Light is crucially important in photography.
Light is the most crucial factor when capturing good quality photographs, reports Camera Aperture. In digital photography, the light that reaches the photo sensor of a camera is easily controlled through the shutter speed, the aperture number and the ISO rating.
Although knowing the camera you are using, whether a professional SLR or a humble compact, is the first and most important step toward great pictures, composing a picture well is also fundamental, according to the Digital Photography Pocket Guide.
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed describes the time the camera shutter stays opened during a picture. According to Camera Aperture, digital SLR cameras have a wide range of shutter speeds, going from infinite time (if your camera has a bulb function) to 1/8000 of a second.
The longer the shutter is open, the more light goes to the sensor. However, the slower the shutter speed, the more likely the camera is to shake, which results in blurred pictures. Always use a tripod when taking pictures at lower shutter speeds to avoid this problem, according to Camera Aperture. To capture movement, use a very fast shutter speed, says author and photographer Derrick Story.
Aperture Number
The aperture of a lens is the diameter of the lens opening, which is expressed by f-stops or f-numbers. According to Photoxels, the smaller the f-number, the larger the lens opening or aperture.
Using the correct aperture is important to determining the picture's depth of field, which means "the distance wherein objects are in focus," according to Photoxels. In landscape photography, a high f-number (often around 16 to 22) is advisable, but when you want to capture an isolated object in detail, a bigger lens aperture (small f-number) is ideal. For example, when you are taking a portrait and want your subject to be in sharp focus but the background to be out of focus, use a shallow depth of field.
ISO Rating
The ISO setting controls the camera's sensitivity to light. Pictures of landscapes and still objects normally require a low ISO setting, such as 100. However, when shooting a moving object or in a badly lit environment, a higher ISO setting of 400 to 800 is likely to produce better results, according to Basic Digital Photography.
Unfortunately, when using a higher ISO setting, normally above 1000, you are more likely to have "noise" in your pictures, meaning they have a grainy and less sharp appearance.
Composition
Apart from the technical knowledge of properly handle your camera, you also need to know compose a good scene, place elements correctly and with harmony in a picture, says author Derrick Story.
"Try to compose more and to hit the shutter less" is the advice of Digital Photography School. Observing lines and patterns in the scene you are shooting can help you create a strong composition.
Tags: Camera Aperture, Aperture digital, Camera Aperture digital, depth field, Derrick Story, Digital Photography