Photographic Imaging 1

Display Schedule

Code Completion Credits Range Language Instruction Semester
311PGI1 ZK 2 2T English winter and summer

Subject guarantor

Josef PECÁK

Name of lecturer(s)

Josef PECÁK

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Students should be acquainted with different methods of light measurement and how to relate the results with respect to the properties of photographed objects to film stock. The aim is to learn different correct ways of exposing photographic materials used in cinematography or still photography.

Mode of study

Theory lectures are supplemented with practical examples, rich image material and experimental tests.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

No prerequisities

Course contents

The practice of still-photography and cinematography is becoming more a branch of applied science and less an empirical craft; therefore, it is increasingly necessary to base the practice on a thorough understanding of photographic materials and processes rather than on rule-of-thumb methods. In a sense, the craft has been simplified by advances in the production of more satisfactory new materials and equipment and the development of new and better methods, but the very diversity of these materials and the tremendously increased scope of modern photography and cinematography combine to demand a more thorough knowledge of fundamentals than was formerly necessary.

Schedule of aasignments:

1/ Light concept – electromagnetic spectrum, visible part of the spectrum, light generation, natural phenomena – sunlight, skylight, man-made sources, incandescence, luminescence.

2/ Measurament of light quality – color temperature, limitation to color temperature, the technical specification of light sources – tungsten, flashtubes, fluorescent.

3/ Filters – general filter information- glass filters, gelatin filters, acetate filters, filters for black and white photography, filters for color photography, mired system for light source conversion.

4/ Color meters – types of color temperature meters, evaluation of color temperature with respect to photographic materials, practical tests with light sources and filters.

5/ Measurament of light intensity – light detection, light units, basis of photometry – inverse square law, cosine law, photometers – illuminance photometers, luminance photometers.

6/ Properties of objects – index of reflection, index of transmission, optical density, psychometric tone scale and its relation to indexes of reflection, average gray.

7/ Relation between object and optical image – parameters influencing illumination in the film plane, lens aperture, stop numbers, effective stop numbers, extension tubes, magnification.

8/ Calibration of photometers – calibration of luxmeters, calibration of spotmeters, useful formulas – calculation of exposure illumination.

9/ Speed systems – ASA, DIN – ISO, practical speed testing, testing objects and their properties, practical experiments.

10/ Tone reproduction – negative material influence, positive material influence, transfer and reproduction quadrants, the effect of flare, details in shadow and highlights, useful latitude, used latitude.

11/ Setting the correct exposure – methods used for setting the correct exposure with illumination meters and luminance meters, relation of luminance to scale of indexes of reflection.

12/ Practical testing – measurament with different types of photometers, testing of photometers, analysis of practical tests.

Recommended or required reading

Texts/Resources

Resources B and E are recommended for overall data and information

A. Student Filmmaker´s Handbook, Eastman Kodak Company, 1990

B. American Cinematographer Manual, Fifth Ed., Hollywood,

C. IES Lighting Handbook, Reference Volume, Illuminating Engineering Society of NA,

1984

D. Michale J.Langford: Advanced Photography, The Focal Press, 1972

E. W.F.Berg: Exposure - Theory and Practice, The Focal Press, 1968

F. D.J.Corbett: Motion Picture and Television Film, 1968

G. Ralph M.Evans: An Introduction to Color, John Wiley and Sons, 1948

H. R.W.G.Hunt: The Reproduction of Colour, Fountain Press, London, 1967

Readings regarding individual topics

  1. Light concept ? F-p.13-20, G-p.22-36, C-p.2.1-2.9
  2. Measurement of light quality ? D-p. 87-93, H-p. 131-148
  3. Filters ? A- p.71-85, F-p. 33-36
  4. Color meters ? practical demonstration
  5. Measurement of light intensity ? C-p. 4.1-4.5, F-p. 20-30, 39-40
  6. Properties of objects ? F-p. 25-30
  7. Relation between object and optical image ? F-p. 157-163

Calibration of photometers ? F-p. 157-163

  1. Sensitometry? A-p. 18-30
  2. Setting the correct exposure ? practical demonstration

Assessment methods and criteria

Central to the course is how well students can apply the material presented in practice, tackle practical problems connected with measurement of light and set the correct exposure. The course grade will be calculated as follows:

-Midterm test 30%

-Final test 30%

-Discussion 30%

-Regular and active participation in classes 10%

Note

pecakj@famu.cz

Detailed schedule available upon request in FAMU International office.

Schedule for winter semester 2018/2019:

06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
Tue
room 233
Room No. 4
(Lažanský palác)
PECÁK J.
09:00–10:35
(lecture parallel1)
Wed
Thu
Fri
Date Day Time Tutor Location Notes No. of paralel
Tue 09:00–10:35 Josef PECÁK Room No. 4
Lažanský palác 		lecture parallel1

Schedule for summer semester 2018/2019:

06:00–08:0008:00–10:0010:00–12:0012:00–14:0014:00–16:0016:00–18:0018:00–20:0020:00–22:0022:00–24:00
Mon
Tue
room 233
Room No. 4
(Lažanský palác)
PECÁK J.
09:00–10:35
(lecture parallel1)
Wed
Thu
Fri
Date Day Time Tutor Location Notes No. of paralel
Tue 09:00–10:35 Josef PECÁK Room No. 4
Lažanský palác 		lecture parallel1

The subject is a part of the following study plans