🥁Intro to Art Unit 13 – Photography and New Media

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Photography captures images using a camera by recording light on a light-sensitive medium (film or digital sensor)
• Exposure refers to the amount of light that reaches the film or sensor and is controlled by aperture, shutter speed, and ISO
  • Aperture is the opening in the lens that allows light to pass through and is measured in f-stops (f/2.8, f/5.6)
  • Shutter speed is the duration of time the camera's shutter remains open, allowing light to reach the sensor (1/60, 1/250)
  • ISO measures the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light (100, 400, 1600)
• Composition is the arrangement of elements within the frame to create a visually appealing and meaningful image
• New media encompasses digital, interactive, and multimedia technologies used for artistic expression and communication
• Copyright protects the rights of creators to control the use and distribution of their original works
• Metadata is data about data, providing information about a digital file (date, location, camera settings)

Evolution of Photography

• Early photography began with the invention of the camera obscura, a dark chamber with a small hole that projected an inverted image
• The first permanent photograph was created by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826 using a process called heliography
• Louis Daguerre invented the daguerreotype in 1839, which produced highly detailed images on silver-plated copper sheets
• The calotype process, developed by Henry Fox Talbot, used paper negatives to create multiple positive prints
• George Eastman introduced the Kodak camera in 1888, making photography accessible to the masses with the slogan "You press the button, we do the rest"
• Color photography became widely available in the mid-20th century with the introduction of Kodachrome film in 1935
• Instant photography, popularized by Polaroid cameras, allowed for immediate development of prints without the need for a darkroom

Digital Revolution in Photography

• Digital cameras, introduced in the 1990s, capture images using electronic image sensors instead of film
• The first commercially available digital camera was the Dycam Model 1, released in 1990 with a resolution of 0.09 megapixels
• Digital photography eliminated the need for film and darkroom processing, making it more convenient and cost-effective
• Advances in digital sensor technology led to increased resolution, improved low-light performance, and better color accuracy
• Digital post-processing software (Adobe Photoshop) allows for extensive manipulation and enhancement of images
• The rise of smartphones with built-in cameras has made photography more ubiquitous and accessible than ever before
• Social media platforms (Instagram) have transformed the way photographs are shared and consumed

New Media Forms and Technologies

• Virtual reality (VR) creates immersive experiences by simulating a user's physical presence in a computer-generated environment
• Augmented reality (AR) overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing the user's perception of reality (Pokémon Go)
• 360-degree photography captures the entire surrounding environment, allowing viewers to interact with the image by panning and zooming
• Drone photography utilizes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to capture images from unique perspectives and angles
• Light field photography captures the direction and intensity of light rays, enabling post-capture refocusing and 3D effects (Lytro cameras)
• Generative art uses algorithms and computer programs to create artwork based on a set of rules or parameters
• Interactive installations combine various media elements (video, sound, sensors) to create participatory experiences for viewers

Artistic Techniques in Photography

• Long exposure photography captures motion blur by using slow shutter speeds, creating a sense of movement in the image
• High dynamic range (HDR) photography combines multiple exposures to capture a wider range of tonal values in high-contrast scenes
• Panoramic photography stitches together multiple images to create a wide, sweeping view of a scene
• Tilt-shift photography manipulates the plane of focus to create a miniature effect or correct perspective distortion
• Infrared photography captures light from the infrared spectrum, resulting in surreal and dreamlike images
• Light painting involves using a moving light source during a long exposure to "paint" patterns or shapes in the image
• Double exposure combines two or more images into a single frame, creating a layered and often surreal effect

Composition and Visual Storytelling

• The rule of thirds divides the frame into a 3x3 grid, placing key elements along the lines or at the intersections for a balanced composition
• Leading lines guide the viewer's eye through the image, creating a sense of depth and direction (roads, rivers, architectural elements)
• Framing uses natural or man-made elements to surround the main subject, drawing attention to it and adding context
• Symmetry creates a sense of balance and harmony by arranging elements equally on both sides of an axis
• Negative space is the area surrounding the main subject, which can be used to create a sense of scale or emphasize the subject
• Juxtaposition places contrasting elements side by side to create visual tension or convey a message
• Visual storytelling uses a series of images to convey a narrative, evoke emotions, or document events

Ethics and Copyright in Digital Media

• Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses a protected work without permission from the copyright holder
• Creative Commons licenses allow creators to grant specific permissions for the use of their work while retaining certain rights
• Model releases are legal agreements signed by subjects, granting permission for their likeness to be used in photographs
• Property releases are similar to model releases but pertain to the use of private property in photographs
• Digital manipulation raises ethical concerns about the authenticity and truthfulness of images, particularly in photojournalism
• The ease of sharing digital content online has led to increased instances of unauthorized use and distribution of copyrighted works
• Watermarks and metadata can be used to identify and protect the ownership of digital images

Practical Applications and Career Paths

• Commercial photography encompasses a wide range of specialties (product, fashion, advertising) that create images for business purposes
• Portrait photography captures the likeness and personality of individuals or groups (family, corporate, senior portraits)
• Event photography documents special occasions (weddings, concerts, conferences) for clients or personal use
• Fine art photography creates images as a means of artistic expression, often exhibited in galleries or published in books
• Photojournalism uses photography to tell news stories and document events for media outlets (newspapers, magazines, websites)
• Nature and wildlife photography captures the beauty and diversity of the natural world, often used for conservation purposes
• Freelance photographers work independently, taking on a variety of projects and clients rather than being employed by a single company