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Date November 2018 Marks available 3 Reference code 18N.1.SL.TZ0.3
Level SL Paper 1 Time zone no time zone
Command term Explain Question number 3 Adapted from N/A

Question

Sports photographs

ACP is a company that specializes in taking photographs of participants in large sporting events, such as cycling and running events. ACP recently photographed the participants in a cycle event (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: An example of a low-resolution image that includes a watermark from the ACP website

ACP’s photographers were positioned at five different points on the course, including the start and finish lines. Each photographer is equipped with a digital camera that takes high-resolution images1. The photographer’s job is to photograph as many participants as possible.

After the event, the photographs are compressed and transferred from each camera’s memory card to the ACP database. The photographs have tags added by the software, which recognizes the race participant by the number pinned to their bike.

The images for each participant have their resolution reduced and are watermarked2 before they are added to ACP’s website. The participants are then able to purchase high-resolution copies of the photographs that do not have watermarks.

It is also possible for anybody who views the image to purchase and download a high-resolution copy.


1 resolution: the detail an image holds. It can be measured in pixels per centimetre.

2 watermark: a message (usually a logo, stamp, or signature) superimposed onto an image

Identify two types of digital media ACP could use on its website.

[2]
a.i.

Identify two file compression techniques.

[2]
a.ii.

Outline one problem that may be caused by the use of file compression techniques.

[2]
a.iii.

Explain why each image has its resolution reduced before it is uploaded to ACP’s website.

[3]
b.i.

Explain why each image is watermarked before it is uploaded to ACP’s website.

[3]
b.ii.

Some people feel uncomfortable about having their photographs taken and posted on a public website.

To what extent is it acceptable for ACP to take photographs of participants, post them online, and sell them without asking their permission?

[8]
c.

Markscheme

Answers may include:

 

Award [1] for identifying each type of digital media ACP could use on its website up to maximum of [2].

a.i.

Answers may include:

 

Award [1] for identifying each appropriate technique up to maximum of [2].

a.ii.

Answers may include:

 

Award [1] for identifying a problem of using file compression techniques and [1] for a development of that problem up to maximum of [2].

a.iii.

Answers may include:

 

Award [1] for identifying a reason why each image has its resolution reduced and [1] for each subsequent development of that problem up to maximum of [3].

b.i.

Answers may include:

 

Award [1] for identifying a reason why each image is watermarked and [1] for each subsequent development of that problem up to maximum of [3].

b.ii.

Answers may include:

Arguments for it being acceptable:

Arguments for it not being acceptable:


In part (c) of this question it is expected there will be a balance between the terminology related to digital systems and the terminology related to social and ethical impacts.

Keywords: data, privacy, anonymity, images, security, authenticity, consent, online forums, sub-culture, online marketplaces, change, power, values, ethics

 

Refer to SL/HL paper 1, part c markbands when awarding marks. These can be found under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials > Digital society markbands and guidance document.

c.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.i.
[N/A]
a.ii.
[N/A]
a.iii.
[N/A]
b.i.
[N/A]
b.ii.
[N/A]
c.

Syllabus sections

Topic 3: Content » 3.4 Networks and the internet
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