User:Seicer/Photographer's Tips

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This is a basic overview of the operation of a SLR film or digital camera, or a prosumer camera that has manual, aperature- or shutter-priority modes.

[edit] Aperture

Figure 1. The top example shows a lens with an aperture of f/2.8. The bottom example shows a lens with an aperture of f/16.
Figure 1. The top example shows a lens with an aperture of f/2.8. The bottom example shows a lens with an aperture of f/16.
Figure 2. An example of the opening sizes of various aperatures.
Figure 2. An example of the opening sizes of various aperatures.

This refers to the size of the opening in the lens that allows light to enter the camera and record on the sensor or negative. Typical aperture ranges are from f/3.5 to f/22 on most lenses. Referring to Figure 1, the top aperture is f/2.8, which allows a greater amount of light into the lens at one time due to the larger opening; the bottom aperture is f/16, which allows a lesser amount of light into the lens at one time due to a smaller opening. The aperture can be controlled either by the camera itself, through a knob typically, or on the lens itself.

Note that the smaller the aperture number (f/2.8), the larger the opening is on the lens and thus more light is allowed in. The larger the aperture number (f/16), the smaller the opening is on the lens and thus less light is allowed in. Refer to Figure 2 for an example of the relative sizes in comparison to the f-stop (f/XXX).

[edit] Depth of field

Figure 3. An image with a shallow depth of field (f/2.8).
Figure 3. An image with a shallow depth of field (f/2.8).

This refers to the area of the subject that appears to be in focus. An aperture of f/2.8 will result in a shallow depth of field, similar to Figure 3. Selective portions of the image -- what you have focused on -- will appear to be in focus. As the aperture becomes smaller -- going from f/2.8 to f/16, for instance -- more of the image will be in focus.

[edit] Shutter speed

Figure 4. An example of shutter speed controls on an older camera.
Figure 4. An example of shutter speed controls on an older camera.

The shutter speed is defined as the amount of time the shutter is left on. Referring to Figure 4, going from 12-o'-clock counterclockwise, the numbers are: 1/700th s., 1/500th s., 1/250th s., 1/125th s., 1/60th s., 1/30th s., 1/15th s., 1/8th s., 1/4th s., 1/2th s., Bulb. Other cameras will extend beyond this, going beyond 1/700th s. to say, 1/5000th s., and below 1/2th s. to 1 second to 30 seconds. Bulb mode is defined as an interval that is defined by the user, the shutter button depressed by a cable release or remote.