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RES.10-001 | Spring 2026 | Undergraduate

# Making Science and Engineering Pictures: A Practical Guide to Presenting Your Work

The Greek roots of the word photography are “photos” (meaning light) and “graphé” (meaning drawing). Taken together photography means “drawing with light.” In this week, we will investigate light.

## Topics

Observe difference between various light sources (LED, tungsten, fluorescent, available light) as well as the effect of bounced light, shadows, and reflective / transmitted light.

## What You’ll Need

- SLR camera with interchangeable lens capacity
- 105 macro lens
- Tripod
- Your camera’s software and cable to view images on your computer
- An additional lighting source

## Assignment

- Find an image of a small object (in a magazine or online), scan or clip the image, use drawing tools to indicate on the image where you think the light sources are positioned.
- Take an image of your object in daylight and label it image 1. Then add a secondary light source and label it image 2.
- Comment on them. Your comments should:
  - Describe the differences
  - Indicate where the shadow(s) lie
  - Make a determination which image is more effective and explain why

### Optional Assignments

Take an image of your object with a direct light source and then use a white card to bounce the light (remember to keep exposure accurate) and take another image.

Think creatively about an unusual lighting method to photograph your object and take a picture. How did the unusual light source impact the photo? Did you learn anything about lighting?

## Visual Index

Week 3 Visual Index (PDF)

## Summing Up

Week 3 Summary (PDF)

## Course Videos

##### Video 11: An introduction

##### Video 12: Fluorescence

##### Video 13: Use Your Imagination

## Course Info

##### Instructor

- Felice C. Frankel

##### Departments

- Chemical Engineering

##### As Taught In

Spring 2026

##### Level

Undergraduate

##### Topics

- Engineering
  - Computer Science
    - Artificial Intelligence
- Fine Arts
  - Visual Arts
    - Graphic Design
    - Photography
- Health and Medicine
- Science
  - Biology
  - Chemistry
  - Physics
- Teaching and Education

##### Learning Resource Types

assignment_turned_in Activity Assignments with Examples
co_present Instructor Insights
equalizer Lecture Audio
theaters Lecture Videos

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