ADVANCED / INTERMEDIATE English lesson: Taking photographs in English

Always remember that during the lesson we are continuing our RP practice to be able to improve our pronunciation and diction.

These English lessons contain the following six sections.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. New Vocabulary Section
                                       2. Reading and Pronunciation Section
                                       3. Questions Section
                                       4. Video Listening Section
                                       5. Grammar 1 Section
                                       6. Grammar 2 Section

1). NEW VOCABULARY SECTION:

Here are five advanced / intermediate English words for an advanced / intermediate English student, along with their meanings and example sentences:

• Aperture

  • Example: “Adjusting the aperture can dramatically change the depth of field in your photograph.”
  • Grammar Question: What is the function of the article “the” in the sentence “Adjusting the aperture can dramatically change the depth of field in your photograph”?
  • ANSWER:  In the sentence “Adjusting the aperture can dramatically change the depth of field in your photograph,” the article “the” is used as a definite article. Its function is to specify and refer to a particular noun that is already known or can be identified by the reader or listener.

• Exposure

  • • Example: “Proper exposure is essential to capture the right amount of light in an image.”
    • Grammar Question: What role does the word “proper” play in the sentence structure?
    • ANSWER: In the sentence “Proper exposure is essential to capture the right amount of light in an image,” the word “proper” functions as an adjective. It modifies the noun “exposure,” describing the quality or condition of the exposure that is necessary. In this context, “proper” specifies the type of exposure required, indicating that it must be appropriate or correct to achieve the desired outcome of capturing the right amount of light in an image.

• Composition

  • Example: “The composition of the photograph draws the viewer’s eye to the main subject.”
  • Grammar Question: Identify the direct object in the sentence “The composition of the photograph draws the viewer’s eye to the main subject.”
  • ANSWER: In the sentence “The composition of the photograph draws the viewer’s eye to the main subject,” the direct object is “the viewer’s eye.”

    The direct object is the noun or noun phrase that receives the action of the verb. In this sentence, “draws” is the verb, and “the viewer’s eye” is what is being drawn, making it the direct object.

• ISO

  • Example: “Increasing the ISO setting allows you to take clearer photos in low-light conditions.”
  • Grammar Question: Why is the infinitive “to take” used after “allows” in the sentence?
  • ANSWER: 

    In the sentence “Increasing the ISO setting allows you to take clearer photos in low-light conditions,” the infinitive “to take” is used after “allows” because “allow” is a verb that is commonly followed by an object (in this case, “you”) and then an infinitive verb (in this case, “to take”). This structure is used to indicate that the subject (increasing the ISO setting) gives permission or the ability for the object (you) to perform the action of the infinitive verb (take clearer photos).

    In English grammar, certain verbs like “allow,” “enable,” “permit,” etc., require an object and an infinitive to complete their meaning. This construction is known as a “causative verb” structure, where the subject causes or enables someone or something to do something else.

• Shutter Speed

  • Example: “By decreasing the shutter speed, you can capture motion blur effectively.”
  • Grammar Question: What type of sentence is “By decreasing the shutter speed, you can capture motion blur effectively”?
• ANSWER:  The sentence “By decreasing the shutter speed, you can capture motion blur effectively” is a complex sentence.

  Here’s why:

  • Complex Sentence: It contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. In this case, “you can capture motion blur effectively” is the independent clause, and “By decreasing the shutter speed” is a dependent clause (a participial phrase) that provides additional information about the condition under which the action in the independent clause occurs.

• Depth of Field

  • Example: “A shallow depth of field can isolate the subject from the background.”
  • Grammar Question: Explain the use of the preposition “from” in the sentence.
  • ANSWER:    In the sentence “A shallow depth of field can isolate the subject from the background,” the preposition “from” is used to indicate separation or distinction between two entities. Here’s a breakdown of its use:

    1. Function of “from”: The preposition “from” is used to show the origin, source, or point of separation. In this context, it indicates a separation or distinction between the “subject” and the “background.”

    2. Isolating Effect: The sentence discusses the photographic technique of using a shallow depth of field to make the subject stand out. By isolating the subject “from” the background, the photographer creates a visual distinction where the subject is clear and focused, while the background is blurred.

    3. Prepositional Phrase: “From the background” is a prepositional phrase where “from” is the preposition, and “the background” is the object of the preposition. This phrase modifies the verb “isolate,” specifying the context in which the isolation occurs.

    In summary, the preposition “from” in this sentence is crucial for conveying the idea of separation, helping to articulate how the depth of field technique visually distinguishes the subject from its surroundings.

• Framing

  • Example: “Using natural elements for framing can add depth to your photograph.”
  • Grammar Question: What is the grammatical function of “for framing” in the sentence?
  • ANSWER:    In the sentence “Using natural elements for framing can add depth to your photograph,” the phrase “for framing” functions as a prepositional phrase. It acts as an adverbial phrase modifying “natural elements.” Specifically, it explains the purpose of using natural elements, indicating that their use is intended for the purpose of framing in the context of photography.

• Resolution

  • Example: “High resolution is crucial for printing large-scale images without losing quality.“
  • Grammar Question: How does the word “without” function in the sentence “High resolution is crucial for printing large-scale images without losing quality”?
  • ANSWER:  In the sentence “High resolution is crucial for printing large-scale images without losing quality,” the word “without” functions as a preposition. It introduces a prepositional phrase “without losing quality,” which provides additional information about the manner in which large-scale images should be printed. Specifically, it indicates a condition or circumstance that should be avoided during the printing process. The phrase explains that maintaining high resolution ensures that the quality of the images is not compromised when they are printed at a large scale.

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2). READING & PRONUNCIATION SECTION:

3). QUESTION SECTION:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Identify all of the different examples of adjectives in the paragraph above.
                  2. Identify any adverbs present in the paragraph.
                  3. Identify and regular verbs in the paragraph.

4). VIDEO LISTENING SECTION:

Questions:

1.  Name all of the first 7 parts she talks about.
2. Name the 12 parts she talks about when showing the back of the camera
3.  What does LCD mean?
4. Where does the SD card go in the camera?
5. What is a tripod socket?
6. What are the two settings we need to consider before taking a photo on a DSLR or CELL PHONE?

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5). GRAMMAR SECTION ONE:

How to pronounce the ‘ed’ sounds in regular verbs.

‘ED’ practice text

In this text remember that we are practicing our RP but at the same time we are going to practice how to pronounce the ‘ed’ in regular verbs. Here is an explanation.

In English, the pronunciation of the past tense suffix “-ed” varies and is determined by the final sound of the root verb:

1. /t/ Sound: We use this sound when the root verb ends in voiceless consonants (except for /t/), such as /p/, /k/, /s/, /ʃ/ (sh), /ʧ / (ch), and /f/. For example:
– “walk” becomes “walked” and is pronounced as /wa: kt/
– “laugh” becomes “laughed” and is pronounced as /laugh: ft/

2. /d/ Sound: We use this sound with root verbs ending in voiced sounds, which include all vowel sounds and voiced consonants (except for /d/), such as /b/, /g/, /v/, / z/, etc. For example:
– “call” becomes “called” and is pronounced as /ca lld/
– “rob” becomes “robbed” and is pronounced as /rob bd/

3. /ɪd/ or just /d/ Sound: We use this sound distinctly when the root verb ends in either a /t/ or a /d/. This additional syllable makes it easier to pronounce. For example:
– “want” becomes “wanted” and is pronounced as /ˈwant: id/
– “need” becomes “needed” and is pronounced as /ˈneed: id/

6). GRAMMAR SECTION TWO:

Here is a comprehensive guide to the grammar rules for all of the perfect tenses in English, along with examples:

Present Perfect Progressive Tense

Rule: The present perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred at an unspecified time in the past or an action that began in the past and continues in the present. It is formed by using the present tense of the auxiliary verb “have” (have/has) followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Structure:

• Subject + have/has + past participle

Examples:

• I have eaten breakfast. (Action at an unspecified time in the past)
• She has lived here for five years. (Action that began in the past and continues in the present)

Past Perfect Tense

Rule: The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action or time in the past. It is formed by using the past tense of the auxiliary verb “have” (had) followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Structure:

• Subject + had + past participle

Examples:

• I had finished my homework before the movie started. (Action completed before another action)
• They had left by the time I arrived. (Action completed before another action)

Future Perfect Tense

Rule: The future perfect tense is used to describe an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future. It is formed by using “will have” followed by the past participle of the main verb.

Structure:

• Subject + will have + past participle

Examples:

• I will have finished my project by tomorrow. (Action that will be completed before a specific future time)
• She will have travelled to five countries by the end of the year. (Action that will be completed before a specific future time)

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Rule: The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and has continued up until now, often with an emphasis on the duration. It is formed by using “have/has been” followed by the present participle (verb + ing).

Structure:

• Subject + have/has been + present participle

Examples:

• I have been studying for three hours. (Action started in the past and continues up to now with emphasis on duration)
• She has been working here since June. (Action started in the past and continues up to now with emphasis on duration)

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Rule: The past perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past and was completed before another past action. It is formed by using “had been” followed by the present participle (verb + ing).

Structure:

• Subject + had been + present participle

Examples:

• I had been reading for two hours when the power went out. (Ongoing action in the past completed before another past action)
• They had been living in Paris for a year before they moved to London. (Ongoing action in the past completed before another past action)

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Rule: The future perfect continuous tense is used to describe an ongoing action that will be completed before a specific future time, often with an emphasis on the duration. It is formed by using “will have been” followed by the present participle (verb + ing).

Structure:

• Subject + will have been + present participle

Examples:

• By next month, I will have been working here for five years. (Ongoing action that will be completed before a specific future time with emphasis on duration)
• They will have been traveling for 24 hours by the time they arrive. (Ongoing action that will be completed before a specific future time with emphasis on duration)
• These rules and examples should help you understand and use the perfect tenses in English accurately.

ANSWERS TO GRAMMAR QUESTIONS:

Let’s break down the paragraph to address each of the grammar questions:

1. Complex Sentence:

   • Example: “These devices, equipped with high-resolution sensors and sophisticated image-processing capabilities, offer remarkable convenience and accessibility.”
   • Structure: This sentence is complex because it includes a main clause “These devices offer remarkable convenience and accessibility,” and a non-essential participial phrase “equipped with high-resolution sensors and sophisticated image-processing capabilities,” which provides additional information about “these devices.”

2. Participial Phrase:

   • Example: “equipped with high-resolution sensors and sophisticated image-processing capabilities”
   • Function: This participial phrase describes the noun “These devices.” It functions as an adjective, providing more detail about the technological capabilities of the devices.

3. Relative Clause:

   • Example: “which can limit creativity in more controlled photographic environments.”
   • Explanation: This relative clause modifies the noun phrase “the control manuals and lens versatility that professional digital cameras offer.” It adds information by explaining the limitation posed by cellphone cameras in comparison to professional digital cameras.

4. Parallel Structure:

   • Example: “the ease with which one can capture and instantly share high-quality images with others, transcending geographical boundaries.”
   • Analysis: The parallel structure in this sentence is found in the phrases “capture and instantly share.” Both verbs are in the same form, creating a rhythm that enhances the clarity and flow of the sentence. The use of parallel structure emphasizes the dual capabilities of modern digital cameras and cellphones in capturing and sharing images.

 

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