Lessons on the Camera
In order to make successful images it is important to know how to use the camera, and understand how it works. Because this is a Distance Learning course, the lessons provided will be centered around digital cameras. It is relevant to note, however, that many of the basic aspects of photography are universal to film and digital cameras and in many cases, also apply to video and movie film. The basics of photography are actually quite simple: We need light to either capture an image or expose our film, and we need the proper exposure or balance of light passing through the lens to form a proper image.
In photography, we balance the light or exposure through the manipulation of three different camera settings:
Point and shoot cameras today offer photographers many types of features that include a menu of automatic shooting modes, the ability to program the ISO desired, the ability to zoom in and out of the subject, and often a variety of settings which may include functions as: white balance, metering modes, shutter release modes, and color choices such as sepia, black and white, or RGB. An SLR camera is a camera where the image is viewed through the lens using a prism or mirror that directs the image from the lens to the viewfinder. The lens is usually interchangeable in that a photographer can purchase a variety of lenses to suit his/her needs. An explanation of camera lenses is provided in the lesson page titled, Camera Lenses, under this Link tab.
In photography, we balance the light or exposure through the manipulation of three different camera settings:
- the ISO
- the Aperture, which is controlled by settings called f-stops
- the shutter, which is controlled by settings called shutter speeds
Point and shoot cameras today offer photographers many types of features that include a menu of automatic shooting modes, the ability to program the ISO desired, the ability to zoom in and out of the subject, and often a variety of settings which may include functions as: white balance, metering modes, shutter release modes, and color choices such as sepia, black and white, or RGB. An SLR camera is a camera where the image is viewed through the lens using a prism or mirror that directs the image from the lens to the viewfinder. The lens is usually interchangeable in that a photographer can purchase a variety of lenses to suit his/her needs. An explanation of camera lenses is provided in the lesson page titled, Camera Lenses, under this Link tab.
Camera Features and Settings:
There are certain camera features and settings that are important to know about and understand. Some of these features can be found in both point & shoot and SLR cameras, some are just applicable to digital SLRs. In this course I will present features that are applicable to both. If you don't have an SLR camera it is still important for you to know about these basic features since this is one of the learning objectives of the course. In addition, should you want to purchase or have an opportunity to use an SLR in the near future, you will have learned what features to look for as well as how to use them.
Let's first look at the shooting modes that many digital cameras offer. These are explained in the videos below.
Let's first look at the shooting modes that many digital cameras offer. These are explained in the videos below.
Auto Mode - the camera automatically chooses the best ISO, f-stop and shutter for the image. In other words, the camera is doing the "thinking".
Program Mode - the camera allows you to program some features such as select the ISO, and white balance setting, turn off the flash option, etc., but basically chooses the aperture and shutter for you in order to "insure" a good exposure.
Aperture Priority - the camera allows you to select the f-top, but will then use whatever shutter is necessary to obtain a decent exposure. Cameras will usually beep or give some type of warning signal if the shutter it needs to use is too slow to hand hold.
Shutter Priority - the camera allows you to select the shutter speed, but will then use whatever f-stop is necessary to obtain a decent exposure. Cameras will usually beep or give some type of warning signal if there is not enough light for the shutter you selected.Manual Mode - the camera gives the photographer TOTAL control. You have to set everything, and know how to use and read the meter in order to obtain successful results and proper exposure.
Manual Mode - In this mode the photographer selects EVERYTHING. You must also know how to use and read the camera meter in order to obtain successful results.
Program Mode - the camera allows you to program some features such as select the ISO, and white balance setting, turn off the flash option, etc., but basically chooses the aperture and shutter for you in order to "insure" a good exposure.
Aperture Priority - the camera allows you to select the f-top, but will then use whatever shutter is necessary to obtain a decent exposure. Cameras will usually beep or give some type of warning signal if the shutter it needs to use is too slow to hand hold.
Shutter Priority - the camera allows you to select the shutter speed, but will then use whatever f-stop is necessary to obtain a decent exposure. Cameras will usually beep or give some type of warning signal if there is not enough light for the shutter you selected.Manual Mode - the camera gives the photographer TOTAL control. You have to set everything, and know how to use and read the meter in order to obtain successful results and proper exposure.
Manual Mode - In this mode the photographer selects EVERYTHING. You must also know how to use and read the camera meter in order to obtain successful results.