PhotographyA small sip from a firehose!

Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera(DSLR Camera)

Aperture

MirrorShutter

Sensor

Light

3 Pillars to Proper Exposure

1. Shutter Speed2. Aperture3. ISO

ProperExposure

Shutt

er S

peed

Aper

ture

ISO

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.

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

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.

Baseline Exposure Sample

Shutter- 1/500Aperture- f8ISO- 400

We’ll assume that this is the proper exposure for the following exercise.

Baseline Exposure Sample

Shutter- 1/500Aperture- f8ISO- 400

These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!

Shutter- 1/1000Aperture- f8ISO- 800=

Baseline Exposure Sample

Shutter- 1/500Aperture- f8ISO- 400

These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!

Shutter- 1/1000Aperture- f5.6ISO- 400=

Baseline Exposure Sample

Shutter- 1/500Aperture- f8ISO- 400

These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!

Shutter- 1/2000Aperture- f4ISO- 400=

Baseline Exposure Sample

Shutter- 1/500Aperture- f8ISO- 400

These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!

Shutter- 1/500Aperture- f5.6ISO- 200

=

Baseline Exposure Sample

Shutter- 1/500Aperture- f8ISO- 400

These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!

Shutter- Aperture- f11ISO-

=

Baseline Exposure Sample

Shutter- 1/500Aperture- f8ISO- 400

These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!

Shutter- 1/250Aperture- ISO-

=

Baseline Exposure Sample

Shutter- 1/500Aperture- f8ISO- 400

These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!

Shutter- Aperture- f11 ISO-

=

Baseline Exposure Sample

Shutter- 1/500Aperture- f8ISO- 400

These settings will yield exactly the same exposure!

Shutter- Aperture- ISO- 1600

=

But why do I care?

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!

1/80 f4.5 ISO 400 Focal Length 135mm

• Slow shutters can be used for creativity as well.Shutter Speed

5.8sec (tripod) f4.5 ISO 640 Focal Length 24mm

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

Shutter Speed• Fast shutter speeds freeze action!

1/4000 f8 ISO 800 Focal Length 210mm

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

1/200 f3.5 ISO 4000 Focal Length 105mm (fixed macro)

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)

1/6400 f1.4 ISO 400 Focal Length 105mm (fixed macro)

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.

Aperture(creative use)

1/3200 f14 ISO 4000 Focal Length 105mm (fixed macro)

Aperture

1/400 f5 ISO 800 Focal Length 200mm

•Intentional use of DOF – show/hide as you desireThis table wasn’t ready to be photographed

*as seen in Ceremony Magazine

Aperture

1/4000 f8 ISO 800 Focal Length 500mm (pacing)

Intentional use of DOF – makes focusing easier

ISO

1/2500 f2.8 ISO 800 Focal Length 200mm

Lower ISO = Better quality, lower noise

ISO

1/50 f2.8 ISO 25,600 Focal Length 98mm

Higher ISO = Lower quality, Higher noise

ISO

1/30 f2.8 ISO 25,600 Focal Length 86mm

Higher ISO - Sometimes you just HAVE to!

Light

• Not all light is created equal– Window light– Direct sunlight– Open Shade– Flash (on-camera, off-camera, studio)– Bulbs– Reflected– Diffused

Light

• The BIGGER the source, the better!– The sun is not a big source.– A large panel close to the subject is.

Diffused• Beautiful light

Look at Eyes for Lighting

On Camera Flashgenerally 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.

Bounced On Camera Flash…better

Off Camera Flash

Off Camera Flash

WindowConsidered by many to be the best!

Studio (and paper)

ReflectorOne of my favorites for control

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.

Rule of Thirds

• Says “Don’t center your subject.

Rule of Thirds in Practice

Dare to be differentTake 1 normal & 1 “risky”

Rules are Made to be Broken

Low Point of View

High Point of View

Lead your subject

Lead your subject

Don’t Do This!You lose the story

Leading Lines

Multiple People•Avoid lining up eyes•Create triangles•If it bends, bend it!

Multiple People•Avoid lining up eyes•Create triangles•If it bends, bend it!

Multiple People•Avoid lining up eyes•Create triangles•If it bends, bend it!

Questions?