| Scientific Photography
July 30 - August 19, 2006Instructor: Dr. James Wood, BBSR MOST SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THIS CLASS WILL BE GIVEN OUT BY APRIL 20th, SO PLEASE SIGN UP NOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING.
Scientific Photography is an intensive class comprised of lectures, required reading, laboratory exercises, demonstrations and field assignments set at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research (BBSR). This three-week course
exposes students to the use of photography as a scientific tool. Photography is frequently used to communicate scientific data and concepts at meetings, on posters, and in publications. It is also frequently used as a measuring and data recording tool for studies such as growth, percent coverage and camouflage. Photographs are increasingly used in taxonomy.
The BBSR is an ideal location for this course. As a mid-Atlantic island, Bermuda has many unique animals and plants. These include a critically endangered skink, an endemic species of killifish, a critically endangered endemic seabird as well as many introduced invasive species. Bermuda's ecosystems include anchialine ponds, rocky shores with limestone formations, sea grass beds, mangrove forests, caves and coral reefs. BBSR has been conducting field research for a hundred years. This course is taught in an environment where there is always a lot of interesting research going on.
Students will be taught the basics (f-stop, shutter speed, film speed, lenses, lighting, flash) and exposed to advanced techniques (dark field illumination, close up photography, underwater photography). Both the physics of photography and an introduction to the art of composition will be taught. Students will be taught how to create images for different purposes and audiences. For example, creating images for a magazine cover, a peer-reviewed
journal or an image to record scientific data for experimental analysis requires different methods. Students will be graded on assignments, exams, and a final oral presentation of their work which is open to the community. Course requirements will be completed during the three week period spent in Bermuda.SCUBA diving and snorkeling are not required for this course. However, limited
opportunities to dive and snorkel in Bermuda's beautiful water are an exciting part of the underwater photography section of the course. Divers and snorkelers will need to bring their own equipment with the exception of weight belts and tanks which BBSR can provide. Divers must have their dive card and all appropriate BBSR dive forms upon arrival and will need to pass a checkout dive with our dive master.The maximum class size is 15. The format and content of the course is geared to upper level undergraduates and graduate students. Students do not need to know photography prior to this course, but they should learn how to adjust the basic controls of their cameras prior to arrival. Amateur photographers with a
strong background in biology are also welcome. This intense fast-paced course meets from 9 to 5 each week day, with occasional sessions at night. Assignments and studying are often in addition to this. The beginning of the course is lecture and assignment rich while the second half is primarily composed of field trips. Students should bring all supplies with them as prices in Bermuda are high. All students must bring the following equipment: • A digital SLR camera or digital camera that is as close to an SLR as possible
• Cables and/or software to download images to a PC
•
Assorted lenses (macro, normal, wide angle) or a zoom lens
• A grey card
• A tripod
• Batteries as needed Optional equipment: • An underwater housing for your camera
• Polarizing filter for at least one of the lenses
• A flash, preferably one that can be moved away from the camera
• Rubber lens hood for lens
• Laptop computer In addition, please see the BBSR web site for general items that you should bring to Bermuda.
Course fee: $3,500 (tuition, room and board)
Competitive scholarships are available to cover the costs of the course.
Online Application Printable PDF Application Form Back to summer course list |
