Newbie Lens Help PLEASE :)

[brookie_85]

Ok so I've just started my photography diploma, and the readings I was given to answer the questions at the end of the first module make NO sense at all.
The whole module has been written in "photography jargon" so how is someone like me who is just learning supposed to be able to understand it??
Ok so anyway, I have some questions I need some help with. About which lens/attachments/filters I would use for a given situation. I'm new and unsure of where to place questions about this sort of thing, is here the correct place?

[sybren]

Sure, fire away!

[dcclark]

Ask away!

[inkista]

Here's a glossary of photography terms (including most of the digital ones).

And for lens basics, I recommend reading through this primer, particularly the first three sections on focal length, prime vs. zoom, and max. aperture.

For filters, the main three filters that digital photographers tend to use are:

1. UV - ultraviolet. Cuts haze, but mostly used as physical protection of the front lens element because it's clear, doesn't add color to the scene, and relatively inexpensive. Whether or not you need one is a matter of religious schism.
   
   
2. Circular Polarizer - A way of reducing only the reflected light in a scene--getting rid of highlights on water, glass, or metal. You can control the amount of reduction by rotating the filter and changing the direction of polarization filtering.
   
   
3. Neutral Density - Like sunglasses for your camera, a neutral density typicaly doesn't add color to the scene, but reduces the amount of light coming in. This way you can get slower shutter speeds or use wider aperture settings. Some ND filters are constantly dark across the frame, some are graduated and go from dark to light across the frame. This is for landscape photography to even out the dynamic range by darkening the sky.

The majority of other filters are for color effects of some kind, and today with digital photography rather than film, it tends to be more precise and flexible to use digital post-processing to manipulate the color.

[brookie_85]

Thanks so much all Ok I'm going to post the questions from my class, and if anyone has any insight I'll be so much happier. I've borrowed to library books and they've been much more helpful than the class notes so far. This is only the first module of the course, we've hardly covered anything about lenses and all these questions are scenarios and I'm so lost!

[brookie_85]

Ok so here goes:-

For each of the following photographic situations, describe the lens, attachments and filters you would use. Assume that you are shooting on a small format SLR digital camera will a full size 35mm sensor and have only the following lenses: 20mm, 28mm shift, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm macro, 135mm, 300mm. Please nominate the lens or lenses chosen and give a brief explanation of why you made the choices you did.

Now see this is where I'm confused, because I could try and answer but really have no clue what I'm talking about lol. I'll post each scenario as a "new post" that way if people reply with their answer they can "quote" it so it doesn't get so confusing. I appreciate any help and explanations

[brookie_85]

1. An Architect has hired you to photograph the facade of a new ten floor building he has just completed, constructed of concrete. There are five story buildings on the street opposite and he wants an accurate rendition of his work.

- Ok so lens wise I really have no clue, the widest?
And would it be wise to stand on the top floor of the building across the road so you can take an accurate picture or?

[brookie_85]

2. An architect has hired you to photograph the facade of a new twenty floor building he has just completed. The design is very modern and he is looking for a creative photo to enhance his design. There are ten story buildings on the street opposite. The building is made of stainless steel and glass.

[sybren]

Originally Posted by brookie_85

For each of the following photographic situations, describe the lens, attachments and filters you would use. Assume that you are shooting on a small format SLR digital camera will a full size 35mm sensor and have only the following lenses: 20mm, 28mm shift, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm macro, 135mm, 300mm. Please nominate the lens or lenses chosen and give a brief explanation of why you made the choices you did.

They ask you to do something "for each of the following photographic situations", but I don't see any situations described.

I'll post each scenario as a "new post" that way if people reply with their answer they can "quote" it so it doesn't get so confusing.

No need, people can edit whatever is quoted and only quote what they want to quote in their quotation As a matter of fact, just make it one post so that people can reply in one post as well.

[brookie_85]

3. A magazine has hired you to shoot a cover shot of a model's head. There will be hair and makeup artists and they want an outdoor shot on an overcast day.

- I'm guessing them mentioning an overcast day is where I'm supposed to mention some sort of filter?