Many of them say Photography is art! It's true, but it's not just art. To me, it is a combination of science and art! You need both of these elements to take a good photograph. Without any delay, here we go!
The most essential principle in Photography is Exposure - the amount of LIGHT that hits the lens to form a picture. If there's too much of light it will wash out the picture, similarly less light will black out them. So, it's obvious we need to have the right lighting! How do we control this lighting???
Exposure is controlled jointly by 3 pillars - Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO - Each of which determines how much light should a picture have. 3 pillars of photography cannot be explained in 1 single post at all - they are the essence; they are everything. Just to give you a heads up on all these concepts, I'm ATTEMPTING to give you a rough idea about all these.
Aperture is an opening / hole/ gap - a space in the lens through which the light passes and hits the sensor.
The larger the hole - increase in aperture ---> more lights gets in (more exposure)
The smaller the hole - less aperture ---> less light (less exposure)
These apertures are measured in f-stops. Look at the below diagram to know examples of aperture count. If you read the picture, you will definitely be confused. It's not just you - but every other photographer who tries to understand aperture in the first place. Large apertures are given small f/stop numbers, while the smaller apertures have large f/stop numbers?? Confused???
f/1.4 is the largest aperture than f/16 or f/22. You'll get the hang of it! Don't worry!
image courtesy: google
If you can master aperture, you have a creative control on your camera! Aperture can be controlled/changed in DSLR camera only. If you are wondering how to change the aperture numbers, refer the user manual. And the best way to get your head around aperture is by experimenting them. Use different f/stops (without changing any other features) and see the result.
I know this isn't interesting or easy to learn. But you are interested in photography, you have to swim through this. So, I will not complicate your learning process by explaining the next pillar right away. Try this out and share your experience here.
I don't have a DSLR. I have a point and shoot. There is a manual mode, but I am not sure what I can change in it. I will check and get back.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Interesting insights!!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing :D i really have no idea abt the technicalities of photography :D this was really helpful
ReplyDeleteI am trying my best to understand, but I am unable to.But I just love taking pictures with the DSLR, and it is lying around for me to use it as much as I want. I only wish my daughter and my husband who very good Photographers would have the patience to teach a dumb head like me. Surely the don't have, so I end up just capturing everything that appeals to me, with die hard belief that it has come out well.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Photography is art and science. Aperture is the start.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my Photography page on FB.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amrit-Photography/298032273561920
See if I use both science and art. :)))
@ DI - What camera do you have? If it has manual mode, you can change the aperture. Check the user manual.
ReplyDelete@ Vyankesh - Thanks!
@Raji: Glad it's helpful dear!
@ Rama - Your pictures are wonderful! Don't worry about technical part of it!
ReplyDelete@ Amrit - I saw the pictures..loved the portrait and wedding collections!