Introduction to Camera Controls. How to use f/stops, Shutter Speeds + Exposure.
For any given scene that you might want to photograph there is a proper exposure value. This value is usually expressed as a combination of f stops and shutter speeds. By exposing the image properly you will be able to render detail in the brightest areas of the scene as well as the darkest areas of the scene. Understanding how to use the controls on your camera will give you creative freedom.
Exposure is based on three factors; sensitivity (ASA/ISO), aperture (f/stop), and shutter speed.
ISO Sensitivity
The ASA/ISO rating refers to the camera sensor or film’s sensitivity to light. Most cameras will allow you to adjust the sensitivity within a specific range. Films have a single ASA rating. The higher the number the more sensitive. Low ASA numbers (100) work best in bright light and will yeild the sharpest, cleanest images. Using a high ASA (1000) will work best in low light situations or when a fast shutter speed is needed but will typically introduce some noise or grain into the image.
Aperture (f/stop)
The aperture in your lens is similar to the pupil of your eye. It’s basic function is to control the intensity of the light entering the camera. Aperture sizes are indicated by f/stops such as f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22. The numbers are actually fractions so the smaller the number the larger the aperture. This means f/2.8 is larger than f/22.
Illustration demonstrating effect of f-stops on intensity of light and depth of field in photography.
Shutter Speed
Inside your camera is a screen that opens and closes at a fraction of a second. This shutter controls the duration of the exposure. Shutter speeds are also designated by fractions, this time fractions of a second. 1/4000, 1/2000, 1/1000, 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, etc. On your camera they are usually designated in whole numbers such as 1000,500,250,125, 60 etc. so remember they actually refer to fractions of a second. 1/1000th of a second is a shorter amount of time than 1/60th of a second.
Photographic Exposure
Imagine you are filling a cup of water using the sink. In order to fill it to exactly 1 cup you must control the flow or intensity of the water as well as the amount of time or duration of the water flow. You can fill the cup quickly with an intense flow of water, or fill it slowly with a dripping faucet. Either way the cup gets filled.
Balancing the intensity with the duration is exactly the technique you will use to properly exposure your images. You can use an intense light (large aperture) to expose your sensor quickly, or you can use a dim light (small aperture) and expose it over a longer period of time. The exposure will be the same.
ASA/ISO
Before you begin shooting you should always set your ASA/ISO to meet your needs. Do you need to stop motion under low light conditions or want to use the smallest aperture possible, or are you shooting under bright light conditions and need to be able to limit the light coming into the camera?
Light Meters
Most of today’s cameras have light meters built into them making it relatively easy to properly expose your images. When you look through your viewfinder and press the shutter release button halfway you should see either a needle that moves up an down or lights that move and/or change color as you look from a bright scene to a dark scene. Make sure your camera is on before you try this. Some cameras have an on/off switch, others turn on when you pull back on the film advance lever.
Depending on your particular camera you will move your aperture and shutter speeds so that the needles line up, the green light comes on, or the needle lines up between the plus and minus signs. On some cameras the meter will tell you where to set the shutter speed based on the film speed and the aperture you have selected. This process takes a little practice but you will soon find yourself getting very comfortable with it.
Equivalent Exposures
Once you have determined a basic exposure such as f/8 at 1/250th of a second you can vary the aperture and shutter speeds proportionally and maintain the proper exposure. This will allow you to control how your photographs look. For example: Imagine you are at a race track. You want to photograph the cars so that they are sharp in order to read the details. This means you need a fast shutter speed such as 1/1000th of a second. If your basic exposure was f/8 at 1/250th of a second you can move your shutter speed 2 stops to get 1/1000th of a second. You must then compensate for the increase in shutter speed by opening the aperture by 2 stops as well. This will balance the exposure. Your new exposure will be f/4 at 1/1000th of a second.
Depth of Field
Each time you focus your lens you are actually focusing on a two dimensional plane parallel to the sensor in your camera. If you focus at 4 ft. there is a plane of focus parallel to your sensor exactly 4 ft. from the sensor plane. Anything in front of or behind this plane will be out of focus. Imagine a sheet of glass moving back and forth as you focus.
Try this example: Hold your hand in front of your face and focus your eyes on the lines of your hand. Notice what happens to the wall in front of you. It is out of focus. In fact the only thing that is sharp is your hand. With your hand still in front of you focus your eyes on the wall. You should now notice a lack of detail in your hand. This is an example of shallow depth of field. By using your camera you can actually take a picture with the foreground and the background in focus.
Here’s how it works: The wider the aperture (f/2.8, f/4) the less the depth of field. The smaller the aperture (f/16, f/22) the greater the depth of field. If you want the foreground as well as the background to be in focus you must use a small aperture such as f/22. If you want to make a picture where a particular object or person is sharp and the rest of the image is blurry you will use a large aperture such as f/4.
A few rules
The closer you are to your subject the less the depth of field you will have. Telephoto (focal length greater than 50mm) lenses yield less depth of field than wide angle (focal length less than 50mm) lenses.