5. Shutter Speed
• The amount of time the shutter (curtain) is
open to allow light to expose the sensor (or
film).
– Expressed in seconds or fractions or a second
• For example 1/400 sec.
– Doubling or halving = 1 full stop of light
• For example, 1/800 is 1 stop down from 1/400
• The faster the shutter speed, the less light is
allowed to hit the sensor.
6. Aperture
• The opening in the lens that controls the
amount of light that enters the body of the
camera.
– Expressed in f numbers
• For example f5.6
– The larger the number, the smaller the opening
• F22 is a smaller hole than f5.6
• Each “stop” is represents ½ the light (or double)
– Full stops are: f 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32
7. ISO
• The expression of the sensor’s (or film’s)
sensitivity to light.
– Expressed as ISO
• For example ISO 400 – or 400 ISO.
– Doubling (or halving) equals 1 full stop of light
• For example ISO 200 is 1 stop down from ISO 400.
8. Baseline Exposure Sample
We’ll assume that this is the proper exposure for the following exercise.
Shutter- 1/500
Aperture- f8
ISO400
9. Baseline Exposure Sample
These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!
Shutter- 1/500
Aperture- f8
ISO400
=
Shutter- 1/1000
Aperture- f8
ISO800
10. Baseline Exposure Sample
These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!
Shutter- 1/500
Aperture- f8
ISO400
=
Shutter- 1/1000
Aperture- f5.6
ISO400
11. Baseline Exposure Sample
These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!
Shutter- 1/500
Aperture- f8
ISO400
=
Shutter- 1/2000
Aperture- f4
ISO400
12. Baseline Exposure Sample
These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!
Shutter- 1/500
Aperture- f8
ISO400
=
Shutter- 1/500
Aperture- f5.6
ISO200
13. Baseline Exposure Sample
These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!
Shutter- 1/500
Aperture- f8
ISO400
=
ShutterAperture- f11
ISO-
14. Baseline Exposure Sample
These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!
Shutter- 1/500
Aperture- f8
ISO400
=
Shutter- 1/250
ApertureISO-
15. Baseline Exposure Sample
These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!
Shutter- 1/500
Aperture- f8
ISO400
=
ShutterAperture- f11
ISO-
16. Baseline Exposure Sample
These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!
Shutter- 1/500
Aperture- f8
ISO400
=
ShutterApertureISO1600
18. Shutter Speed
• Slow shutter speeds cause blur!
– Hand-hold 1/focal length
• Some lenses may have Vibration Reduction (VR) for
Nikon and Image Stabilization (IS) for Canon. This is a
useful too, but I don’t count on it!
20. Shutter Speed
• Slow shutters can be used for creativity as well.
5.8sec (tripod) f4.5 ISO 640 Focal Length 24mm
21. Shutter Speed
• Fast shutter speeds freeze action!
– Great for sports or creative shots
• Normally require a lot of light or….what?
1/2500 f5.6 ISO 800 Focal Length 280mm
22. Shutter Speed
• Fast shutter speeds freeze action!
1/4000 f8 ISO 800 Focal Length 210mm
23. Aperture
(Depth of Field)
• Wide open apertures (large aperture, small
fstop)
– Very shallow Depth of Field (DOF)
• Small area of the subject will be in focus and
background/foreground will be blurred
25. Aperture
(Depth of Field)
• Ultra Wide open apertures (large
aperture, small fstop)
– Extremely shallow Depth of Field (DOF)
– Subject is a feature within the subject (single eye for example)
27. Aperture
(Depth of Field)
• Stopped down apertures (small aperture,
larger fstop)
– Wide Depth of Field (DOF)
• Larger area of the subject will be in focus as will
increasing amount of background/foreground.
30. Aperture
•Intentional use of DOF – show/hide as you desire
This table wasn’t ready to be photographed
*as seen in Ceremony Magazine
1/400 f5 ISO 800 Focal Length 200mm
32. ISO
Lower ISO = Better quality, lower noise
1/2500 f2.8 ISO 800 Focal Length 200mm
33. ISO
Higher ISO = Lower quality, Higher noise
1/50 f2.8 ISO 25,600 Focal Length 98mm
34. ISO
Higher ISO - Sometimes you just HAVE to!
1/30 f2.8 ISO 25,600 Focal Length 86mm
35. Light
• Not all light is created equal
– Window light
– Direct sunlight
– Open Shade
– Flash (on-camera, off-camera, studio)
– Bulbs
– Reflected
– Diffused
36. Light
• The BIGGER the source, the better!
– The sun is not a big source.
– A large panel close to the subject is.
39. On Camera Flash
generally not preferred
•Very small source – small catch light
•Harsh shadows
•Good for snapshots at the beach or
in direct sunlight situations.
•Force your camera flash on.
46. Composition
• We see life from somewhere around 5-6’.
– Show the viewer something different than that.
– They won’t know why the like it, they just will.
– Get down on the ground.
– Climb up in trees or on chairs.
– Put the subject down on the ground.
