Camera 101: Understanding the Basics to Master Your Camera
Let’s get you started!
Photography is a beautiful way of life. Whether a master of the camera or just beginning to understand the basics, it is always a joy to learn and practice your skills to improve upon them.
A commenter from the last post posed a question on the topic, “What are some of the camera’s bare-bones? What should be learned with a camera before anything else is learned?”.
Well, Max Deneaps, I hope this article can answer your question.
Cameras may come in a lot of different shapes and sizes, but the essential functions of all cameras are the same. Shutter speed, aperture, rule of thirds and depth of field are universal concepts of photography. Even one-time-use cameras work on these four ideas.
The only difference in these four concepts between types of cameras is the degree to which you can control these functions. That is why today, I am providing 4 simple tips to help you to master the camera. This is the bare minimum, bare basics — basically, the very beginning of your DSLR journey.
1. Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is the amount of time which the shutter is open to allow the film/sensor to be exposed to light. This speed is generally measured in fractions of a second such as 1/250. The faster the shutter opens and closes, the less light strikes the film or digital sensor. Let’s say for example, you are photographing someone running across a track. to capture them moving still, you would need a higher shutter speed, as it would close faster (Ex. 1/250).
However, If you wanted to do the opposite (taking a motion blurred photo of the man running) Then you would need a smaller shutter speed, making for a longer time to close (Ex. 1/80).
Of course like anything its good to experiment, but in the beginning know how to use this well as this can drastically improve your shots.
2. Aperture
Aperture describes the size of an opening within the camera lens that allows light to pass through the lens. The aperture works with the shutter speed to control the amount of light striking the film or digital sensor. Aperture is generally measured by an F-Stop. Aperture also has a secondary effect of controlling the depth of field of an image.
This secondary effect is a way to get more cinematic shots. For a single example, if you were taking a portrait of someone wanting the background to look more distant (or blurry) you would make the F-stop smaller (Ex. 2.8).
Generally, you want a smaller aperture for close up-front photography and a larger f-stop for landscapes.
3. Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a guideline to help you structure your composition in a balanced way that pleases the eye. Like all rules, it is made to be broken, but we’ll look at that later. Experience will give you the confidence to decide when you need to apply the rule of thirds and when you can get by without it. However, before you can make that decision, you need to understand the rule and how it works.
Imagine the rectangular shape of any photograph. Now draw a horizontal line one third from the top of the frame, and another one third from the bottom. Then draw a vertical line, one third from the left, and another one third from the right. Your rectangle should now be divided into nine equal sections.
According to the rule of thirds, the lines that divide the picture into thirds are the most effective places to position objects in your photo. So, for example, the horizon should be positioned on or near the line a third from the top or a third from the bottom of the picture. Vertical objects like trees should be placed on or near the lines a third from the left or right of the picture.
Also according to the rule, the most powerful points in the composition are the areas where the lines intersect. So, if your horizon is a third from the top of the frame, a house or tree on the horizon would be best placed a third from the left or right, at the intersecting point of the horizontal and vertical lines. If you have positioned a tree along one of the vertical lines, a bird sitting in a fork of the tree would be best positioned where it intersects with the horizontal line a third from the top.
4. Depth of Field
Depth of field describes how much of an image is in focus from front to back. This ties closly with apeture and F- Stop, but it is important to note. Depth of field is controlled by the aperture as well as the lens magnification. Some images, such as portraits, have traditionally used mostly small depth of field in order to blur the background. Other images, such as landscapes, traditionally use much larger depth of field in order for the entire vista to be in focus.
The reason I wish to reiterate this is it is so important at the start to be aware of this as it can transfrom your photography. Understanding how to use depth of field in your own photo shoots can drastically take you from an amature photograher to a top paying freelancer.
Now, there are many other things to learn about your camera.
There is white balance, lighting with iso, or techniques to help you in determing all this. But this is coming right out of the gate the things you should know, and what is going to help the most by understanding.
Thank you For reading! If you think anyone else can use this knowledge, then don’t forget to share it. If you’re interested in other photography Tips, Tricks, and photo Inspiration, then check out the other articles I have down below:
> Camera 101: Understanding the basics to master your camera
> 9 ways to capture beautiful portraits
> 20 MOTIVATING QUOTES from Inspiring photographers
>8 Tips to Jumpstart you on your photography Journey
Till Next time,
