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Unit 2: TYPES OF PHOTOGRAPHS
Key unit competence
At the end of this unit, you should be able to interpret different types of photographsIntroduction
Ingabire, is a Senior Two student in Nyagatare School. She held her birthday party last year. She asked her friend, Mugabo, to take photographs during the party. After the party, she went to the nearby recreational park where they took many photographs with her friends. Today, the park is different because many trees and flowers have been planted in it. It is more beautiful than it was before.
Seven months later, Ingabire still remembers her birthday party as if it was held yesterday. She is fond of showing her friends the photographs when narrating how her party was.
From the story above, you will realise that photographs are very important. This is because they can be used to record and keep information. This information is usually about various things that happen around us. They can also show how the environment around us has been changing over time.In Senior One, we learnt about the differences between maps and aerial photographs. In this unit, we will learn more about photographs by studying Definition of photographs, Types and parts of photographs and Importance of photographs.
2.1 Definition of photographs
Activity 2.1
Study the following photograph carefully.
In pairs:
a) List down all the things you can see.
b) State the activity taking place in the photograph.
c) Estimate the time of the day when the photograph was taken.
From Activity 2.1, you will realise that the photograph above has images of people and objects. The photograph also shows in great detail other features in the area.
A photograph is an image of an object or person taken with a camera and printed on a special paper.
2.2 Types and parts of photographs
1. Types of photographs
Activity 2.2
Study the following photographs carefully.
a)Identify the main images each photograph is showing.
b)List all the other things the photographs are showing other than the main images.
c)With a reason, state the position where the person who took each of the photo was.
d)Suggest where these photographs might have been taken in Rwanda.
Photographs can be categorised according to the viewpoint, that is, the point from which they were taken. From this, the following types of photographs can be identified:
•Those taken while on the ground
•Those taken from above the ground
There are two types of photographs. These are classified on the basis of the position and location of the camera at the time the photograph was taken.
The two types of photographs are:
a) Ground photographs
b) Aerial photographs
Photographs can be categorised according to the viewpoint, that is, the point from which they were taken. From this, the following types of photographs can be identified:
•Those taken while on the ground
•Those taken from above the ground
There are two types of photographs. These are classified on the basis of the position and location of the camera at the time the photograph was taken.
The two types of photographs are:
a) Ground photographs
b) Aerial photographs
Activity 2.3
Classify Photo A and B shown in Activity 2.2 as either a ground photograph or an aerial photograph.
a) Ground photographs
Ground photographs are further divided into three:
(i) Ground general view
(ii) Ground close-ups
(iii) Ground oblique
Activity 2.4
The following photographs show the three types of ground photographs:
Read the definition of each the three types of ground photographs then classify the above photographs accordingly:
(i) Ground general view: These types of photographs are produced when the camera is held horizontally to the ground facing the area or landscape focused on. Objects in such photographs become smaller the further they are from the camera.
(ii) Ground close-ups: In such photographs, the camera is focused on one major object such as a person, an animal or a house. The object may block out the other things behind it.
(iii) Ground oblique: The photographer in this type of photos stands on a higher (or lower) ground than the object. The camera is then tilted or slanted towards the object or area of focused an angle less than 900 .
b) Aerial photographs
There are two types of aerial photographs. These are aerial oblique photographs and vertical aerial photographs.
(i) Aerial oblique photographs
These are photographs that are usually taken at an angle, typically 45 degrees. These photographs can cover a large area. The objects nearer the camera are usually larger than those far away.
(ii) Vertical aerial photographs
These are aerial photographs that are taken vertically above the land. In such photographs, only the top part of the features or objects can be seen. These photographs can be use for making maps.
Activity 2.5
In groups, study the following photographs. Classify them as either aerial oblique photograph or vertical aerial photograph respectively. Give reasons for your answer.
Parts of a photograph
Understanding the parts of a photograph helps us to describe it well.
Photographs have three main areas or parts. These are:
- Foreground
- Middle ground
- Back ground
The following diagram shows how the sub-divisions can be done on a photograph.
Activity 2.6
Study the following photograph and identify what is found in the foreground, middle ground and background
Foreground
The foreground is the area that is nearest to the camera. Objects in this area are always bigger and clearer than those in background.
Middle ground
This is the part in the centre of the photograph. Objects or features in this part are visible but not as clear as those in the foreground.
Background
This is the part that is furthest from the camera. Objects in the background are very small and may be unclear to the observer.
2.3 Importance of photographs
Activity 2.7
In groups of four, discuss the importance of photographs. Summarise the findings and make a class presentation. Use the following points to guide you.
1. Photographs are important sources of history and information when periodically taken and safely stored.
2. They show physical features such as appearance of a landscape or economic activities taking place in a given area.
3. Changes occurring in a place, person or object are recorded better in a series of photographs taken over a period of time.
4. Photographs are easy to take. One does not require special skills to take a photograph. This makes photographs an easy way of storing information.
5. They are easy to share because they are less bulky. Many copies can also be reproduced, making them an easy source to store and share information.
6.Aerial photographs are used for making maps.
END OF UNIT REVISION EXERCISE
1.Define a photograph.
2.In pairs, draw the parts of a photograph.
3.Discuss the importance of photographs.
4.Differentiate between the three parts of a photograph.