COMM 242: Advanced News Photography (Photojournalism)
Instructor: Ross Collins

Midterm exam review

About 34 multiple choice questions, and one photo critique using composition principles as discussed in class.

Midterm will cover: textbook (Kobré fifth edition) chapters 1-4, 10-13.
Photoshop exercises 1-4.
All lectures, class discussions, and class web site resources.

Particular things to consider:

• how photojournalism differs from other photography (intro lecture);
• operation of cameras and lenses, including focal length, depth of field, how they're related;
• f-stops and shutter speeds, film/digital ISO speed, and how they’re related;
• exposure and its problems;
• color balance and how to adjust;
• light intensity, quality and direction, and why you would choose one over another;
• composition principles and critique of photos. You'll be asked to critique a photo using composition principles as discussed in class.

From your text, in particular take a look at different kinds of shots photojournalists take (chapter 1), cropping (chapter 4), time of day for photography (chapter 11), strobe light techniques (chapter 13). Chapter 16, history, will not be included on the midterm.

Check out the lecture synopses for review. Several questions will relate to f/stop shutter speed combinations. For the midterm we will not have any hands-on Photoshop assignment, but that will be a big part of the final, so be sure to practice.

Review questions for midterm: these are not the actual questions (for the most part), but cover aspects you may need to know for the exam.

1. The primary purpose of photojournalism, as so-called “non-fiction photography” is...?

2. While the majority of photojournalists work for newspapers, name two other media-related careers regularly employing photojournalists.

3. While most cameras have glass lenses, you can take a photo with a pinhole camera. Why does it work?

4. If physics dictates that an image formed on a film from a camera lens or pinhole is upside-down, why do we see the view right-side up in most camera viewfinders?

5. How is refraction of light different from reflection of light?

6. The focal length of a lens is measured in millimeters from the focal plane, that is, the film, to the center of the lens. (A zoom lens is variable focal length.) Of the choices below, which is considered a “long,” or “telephoto” lens, and which is considered a “short,” or “wide-angle” lens, assuming you’re using a standard 35mm film camera or high-end digital equivalent?
28 mm
50 mm
135 mm

7. Which focal length would a photojournalist likely choose to produce a blurred background, that is, shorter depth of field?

8. What is depth of field?

9. Which focal length, a telephoto or wide angle, would give you the greatest feeling of depth?

10. If you wish to increase depth of field, you could change to a shorter, or wide-angle lens. What’s another way?

11. How are f-stops and shutter speeds related?

12. We speak of lens aperture: what is that?

13. Let’s say my light meter showed proper exposure of a scene to be f/2.8 at 1/125 of a second. However, I hope to increase the depth of field. Name a possible f/stop-shutter speed combination that would do that.

14. What would be a drawback of that change?

15. My meter shows a combination of f/5.6 at 1/60 of a second. However, I’m at a basketball game and need to stop action. What combination might a choose allowing me to do that?

16. Which ISO setting would work best taking available light photos in a dim auditorium? ISO 100, 400 or 1000?

17. What is a disadvantage of using the setting you chose above?

18. What is meant by “quality” of light?

19. Why is flash-on-camera considered a poor choice for lighting in most situations?

20. If someone asks for high-key lighting, what does he expect to see?

21. If you chose strong side lighting to illuminate a scene, what would you most likely want to emphasize?

22. You’re shooting in a living room lit by fluorescent light, using color film/digital setting balanced to daylight. How will this affect your photos?

23. In photo composition, what is the “Rule of Thirds?”

24. Photojournalists sometimes talk about the “poster effect” necessary in their photography. What do they mean?

25. Generally you want tight cropping in photojournalism, but name two possible disadvantages of that.

26. You’ve scanned a picture, but it seems not as sharp as it might be in Photoshop. What can you do?

27. Your photo of your home office comes up with a orangish cast in Photoshop. What can you do?

28. What is rhythm and repetition, and why is it a goal in photography?

29. In what situation might you choose to use electronic flash as a “fill-in flash?”

30. Photo stories usually revolve around a “news peg.” What does this mean?

31. Considering a sunny summer day, what will probably be your worst choice for lighting: morning, noon, or late afternoon?

32. The CMYK system relates to what?

33. Name two ways you can reduce harsh shadows from a direct electronic flash on camera.

34. When we talk about getting “detail” into a shadow area, what do we mean?

35. What is the difference between high key and low key?

36. In Photoshop, the Curves adjustment panel is used for what?