⚙️ Technical Cards: Aperture, ISO, and White Balance

Location requirements

You will photograph the Aperture, ISO, and White Balance comparisons in three different locations.

Each location should support the camera setting being tested.

You do not need to select the exact locations before leaving the classroom.

After checking the equipment, walk through the available indoor and outdoor areas and look for locations that meet the requirements.

Work in pairs

You will travel and photograph in pairs for support and safety.

Both partners must:

• Remain together while moving between locations
• Work in the same general location
• Help each other check the tripod and equipment
• Watch for pedestrians, obstacles, and changing conditions
• Confirm that the camera settings are correct before each comparison

The work remains individual.

Working in pairs does not require both students to create the same photograph. Use the same general location, but develop an individual perspective and composition.

Check the equipment before leaving

Complete the equipment checklist before leaving the classroom.

Confirm general camera settings before leaving

Pair check before leaving

Do not leave the classroom until both partners have completed the equipment, camera, and partner checks.

What the comparison should demonstrate

The Aperture GIF should demonstrate how depth of field changes as the aperture becomes narrower.

The main focus point should remain sharp throughout the comparison. The most visible changes should occur in the foreground and background.

The tripod, camera position, framing, focal length, focus, ISO, white balance, subject, and lighting must remain unchanged throughout the sequence.

The only setting you will change manually is the aperture.

Outdoor location requirement

• A stationary main subject
• A clearly visible foreground
• A background positioned several metres behind the subject
• Stable outdoor light
• Minimal pedestrian traffic
• A safe and level place for the tripod

Open shade is recommended because it usually provides more consistent light than direct sunlight.

A tripod is required. Do not complete the Aperture comparison handheld.

Static photographic settings

Set and confirm these controls before beginning the aperture sequence.

Keep all these settings unchanged throughout the sequence. The only setting you will change manually is the aperture.

Photograph the six aperture settings

Photograph the same composition using:

1. f/5
2. f/6.3
3. f/8
4. f/11
5. f/16
6. f/22

At f/16 and f/22, the camera may select a slow shutter speed. The tripod helps prevent camera shake, but a moving subject may still appear blurred.

Photographing and backup procedure

At each aperture setting:

1. Set the required f-number.
2. Take the first photograph.
3. Review the photograph on the camera.
4. Magnify the main subject to check focus.
5. Check for camera movement, subject movement, or unexpected blur.
6. Take a second photograph using the same settings as a backup.
7. Take a third photograph only when one of the first two has a visible problem.

You will select the strongest photograph from each pair when creating the GIF.

Record the settings

Record the information on the Technical Cards Planning Handout.

What the comparison should demonstrate

The ISO Comparison Card should demonstrate how increasing ISO affects:

• Digital noise
• Fine detail
• Shadow quality
• Colour clarity
• The shutter speed selected by the camera

The tripod and camera must remain static throughout the sequence.

The aperture, white balance, focal length, focus, framing, subject, and lighting must also remain unchanged.

The only setting you will change manually is the ISO.

Indoor location requirement

• Low or moderate available light
• A stationary subject
• Fine textures or small details
• A dark or shadowed area
• A stable and level place for the tripod
• Lighting that will remain unchanged throughout the sequence

Avoid locations where:

• Lights may be switched on or off
• People frequently cross the frame
• Sunlight from a window changes rapidly
• The subject or background may move
• Reflective surfaces create distracting glare
• The tripod blocks a hallway, doorway, stairway, or accessibility route

A tripod is required. Do not complete the ISO comparison handheld.

Static photographic settings

Keep the tripod, camera, aperture, focal length, focus, white balance, framing, subject, and lighting unchanged. The only setting you will change manually is ISO.

Photograph the six ISO settings

Photograph the same composition using:

1. ISO 100
2. ISO 200
3. ISO 400
4. ISO 800
5. ISO 1600
6. ISO 3200

The camera will automatically select a different shutter speed as the ISO changes. Do not manually correct the shutter speed or exposure.

Photographing and backup procedure

1. Set the required ISO.
2. Take the first photograph.
3. Review the photograph on the camera.
4. Magnify the main subject to check focus.
5. Check for camera movement, subject movement, or unexpected blur.
6. Take a second photograph using the same settings as a backup.
7. Take a third photograph only when one of the first two has a visible problem.

You will select the strongest photograph from each pair when creating the GIF.

Record the settings

Record the information on the Technical Cards Handout.

What the comparison should demonstrate

The White Balance GIF should demonstrate how the camera interprets the colour of the same light source using different white-balance presets.

The tripod and camera must remain static throughout the sequence.

The aperture, ISO, focal length, focus, framing, subject, and lighting must also remain unchanged.

The only setting you will change manually is the white-balance preset.

Location requirement

• A clearly identifiable light source
• Stable lighting
• A stationary subject
• A white or neutral area
• At least one strongly coloured area
• A safe and level place for the tripod

A tripod is required. Do not complete the White Balance comparison handheld.

Static photographic settings

Set and confirm these controls before beginning the white-balance sequence.

Keep all static settings unchanged throughout the sequence. The only setting you will change manually is White Balance.

Photograph the six white-balance presets

Photograph the same composition using:

1. AWB / Auto
2. Daylight
3. Shade
4. Cloudy
5. Tungsten
6. White Fluorescent

Do not use flash.

Custom White Balance will be introduced in a later activity.

Photographing and backup procedure

1. Set the required White Balance.
2. Take the first photograph.
3. Review the photograph on the camera.
4. Magnify the main subject to check focus.
5. Check for camera movement, subject movement, or unexpected blur.
6. Take a second photograph using the same settings as a backup.
7. Take a third photograph only when one of the first two has a visible problem.

You will select the strongest photograph from each pair when creating the GIF.

Record your observations

Transfer all files

The camera will save recorded photographs twice: once as a .JPEG file and once as a RAW file (.CR2).

1. Turn off the camera.
2. Remove the SD card.
3. Insert the SD card into a card reader.
4. Create the main project folder on the computer.
5. Copy all RAW and JPEG files from the SD card into the project folder.
6. Confirm that the files open correctly on the computer.
7. Do not work directly from the SD card.

Create this folder structure:

Name-Lastname-Technical-Cards/
├── Aperture/
│   ├── RAW/
│   └── JPEG/
│   └── Selected/
│   └── Exported-JPEG/
├── ISO/
│   ├── RAW/
│   └── JPEG/
│   └── Selected/
│   └── Exported-JPEG/
└── White-Balance/
    ├── RAW/
    └── JPEG/
    └── Selected/
    └── Exported-JPEG/

Sort the files into the correct comparison and file-type folders.

Your final selection should contain:

Aperture: 6 selected JPEG files
ISO: 6 selected JPEG files
White Balance: 6 selected JPEG files

Review the JPEG photographs

Open the JPEG folder for each comparison and check every photograph.

For each camera setting:

1. Compare the photographs taken at that setting.
2. Confirm that the main subject is sharp.
3. Check for camera movement or subject movement.
4. Confirm that the framing remained consistent.
5. Check that no person or unexpected object entered the composition.
6. Select the strongest photograph.
7. Copy the selected JPEG into the corresponding Selected folder.

Copy the selected files rather than moving them. Keep all original JPEG and RAW files in their existing folders.

Do not delete the additional JPEG photographs or RAW files.

Rename the selected Aperture JPEG files

Rename the six selected files in order:

01-f5.jpg
02-f6.3.jpg
03-f8.jpg
04-f11.jpg
05-f16.jpg
06-f22.jpg

Rename the first file using the lowest f-number recorded at 50 mm. The exact value may differ slightly from f/5.

Rename the selected ISO JPEG files

01-100.jpg
02-200.jpg
03-400.jpg
04-800.jpg
05-1600.jpg
06-3200.jpg

Rename the selected White Balance JPEG files

01-AWB.jpg
02-Daylight.jpg
03-Shade.jpg
04-Cloudy.jpg
05-Tungsten.jpg
06-Fluorescent.jpg

Confirm the file organization

Do not erase or format the SD card. Keep all original camera files until the instructor confirms that the transfer and backup are complete.

Complete these steps separately for each GIF: Aperture, ISO, and White Balance.

For this activity, use only the JPEG files in each Selected folder.

1. Add information to each selected photograph

1. Open the photograph in Photoshop:
   • Right-click the file.
   • Select Open With → Adobe Photoshop.
2. Select the Type Tool (T).
3. Add the setting shown in the photograph:
   • Aperture: f/5, f/8, f/11, etc.
   • ISO: ISO 100, ISO 400, ISO 1600, etc.
   • White Balance: Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, etc.
4. Use a simple, readable sans-serif font.
5. Keep the font, size, alignment, and colour consistent across all six photographs.
6. Position the label in the same place on every photograph.
7. Use View → Rulers and drag guides from the rulers to align the labels consistently.
8. Make sure the text is clearly visible against the photograph. Add a simple solid background behind the text when necessary.
9. When the label is complete, flatten the image:
   • Go to the Layers panel.
   • Confirm that the text and image layers are visible.
   • Select Layer → Flatten Image.
10. Save the edited image: Select File → Save.

Check the Photoshop Text Tool and ruler tutorials below before adding the labels. Repeat the same process with each image.

2. Create a new Photoshop document

Follow the video tutorial below, then use these document settings.

1. Open Photoshop.
2. Select File → New.
3. Enter the following settings:
   • Width: 1920 pixels
   • Height: 1080 pixels
   • Orientation: Landscape
   • Resolution: 150 pixels/inch
   • Colour Mode: RGB Colour
4. Click Create.
5. Continue to the next step.

3. Create the GIF

Follow the video tutorial below to create a frame animation in Photoshop.

1. In Photoshop, select File → Scripts → Load Files into Stack.
2. Click Browse.
3. Select the six labelled JPEG files from the corresponding Selected folder.
4. Click Open, then click OK.
5. In the Layers panel, confirm that each photograph appears on a separate layer.
6. Select Window → Timeline.
7. In the Timeline panel, select Create Frame Animation.
8. Open the Timeline panel menu.
9. Select Make Frames From Layers.
10. Confirm that the frames appear in the correct order:
    • Aperture: lowest to highest f-number
    • ISO: 100 to 3200
    • White Balance: AWB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent
11. When the frames appear in reverse order:
    • Select all frames.
    • Open the Timeline panel menu.
    • Select Reverse Frames.
12. Select all six frames.
13. Set the duration to approximately 1.5 seconds per frame.
14. Set the looping option to Forever.
15. Press Play and review the complete animation.
16. Continue to the next step.

Export GIF

1. Select File → Export → Save for Web (Legacy).
2. Select GIF.
3. Confirm that looping is set to Forever.
4. Save using the required filename.

Name_Aperture-Card.gif
Name_ISO-Card.gif
White-Balance-Card.gif

Open the exported GIF in a web browser and watch it from beginning to end.

What is next?

Continue with 🗣️ Technical Cards Exhibition and Group Review.

Credits: Jessica A. Rodríguez