Basic Camera FunctionsClass 2 – DACC Basic Photography I Class
Basic Camera Functions Traditional
Camera -
Film
Digital Camera – CCD and memory storage device
Advanced Modes P – Program Mode
Tv – Shutter Speed Priority
Av – Aperture Priority
M – Both Shutter and Aperture set manually
A-DEP – An aperture priority where camera sets f-stop according to the subject
Program Mode
Camera selects both the Shutter and Aperture for you
Will also let camera turn on the flash if it thinks it’s needed
User chooses the ISO
Camera Controls – Shutter Speeds In Shutter Speeds, a
stop is the increase of the exposure by double or a reduction by ½
Focal Plane Shutters has a “flash Sync” shutter speed
Shutter Speeds 1 sec. – ½ sec. – ¼ sec. – 1/8 sec. – 1/15 sec.
– 1/30 sec. – 1/60 sec. – 1/125 sec. – 1/250 sec. – 1/500 sec. – 1/1000 sec.
Digital Cameras have intermediate shutter speeds
Ability to hand-hold a camera
Lens mm = shutter speed
Stopping action
Let’s Look at Shutter Controls
Focal Lengths
18mm 55mm
150mm 300mm
Focal Length Changes Perspective
300mm 200mm 100mm
50mm 20mm 10mm
Aperture controls Depth of Field F- stops f-1.0 – f-1.4 – f-2.0
f-2.8 – f-4.0 – f-5.6f-8.0 – f-11 – f-16f-22 – f-32
The larger the number – the smaller the aperture
The smaller the aperture – the greater the depth of field
Depth of Field
Exp – 8 sec. – F32 – 100 ISOExp – 1/6 sec. – F4.0 – 100 ISO
Selective Focus
Camera Control - Focus Manual Focus Selecting an
Auto Focus Point
Focus Lock
Let’s Look at f-stops, depth of field and focus control
Film Speed ASA – ISO Lower speed needs
more light – higher quality image
Higher speeds require less light – stops action – less image quality
Larger formats provides higher quality photos
Grain / Noise Higher speed /low light
conditions = photos with electronic “Noise”
Changing the
ISO/ASA of your camera
Stops in Film Speeds ASA 100 – ASA 200 – ASA 400 –
ASA 800 – ASA 1600 – ASA 3200+ Sunny 16 Rule
Bright Sunlight ExposureAperture = f-16Shutter Speed = ASA of Film
Metering your Image Types of Light Meters
IncidentReflective
What is the Meter Looking For
18% Gray
Exposure Compensation
Fooling Automation
Situations that can fool your meter
Let’s Look at Film Speed Controls
And Exposure Compensation
Batteries Traditional Cameras
use lower power batteries that sometimes last for 6 months to a year.
Digital thrives on Batteries
Previews Built in Flashes Auto focus Automatic shutdown
2 hour max for most cameras
H-T-D-C-S Tripods Monopods Tripod Brackets Hand-holding tricks Self timers and cable
releases