The Camera

1.)  When a tiny hole is created in the wall of a completely dark room, the outside image is projected (though upside-down) on the opposite wall.  This is the "camera obscura" effect (Latin for "dark room").  The first camera.

2).  In the 17th century, the invention of the modern camera came one step closer when Isaac Newton and Christian Huygens perfected the understand of optics and lens for eyeglasses.

3).  The modern camera was born when Niepce created "film" in order to create the first successful photograph.  (It's now a glass lens, a dark box, and film!)

4).  What the modern digital camera and Niepce's camera have in common:  Light passes through the lens, into the camera, and still results in a photograph.

5).  Digital cameras use an electronic sensor called a CCD in order to capture photographs.  The photos are stored in reusable computer memory devices.  Modern cameras are now less expensive and more environmentally friendly.

6).  The difference between auto-mode and program mode:  In auto-mode, the camera itself controls the flash, exposure, and focus so that the photographer can focus on taking the image and not the exposure calculations.  In program mode, you can usually control flash and a few other camera settings.

7).  Portrait mode is used for blurring out the background of an image.

8).  Sports mode is used to freeze motion.  It goes to the fasted possible shutter speed possible.

9).  Half-press gives you time to keep the camera focused and explore the composition of the scene.  The full-press response is faster.

10).  This symbol (jagged downward arrow with a line through it) means "flash disabled."  The mood of the photograph can sometimes be more dramatic when you use natural lighting.

11).  This symbol (jagged downward arrow) means "auto-flash."  Auto-flash is enabled by default.  If the camera thinks the image needs more light, it will automatically fire.

12).  The picture is washed out when it's exposed to too much light.

13).  If there's not enough light in a picture, it becomes too dark (which makes it look bad, obviously).

14).  A "stop" is a relative measurement of light.

15).  If there are two suns instead of one, the number of "stops" raised is one (because there is twice as much light).

16).  If there are four suns, the number of "stops" raised is two (because's it's twice as much as two).

17).  A longer shutter speed equals more light.

18).  A shorter shutter speed equals less light.

19).  The aperture controls light in a similar way to the human eye's pupil.

20).  You can increase the amount of light by opening the aperture.