Aperture & Shutter Speed
STEP 1 - LEARN• In this lesson, you will learn about using
aperture and shutter speed while taking photos.
• Size of the shutter hole
• Also called f-stop (example: f/3.5)
• Allows more or less light in
• Controls Depth of Field (Background Blur)
APERTURE
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• The larger the opening of the aperture, the smaller the number set on your camera.
• Setting your DSLR to the AV setting allows you to control aperture while the camera auto sets the others.
• Larger apertures (smaller numbers) allow for a smaller depth of field, limiting the objects in focus.
APERTUREf/1.4
f/2
f/2.8
f/4
f/5.6
APERTURE
This photo was taken with a large aperture.
Jesus Chavez, Monache High School [CA]
APERTURE
This photo was taken with a small aperture.
Parker Pamplin, Bryant High School [AR]
• How long the shutter stays open
• Measured in 1/x of a second
• Faster: Stop Action (Sports), less light
• Slower: more light, blur
• The bigger the denominator, the faster the speed (ie: 1/1000 is much faster than 1/30)
SHUTTER SPEED
SHUTTER SPEED
This photo was taken with a slow shutter speed.
Becca Guevera, Horizon High School [AZ]
SHUTTER SPEED
This photo was taken with a fast shutter speed.
Amanda Pankhurst, Amboy High School [IL]
• Setting your camera to the TV mode allows you to control the shutter speed while the camera auto sets the other controls.
SHUTTER SPEED
STEP 2 - PRACTICE• By the end of class today, take two photos
that demonstrate thought and understanding of aperture and shutter speed.
• Photo 1: Change the aperture (f/stop) settings on the camera and take a photo that demonstrates shallow depth of field.
• Photo 2: Change the shutter speed (1/X) settings on the camera to capture a subject in action.
• Don’t forget to use photo composition techniques like Rule of Thirds, bird’s/worm’s-eye view, etc!
PRACTICE: APERTURE & SHUTTER SPEED
STEP 3 - DO• Over the course of the next week, take
four photos, to be used in the yearbook, that demonstrate your understanding of aperture and shutter speed.
• Photos 1 & 2: Each must demonstrate the use of aperture to make the Center of Visual Interest (CVI) stand out.
• Photos 3 & 4: Each photo must demonstrate the use of shutter speed to stop a subject in motion.
• Write down the aperture/shutter speed you used for each photo and create a caption for each that includes the setting.
• Submit your photos electronically using PowerPoint, Prezi or Google Slides.
APERTURE & SHUTTER SPEED