Camera Fundementals

During my time on this module we were shown a comprehensive range of camera methods and techniques. We also looked at using different lenses and filters, how light works and textures and patterns. We also looked at photographers through history, and discussed the methods they used to convey their ideas and messages. 

 

These methods are constantly evolving as technologies improve and trends change. Some of these techniques get absorbed by advances in camera technology, which allow the user to focus on the craft and not the equipment. By acquiring a basic level of camera knowledge I will be able to produce photographs that can communicate my ideas, and not rely solely on the equipment to do the work for me.

 

Below is a list of camera techniques that will help me to convey my ideas.

 

DSLR Basic System: Digital Single Lens Reflex

 

Light enters the lens through the aperture and reflects off the reflex mirror, then the image

is flipped in the Pentaprism, which is viewed through the viewfinder. When a picture is ready to be taken the Reflex Mirror or Shutter moves out of the way and lets light reach the sensor where it is processed and saved to the memory card. This all happens very quickly and the camera Shutter Speed can be adjusted with other settings that allow photos to be taken under various lighting conditions.

 

 

Photography Basics: Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO

The three camera settings that control the exposure are Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO.

Aperture controls the amount of light entering the lens.

Shutter Speed controls the duration of light that reaches the lens.

ISO is responsible for the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light.

These three settings are sympathetically linked as changing one setting effects another and part of my experimental research is to play with these settings, and create photographs that can communicate my ideas or covey messages or feelings. 

By using this Exposure Triangle Diagram it can help me to quickly identify a range of settings that would be suitable for a particular photographic situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AV Aperture Priority allows you to set the aperture and the camera will set the shutter for you.

TV Shutter Priority allows you to set the Shutter and the camera will set the aperture. 

P Program Mode allows the camera to set both the aperture and the shutter but you control the ISO.

Manual Exposure allows you to set aperture, shutter and ISO all manually.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is an example of a shallow depth of field, the larger aperture on the left has only the head of the lizard in focus and the rest of the image is blurry, while the picture on the right with the small aperture has the whole image in focus with only a subtle transition to blurry edges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When using combinations of these settings you can create interesting effects and more creative images for example using a small aperture allows for shallow depth of field, or focus and bokeh effects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shutter speed allows you to capture movement with varying effects, a slower shutter speed will create blurry movement and a fast shutter speed will create sharp images.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using a high ISO will create a photo with more noise in it but will allow you to capture light in much darker conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Composition is about aligning the structure of the picture by carefully arranging all the elements within the frame. This is essential for creating powerful message driven photographs.

The rule of thirds is a composition technique about arranging all your elements in the photo over an imaginary grid that will help to balance the picture and make it more visually appealing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One aspect of this technique is to place subject matter over the intersecting lines which are called power points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Below is an example of bad composition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is an example of good composition.

Although in this example the difference is subtle, you can see that the later image has used the grid to arrange the interesting elements over the power points and this has created a more appealing image.

As with all grids in art and design, they are just a guide and should not be used as a definitive rule for taking photographs. Composition, both good and bad can be used as a way to capture creative aspects of photography.

Below are some examples of bad composition, however because of this they often make funny and interesting photos. Bad composition is sometimes good composition depending on the message.

 

   

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-shallow-depth-of-field/

https://www.capturelandscapes.com/introduction-iso-digital-photography/

https://improvephotography.com/49616/a-beginners-guide-to-high-speed-photography/

https://expertphotography.com/how-understand-exposure-take-better-photos/

https://photographylife.com/f-stop

http://www.photoble.com/photography-tips-tricks/composition-101-rule-of-thirds-in-photography-with-examples/