Cameras can seem complicated to some. It is easy to simply assume that everyone has basic knowledge of the principles, but look at this conversation between a child and an amateur photographer:
Whats that?
A camera
What does it do?
It takes photographs.
What is a photograph?
Its an image of someone or something that people can look at
What is an image?
I dont know how to explain it
How does the camera do it?
The camera lets in light which impinges on the sensor at the back of the unit. This sends electrical signals to a memory card where the image is stored prior to uploading to a computer whereupon the image can be manipulated at will before being further stored, downloaded to a disc or other storage medium, uploaded to online storage facilities or printed on a photo printer.
Oh .
>
Whats a sensor?
Its a thing which allows light to create an image
Whats an image?
I told you, I dont know how to explain it
Oh . How does a sensor work? What is that thing on the front of the camera? What are those buttons for? What does ISO mean? What is WB? What is light? How does the camera let in light and how do we stop it letting in too much. How does the sensor make the image? Why do you need a memory card? How does a memory card work? How do you transfer things to the computer? Why store things on a DVD or online? How does a printer know what to print? Why .
I .. err errrrr ..ask your mum
Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com.
