Photo Skills Assessment Survey?

Status
Not open for further replies.
reidthaler

reidthaler

Reid
Joined
Jul 4, 2008
Messages
624
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
Lightroom Experience
Power User
Lightroom Version
I'm putting together a photo skills assessment to help evaluated new clients wanting to learn Lightroom.

Not wanting to recreate the wheel, does any know of or have a similar survey that I could use? If not, and it would be helpful, i could post what I come up with an people can add to it and then if would be available for all.

Thanks!

Reid

[size=44pt][/size]
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Great idea, I would be interested in the outcome!! thanks..................... :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
This isn't even a completed 1st draft, but maybe others will join in and make it easer for me :)

[size=11pt]Digital Skills[/size]

[size=11pt]Digital Asset Management[/size]

[size=11pt]Do you have at least 2 back up copies of your images (and image databases if working in Lightroom) with a least one copy stored off site[/size]

[size=11pt]What media to you use to back up your images? [/size]Hard Drives? DVDs?

[size=11pt]Do you rename your images?[/size]

[size=11pt]Are your images keyworded?[/size]

[size=11pt]Do you back up your image editing software custom presets and settings?[/size]

[size=11pt]Image Processing[/size]

[size=11pt]How long have you shot digitally?[/size]

[size=11pt]Do you post process your images (i.e. adjust [/size]tone, color, contrast)

[size=11pt]If so, how would you describe your skill level?[/size]

[size=11pt]Do you understand Color Management (i.e. color and printer profiles, color spaces?)[/size]

[size=11pt]Do you calibrate your monitor with a colorimeter?[/size]

[size=11pt]Do you print your own work? [/size]Are you using a printer profiles?

[size=11pt]Software Programs[/size]

[size=11pt]What image editing programs do you use? (i.e. Lightroom, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Paint Shop Pro)[/size]

[size=11pt]What other programs do you use? [/size](i.e. Noiseware, Nik Sharpener)

[size=11pt]What programs would you like to learn?[/size]


[size=11pt]Photography skills[/size]

[size=11pt]How long have you used an adjustable camera?[/size]

[size=11pt]How would you describe your skill level using your camera?[/size]

[size=11pt]Have you processed prints in a darkroom?[/size]
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Do you shoot raw or jpeg files or both?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
[quote author=Kiwigeoff link=topic=7476.msg51138#msg51138 date=12496'2368]
Do you shoot raw or jpeg files or both?
[/quote]

good!

Hey, do I loose my "Junior Member" status after 1'' posts? If so, then this is it!

Reid
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Looks like you are a member at my end, thanks for your contributions Reid!! 8)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A question under photography skills, but could be applied to any-- How much time do you spend shooting (practicing) so as to improve your skills?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
[quote author=MarkNicholas link=topic=7476.msg51145#msg51145 date=12496'6338]
What is an "adjustable camera" ??
[/quote]

One where you can adjust tthe f-stop and shutter speed
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Do you know the color zone system? if the answer is yes, that person really knows what he is doing.

Do you know when to over-ride the camera's suggested exposure when using some type of matrix metering? Do you use a digital 1% spot meter to determine exposures over the camera's metering system? Have you taken courses in composition? Are you able to determine the scene brightness range before taking a photograph? Are you able to make adjustments to decrease the range?( I guess Photomatix would come in handy here)

Bob- the slide shooter at heart
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
What's the the color zone system?

Reid
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I am going to give a basic overview of the color zone system( I really to not have the time since I work full time). There are seven zones: lll, lV, V, Vl, Vll, Vlll. lll is defined as the blackest black with some detail, and Vlll is whitish white with some detail. In order to do this, one must use a digital spot meter(I have a Pentax) and meter the yellow car. All light meters will give you a reading that gives you an exposure that will correspond to zone V( middle gray, kodak 18%, mid tone, etc). I know that yellow is in zone Vl. All I do is add one stop and nail the exposure.
In real life, I will look at the scene and determine if the camera's metering system can handle the situation. In most cases, the camera does fine. Only extreme cases, where I have to over-ride my camera like my Polar bear trip- too much white. Plus, one must practice the zone regularly. I really do not. But, I can refer to my notes if I have to.

Bob- the slide shooter at heart
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
OK. I've heard it referred to as the Zone System, but thought it was more for B&W having to do with tweaking exposure and processing times based or previsualized desired tones.

With digital, I shoot and check the histogram. If I haven't blown the highlights and the shadows aren't too dark, I figure I can dig a picture our of there somewhere.

Reid
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Yes, zone is actually both B/W and color. I used it when I shot slides. With digital, you get instant feedback with the histograms. If I have the time, I am going to try to correlate the histogram with the color zone system.

Bob- the slide shooter at heart
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
[quote author=Robert T Higaki link=topic=7476.msg51177#msg51177 date=1249623398]
...one must use a digital spot meter and meter the yellow car.[/quote]
Taxi meter? ;) :icon_mrgreen:
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
[quote author=reidthaler link=topic=7476.msg51178#msg51178 date=1249623946]

If I haven't blown the highlights ....... I figure I can dig a picture our of there somewhere.

[/quote]

And if I have to, I tell everybody look at this great Hi-Key treatment. :)

Another handy cross-check to ask about, is the f/16 rule for exterior ambient lighting.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
[quote author=Brad Snyder link=topic=7476.msg512'3#msg512'3 date=1249665815]
[quote author=reidthaler link=topic=7476.msg51178#msg51178 date=1249623946]

If I haven't blown the highlights ....... I figure I can dig a picture our of there somewhere.

[/quote]



And if I have to, I tell everybody look at this great Hi-Key treatment. :)

Another handy cross-check to ask about, is the f/16 rule for exterior ambient lighting.

[/quote]Right! It's not a bug, it's a feature!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
[quote author=Robert T Higaki link=topic=7476.msg51171#msg51171 date=1249615612]
Do you know the color zone system? if the answer is yes, that person really knows what he is doing.
[/quote]

I've never heard of the Zone System being called the Colour Zone System before. It relates to luminosity so has nothing to do with colour. You can get a very good explanation here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_system
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
OK, to put this thread back on track, here's the survey I came up with:

Digital Skills



Digital Asset Management



Do you have at least 2 back up copies of your images (and image databases if working in Lightroom) with a least on copy stored off site?



Yes, Method No



What media to you use to back up your images? Hard Drives DVDs Other:



Do you rename your images?



Yes, Naming Template: No Other



Are your images keyworded?



Yes No



Do you back up your image editing software custom presets and settings?



Yes, Method No



Image Processing



Do you shoot raw or jpeg files or both? raw or jpeg files or both



How long have you shot digitally?


Do you post process your images (i.e. adjust tone, color, contrast)


If so, how would you describe your skill level?


Do you understand Color Management (i.e. color and printer profiles, color spaces?)


Do you calibrate your monitor with a colorimeter?


Do you print your own work? Are you using a printer profiles?

Software Programs



What image editing programs do you use? (i.e. Lightroom, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Paint Shop Pro)

What other programs do you use? (i.e. Noiseware, Nik Sharpener)


What programs would you like to learn?

Photography skills



How much time do you spend shooting (practicing) so as to improve your skills?


How long have you used an adjustable (f-stop/shutter speed) camera?


How would you describe your skill level using your camera?


Have you taken courses in composition?


Do you know when to override the camera's suggested exposure when using some type of matrix metering?


Have you processed prints in a darkroom?


What is that you want to learn?


What do you want to do with your photography? (check all that apply)



Post on a web site I create

Email images

Make Prints on my own printer Send out have printed

Sell to others on a web site I create. ( I have a web site: www. )



What best describes your learning style:

Visual Learners: (Learn through seeing) .I need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson. I think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs. During a lecture or classroom discussion, I often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.

Auditory : (learn through listening). I earn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. I learn the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. I often benefit from reading text aloud.

What teaching style work best for you?

Lecture style, taking notes, then practicing on my own

Practicing at the same time something is taught

Handouts

Video Tutorials

Books

Web sites
What else would you like to add about your skills, aptitudes, and interests?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Reid, thanks for posting this assessment, as well as your post about the camera club training. I found them to be a good challenge to see how I was doing & set the bar a little higher!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top