As a photographer, there are many things you need to know in order to be successful. Here are just a few things you should know:
The Basics of Aperture:
Aperture is one of the three main pillars of photography, along with shutter speed and ISO. It is the opening in the lens that allows light to pass through and hit the sensor (or film). The size of the aperture is measured in f-stop numbers, with a smaller number indicating a larger opening. For example, f/2.8 is a large aperture while f/22 is a small aperture.
Aperture also has a direct effect on two other important factors: depth of field and diffraction. Depth of field is simply how much of the image is in focus. A large aperture (small f-stop number) will result in a shallow depth of field, while a small aperture (large f-stop number) will result in a deep depth of field.
Diffraction is a bit more complicated, but essentially It’s an optical effect that occurs when light waves pass through a small opening. This results in the waves spreading out and causing the image to appear blurred. So, as a general rule of thumb, you want to avoid using a small aperture (large f-stop number) if possible.
The Basics of Shutter Speed:
Shutter speed is the amount of time that the shutter is open, allowing light to hit the sensor (or film). It is measured in seconds or fractions of a second. For example, 1/250 of a second is a fast shutter speed while 1 second is a slow shutter speed.
Shutter speed has a direct effect on two other important factors: motion blur and exposure. Motion blur is simply a blur that appears in the image due to either the camera moving or the subject moving. A fast shutter speed (1/250 of a second or faster) will freeze the action and prevent any motion blur, while a slow shutter speed (1 second or slower) will allow it.
Exposure is a bit more complicated, but essentially It’s the amount of light that hits the sensor (or film). A longer shutter speed will result in a higher exposure, while a shorter shutter speed will result in a lower exposure.
The Basics of ISO:
ISO is the third and final pillar of photography, along with aperture and shutter speed. It is a measure of the sensor (or film)’s sensitivity to light. A low ISO (100-200) is less sensitive to light and results in a darker image, while a high ISO (1600-3200) is more sensitive to light and results in a brighter image.
ISO also has a direct effect on two other important factors: noise and dynamic range. Noise is simply the amount of grain that appears in the image. A higher ISO will result in more noise, while a lower ISO will result in less noise.
Dynamic range is the range of brightness that the sensor (or film) can capture. A higher ISO will result in a lower dynamic range, while a lower ISO will result in a higher dynamic range.
So, those are the basics of photography! Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO are the three main pillars of photography and each one has a direct effect on two other important factors. Be sure to keep these things in mind when You’re out shooting!
