CS 39P Photographing History Making Fall 2011

This seminar explores the art and science of photography. Photographs are created by the control and manipulation of light. We will discuss quality of light for the rendering of tone, texture, shade, shadow, and reflection. The seminar examines the photographic process from light entering the lens through the creation and manipulation of the final image. Topics include composition and patterns, mathematics of perspective projection, refraction, blur, optics of lenses, exposure control, color science, film structure and response, resolution, digital image processing, human visual system, spatial and color perception, and chemical versus electronic processing.

To complete the course assignments, students must have a camera that enables manual setting of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO as well for focus and that has either interchangeable lenses of different focal lengths or a zoom lens. Ideally, students should have access to both a film camera and a digital camera.