Camera Mastery
You need maximum detail for a commercial product shot. Which camera setting impacts perceived sharpness more: aperture or ISO, and why?
Aperture — because lens sharpness peaks at mid-range f-stops (like f/5.6–f/11), while ISO mainly affects noise, not optical sharpness.
A client wants photos for Instagram and a large 24x36 print. What is the main difference between the two export files?
Instagram → sRGB, 72 PPI, JPEG, small dimensions
Print → 300 PPI, TIFF or high-quality JPEG, large dimensions (24x36 inches)
Why is the rule of thirds useful in commercial photography, especially for product ads?
It places the product where the viewer naturally looks and leaves room for text, logos, or branding.
A student edits a JPEG and the image loses quality. Why does this happen and what should the student do to fix it?
JPEG compression loses data; editing amplifies artifacts and reduces color accuracy. The student should edit a RAW file to prevent the loss.
A client requests all RAW files from a photoshoot without paying extra. Why might this be a problem for the photographer, and how should it be addressed professionally?
This can be a problem because it misrepresents the photographer. The photographer also loses control over the work. Giving away RAW files violates copyright laws.
A photographer is shooting in aperture priority at f/2.8. The image keeps overexposing despite lowering ISO. What variable outside of exposure settings could be causing this?
Incorrectly reading the scene and selecting too slow a shutter speed.
Your exported image looks sharp on screen but soft in print. List TWO possible output mistakes
Exported below 300 PPI
Sent sRGB instead of CMYK/TIFF depending on printer requirements.
Printed at larger dimensions than the resolution supported
A photo looks technically perfect but doesn’t feel emotional. What storytelling element is missing? A shot with everything in focus, from foreground to background uses what?
an action, expression, or interaction that gives the viewer something human to connect to.
Describe how a non-destructive workflow is built in Lightroom/Photoshop.
Using adjustment layers, layer masks, smart objects, and avoiding direct pixel edits.
You photograph a product and notice that editing it to look larger than it actually is would make it more appealing. Why is this unethical, and what should you do instead?
It’s false advertising which is misleading the customer and is illegal and unethical. Correct approach would be to photograph the product accurately or creatively suggest size without deception.
Two photographers shoot the same scene, one at ISO 100 and one at ISO 6400. Describe one technical difference in their final images.
The one with higher ISO is more grainy
Explain why printing a file at 72 PPI is NOT the same as exporting a file at 300 PPI, even if the pixel dimensions are identical.
PPI affects how tightly pixels are packed on paper; same pixel dimensions at lower PPI = larger print with visible pixelation.
You want to communicate a “busy morning coffee shop” vibe, but your image looks empty. What two visual and composition choices would fix this?
Add props or people that show activity (steam, movement, hands) or use a wider frame capturing the environment and context.
Why do professional editors use layer masks instead of erasing parts of a layer?
Layer masks are non-destructive you can hide/reveal without permanently deleting pixels.
You photograph a celebrity in public. A brand wants to use the image in a billboard ad. Can you legally sell it for commercial use? Why or why not?
No, even though it’s a public figure, commercial use requires a model release, otherwise it violates the persons rights.
A photographer increases their shutter speed from 1/125 to 1/500. How many stops of light did they lose?
Two stops (1/125 → 1/250 → 1/500)
A magazine rejects your submission because the colors don't appear correctly. What export mistake most likely caused this, and how would you fix it?
Exported in sRGB instead of AdobeRGB/CMYK; fix by editing the color and exporting in the required file format.
You want a photo to show “cozy, intimate reading time” in a café. The initial shot shows the person and a table but feels cold. What three compositional changes would strengthen the story?
Use close framing to reduce empty space and create intimacy.
Include foreground or background elements (cup of coffee, book, warm light).
Use leading lines or framing (window frame, chair, table edges) to guide the viewer’s eye to the subject.
Why is it better to remove blemishes using the Healing Brush instead of the Clone Stamp for portraits?
Healing Brush blends texture + color automatically, making it more natural; Clone Stamp copies exact pixels and can look patchy.
You are hired to photograph a food item, and your client insists on making it appear larger and more appealing than reality for a social media campaign. Discuss how you can meet their goals without violating ethical or legal standards.
Use creative composition and styling techniques such as props, angles/perspective, lighting.
Avoid visibly changing the image in editing and make sure you are transparent.
You need deep depth of field for a product photoshoot but don’t want motion blur. What exposure strategy should you use?
Use a tripod + use a smaller aperture + slow shutter speed.
A company wants a billboard, a website banner, and an email header from a single image. What export workflow ensures all three are optimized without degrading quality?
Create a Master exported package file as a high resolution TIFF file. Create separate file and export each in correct color space (sRGB for the website banner, CMYK for the billboard depending on printer).
You are shooting a product in a lifestyle scenario (e.g., a bicycle on a trail) where the brand wants the image to communicate freedom and adventure. The initial photo is flat and staged. How would you re-compose the shot to elevate the storytelling?
Position the subject on a diagonal or dynamic line for movement.
Include environmental context (trail, landscape) for scale and narrative.
Use leading lines (trail path, tree lines) to guide the viewer to the product.
Incorporate depth with foreground elements or blurred background (DOF) to create immersion.
Consider camera angle: low or tilted to add drama and convey energy.
A student oversharpens a portrait and the skin develops a gritty, textured look. What two tools should they use instead to achieve detail without harshness?
skin retouch layers and texture clarity found in the camera RAW filter.
You are hired to shoot a high-end product (a luxury watch) in a reflective environment. The client wants the product to appear flawless and “stand out,” but without showing any reflections of the studio or yourself. You also need the image to be suitable for both print and digital use, maintaining accurate color and high detail.
What specific combination of shooting techniques, lighting strategies, and post-processing workflow would you use to achieve this, and why?
Shooting Techniques: Use a tripod for stability and sharpness; shoot in RAW for maximum color and tonal control; choose small aperture for sufficient depth of field.
Use diffused lighting at angles that prevent reflections of the studio/camera.
Use non-destructive edits (adjustment layers, masks) in Photoshop; correct color using calibrated monitor for both print (CMYK/TIFF) and digital (sRGB/JPEG) outputs; retouch reflections or blemishes carefully without altering the product’s true appearance.