This unit describes many of the foundation skills needed by those planning a career in photo imaging, but also applies in contexts where photography may not be the primary job role or main focus of work activity. For example, in the creative sectors a visual artist uses these skills to document the progress of work. In the events industry, an event coordinator might need to take photographs of potential venues or site layouts. Image styles may be technical, photojournalistic or illustrative. Further skills needed by professional photographers are covered in the unit CUVPHI401A Capture images in response to a brief.
At this level, work would be undertaken independently but within established parameters. Supervision or guidance is available as required.
Not applicable.
1. Prepare to capture digital images | 1.1. Discuss photographic project with relevant people and select appropriate camera and accessories 1.2. Assess digital camera features to ensure that outcomes meet project requirements 1.3. Plan shots for the project taking into account digital camera features, lighting, photographic design elements and photographic techniques |
2. Preview and experiment with image capture | 2.1. Operate digital camera according to manufacturer specifications 2.2. Set digital camera preferences and use photographic techniques to achieve desired results 2.3. Adjust planned shots as required and experiment with different ways of achieving desired results |
3. Review images | 3.1. Download digital images or scan developed film images using appropriate digital imaging software where appropriate 3.2. Rotate, cull, sort and rename images to meet requirements 3.3. Apply metadata and key words to images as required 3.4. Back up and archive as required 3.5. Seek feedback from others on quality of original captures and note areas for future improvement |
4. Enhance images | 4.1. Enhance images using digital imaging software 4.2. Evaluate outcome against project requirements and confirm with relevant people as required 4.3. Seek feedback from others on quality of enhanced images and note areas for future improvement |
5. Finalise image capture process | 5.1. Catalogue as required, ensuring extraction and embedding of all necessary metadata as required 5.2. Complete workplace documentation as required 5.3. Clean and store equipment and accessories according to workplace procedures |
Required skills
communication and literacy skills to:
interpret and clarify written and verbal instructions
follow instructions in equipment operation manuals
interpret technical charts or diagrams associated with standard cameras
critical thinking skills to evaluate a range of information in order to assess and respond to the requirements of a photo imaging project
problem-solving skills to:
resolve minor equipment set-up problems
identify and correct image issues when enhancing
self-management skills to:
work within requirements of a project
seek expert assistance when required
technical skills to proficiently use:
a digital camera to create well-composed photo images
software and other equipment to enhance photo images.
Required knowledge
basic photographic techniques
features of standard digital cameras
cleaning and maintenance techniques for cameras and accessories
key photo imaging industry terminology
pixel count (megapixels) and how this relates to resolution and output size of the final image
elements and principles of design for photo images
manuals, safety and other documentation relevant to image capture and storage requirements and locations
OHS procedures in relation to photo imaging work, cameras and computers.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the ability to: capture photo images that meet the quality and look requirements for a range of projects use a wide range of features of a standard digital stills camera. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: materials, resources and equipment needed to capture digital photographic images. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: practical demonstration of skills using a camera to capture images for specific purposes evaluation of images captured by the candidate oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of camera techniques and features discussion and/or written report of the nominated techniques applied to selected subject matter review of portfolios of evidence review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners. Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling). |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended. |
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant people may include: | clients colleagues managers mentors other specialised creative staff people being photographed supervisors teachers. |
Accessories may include: | batteries computer and monitor, including laptop computer computer cables and hub extension leads filters lens hoods light reflectors light absorbers monopod memory storage devices: flash drive external hard drive memory card range of lenses tripod. |
Digital camera features may include: | aperture: minimum and maximum values battery: type, size, voltage and output power colour, target and working space compatibility of hardware with digital imaging software exposure compensation file format and compression/quality if relevant flash, such as: fill flash flash compensation on-off red-eye reduction second or rear curtain sync slow-sync focussing options: auto facial recognition focus points manual ISO: auto, manual, film speed and push/pull processing lens focal length: close-up/macro telephoto wide angle memory storage device: type, capacity and read/write speed menu functions metering options: centre weighted matrix spot operating modes: aperture priority automatic (green square) manual program shutter priority resolution: megapixels and compression/quality if relevant scene modes: backlight beach fireworks macro night snow sunset shutter speed: minimum and maximum values subject modes: portrait landscape sports macro viewfinder diopter adjustment values white balance: auto (AWB) Kelvin value sunlight shade tungsten zoom: range maximum aperture at extremities of focal length. |
Lighting | ambient axis lighting backlit daylight diffused direct directional-diffused front lit moonlight natural light on-camera flash open shade raking reflected or bounced rim light side lighting silhouetting top or overhead lighting under lighting window light. |
Photographic design elements | balance colour relationships: accent on neutral similar complementary monochromatic tetrad triad composition: rule of thirds golden mean fallow edges (margins) contrast: increased or decreased emphasis and de-emphasis, e.g. depth of field eye tracking framing: angle of view field of view point of view leading lines line, curve, shape and form positive and negative space perspective proportion repetition scale subject separation: by colour by focus by tone symmetry and asymmetry unity. |
Photographic techniques may be: | activating auto focus setting depth of field: minimum and maximum hyperfocal points relationship formula between focal length, distance from subject and aperture metering for exposure: contrast evaluation grey card incident reflected spot using focus lock and prefocus controlling perspective with focal length: flattened normal steepened working with moving subjects and motion: freezing movement with high shutter speed freezing movement with flash implying movement with second or rear curtain flash sync panning a moving subject implying movement with slow shutter speeds capturing a time exposure sequence. |
Digital imaging software may include: | wide range of programs, such as: Adobe Photoshop Adobe Photoshop Elements Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Apple Aperture Corel Paint Shop Pro Corel PhotoPaint GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP and GIMPshop). |
Sort may include: | auto sort by metadata drag into an order flag group like images together label rate stack. |
Metadata may include: | copyright notice copyright status creator date of capture/date created description international standards: EXIF IPTC PLUS headline or caption job or identifier number key words or tags geotagging and GPS coordinates rights usage and terms subject title version. |
Enhance may include: | straightening: horizon or a known horizontal or vertical line correcting perspective, such as converging verticals cropping to discard surplus data setting most common resolution, without resampling specifying tonal range allocating contrast compensating for colour cast or tint boosting vibrance, saturation and chroma basic spotting: dust marks remove red eye. |
Documentation may be: | digital: catalogue diagrams and plans database spreadsheets hard copy: visual diary data sheets with notes diagrams and plans sketches. |
Visual communication – photo imaging
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.