UNIT 10: Camera Techniques (LEVEL 3)

Learning outcomes
By completing this unit candidates will be able to apply the creative and technical techniques, they have learnt, that are common to all camera formats. This will include: camera handling and usage, camera settings, film types, lens selection and use, special effects, composition and framing. Assessment objectives 1 Study and practice the essential relationships between light, film and exposure of an image 2 Investigate how images are focussed in a camera Knowledge, understanding and skills Shutter speeds vs aperture Film types and film speed Exposure determination and control Manual and automatic exposure Measuring light Manual and automatic focus Focal length and depth of field Lens types and their use Single lens reflex and view cameras (parallax error) Tripod and hand held Framing the image The thirds rule Foreground/background balance Perspective Compositional elements Moving and static images Photographic viewpoints Soft focus of images Filtering light Multiple images Processing film Basic darkroom techniques Special darkroom techniques sabatier, posterising, solarising, multi-exposure Chemicals safe use and storage Health and safety checks Safelight working Materials storage and use

3 Study how images are composed for photography and how this affects the creative process

4 Experiment with photographic effects that can enhance your image creation 5 Investigate darkroom techniques and technology 6 Demonstrate safe darkroom practices

Assessment
This unit is centre-assessed and externally moderated. In order to achieve this unit, candidates must collate a portfolio of evidence showing that they can meet all the assessment objectives. Portfolios of work must be produced independently. They will need to be made available, together with witness statements and any other necessary supporting documentation, to the OCR Visiting Moderator when required.

OCR Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design

Unit 10 Camera techniques

Guidance on assessment and evidence requirements

It is envisaged that this unit is introduced early in the photography specialist pathway. The camera technique skills gained by the candidate can be combined with the demands of the other photography units.

Signposting to Key Skills

The unit contains opportunities for developing the Key Skill, and possibly for generating portfolio evidence, if teaching and learning is focused on that aim. Key Skill reference C3.1a C3.1b C3.2 C3.3 Key Skill reference N3.1 N3.2a N3.2b N3.2c N3.2d N3.3 Key Skill reference IT3.1 IT3.2 IT3.3

Mapping to National Occupational Standards

Occupational Standards Photo imaging and photo processing Unit Number P5 K3 K10 K11 K12 K13 Title Take specified photographs Health and Safety The operation of equipment, material and systems Photography Processing Printing

Resources
This section provides suggestions of suitable resources. The list is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive, and candidates should be encouraged to gather information from a variety of sources. Some suggested resources are intended for tutor use. The resources in this section were current at the time of print. For the most up-to-date list of resources please refer to our website: www.ocr.org.uk

Books Hedgecoe, John. (2003) Langford, Michael. (1997) Renner, Eric. (1995) The New Manual of Photography DK Publishing Inc 101 Essential Tips on Photography DK Publishing Inc Pinhole Photography Butterworth Heinemann

OCR Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design

Unit 10 Camera techniques

Journals/magazines Incisive Media. IDG Communications. B&W Magazine. Museums The Science Museum. Websites Pixiport. URL:http://www.pixiport.com Women in Photography. URL:http://www.womeninphotography.org Photolinks. URL:http://www.photolinks.ch (Swiss based gateway) Ernst Haas Photographer. URL:http://www.ernsthaas.com British Museum of Film, Photography and Television (Bradford, Yorkshire) British Journal of Photography Incisive Media Digit IDG Communications B & W Photography B&W Magazine

OCR Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design

Unit 10 Camera techniques

Grading
Assessment Objective AO1 Study and practice the essential relationships between light, film and exposure of an image Pass Candidates will demonstrate a basic knowledge of how to control exposure in a camera and demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between light, film speed and camera settings. Merit Candidates will demonstrate a good knowledge of how to control exposure in a camera and demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between light, film speed and camera settings and how to use these factors to enhance images. Distinction Candidates will demonstrate an advanced understanding of camera and darkroom techniques and how to apply them to specific photographic problems. Candidates will show detailed knowledge of how to control exposure in a camera and demonstrate advanced knowledge of the relationship between light, film speed and camera settings.

AO2 Investigate how images are focussed in a camera

They will be able to control the focusing of a camera and show knowledge of the principles of focusing an image on different types of camera and what the relationships are between focal length and depth of field.

Candidates will be able to focus a camera in order to selectively enhance the image. They will show knowledge of the principles of focusing an image on different types of camera and how the relationships between focal length and depth of field can be used to creatively enhance images.

Candidates will be able to use the focusing system of a camera to create a wide range of photographic images and show advanced knowledge of the principles of focusing an image on different types of camera and how the relationships between focal length and depth of field can be used to create subtle image variations between different images.

OCR Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design

Unit 10 Camera techniques

Assessment Objective AO3 Study how images are composed for photography and how this affects the creative process

Pass Candidates produce a range of simple images showing a grasp of the basic compositional rules and how to apply them.

Merit Candidates produce a portfolio showing a range of images that demonstrate sound knowledge of compositional rules and how to apply them.

Distinction Candidates produce a range of images that demonstrate an advanced appreciation of compositional rules and how to apply them across a wide range of photographic situations.

AO4 Experiment with photographic effects that can enhance your image creation

Candidates can use simple optical special effects techniques to modify an image both in the camera and in the dark room.

Optical special effects techniques are used to modify images to a good standard both in the camera and in the dark room.

Candidates will use advanced optical special effects techniques to modify and create images both in the camera and the dark room.

AO5 Investigate darkroom techniques and technology

Candidates will demonstrate a basic understanding of camera and darkroom techniques and how to apply them to specific photographic problems. Candidates are able to process film and produce photographic prints that meet a basic standard of being in focus, correctly exposed and without obvious faults such as scratches and dust marks.

Candidates will demonstrate a sound understanding of camera and darkroom techniques and how to apply them to specific photographic problems. Candidates are able to process film and produce photographic prints that demonstrate technical and creative appreciation of darkroom techniques and are free of flaws such as dust marks and scratches marks.

Candidates will process film and produce photographic prints that show an advanced understanding of darkroom techniques and be able to use these techniques to create images that are to a professional standard from both a technical and creative standpoint.

OCR Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design

Unit 10 Camera techniques

Assessment Objective AO6 Demonstrate safe darkroom practices

Pass Candidates produce a simple health and safety study that demonstrates knowledge of safe dark room practices, including chemical use and storage, film and print processing.

Merit The health and safety study produced demonstrates sound knowledge of safe dark room practices, including chemical use and storage, film and print processing.

Distinction Candidates will produce a health and safety study that demonstrates detailed knowledge of safe dark room practices and the implications of correct chemical use and storage, and accurate film and print processing.

OCR Level 3 Nationals in Art and Design