PPA CPP (Photography) study plan

Build a one-page exposure decision tree that maps aperture, shutter speed, and ISO choices to three shooting scenarios (freeze action, shallow depth of field, low light handheld), then shoot 20 frames that prove each branch works.

Calculate equivalent exposures by hand for 15 combinations (shutter/aperture/ISO) and verify each with the camera's meter, logging where your predictions diverge by more than one-third stop.

Diagram the inverse-square law and the effect of a modifier's size and distance on falloff, then predict highlight-to-shadow ratios for five setups before measuring them with a meter.

Compare metering modes (evaluative, center-weighted, spot) on the same high-contrast scene and record which mode best protects the highlights you care about.

Identify the practical exposure limits of your sensor by shooting a bracketed series at ISO 100 and ISO 3200 and noting where noise and clipping become unacceptable.

Map focal length to field of view and perspective compression by shooting one subject at five focal lengths from a fixed position and from matched subject-size positions.

Measure and record the actual light falloff of at least three modifiers (bare bulb, softbox, umbrella) at 1x, 2x, and 3x modifier diameter, and state the usable working distance for each.

Practice three- and four-light studio setups (key, fill, rim, background) and document the ratio and purpose of each light in a lighting diagram.

Test high-speed sync versus neutral density filtering for wide-aperture outdoor portraits, and record the tradeoffs in power, range, and consistency.

Evaluate color temperature and tint shifts from mixed sources (daylight, tungsten, LED, flash) and correct each in-camera with custom white balance.

Set up an end-to-end color-managed workflow: calibrate the display, choose a working space, set camera profile and rendering intent, and document each step with screenshots or written settings.

Compare RAW versus JPEG capture on a high-dynamic-range scene and quantify the recoverable highlight and shadow detail in each.

Demonstrate non-destructive editing by building a layered file with adjustment layers, masks, and smart objects, then produce two variants from the same master.

Execute a tethered capture session and verify that embedded profiles, resolution, and bit depth survive the transfer into the editor.

Practice local adjustments (dodge and burn, gradient and radial masks) on three images and note which tools preserve the most flexibility.

Analyze 30 published and personal images using a fixed vocabulary of line, shape, balance, rhythm, and negative space, and record the dominant design principle in each.

Shoot a 12-frame series on a single theme using deliberate framing choices (leading lines, frame-within-frame, rule of thirds versus centered symmetry) and justify each choice in one sentence.

Apply the zone system conceptually to a landscape or still life, previsualizing the tonal placement of five key areas before capture and comparing the result to the print.

Conduct a structured self-critique of your ten strongest images, identifying one recurring compositional weakness and one recurring strength.

Compare two interpretations of the same subject (for example, high-key versus low-key, or wide versus tight) and argue which better serves the intended message.

Prepare print-ready files: convert to the correct output profile, soft-proof, set resolution and sharpening for output size, and verify with a test print.

Compare three paper types (glossy, matte, fine-art rag) by printing the same image and documenting differences in contrast, color saturation, and black density.

Build a sharpening workflow (capture, creative, output) and demonstrate the effect at 100 percent on screen and in print.

Produce a consistent file-delivery package: correctly named masters, client-ready derivatives, contact sheet, and a written delivery note specifying color space and usage.

Diagnose and fix three common output failures (color cast, banding, oversharpening halos) and record the cause and correction for each.

Draft a client agreement covering scope, deliverables, usage rights, payment schedule, cancellation, and liability, and identify the clauses most often disputed.

Build a pricing model that accounts for cost of goods, time, overhead, and profit margin, then apply it to three representative jobs.

Write a model release and a property release and explain when each is required for commercial versus editorial use.

Create a studio safety checklist covering electrical load, sandbagging and rigging, cable management, and chemical or battery storage.

Outline an ethical decision framework for three scenarios (manipulated photojournalism, unauthorized use of a location, undisclosed composite advertising imagery) and state the defensible choice in each.

Run a timed 60-question mixed-domain practice set and log every miss by domain and root cause (knowledge gap, misread, or calculation error).

Re-study the two weakest domains using targeted drills, and re-test those domains until you reach 80 percent accuracy.

Rehearse exposure and lighting calculations under time pressure, completing 20 problems in under 20 minutes with at least 90 percent accuracy.

Rebuild your one-page reference sheets for exposure, lighting ratios, and color management from memory, then correct them against your notes.

Complete two full-length timed mock exams and compare domain scores across both to confirm improvement in the front-loaded domains.

Review every remaining flagged item from weeks 1 through 7 and resolve each to a confident answer with a cited reason.

Finalize a personal exam-day plan covering timing per question, flagging strategy, and how you will handle calculation-heavy items.

Assemble a final portfolio of your ten best images with captions and a one-page statement, and verify all files meet your delivery standard.