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M7-Practice Test - Answers

Module 7 - The Camera Arts

PRACTICE TEST - ANSWERS

QUESTIONS

  1. Explain the difference between Joseph Niepce’s and Louis Daguerre’s photo development results. Why did one method become the standard for photography and the other didn’t?
  2. What was the relationship that developed between early photography and painting?
  3. Describe how an aperture works.
  4. How did photojournalism change the way news was reported? Do you think it’s still important in the digital age? Why?
  5. The Canadian philosopher and critic Marshal McCluhan coined the term “the medium is the message”. He asserts that new mediums become avenues that help define changes in scale from one medium to another: in other words, how one medium expands or contracts our ability to communicate and express ourselves. How do digital media change the scale in relation to traditional photography? Give two examples to support your answer.
  6. How does film (the movies) change the scale of photography? What are the unique qualities in film that allow it to do this?

RECOMMENDED RESPONSES

  1. Talbot developed a negative image from exposed film. Deguerre developed a postitive image. The negative image can be reproduced, the positive can't. Talbot's process flourished.
  2. Early photographic images mimicked the painting styles popular at the time.
  3. Apertures allow more or less light to pass through them by the opening or closing of mechanical baffles. The amount of light determines the correct exposure.
  4. Photojournalism provided real time photographs to document and substantiate news stories. Digital images provide the same documentation to contemporary news stories, but are available much faster than film technology. Because a digital image can be easily manipulated there is a risk to the integrity of the image that needs to be taken into account.
  5. Digital media provide faster access to images from around the world. Example = Egypt's Tahrir Square protest images The ability to manipulate / edit digital design components increases creative possibilities. Example= architectural design.
  6. Film changes the scale of photography by including the element of time. The narrative plays out in front of the viewer. Film uses projection and sound to add to the visual experience.