Photography Fundamentals — Proficiency Exam

15 questions · pass with 50%

1. What does a smaller f-number such as f/1.8 mean compared with f/8?
A smaller opening, less light, deeper focusA larger opening, more light, typically shallower focusA faster shutter automaticallyA longer focal length
2. You want to freeze a runner. Which mode lets you choose a fast shutter while the camera picks aperture?
Aperture priority (A/Av)Shutter priority (S/Tv)Bulb onlyVideo mode
3. Why is "more megapixels" not automatically a better camera?
Megapixels have no effect on filesOn a small sensor, packing more pixels can increase noise when light is limitedOnly film cameras resolve detailMegapixels only affect video
4. You keep brightness the same but open the aperture from f/8 to f/2.8. What else must change, and what will the picture likely do?
Lengthen the shutter or lower ISO; background typically goes softerNothing else changesYou must raise ISO; the background always gets sharperFocal length automatically doubles
5. A tripod is mounted but a dancer is still smeared. The missing control is usually:
A slower shutter to gather more blur on purposeA faster shutter (or flash) to freeze the subjectA smaller memory cardSwitching to a crop sensor
6. Why might a snow scene come out grey straight from the camera?
Snow has no colour so the file must be greyThe meter tries to place the scene at middle grey, underexposing bright snow unless you compensateISO cannot be used in snowHistograms do not work in daylight
7. The rule of thirds is best treated as:
A legal requirement for exhibition printsA starting grid that often improves off-centre placement, not a lawA way to force every horizon through the exact centreA white-balance setting
8. A lamppost appears to grow out of a subject's head. The usual fix is:
Raise ISO two stopsChange standpoint so the post no longer aligns with the headConvert to black and whiteUse a slower shutter
9. Why leave space in front of a walking person in the frame?
Cameras require empty pixels on the leftLooking room in the direction of travel usually feels natural; crowding the front edge can feel trappedIt reduces file sizeIt forces a slower shutter
10. Open shade under a tree at midday is usually:
Harder than direct sunSofter than direct sun, often with cooler colourIdentical to a bare on-camera flashUseless for portraits
11. Why does direct on-camera flash often look harsh?
Flash is illegal in most citiesThe source is small, frontal, and close to the lens, so shadows are sharp and flat on the faceFlash always freezes too much motionBatteries change white balance
12. A room has daylight from a window and a warm tungsten lamp. One white-balance setting:
Will make both sources perfectly neutralCan correct one source; the other will still show a colour cast unless you change a lamp or gelDisables RAWOnly affects ISO
13. When is it safe to format a memory card?
As soon as the thumbnails look fine on the camera LCDAfter the files are copied to at least two storage locations you have verifiedNever; cards cannot be formattedAfter sending one JPEG by message
14. Why start with global exposure and white balance before heavy local retouching?
Local tools do not work until you exportGlobal moves set the overall picture; local work on a badly balanced file is wasted effortRAW forbids local editsHistograms only appear after retouching
15. You are posting to a website. Which colour space is the usual safe choice?
Any random wide-gamut space labelled max qualitysRGB, which browsers and most devices expectCMYK, because screens use inkProPhoto only, always

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