basics of camera operation: moving beyond automatic
DESCRIPTION
A primer for camera lovers who are just getting started and don't know where to beginTRANSCRIPT
Basics of Camera Operation:Moving Beyond Automatic
Presented by Melinda JankowskiDecember 23, 2013
Evolution of a Photographer
Skill Level
[%]
Time
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Point &
Shoot
1st DSLR 1st Non-kitLens
ProfessionalCritique
2nd DSLR Death
Knowledge
Auto
1st PhotoClass
Manual
NewEquipment
Workshop NewSoftware
MoreClasses
Quality of Photos
ISO: how sensitive your sensor is to light
Aperture: opening thatlimits how much light hitsyour sensor
Shutter Speed:length of time the shutter is open
Terminology: Exposure Triangle
The Best Semiautomatic Modes
Shutter select to freeze motionAperture select to isolate subject (orshallow depth of focus)
1) Aperture Select: You choose the aperture, the camera chooses the shutter speed
2) Shutter Select: You choose the shutter speed, the camera chooses the aperture
Manual Mode: Great for creative shots
Silhouette at sunset
Six minute exposure to capture star trails
Studio shot with rim and main lights
Understanding ISO
Questions to ask yourself rst:
1. Light - Is the subject well lit?
2. Grain - Do I want a grainy image or one without noise?
3. Tripod - Do I have one on hand?
4. Moving - Is my subject moving or stationary?
ISO 200 ISO 10,000
Understanding Shutter Speed
Shutter speed = 1/8000 s
Shutter speed = 1/80 s
Shutter speed = 20 s
Rule of Thumb: If handheld, shutter speed should be no less than the inverse of the focal length of your lens
Understanding Aperture
f/2.0 f/5.6 f/16
Bokeh
Comes from the Japanese work boke (暈け or ボケ), which means "blur" or "haze"
Refers to the quality of the out of focus region
Focal Length
Wide will help youtell a story about theenvironment
Tele will isolate yoursubject from thebackground
Each Lens Has a Purpose
Understanding Depth of Field (DOF)
2) Different lenses have different DOF at the same f-stop
200 mmBackground close
200 mmBackground far
Shallow DOF: only the subject is in focus, background & foreground out of focus (bokeh)Deep DOF: everything is in focus
1) Placement of your subject matters!
Understanding Depth of Field (cont’d)
Full frame = 24 mm X 36 mmNikon & Canon consumer = ~18 X ~24 mmPoint and shoot = 2/3 inIPhone = 1/3”
3) A bigger senser has more shallow DOF
4) Decreasing distance to subject decreases DOF f/2.2, 1/5000 sFarther awayf/2.2, 1/4000 s
Closeup