Course name: Science and technology photography

School: Jinan Zhensheng School, Shandong

Highlights: scientific, artistic

It may seem that technology and photography don’t have much in common, but at Jinan Zhensheng School, Professor Song Hongxiao from Shandong University has brought these two worlds together in a science photography course. Song guides his students on how to use cameras to capture (捕捉) scientific phenomena, allowing artistic photography to blend with the wonders of science.

Over six lessons last semester, Song introduced one experiment per class and showed students how to photograph it effectively.“The most striking experiment was shooting a steel ruler struck by a small ball,”said Liu Zequn, 17. The biggest challenge was capturing the moment of maximum deformation (最大形变) with the right timing and camera settings. He later practiced at home by photographing a water drop splashing (溅落) into water.“The beauty of splashing water is hard to catch,”he said.

When photographing optical paths (光学路径), students used cameras to record light refraction (折射) with laser pointers (激光笔) and prisms (棱镜).“Geometric optics used to feel distant; they were just boring black lines in textbooks. Now I see real light beams (光束) before my eyes,”Liu explained.

Rather than giving students exact camera settings, Song encourages them to experiment on their own.“My photos of electric sparks were not clear and messy at first,”said Li Chengxuan, 16. After repeated attempts and discussions with classmates, she found the proper shutter (快门) speed and improved her results.

Adapted from a university physics course, the class focuses on everyday physics phenomena to inspire students. According to Song, physics on exam papers often feels distant. He adds, however, that the course allows students to see physics in the real world.“They discover that real science is ever-changing, involves decimal points (小数点) and requires them to observe and explore for themselves.”

“In contrast to taking photos of landscape and people, science photography freezes brief, tiny, even moments you can’t see such as airflow,”Li added. The experience has increased her curiosity about both science and daily life.

By ZHANG DONGYUE, 21st Century Teens