Aperture & Shutter Speed

Digital Photography

Aperture Also called the f-stop Refers to the

adjustable opening in an optical instrument, such as a camera or telescope that limits the amount of light passing through a lens or onto a mirror.

f-stop These different aperture

sizes are called f-numbers. Aperture size actually grows in diameter the lower the f-number. For example, f2.8 is a very big opening, whereas f16 is a very small opening.

The smaller the f-stop number, the larger the opening will be.

The larger the f-stop number, the smaller the opening will be on the lens.

Aperture Priority Mode(change your f-stops)

Small aperture Creates a large depth

of field f/22, f/16, f/11 You can see for miles

and miles into the distance in your photograph.

Wide aperture Creates shallow depth

of field. f/2, f/2.8, f/4 Background becomes

blurred, only foreground in focus.

Landscape mode When to use landscape mode:

Almost all digital cameras are built with two standard default depth of field settings—landscape and portrait. In landscape mode, the goal is to keep far away objects in focus, such as mountains or cityscapes. The aperture for landscape is set to a very small opening to bring as much of the scene into focus as possible.

Landscape Mode Small aperture Everything in focus,

even far into the distance.

Most automatic cameras have this setting.

Portrait mode When to use portrait mode:

In portrait mode, the goal is to keep closer objects within several feet in focus, while leaving background details out of focus. In this case, the aperture is automatically opened larger.

Portrait mode Large aperture Only objects close to

the camera will be in focus.

Most automatic cameras have this setting.

Shutter Speed

Digital Photography

Shutter A mechanically or electronically

controlled device that regulates the length of time light is allowed into the camera for film exposure.

Here is an example of shutter speed numbers, from fast to slow: 1/2000  1/1500  1/1000  1/750  1/500   1/350  1/250  1/180  1/125  1/90  1/60  1/45  1/30

The Cameras Shutter

1/200 second 1/3 second

Shutter Priority

Many digital cameras can be set to shutter priority mode. In this mode, you set the shutter speed and the camera automatically selects the aperture so that the photograph has the right exposure.

Controlling Shutter Speed withAutomatic Cameras

Use sport mode for a fast shutter speed

Use night mode or a slow shutter mode with a tripod and turn off your flash for a slow shutter effect.

Fast Shutter Speeds

Use a fast shutter speed when capturing action. A hummingbird is hovering above a flower, and you

don't want it's wings to be blurry: Very fast shutter speed 2000 to 4000.

Your friend is playing soccer, and you want the images to be sharp and clear: Fast shutter speed 500 to 1000

Slow Shutter Speeds

If you’re using a slow shutter speed (anything slower than 1/60) you will need to either use a tripod or some some type of image stabilization (more and more cameras are coming with this built in).

1/30, 1/15, 1/8 are slow shutter speeds Slow shutter speeds cause moving objects to blur, which

is great for capturing movement.

Slow shutter=Blurred motion?

Fast Shutter=Captured action

*BRING YOUR CAMERAS TO CLASS NEXT TIME, WED 8-31

*If you don’t have a camera you will be using a classroom camera.