Unit 1: Camera fundamentals
Fashion Photography notes · PTU syllabus (BSTD 208-20)
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Unit summary
A photograph is made by controlling light. This unit introduces how a camera works, camera and lens types, ways of storing images and basic photographic techniques.
After this unit you can
- Explain how a camera forms an image
- Differentiate camera types and lenses
- Control exposure with aperture, shutter speed and ISO
- Choose an image format and storage method
PTU syllabus topics
- Introduction to camera functioning
- types of cameras and lenses
- image storage methods
- photography techniques
Wide-angle
Under about 35 mm
Locations, full scenes
Standard
About 50 mm
Natural perspective
Telephoto / portrait
85 mm and above
Flattering portraits, blurred background
Macro
Close-focusing
Fabric texture, details
Topic 1
How a camera works
Light from the subject enters the lens, is limited by the aperture (opening) and shutter (timing), and strikes the sensor (or film), which records the image. The viewfinder or screen lets the photographer frame the shot.
The lens focuses light, the aperture controls how much enters, the shutter controls for how long, and the sensor records it
Topic 2
Exposure: aperture, shutter speed and ISO
Exposure is the total light reaching the sensor. Three controls form the exposure triangle.
- Aperture (f-number)
- Size of the lens opening; small f-number (f/2) = wide opening, shallow depth of field; large (f/16) = small opening, deep focus
- Shutter speed
- Time the shutter stays open; fast (1/1000 s) freezes motion, slow (1/15 s) blurs it
- ISO
- Sensor sensitivity; low (100) clean images, high (3200) brighter but grainy
A wide aperture needs a faster shutter; a high ISO allows a faster shutter in dim light but adds grain
Topic 3
Camera types, lenses and storage
| Camera | Features | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Compact (point and shoot) | Fixed lens, automatic | Casual shooting |
| DSLR | Mirror and prism, interchangeable lenses | Studio and event work |
| Mirrorless | Electronic viewfinder, lighter | Professional and travel |
| Smartphone | Computational photography | Social media and content |
Wide angle
Below 35 mm
Wide view; good for interiors, distorts close subjects
Normal
About 50 mm
Natural perspective; portraits
Telephoto
85 mm and above
Compresses distance; flattering for faces and details
Macro
Close focusing
Fabric weave and textures
Images are stored on memory cards (SD, CF) as JPEG (compressed, small) or RAW (uncompressed, best for editing). Always back up to a second drive or cloud.
Key terms
- Aperture
- Opening in the lens
- Shutter speed
- Time of exposure
- ISO
- Sensor sensitivity
- Depth of field
- Range of sharpness
- RAW
- Uncompressed image file
Quick revision
- Exposure triangle: aperture, shutter, ISO.
- Small f-number = wide aperture = shallow depth of field.
- Telephoto flatters portraits; macro suits fabric detail.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.Define aperture.
- Q2.What does ISO control?
- Q3.Why use RAW format?
- Q4.What is depth of field?
- Q5.Name two camera types.
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Explain the working of a camera and the exposure triangle.
- Q2.Compare lens types and their use in fashion photography.
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