Introduction to Digital Photography

and
Digital Image Editing with Adobe® Photoshop™
by
Jim Kilkelly
Grades 6- 12 and Continuing Education
Minneapolis, MN
Introduction This is a perfect example of the main advantage of digital photography,
which is its’ immediacy.
As all photographers who have worked with digital cameras since their
introduction in the 1990’s know, digital camera technology and pricing
The primary principle when learning photography is to take many
changes rapidly so it is futile to recommend any specific camera or
pictures. Never take just one. When you think a few is enough, take a
digital imaging equipment. For this reason, the concentration of this
dozen. Traditional photography requires a wait between the taking of a
course is on understanding the basic concepts of digital photography.
picture and the development of the film for viewing. With digital
This will enable the digital camera user to purchase and master the
photography, the ability to immediately view and edit images gives us
cameras that will best suit their needs, no matter what the state of
the freedom to make mistakes and to quickly learn from them. For this
technology may be at any given time.
reason, digital photography supports the primary requirement for
mastering photography, which is to take many pictures.
Jim Kilkelly Statement
Recently, at an outdoor picnic I got into a
conversation with one of the guests about
why I became a professional photographer.
It was hard to explain the allure of
exploring images and the effects of light to
someone with no vocabulary or training in
the subject. Then I looked up and spotted
an interesting scene right in front of us,
with shifting light creating geometric
shadows on a boat by the old red barn. I
picked up the digital camera in my lap, shot
the scene, and using the LCD screen on
the camera could immediately explain why
I was attracted by that image, ideas that
had been so hard to convey using words
alone. (Illustration to the left shows Jim “Barn and Boat”
Jim Kilkelly Kilkelly shooting with the first Kodak Digital
Camera Prototype.)
Another advantage of digital photography is its relatively low cost cameras and a basic understanding of the principles of a digital camera.
when compared to traditional photography. Traditional film based The basics of shooting successful pictures with a digital camera will
photographs had to be processed or sent to the lab which could reference some tips from traditional photography and highlight how
take days and incur substantial film and processing costs. traditional photography applies to the digital shoot. Also covered will be
Polaroid photography offers immediacy but the film is costly so it an introduction to image correction in the computer and creating a
is not an acceptable alternative for the average photographer. By digital print of a digital photo. These topics and shooting assignments
comparison, digital photo media can be used and reused offer a thorough approach to helping students and digital imaging
endlessly which significantly cuts down on the cost. Cost control beginners get a handle on digital photography.
is the second advantage of digital photography.
Some lessons will reference on-line resources that will most likely
Some people are perfectly happy taking pictures and living with evolve in keeping with the changes in the technology. These references
what the lab sends back. But there are other photographers who should be researched and reported on for each lesson. Also, by
want to. have more control over the processes that produces the continuing to refer to these sites, student can continue to update their
final image. knowledge and build their expertise.
A comprehensive list of additional reference materials addressing a
This brings us to the third point regarding the advantages of wide range of issues, tools and techniques is provided in this workbook.
digital imaging, which is the ability to optimize and/or manipulate After mastering the basics, these numerous resources will help new
images. users move on to more sophisticated projects.
With digital imaging, there are tremendous choices for image
enhancement and control. In the traditional darkroom the learning Hardware:
curve is long and costly. The digital darkroom, which is a 1. Computer specifications are best assessed by reviewing the
computer image editing program such as Adobe Photoshop or requirements specified by digital imaging software you will be using.
Photoshop Elements, offers the opportunity to explore creative 2. Additional information on digital imaging can be obtained through
options quickly and at little material cost.
Adobe Education web resources at www.adobe.com/education.
All in all, digital photography is an excellent choice for those who
are learning photography. Though it is still necessary to learn all Introduction to Digital Photography Software:
the traditional things about how to take a picture; and what makes 1. Adobe Photoshop Elements, Intended for the web and digital printing.
a good picture in terms of technique, content and form; the time Does not contain pre-press settings and tools
required to learn these skills is greatly condensed through the use 2. Adobe Photoshop CS, Has the ability to open digital camera raw files
of digital imaging. directly from the camera into the application
3. Adobe Photoshop Album 2
Course Objectives 4. iCorrect Plug-in, by Picto Color Corporation,
http://www.picto.com/editlab/default.htm
As a guide to getting started in digital photography this course will 5. Nik Sharpener Plug-in, by Nik Multimedia Inc.,
cover computer concepts that accompany the study of digital http://www.nikmultimedia.com/company/usa/entry.php