Assessing your portrait photography knowledge
Instructions: Read each question carefully and select the best answer from the options provided.
1.(3.1.1C) What must you do FIRST in order to extend the legs of your tripod?
a. Twist the tripod leg locks in a clockwise direction
b. Extend the tripod legs to desired height
c. Twist the tripod leg locks in a counter-clockwise direction
d. Unsnap the tripod leg locks to detach them from the tripod legs
2. (3.1.2A, 3.1.2B, 3.1.2C, 3.1.2D) In order to properly attach the camera to the tripod, you must:
a. Locate the threaded screw at the top of the tripod
b. Twist the camera and tripod together until they are snugly joined
c. Locate the threaded hole at the bottom of the camera
d. Join the threaded hole in the camera to the threaded screw of the tripod
e. All of the Above
3. (3.2.1, 3.2.3, 3.2.4) Which of the following is NOT a component of properly arranging a subject for a portrait?
a. Select subject’s position based on your desired end result
b. Determine subject’s pose
c. Move camera into position
d. Determine what subject will be doing with his/her hands
e. Remove all extraneous elements from the shot
4. (3.3.2, 3.3.3) The sequence of steps to properly arrange the camera position once the subject is in place is:
a. Position the camera with the tripod attached, adjust the tripod for the desired camera height, and adjust the camera to eye level
b. Position the tripod with camera unattached, attach camera using the threaded screws of tripod, adjust tripod legs to subject eye level
c. Position the camera with the tripod attached, adjust the camera to the desired height, and adjust the tripod to eye level
d. Position the tripod with camera attached, adjust the tripod for the desired camera height, re-lock tripod legs
5. (3.3.3C) In order to fine-tune the height of the camera you would adjust the:
a. Camera’s exposure dial
b. Tripod’s center post lever
c. Camera’s leg locks
d. Tripod’s threaded screw
6. (3.4.1, 3.4.2A, 3.4.3) Once camera and subject have been positioned, it is recommended that you ensure that:
a. Subject is positioned facing the camera
b. Subject is not directly facing a light source
c. Subject has an elongated posture
d. None of the above
e. All of the above
7. (4.1.2, 4.1.3) What are indications that you should remove/mitigate excess available light on your subject? (Check all that apply):
a. Subject has dark shadows on face
b. Subject has bright spots on face
c. Subject’s posture is not elongated
d. Subject is squinting
8. (4.2.2) While looking through your camera’s viewfinder, calculate an exposure reading by:
a. Depressing the shutter button half-way
b. Rotating the exposure dial clockwise
c. Rotating the exposure dial counter-clockwise
d. Fully depressing the shutter button
9. (4.2.4) Upon viewing your camera’s exposure meter it displays the following reading: 
Based on this information, you conclude that taking the photo at the current lighting and camera settings will result in a photo that is:
a. Over-exposed
b. Properly exposed
c. Under-exposed
d. None of the above
10.(4.3.5A, 4.3.5B, 4.3.5) Upon viewing your camera’s exposure meter it displays the following reading: 
Based on this information, you conclude that the best course of action is to (check all that apply):
a. Rotate the exposure dial clockwise until the exposure meter reads “0”
b. Rotate the exposure dial counter-clockwise until the exposure meter reads “0”
c. Take the photo and hope for the best
d. Remove light source(s) until the exposure meter reads “0”
11. (5.1) In order to increase the chances that your subject is properly focused you should:
a. Ensure the camera and tripod are at eye level to the subject
b. Ensure that the subject is not facing direct light
c. Ensure that the camera’s auto-focus setting is enabled
d. Ensure that the photo is not over-exposed
12. (5.1.3) Which autofocus mode is best for portraits?
a. Continuous
b. Automatic
c. Single-Shot
d. Dynamic Area
13. (5.2.4, 5.2.3, 5.2.2) Which item below is NOT a component of achieving proper focus of a subject?
a. Audio indication (beep) confirming that auto-focus has been achieved
b. Removing camera’s lens cap
c. Ensure that camera and tripod are at subject’s eye level
d. Depressing shutter button half-way to activate auto-focus
e. Aim camera’s focus point at subject’s eyes
14. (5.3) Once auto-focus has been achieved but before the picture is taken, it is critical that you:
a. Hear the audio indication (beep) confirming that auto-focus has been achieved
b. Aim camera’s focus point at subject’s eyes
c. Ensure that camera and subject remain stationary
d. Depress the shutter button half-way
15. (6.1) To capture the photo:
a. Depress the shutter button half-way
b. Click the menu button and select ‘take photo’
c. Rotate the exposure dial counter-clockwise
d. Fully depress the shutter button
16. (7.1) To review photos in-camera:
a. Rotate the exposure dial counter-clockwise
b. Fully depress the shutter button
c. Click the playback button
d. Click the menu button once
17. (7.2.1, 7.3.1, 7.3, 7.4.1) While reviewing photos you should confirm that:
a. The subject is positioned as desired
b. There are no overly-dark areas of photo
c. The subject’s eyes are in focus
d. There are no overly-bright areas of photo
e. All of the above
18. (7.4.1) In order to ensure there aren’t unintended out-of-focus areas of the photo you should:
a. Rotate the exposure dial clockwise to correct for under-exposure
b. Fully depress the shutter button to take another photo
c. Use the magnify functionality to zoom into key areas of the photo
d. Depress the shutter button halfway to achieve proper focus
Answer Key
-
- C
- E
- C
- A
- B
- E
- B,D
- A
- C
- B,D
- C
- C
- C
- C
- D
- C
- A
- C
Continue to Knowledge Checkpoint