One of the most confusing things about photography for amateurs and beginners is the abundance of technical terms. Read on for more explanations of some of the most common and useful terms.
Aperture
This term is defined as a type of diaphragm inside all cameras which will change in size dependent upon the amount of light present. In this way, it is very similar to the human eye structure in that a circular opening enlarges or diminishes in size in response to the amount of light present at the time.
For many, the most confusing part about aperture is the nomenclature used. This is quoted in what are commonly referred to as 'f-stops'. To better explain, a smaller f-stop number such as f/1.8 means the aperture will open wider while a larger f-stop number such as f/22 means the aperture will open very slightly.
If you have an SLR camera, you will not have the wide range of f-stops. The range can run from f/2.8 to f/8 which means the widest the aperture will open is 2.8 and the narrowest is 8.
Sensor
When you press the button to take a photo, the camera contains a light-sensitive panel that records the light hitting it at the time. This function in a digital camera performs the same function as film does in a film camera. This sensor is hidden behind the shutter (see below) and is not exposed until the button is pressed. Light is recorded by the sensor when a photo is taken and stored on a memory card.
Shutter Speed
A cameras shutter sits just in front of the image sensor. It is normally closed so that no light is getting through to the sensor, but when you press the button, it opens for a certain length of time to expose the sensor to light.
The shutter in most cameras will be comprised of two curtains. For longer exposures, the whole sensor might be exposed for a period of time before the second curtain closes it. In the case of fast shutter speed however, the first curtain opens only a tiny gap between it and the second curtain, and travels across the sensor with the second curtain following close behind.
The shutter speed of cameras is referred to in whole and fractions of seconds. For instance a camera with a shutter speed of 1/640 means the shutter will open and the sensor be exposed to light for only one-six-hundred-and-fortieth of a second.
Exposure
The word or term 'exposure' means exposing the sensor or film to light in order to take a photograph. For this reason, a photograph is also referred to as an 'exposure'.
As a photograph is taken, how much light reaches the light-sensitive sensor is determined by aperture and shutter speed. If a darker photo is desired, a slower shutter speed and larger aperture or combination of both may be required for a quality photograph.
A correct exposure is one that approximates what could be seen by the photographer with the naked eye at the time the photo was taken, but this is ultimately a matter of taste. It is possible, for example, to take photos at night with shutter speeds so long that the resulting photos look as if they were taken in broad daylight.
Aperture
This term is defined as a type of diaphragm inside all cameras which will change in size dependent upon the amount of light present. In this way, it is very similar to the human eye structure in that a circular opening enlarges or diminishes in size in response to the amount of light present at the time.
For many, the most confusing part about aperture is the nomenclature used. This is quoted in what are commonly referred to as 'f-stops'. To better explain, a smaller f-stop number such as f/1.8 means the aperture will open wider while a larger f-stop number such as f/22 means the aperture will open very slightly.
If you have an SLR camera, you will not have the wide range of f-stops. The range can run from f/2.8 to f/8 which means the widest the aperture will open is 2.8 and the narrowest is 8.
Sensor
When you press the button to take a photo, the camera contains a light-sensitive panel that records the light hitting it at the time. This function in a digital camera performs the same function as film does in a film camera. This sensor is hidden behind the shutter (see below) and is not exposed until the button is pressed. Light is recorded by the sensor when a photo is taken and stored on a memory card.
Shutter Speed
A cameras shutter sits just in front of the image sensor. It is normally closed so that no light is getting through to the sensor, but when you press the button, it opens for a certain length of time to expose the sensor to light.
The shutter in most cameras will be comprised of two curtains. For longer exposures, the whole sensor might be exposed for a period of time before the second curtain closes it. In the case of fast shutter speed however, the first curtain opens only a tiny gap between it and the second curtain, and travels across the sensor with the second curtain following close behind.
The shutter speed of cameras is referred to in whole and fractions of seconds. For instance a camera with a shutter speed of 1/640 means the shutter will open and the sensor be exposed to light for only one-six-hundred-and-fortieth of a second.
Exposure
The word or term 'exposure' means exposing the sensor or film to light in order to take a photograph. For this reason, a photograph is also referred to as an 'exposure'.
As a photograph is taken, how much light reaches the light-sensitive sensor is determined by aperture and shutter speed. If a darker photo is desired, a slower shutter speed and larger aperture or combination of both may be required for a quality photograph.
A correct exposure is one that approximates what could be seen by the photographer with the naked eye at the time the photo was taken, but this is ultimately a matter of taste. It is possible, for example, to take photos at night with shutter speeds so long that the resulting photos look as if they were taken in broad daylight.
About the Author:
Tobias Sterling has been in love with photography for many years. He loves to write and share his knowledge with fellow enthusiast on Clivir.com where you can find his lessons including Beginners Photography tutorials and Black and White Photography Tips.
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