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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]

Markscheme

Answers may include:

Images
Videos/screencasts
Animations
Text

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:

Lossy
Lossless

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

a.ii.

Answers may include:

The file may not able to be returned to its original state…
which may mean it is not of an appropriate quality / is corrupted/made unusable

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:

Reducing the resolution of an image reduces its size…
so that it can be uploaded more quickly…
which ensures that the maximum amount of data may be transferred in the shortest possible time, which in the case of a cycle event means the competitors can see images immediately after a race / reduces its size so web pages load more quickly when competitors are trying to view them.

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:

Watermarking ensures that the image available on screen is not suitable for use beyond being seen as a preview.
It prevents people downloading a printable copy without paying the company.
The identity of the photographer is easily visible to the prospective purchaser of the image, so the participant can easily select between different photographers / creates an identity of the company that owns the photograph.

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:

It is acceptable if participants (or their parents) signed an agreement / consent / transparency for the photo to be taken when they entered the race.
It is acceptable if the images (content) are not offensive or infringe the privacy of the riders (i.e., it is not possible to aggregate information from a number of sources to determine the identity of the rider).
ACP provides the riders with a number of professional photographs (digital media) of them that they may want to use on their own websites or for social networking sites.
As the photographers are reputable and have been sanctioned by the race organizers, there is no problem.
The photos may be circulated by riders anyway, so the issues related to privacy may be unfounded.

Arguments for it not being acceptable:

If ACP has not sought the agreement / consent of the riders, there could be issues linked to the privacy of the riders being compromised. Parental permission would be needed if minors (under 18 years) are involved.
Some riders may not want / consent to their photos published on public websites – there may be reasons they do not wish to publicize that they were in the race (e.g., off work due to supposed illness).
Riders may feel that publicly shared photos don’t show them in their best moments.
Riders do not get to choose which photos are available publicly (power).
Some riders may have sponsorship deals that include clauses about how images of them are used (values).
Some photos may be inappropriate – photographers need to abide by a code of ethics to ensure photos are appropriate.

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.