Technology & Materials

One of the main types of technology for my project is a DSLR camera which I will be using to take my own photos in the studio as a big part of my magazine design. The model of the camera I will be using is specifically a Nikon D610, which is a full-frame DSLR camera with a maximum resolution of 24.3 MP. I’m using this particular brand and model of camera for my photos because this was one I was lent for my commercial photography independent study this semester, as it is one of the nicer cameras I have used and has taken good quality images thus far. 

Features to Master

The three features most important to master are the key settings of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which change depending on the setup in the studio. Also, knowing how to properly handle the lens in manual mode to focus on the image is another feature that is important. 

Prior to starting my project, I have had many years of practice and learning experience, both in and out of classes, with multiple types of DSLR cameras including both Nikon and Canon models. This has led me to learn a lot about cameras, and play around with all of the settings to have a better understanding of the correct and effective settings for each setup. Another thing that has been helpful in the past and that I will continue to use to master these settings was from a special tool called a light meter which allows me to determine what the best aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings are for my lighting and particular setup.

Sociability

DSLR cameras have impacted the ways we have used photography in a social matter; for one, in how we communicate. When it comes to taking photos, it often allows us to express our own creativity, and communicate something to the viewer. Whether we are communicating a style of photography, a story within the photo, or a deep message, using a digital camera helps photographers communicate creatively. Next, it affects how we connect with others, especially in our day and age of social media, since photos have become a big part of our lives and how we communicate to each other in our communities. To me, using a digital camera allows me to connect with the subjects I am photographing, professionals, and other photographers who are passionate about the art of photography. Lastly, how fast we can take and obtain the images has influenced the kind of editing we can do, and how quickly we can share the photos with clients or on social media.

Cultural Values

The DSLR camera, and photography in general, include a lot of cultural values. First, digital cameras have made photography become more accessible to a wider audience. Especially when using digital cameras in collaboration with the internet, more people are given the opportunity to create and share their work with others. Second, cameras allow people to document important moments and events in our lives, whether it is in a personal, political, or social context that allow us to share those experiences with others. This goes into the last point of how digital cameras have influenced the way we share those photographs, specifically when using social media where it has become easier and more popular to share photos quickly and more often.

Affordances 

My Nikon D610 camera will afford my actions during this project by giving me the ability to change any of the settings by using the multiple icons and buttons on the camera. This allows me to cater to the specificities of my setup such as lighting, subject, and color palette to get a clear, beautifully captured image. Next, having the ability to connect my camera to my laptop to complete a tethered capture session, which allows me to see through the lens of my camera on my laptop screen, further helping me with subject placement, quickly changing settings, and composition. Finally, it will afford my actions because of the long-lasting battery life. This will allow me the efficiency to shoot for long periods of time when doing multiple different setups.

Constraints

A feature of my DSLR camera that can be posed as a constraint is the large size and bulkiness of it. This can make it slightly difficult to get it into the right position, specifically when doing flat lays, where it can sometimes move on its own if not properly locked into place. Another limitation is the fact that the photo captured and shown as a preview may not be exactly the same as what is expected until it’s edited. A last possible constraint is the limited amount of photos that can be taken within a short period of time. Often when taking multiple photos at a time for a moving subject, constant lens zooming, or the need for multiple options, there can be slight delays in taking the photos.