might a photographer reflect on about these schools?  

   - Which school would you join and why?

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## 2. Shutter Speed and Creative Uses

### Questions:

1. What is shutter speed?  

   - It is the length of time the camera shutter is open, affecting exposure and motion capture.

2. What happens with fast shutter speeds?  

   - Motion is frozen.

3. What happens with slow shutter speeds?  

   - Motion blur or light trails are captured.

4. List three creative uses of shutter speed.  

   - Frozen movements, light trails, motion blurs.

5. What is an example of light writing or drawing?  

   - Itziar Orakiz’s Writing with a Flash Light (2001).

6. What activity should students undertake to understand movement in photography?  

   - Develop a personal creative project representing movement, including ideas, inspirations, and sketches.

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## 3. Camera Parts and Functions

### Questions:

1. Name three outside parts of a DSLR camera.  

   - Body, viewfinder, camera lens and lens mount.

2. What is the function of the shutter button?  

   - It triggers the photo capture.

3. What part of the camera is used to compose and focus shots?  

   - The viewfinder.

4. Name two inside parts of a DSLR camera.  

   - Pentaprism (mirrors), image sensor.

5. What does the iris diaphragm do?  

   - Controls the size of the aperture.

6. What is the "exposure triangle" in photography?  

   - The balance of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.

7. What advice is given for understanding your camera better?  

   - Use your camera’s instruction booklet as the best photography manual.

1. Photography: Drawing or writing with light.

2. Camera Obscura: Early optical device projecting inverted images.

3. Daguerreotype: First detailed photographic process on metal plates.

4. Calotype: Negative-positive process enabling multiple image copies.

5. Photogram: Negative shadow images created without a camera.

Key Figures

1. Sir John Herschel: Coined "photography," discovered image fixers.

2. Nicéphore Niépce: Created the first surviving photograph.

3. Louis Daguerre: Inventor of the daguerreotype.

4. William Henry Fox Talbot: Invented the calotype and photograms.

5. George Eastman: Made photography accessible with Kodak cameras.

True or False

1. The term "photography" was coined in 1839. (True)

2. The first photographic image was created using digital cameras. (False)

3. Daguerreotypes were made on paper. (False)

4. Scannography is a digital technique. (True)

5. Anna Atkins authored the first photobook. (True)

     Short Answer

1. Significance of the Camera Obscura: It was an early optical device that projected images and laid the foundation for modern photography.

2. Role of Silver Nitrate: It was crucial for its light-sensitive properties, enabling image capture on prepared surfaces.

3. Difference Between Daguerreotypes and Calotypes: Daguerreotypes were unique, detailed metal images; calotypes used negatives to produce multiple paper prints.

4. George Eastman's Revolution: He introduced roll film and simplified photography, making it accessible to everyone.

5. Scannography vs. Photograms: Scannography uses scanners for digital images; photograms use light-sensitive paper for silhouette effects.

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### Bonus Reflection Question:

- If you were to create a photo project about movement, what themes and techniques would you explore, and why?

# Photography Quizlet (Additional Topics)

## 1. Style

### Questions:

1. What is the concept of style in art?  

   - Style is a human construction, an abstract idea, and a dynamic intermediary between the critic and the object of study.

2. Why is style considered a controversial concept?  

   - Since the 19th century, it has been historically used as a tool to create categories, which can be restrictive.

3. Where and when did the concept of style originate?  

   - It originated in 17th-century Italy, distinguishing between Stile and Maniera.

4. What are some key definitions of style by theorists?  

   - Henri Focillon: "A superior quality of art that grants it eternal value."

   - Jan Bialostocki: "A style reflects the ideological situation and creative outcomes of a specific time and place."

   - Meyer Schapiro: "A system of forms with meaningful quality and expression."

5. What activity can students undertake to explore style in photography?  

   - Create a photographic project inspired by the work of a chosen influential photographer.

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## 2. Identity

### Questions:

1. What is the role of photographic portraits in exploring identity?  

   - They are tools for exploring individual and collective identity, highlighting aspects of personality, emotion, and societal representation.

2. What are self-portraits, and what do they aim to convey?  

   - Self-portraits are images created by the artist to express aspects of their personality, emotions, or social identity.

3. Give examples of artists known for their self-portraits.  

   - Vincent Van Gogh (*Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Pipe, 1889*), Cindy Sherman (*Untitled Film Stills* series), Nan Goldin (*Self-Portrait with Black Eye, 1984*).

4. What is the purpose of creating portraits of communities?  

   - To highlight specific aspects of their lifestyle and identity, often focusing on those oppressed or made invisible by regimes of power.

5. Name an artist known for community portraits.  

   - Wolfgang Tillmans (*Arned, Nude Sitting, 1991*).

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## 3. Believable Facts

### Questions:

1. How can photography question reality and create fiction?  

   - Through methods like appropriationism, false descriptive titles, building fictional settings, and image editing/post-production.

2. What is appropriationism in photography?  

   - The use of existing images in new contexts to question originality and the aura of artworks.

3. Name an example of false descriptive titles in photography.  

   - Joan Fontcuberta’s Constellations series (1993).

4. What is an example of documenting a story that may or may not have happened?  

   - Cristina de Middel’s The Afronauts (2012).

5. What is image editing/post-production, and how is it used?  

   - Techniques such as digital manipulation or physical alterations to create fictional or surreal imagery, e.g., Mariko Mori’s Nirvana (1995).

6. How can movement be added to images?  

   - By turning photos into videos, as in Niels Bekkema’s A Sleight of Hand (2015).

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### Bonus Reflection Question:

- How do concepts like style, identity, and believable facts influence your creative approach to photography?