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DIGITAL CAMERA USERS COURSE

LEVEL 1
Thank you for your interest in the Digital Camera Users Course – Level 1 due to be held in
Barlow House, Narrow West Street – Drogheda.

The Digital Camera Users Course is one in a series of courses that aid the camera user through
the maze of intricacies that form the medium of photography.

If you feel unsure about which course level you need to attend, proceed after this page to page
number 8 and continue under the heading “Deciding which course level you need to attend.”

COURSE OUTLINE
There are times when photography courses can be swamped with terms that are totally alien to
the learner. The aim of this course is to aid the camera user while they locate functions that are
necessary to taking photographs.

During earliest courses in our series for camera users (Digital Camera Users Course)
photographic terms are kept to a minimum. Photographic terms expressed in the camera
instruction manual will be explained in terms that could be referred to as everyday language.

The aim of the tutor during the course Digital Camera Users Course – Level 1 is to help camera
learners access menus and select camera setttings that are needed to take photographs. By
helping class members locate camera functions, the tutor lays foundation for futher learning of
the camera and the photographic process.

COMPLETE LIST OF COURSES FOR CAMERA USERS

The complete list of courses in this series are catergorised directly below:
• Photography Course for Absolute Beginners.
• Digital Camera User – Level 1 (This course continues from Absolute Beginners).
• Digital Camera User – Level 2 (Intermediate Level).
• Digital Camera User – Level 3 (Advanced camera user course level).

COURSE INFORMATION
• Enrolment takes place during the 1st and 2nd evening of the course (20th and 27th Sept).
• Course title: Digital Camera Users Course – Level 1.
• Date: 20 September to 01 November 2010.
• Number of Classes - 7
• Day / Monday
• Time: 8:15 pm to 9:15 pm
• Single Tutor / John Mc Cormack / e.mail: john@internetaware.biz
• Course e-mail address is: info@paulmurrayphotography.com

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COURSE FEE
Course Fee / €95:00

To secure a place on a course, you can choose to pay the full course fee through PayPal on the
course web page www.paulmurrayphotography.com

Cheques, credit cards, laser cards etc are not acceptable as payment for courses.

CONTENTS
• Paul Murray – Course co-ordinator.
• Joan Kelly – Administrator.
• John Mc Cormack – Tutor.
• Course notes.
• Items to take with you to the first class.
• Questions and Answers.
• Group Outings.
• The learning route through this course.
• What will you learn?
• Summary from “what will you learn list.”
• Components and issues addressed during this Course.
• Deciding the course that is right for you.
• Questionnaire.
• Page 9 – Last page.

PAUL MURRAY – COURSE CO-ORDINATOR

I am a native of Drogheda and lived in the City of Dublin for many years. In the past I have
won numerous competitions on various levels. I have written several courses on photography.
I am a certified adult education trainer/tutor. At present I am compiling further course material
while developing a WEB SITE.

JOAN KELLY - ADMINISTRATOR

I am a native of Dublin. I have varied interests, which include photography, reading, holistic
therapies, gardening and travel. I have an affinity with outdoor pursuits; I have also been a
member of a choir for many years and have recently retired from amateur sports.

JOHN MC CORMACK / TUTOR

I am a native of Drogheda. My interests are Photography. I am involved with the
O'Raghallaighs GAA. I am a qualified IT Technical, Web Designer, Musician, Singer,
and Songwriter who sometimes teaches guitar. I am a certified Further Adult Education
Trainer/Tutor.

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COURSE NOTES
Course notes that were written and compiled to complement lessons are distributed early in the
course. If course fee has been paid through PayPal on the course website, or voucher, you will
receive notes during early attendance to the course.

ITEMS TO TAKE WITH YOU TO THE FIRST CLASS

• Camera with sufficient battery power.
• Camera bag or carrying case (if you have one).
• Camera instruction manual (if you have one).
• Camera safety strap attached to the camera (if you have one)
• Course voucher (if you have purchased one).
• Course fee.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

This series of photography courses have been developed over many years and aims to
accomodate learners from absolute beginners to advanced learners. Questions listed below
have been previously asked by camera users and are addressed during the term of the course.

Q: Do I need a camera of a particular calibre to attend this course?

A: Camera types “Prosumer or Bridge Camera” and Single Lens Reflex - Slr Camera are
accomodated. All lessons given during this course are intended for the level of
photographic competence above absolute beginner. At the beginning of the course a
survey is taken to discover which cameras are used by class members, then a syllabus is
drawn up to ensure all cameras used are accomodated.

Q: Will I be expected to display my photographs during classes?

A: No class member will be asked or expected to display photographs during the term of the
course. All contributions to roles during the term of the course are voluntary.

Q: Is there an examination at the end of the course?

A: During the sixth class, each person in attendance is given an assessment form. This form
can also be downloaded from the course web site www.paulmurrayphotography.com
Completing the form is not compulsory. This assessment form is completed during the
class and returned to members during the final class. This form is available on request
also which is sent via e-mail.

Q: I have a small camera, should I purchase a better camera to attend this course?
A: I suggest you first attend the course and assess your interest in photography. With advice,
if you wish, you can then purchase a mode advanced/sophisticated camera.

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Q: Can I attend this course with an old film camera?

A: Yes. The age and condition of the camera is not in question. Although digital is the new
age of photography, camera operations at beginners levels remained basically the same. I
will inform you that most students tend to have digital cameras and therefore a few
lessons (not classes) during the course are relative to digital means only.

Q: I will be able to attend most of the classes. If I miss two classes out of 7 will that be a lot
of lessons lost.
A: While it is regretful that some lessons are missed, being absent from two is not altogether
detrimental to the structured syllabus for this course.
On request, a brief synopsis on subjects missed will be sent by e-mail.

GROUP OUTINGS
• Depending on time permitted and interest with class members (in addition to classes)
there will be group outings organised at intervals over the term of the course.
• Group outings arranged include daytime and night time photography.
• Arrangements regarding each group outing will be announced during classes.
• The number of group outings will depend on the time available to the tutor and level of
interest from class members.
• A fee of €15:00 per person will be secured during a class before the group outing.
• After making payment to attend the group outing each enroled member is sent a PDF
File of information (via e-mail) or given a volume of notes. This PDF File or series of
notes include information regarding times, dates, lists of instructions, lists of items needed
and particular camera settings which each group member is encouraged to locate on their
camera before the group outing.
• Also included in the PDF File are exercises, which the class members can complete in
their own time. The purpose of the exercises is to induce learners locate and use various
settings on their camera.

THE LEARNING ROUTE THROUGH THIS COURSE

The route taken through this series of lessons starts with the known and shifts towards the
unknown.

THE KNOWN:
In this course, the known is a photograph taken specially for lessons taught during this course.
This photograph will be first put on display during early classes and referred to at intervals
throughout the course term.

THE UNKNOWN:
The unknown is the camera components needed to capture the photograph displayed during
classes. These components include Shutter Speed (exposure time management) Lens
Aperture value (the size of opening in the camera lens during the time the camera to capture the
image) ISO Speed values (sensitivity of film or digital sensor to light in the camera). These
components are used whether the camera is digital or film based.

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WHAT WILL YOU LEARN

• Camera safety procedures are highlighted/demonstrated during lessons.
• Create “correctly” exposed photographs.
• Discover photographic effects resulting from use of different shutter speeds?
• Discover the effect resulting from different ISO values?
• How a systematic approach to accessing your camera menu/s can be developed.
• Extract information from a Histogram?
• What is a Lens Aperture?
• What is meant by a Camera Exposure Triangle.
• What is meant by the term “digital noise.”
• What is the purpose of a camera shutter?
• When the camera power is turned on, it is common occurrence for the camera user to
pose the question, “What do I do next?” During this course you will be taught criterion
referred to as “ Standard Exposure Criterion.” This criterion is camera settings you can
use as a guide to develop an approach to picture taking.
• Learn to reach the decision of knowing when to photograph a subject or scene and when
not to take a photograph.

SELECTED HEADINGS FROM “WHAT WILL YOU LEARN” LIST

One of the first actions to be taken after purchasing a camera is registration. Without
registration, it is possible that you can be deprived of selected after sale services.
When the camera is turned on and the appropriate button pressed, the camera captures a
photograph using three major components which I refer collectively as the Camera Exposure
Triangle. The camera components in the triangle are Shutter, Lens Aperture and ISO value.
Derived from calculations and based on these components, the film/sensor is exposed to a
correct measure of light.
During classes you will be assisted in accessing menus that are listed in your own camera. By
accessing menus in your camera you will learn to locate and apply Shutter Speed based on ISO
Values to establish correct camera exposure values.
My own experience has taught me that during earliest stages of learning the camera, it is prudent
to pay less attention to the selection of lens aperture values. My reason for stating this stems
from the fact that the effect of lens apertures in photographs differ with lenses, film sizes and
digital camera sensor sizes.
Specific Shutter Speed and ISO Value are chosen to establish criteria for style.
Photographic style could be understood as the feeling and expression experienced through
the medium of photography.
The digital camera histogram is an invaluable aid to assessing exposure. The histogram
can be monitored either before and/or after the photograph has been captured by the
camera (access to the histogram varies from camera to camera).
Camera Safety is a major consideration, which is sometimes ignored. Many times a
camera has been damaged (and sometimes beyond repair) due to careless handling. It is
possible that a camera may fall to the ground only once to be deemed obsolete.

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A major component of the camera is the lens. The lens is the all seeing eye of the camera
and if not protected it becomes smudged, greased and covered with micro particles of dust
which serve only to diminish image quality and image sharpness.
You will learn to develop set criteria for exposure of light in the camera. I refer to this
criterion as “Standard Exposure Criterion” .
The criterion is specific Shutter Speed Value, Lens Aperture and ISO Value. To
understand how this criterion works, imagine the criterion to be a trunk of a tree; then all
amenities branch out from this stem.
When photographs are printed, there are always those you view and ask “why did I take
that photo.” During this course you will learn how to reach the decision of knowing
when to photograph a subject or scene and when not to take a photograph.

COMPONENTS AND ISSUES ADDRESSED DURING THE COURSE

1. A brief history of the Camera.
2. Access a camera menu.
3. Automated camera Mode.
4. Camera Exposure Triangle.
5. Digital Camera: Choose ISO Speed Values.
6. Film: Choose ASA/ISO Speed Values.
7. Histogram.
8. Lens Aperture.
9. Manual Mode.
10. Semi-Automatic Mode.
11. Shutter Speed.

1: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CAMERA

The early success of the modern cinema was an image projected onto a white screen that was
held suspended against a wall in a dark room. A brief history of the camera affords the absolute
beginner the understanding that the camera operates on the same principal. The principal is
this; if a room is dark and light enters through a small opening, an image is created on the wall
opposite.

The earliest camera was built as a dark room with the outside scene appearing on an inside wall.
A Pinhole Box Camera as the name suggests is a box. Smaller than room size, the principal of
light entering a dark room is applied.

The Pinhole Box Camera is light tight with the exception of a tiny opening in one wall. A light
sensitive material (film) stands in place of the white cinema screen. The small opening was
created using a pin. This tiny opening allows light freely enter the box and reach the film;
hence the term Pinhole Box Camera.

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2: ACCESS A CAMERA MENU

After the power of a camera has been turned on it will automatically open in a DEFAULT MODE.
That is to say the camera will automatically operate by settings PROGRAMMED at the factory
assembly stage.

To access camera functions other than DEFAULT MODE SETTINGS it is often possible to open a
MENU that lists camera functions, which give the camera user access to a variety of options.
Options provided by a camera can include program modes that enable the camera user take
photographs at night, apply flash to create special effects, photograph fast moving objects,
change/alter image contrasts, photograph objects within inches/centimetres of the camera lens
with a facility known as macro.

3: AUTOMATED CAMERA MODE

An AUTOMATED MODE in a camera is any one of those camera settings listed below:
• Automatic mode
• Program mode
• A mode selected from an icon.

4: CAMERA EXPOSURE TRIANGLE

Each time a camera is used to capture an image, there is three major components considered.
Collectively, I refer to these major components as the Camera Exposure Triangle. The camera
components are the camera Shutter, the Lens Aperture and the ISO values.

5: DIGITAL CAMERA / CHOOSE ISO SPEED VALUES

Another lesson in this course is how to enter the camera menu and change ISO SPEED VALUES.

The sensor in the modern digital camera can be highly receptive to light. How receptive the
sensor is, is determined by the ISO SPEED VALUE set in the camera.

LOW ISO SPEED VALUES (ISO 50) is slow to respond to light when compared to a high ISO Speed,
which has a faster response to light.

6: FILM – CHOOSE ASA/ISO SPEED VALUES

ASA/ISO speed values indicate the sensitivity of film to light.

A film with high ASA/ISO is extremely sensitive to light and responds quickly upon exposure
to light.
When compared to high ASA/ISO values, a low ASA/ISO value has a slow response to light.

7: HISTOGRAM
An invaluable aid to digital camera use, the histogram is a facility that shows when image
details in shadow areas and highlight areas of a photograph can be rendered in a photograph.

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8: LENS APERTURE
The Lens Aperture is a rotary set of blades which operate inside the lens. The prime purpose
of the Lens Aperture is management in combination with the Shutter Speed over the measure of
light that enters the camera and reaching the film/sensor.

9: MANUAL MODE
During this course, attention is paid to the manual camera setting. In this camera mode, the
camera user locates exposure setting values (shutter speed and lens aperture) before taking a
photograph. This step is the first measure of total exposure control exercised by the camera
user.

10: SEMI-AUTOMATIC MODE

Shutter Priority Mode. In this mode you select a Shutter Speed. The camera will match this
value with an appropriate Lens Aperture Value.

Aperture Priority Mode. In this mode you select a Lens Aperture. The camera will match
this value with an appropriate Shutter Speed.

11: SHUTTER SPEED

A major component of a camera is the SHUTTER. The SHUTTER is sometimes a moveable curtain
set directly behind the lens and is used to regulate the time light is permitted enter the camera
via the lens and reach FILM or SENSOR in the camera. The shutter is not not the sole manager of
exposure of the film/sensor to light; the shutter is used in conjnction with the Lens Aperture.

The speed of the shutter is regulated using a series of numbers calculated in fractions of a
second. A typical range of numbers is 30-60-125-250-500.

With compact cameras Shutter Speed values are accessed by choosing from a range of symbols /
icons readily displayed by the camera.

DECIDING THE COURSE THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU

If you are undecided about the course level you need to attend, take the challenge and answer
the questions listed below. Then scroll to the end of this file to find an assessment table.

Award yourself “1” point for a correct answer and “0” if you get it wrong. From the score you
accumulate, you can decide the course you need.

A high “0” score indicates the need for a course to accommodate the absolute beginner. Such a
course is “Photography Course for Absolute Beginners”

A high “1” score indicates a higher-level course. Such a course is the “Digital Camera Users
Course – Level 1” or perhaps “Digital camera Users Course – Level 2” might be considered.

QUESTIONNAIRE
Q: Is your camera one of those camera types listed below:-
Compact
Prosumer Camera / Bridge Camera
Single Lens Reflex / Slr Camera

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Q: Can you access the camera menu and apply any of the functions listed below:-
Automatic
Program Mode
Select camera mode by choosing an icon
Q: Do your photographs fit one of the categories listed below?
Consistently too bright.
Consistently too dark.
Inconsistent

Q: Do your photographs fit one of the categories listed below?

Never sharp or well defined.
Off-centre - when you viewed the subject in the camera, it was centred. In the
Photograph it is always/nearly always off centre.
Q: Do you know how to connect your digital camera to a computer?
Q: Do you know how to connect your digital camera to a TV (Television) set, tune the
camera to the appropriate TV channel and view photographs directly from the camera?
Q: What is Software?
Q: Do you know what software package was supplied with your digital camera?
Q: Do you know how to download images from your digital camera to a computer?
Q: Do you know what ISO Values are?
Q: Are you familiar with Camera Shutter Speeds?
Q: The camera shutter is used in relation to exposure time - is that statement true or false.
Q: By using different shutter speeds, special effects can be created in a photograph – is this
true or false.
Q: Are you able to focus a lens using an automatic focus (AF) facility in your
camera?
Q: Can you view the photographs you have taken on your digital camera monitor-screen?
Q: Can you operate the self-timer in your camera?
Q: Do you remove the memory card from your camera each time to call to the photo lab and
have photographs printed?
If your answer is “yes” to the previous question, award yourself a “0” point value. Removal of
the card from the camera is not necessary and can lead to damage of the card or the camera.
Repair to digital cameras can prove costly.
If your answer is “no” to the question above award yourself a “1” point value.
Q: A digital camera with 3 million pixels will deliver a photograph of limited size before
losing definition – true/false.
Q: A digital camera with 5 million pixels will deliver photographs larger than a camera with
3 million pixels before losing picture definition- true/false
Q: Are you aware of the battery type installed in your camera?

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Q: Is the battery in your camera the pre-charged or re-charge type?

Q: Are you aware of the battery types listed below:
Block
Cylinder
NiMH
Lithium-ion
Q: Give the battery power capacity value of the battery / batteries presently installed in your
camera.

ASSESSMENT TABLE
Use the values in the table below to rate your performance.
The values listed in the table below indicate recommendations for course levels.
1 - 13 Photography Course for Absolute Beginners
14 - 18 Digital Camera Users Course – Level 1
Maximum Digital Camera Users Course – Level 2

Thank you for your interest. Looking forward to seeing you at one of our courses.
Paul, Joan, & John

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