Criteria 1

Understand how to prepare a digital camera for use

1.1 – Use the camera menu to select and format suitable memory cards

1.2 – Select RAW or JPG file formats

1.3 – Explain the reasoning behind the selection

Evidence: Written explanation

Explain your reasons for your selection of memory cards and file formats for this assignment.

There are two major memory card formats for digital cameras, which are a Compact Flash (CF) and Secure Digital (SD). I use a SDHC (high capacity) memory card for my DSLR camera. The cards have a large storage capacity from 8GB up to 32GB. I typically use 16GB to 32GB and use by photographing images and then downloading them on my computer. Once the card is full I protect the card by moving the slider button at the side and put in a safe place for future backup even though I have the option to format and reuse. The card is small enough making storage easy but I am also aware that they could also be easily lost . I like how the SD cards are widely supported by device manufactures such as a variety of computers, making downloading images quick and effective. The SCHC card enables my camera to work sufficiently by reading and writing the image information fast enough in order to keep up even when shooting continuous. I would consider the latest SDXC (extended capacity) which formats are larger but are much more expensive than a SDHC card. A high capacity card is better recording videos and for action photography such as sports and wild life, also night photography when using slow shutter speeds. When taking single frame photographs a slower memory card would be a cheaper solution.

I have my camera setup to take both Raw and Jpeg. I use Raw files because they are better in quality, which gives me the option to re-adjust my camera settings in Photoshop. This is because the Raw file preserves most of the image information without processing and compressing giving a better quality image. Particularly when I take still life images, I find this as an advantage because it enables me to be creative. Also when you enlarge a Raw file, the image is sharper and less pixelated in contrast to a Jpeg file. Raw files can only be opened in certain software such as Photoshop as this is a specialised  format and not as user friendly as a Jpeg file.

The images in Jpeg format are processed and compressed within the camera, therefore the image quality is not as good as a Raw file. The advantages of using Jpeg format depends on the images I want to take. For example, Jpeg format is good to use when you are taking action, such as sports and media images. This is because the information is compressed which means faster storage and faster data transfer. Continuous shooting is quicker therefore you are not waiting as long for the camera to catch up potentially missing out on a great action shot. Also there is more data capacity to hold more photographs on your memory card using Jpeg in contrast to using Raw format. On occasions I like to shoot in both Raw and Jpeg as I find this gives me more options. For example I can send a photo out quickly using bluetooth without having to reduce the file size but If I wanted to select the same image in RAW format I can post editing without losing image quality.

Illustrating the format options on my Nikon camera

1.4 – Explain the factors which influence battery life

Evidence:  Written explanation

My lithium batteries are crucial for my camera to operate therefore battery managements essential to maximise the life of the battery. Factors to consider which may drain the life of my battery are listed in the following:

www.dcresource.com

Image showing my battery and battery charger.

• Using the LCD screen on back of the camera uses lots of energy. Reducing the amount of time viewing the screen and by opting to use the view finder will extend the life of the battery. Previewing images after every shot may be unnecessary therefore by reducing this combined by lowing the screen brightness will also help preserve energy. 

• The zoom lens is operated by motors which uses power every time you zoom in and out. By reducing this to a minimum and by moving closer to the subject can help towards extending the life of the battery. 

• Auto-focus is controlled by motors and every time the auto button is pressed down the motors are resetting the focus. This continuous action reduces the battery power. By selecting continuous setting for none action shots can be unnecessary therefore setting the auto-focus to the single mode will have less of an impact to draining the battery.

• Keep turning the camera on and off can add to reducing battery life. Therefore, by selecting the power saving mode, shuts down the camera after a period of inactivity rather than pressing on and off button. 

• Using the flash when the light is poor will drain the battery. The flash may be the only option but could be unnecessary if the exposure settings could be adjusted to compensate. When indoors moving to a natural light source such as a window along with reducing the brightness off the flash will contribute to conserving battery life.

• Flash guns use separate batteries to operate. The power needed to use the flash is very intense which reduces the battery life, therefore rechargeable batteries is a sensible option. 

• Using Raw format give a better-quality image as the information is not compressed as with a Jpeg file. By considering what the images are intended to be used for could extend battery life because reducing the resolution by using Jpeg format makes less work for the camera to store the image information. 

• Having features that you do not need such as adding date, time and location information may be unnecessary. Switching these off in the cameras menu will help to extend the life of the battery.

• The temperature can have a negative effect on the cameras battery because extreme heat and cold conditions can result in the batteries draining more quickly to not working at all.

1.5 – Explain how these factors are relevant to the proposed photographic task

Evidence: Written explanation

Explain how your choice of memory cards and file formats, together with battery life are relevant to producing your images.

Different photographic situation influences the life of my batteries. By planning and knowing the reasons behind each action will help me to work more effectively.

I always make sure that I have two batteries fully charge especially when planning a photo shoot. I would check that both batteries are in working order because they could have been affected by age or any extreme temperature changes. This could have a negative effect on the batteries retaining its power. In general, I store my batteries out of my camera in a cool dry place when not in use.

The next thing I would do is check my settings in my camera’s menu. I would reduce the brightness of my LCD screen and turn on the sleep mode to shut down after inactivity. These would be my standard menu settings that I would not change. The playback mode I find useful particularly when I am photographing still life but once I am happy with the lighting I would turn this off and would view the image and through the viewfinder. The LCD screen although very useful is one of the main culprits to draining the power from my battery.

During a field trip to recent ruby match, I wanted to set auto-focus to shoot continuous. Although I know shooting continuous is a potential drain on my battery, I feel with sports photography it is essential to have this setting. I would not want to slow down my reaction time by using single focusing resulting in missing a potential good picture! I also used my view finder rather than the LCD screen to take the photographs which helped compensate for the continuous mode setting. I also tried to limit the amount of times I would look at the playback mode resulting in preserving my power.

Using the motors on my camera unnecessary can lead to a shorter battery life. I would walk closer to the subject where possible rather than using my zoom lens. I am aware that when I keep pressing the shutter button the lens must reset and refocus which again uses the cameras motors, therefore I try to keep this to a minimum. I would also not use my flash gun unless it was necessary. I would move position and use natural light from a window and use artificial light particularly when taking still life photographs. I would also adjust the exposure settings to see if I could gain more light into my camera sensor but that depends on the type of photograph want to take.

I would also be flexible with the file format. Taking photographs in Raw can reduce power due to the level of detail information recorded. I use Raw for still life, architecture and portrait photographs. This enables me to get the best possible image for post editing. I would change to Jpeg which compresses information for sports, street and documentary photographs. The quality may not be as good as a raw image, but jpeg will have less of an effect on the battery and take up less space on my memory card.

1.6 - Develop a strategy to manage image storage during a photo shoot

Evidence: Written explanation

Explain how you managed image storage during a photo shoot.
What equipment do you use?
What do you do?

Before a photo shoot I would always check to see what capacity was left on my SD card and replace with a new formatted card if there was not enough space left. I would take a couple of test shots and playback to check if the card was working correctly. I also would carry a spare SD card in my camera bag as backup. Next, I would select the right file format for the shoot, either Jpeg or Raw. When I take sports photographs, I would select Jpeg which would help maximise storage on my SD card and helps my camera react quicker to action shots. When I take photographs of still life images I would always use Raw format to produce a better-quality image for enlarging and for photo editing.

After the photo shoot I would make copies of the images by downloading them onto my computer’s hard drive by placing the SD card directly into the memory card slot. I would use Adobe Bridge to organise my selections and delete any photographs that were poor such as being out of focus. I would then make new folder naming the location of the shoot and copy the images across. At this stage I can make a contact sheet in Photoshop by recalling the saved images. I like to print a copy of the contact sheet, which enables me to have a quick visual overview for future use. I keep them all together in a file with file name, location and date. I also find the printed contact sheets useful because I can scribble down my thoughts and ideas.

I use an external hard drive to store my folders because of the amount of space available. The one I am using now is 320GB, but you can buy up to 1TB or more. I like to have more than one external hard drive rather than one with massive storage capacity due to me being cautious. Storing all my photographs on one external hard drive seems to add an element of risk due to the hard drive being damage or lost.

Screen shot showing my folders saved on my external hard drive and also showing the option to store to Dropbox and iCloud .

I use cloud storage but do not pay extra for this service. I use Adobe Cloud, iCloud and Dropbox. I find this useful for storing certain images especially when you can share large files quickly, particularly images that are too large to send via email. Cloud storage is still relatively new to me and therefore, I only use it for convenience and not for a long-term storage option. 

I also use other storage such as USB flash drives or pen drives. I find these to be inexpensive and very portable especially if I wanted to share images. I would not use these for long term storage as the can easily be misplaced and damaged.

www.amazon.com
Image showing a flash drive used to store my images.