Camera History and Information
The Camera
1. Explain the “camera obscura” effect. How is it achieved? Which
is Latin for "dark room". This was the first camera. The
hole acted like a lens, focusing and projecting light onto the wall of
the dark chamber.
2. What invention during the 17th Century helped man get a step closer to creating the modern camera? Isaac Newton and
Christian Huygens perfected the understanding of optics and the process of making high quality glass lenses.
3. What were the parts of the first modern camera invented by Niepce? A glass lens, a dark box, and film.
4.What do modern digital cameras have in common with Niepce’s camera?
New cameras are very easy to use, just point and shoot. The camera's
built-in computer handles focus and exposure so you don't have to.
5. What do digital cameras use to capture an image? Light passes
through the lens, into the camera, and exposes the film. And guess what?
The end result is still a photograph.
Camera Modes
6. What is the difference between the Auto Mode and the Program mode?
Of all the shooting modes, Auto/Program is probably the most useful.
Most people don't really want to learn about how a camera works, and
point and shoot photography is the perfect solution.
The fully automatic (A)uto or (P)rogram mode is the default
for most modern cameras. The photographer can simply aim, press the
button, and almost be guaranteed a great image.
7. What is the Portrait mode used for? How does it work? To attempt to blur out the background, camera will try to use the fastest available lens setting (aperture).
8. What is the Sports mode used for? (not just sports) How does it work? To freeze motion, camera will use the highest shutter speed possible.
The Half Press
9. Why should you do a half press on the trigger button? Focus Lock and Faster Full Press Response.
Controlling Flash
10. What does this symbol mean? no flash. There are many cases where you may not want flash at all. The
mood of the photograph can sometimes be more dramatic when the natural
light is used.
11.What does this symbol
mean? In most camera modes, Auto-flash is enabled by default and will
automatically fire if the camera thinks it needs more light.
Introduction Exposure
12. What happens to your photo if there is too much light? Too much light and the picture will be washed out.
13. What happens to your photo if there is not enough light? Not enough light and the picture will be too dark.
The Universal Stop
14. What is a “stop.” The term "stop" is used in every aspect of photography
to represent a relative change
in the brightness of light.
15. How many stops brighter is the new planet if there are two sons instead of one? 1
16. How many stops brighter is the new planet if there are four sons
instead of two? (Hint: the “show answer” feature is wrong). 2
Shutters & Arparture
17. What affect does a longer shutter speed of have? More Light
18. What affect does a shorter shutter speed have? Less Light
19. What does the aperture control? Before light reaches film, it must pass through an opening called an
"Aperture". The aperture is like a pupil. You can control the aperture
by setting the "Aperture Opening", also known as an F-Stop.
20. When adjusting the aperture, how can you increase the amount of light? It does so by closing up to restrict light, and opening up to let it through.
