I created this document to help organize my thoughts on the different aspects of photography. I’m sharing it because someone may find value in it. I’ll review periodically to keep my skills sharp and improve my technique. I enjoy taking pictures and I aspire to improve from this knowledge. When I keep this information in the forefront of my mind, my photography will no doubt improve.
EXPOSURE TRIANGLE
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| image borrowed from photographylife.com |
ISO in digital photography, ASA in film, one and the same, ISO controls the sensitivity to light.
Low: 100 - 400 Settings are low sensitivity to light, great for sunny, bright days, small grain (smallest particles that make the image) that make the picture detailed and sharp.
Medium: 400 - 800 Settings are for cloudy days and indoor lighting. These settings allow you to capture good quality images without excessive grain. At ISO ~ ASA greater than 800, you will begin to see less crisp detail in your images.
High: 1600 and above. While 1600 and above can capture images indoors and nighttime photography, 3200 is good for capturing images in very low light, but you can expect to see a loss of detail and larger grain.
SHUTTER SPEED
Shutter speed determines how long the sensor or film is exposed to light. A fast shutter speed will freeze motion but it lets in less light. You might need to increase the ISO ~ ASA in order to capture less light from fast shutter speeds. A handheld camera using slow shutter speeds may cause “camera shake” or motion blur, a blurred image due to camera or subject movement captured by sensor or film. A tripod can help with slow shutter speeds.
A good rule of thumb to use is the reciprocal of your camera lens focal length.
For a 50mm lens use 1/50th of a second or faster.
For a 100mm lens use 1/00th of a second or faster.
For a 200mm lens use 1/200th of a second or faster shutter speed.
APERTURE
Aperture determines how large of a hole the light will go through to reach the film or sensor. This hole size is measured in f-stops. It is backwards, a larger number equals a smaller hole, a lower number equals a larger hole. For example, f1.2 is a larger aperture and f22 is a smaller aperture. The Aperture Range describes the adjustable range of light controlled through the aperture opening that light passes through. The aperture mechanism is made up of blades on a pivot point that is controlled by the aperture ring and measured by an index of f-stops.
A smaller aperture, f1.2 makes a smaller depth of field; for example, a portrait where the subject is in focus and the background is soft. This soft background technique is called bokeh.
A larger aperture, f32 makes a larger depth of field, example; landscape pictures where everything is in focus.
LENS TYPES
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| Nikon D780 (DSLR) mode control selector |
Digital cameras store images by an electronic file. Electronics control the different aspects that create an image storing it in that file on a memory card that can hold as many images (and movies) as the card will allow. The are two basic file types for images, RAW and JPEG. This electronic format provides the ability to see the results quickly without waiting.
Most digital cameras have “modes” that offer different types of control.
A mode is Aperture Priority where you adjust the aperture (depth of field) and the camera chooses the shutter speed and ISO ~ ASA.
M mode or manual mode allows you to set both the shutter speed and the aperture or the f-stop measurement.
Digital cameras can also record movies by storing electronic files on a memory card. Depending on their size, memory cards can store thousands of large image files and hours of high quality movies.
Digital cameras are versatile and a much more economical and technological choice for photography due to the miniaturization of electronics and memory cards. There are no continuing processing fees associated with this format and the files are easily moved into computers for editing or post processing image files.
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| Nikon FG mode selection P (program = automatic) and A (aperture priority = user chooses aperture) |
Film cameras expose the light that creates an image on film. Film cameras are often described as analog due to the manual control of the exposure triangle. Film cameras offer modes such as “A” for Aperture Priority (camera chooses shutter speed), and “M” for Manual (complete user control) as well as “P” for Program (automatic, camera chooses Aperture and Shutter Speed.)
P stands for Program mode = automatic. This mode uses camera electronics to control the exposure triangle capturing the image on film.
Some cameras may only have A (aperture priority) mode while older cameras without any internal electronics will have only a M (manual) mode.
Dials control each mode for capturing the image.
You choose the ASA - ISO film (sensitivity) and the camera light meter calculates the shutter speed and aperture by electronics by using the exposure triangle calculation to produce the exposure. You chose when to capture the image by focusing the lens and depressing the shutter release.
Film cameras can offer a mix of electronic and manual controls to record the image.
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| 36 exposure 135 FUJIFILM Provia 100F ASA |
Film
There are many options when choosing film or a film camera.
Film sizes are typically 110, 35mm, 120, 4” x 5” and 8”x10”
35mm (135 format)
Medium Format (120 film)
Large Format (4” x 5” and 8”x10”)
ASA and choices of color or black and white are typical options when choosing film for prints, negatives or slides.
There is UV or Ultraviolet film that captures ultraviolet light or radiation to produce a picture.
There are three main types of film processing, C-41 color negatives, E-6 color reversal/slides and black and white.
C-41 process is for developing color negative slides. The process produces a color negative, the long strip of seemingly brown film.
E-6 process produces color slide film, those cardboard squares that the colors are true like a picture. They were originally used to project larger on a screen for display.
Black and White processing produces a black and white negative on a film negative strip.
Film processing offers digital scanning of images into an electronic file format, the file format that a digital camera readily produces!
Further processing for film development can produce pictures on paper for enjoyment and framing for display.
Polaroid Cameras provide instant film development after capturing an image with a Land camera. The result is a picture that is produced right out of the camera.
My favorite films are Fuji Velvia 50, Provia 100, Kodak Ektar 100, E-100 and Ilford HP5 (B&W)
I use four labs for processing. Wilson Camera (Scottsdale and Phoenix) Tempe Camera and Foto Forum in Phoenix.
Flash Photography
Flash photography involves using the built-in or external flash mounted on the camera’s hot shoe. The additional light is used to illuminate the scene, especially in low light conditions or to create special effects.
The Guide Number is a calculation that helps determine the correct aperture for a given flash unit. A higher guide number indicates a more powerful flash.
There are several types of flash photography.
On camera flash which involves using the built in flash or one that is attached to the camera’s hot shoe.
Off camera flash refers to using a flash unit that is separate from the camera actuated remotely or by a synchronization cable.
Fill in flash is a technique used to lighten shadows.
TTL flash is through the lens light metering that automatically adjusts the flash ensuring proper exposure.
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In Conclusion
My favorite cameras are made by Nikon although through the years I have used other brands such as Canon, Pentax and Kodak. My favorite lenses are Nikkor manual focus AIS.
My favorite film cameras are the Nikon FE2 / MD-12 (motor drive) with a Nikkor 50mm f1.2 AIS lens and my F3 / MD-4 (motor drive) with a Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AIS lens.
I like the FE2 because of the double matching needle indicated light meter. This is the type of light meter I have used since my first camera.
I like the F3 because I’ve always wanted one and it was a classic photojournalist camera, easy to operate. I don’t use it all the time but when I do, I’m very happy to take pictures with it.
My most used 35mm film camera is the Nikon FG. It’s my EDC or every day camera. The FG is a economical, compact, full featured camera utilizing the F-mount system. I use it with the 50mm f1.8 Series E lens and MD-E motor winder. It is a small, light camera that I put on the coffee table at home, the floorboard of my Subaru, my desk at work, a dusty rock or place it on the grass while I am doing other things. It’s not my favorite camera but it is nice and light, replaceable if lost, broken or stolen. It is a cheap Nikon but a Nikon, no less. I like the viewfinder vertical row of LEDs that indicate the aperture and shutter speed settings.
My favorite digital camera is the Nikon D780 with the 28-30mm VR G lens.
I really enjoy the D780 because I can use (F-mount) my old manual focus AIS lenses as well as modern auto focusing lenses. The 28-300mm VR G lens is a marvel of modern photography. It will perform nearly ninety percent of the focal length duties found in my twenty plus manual focus lenses.
My interest in photography is broad spectrum. I used to enjoy setting up a camera on the wingtip of my glider to take pictures during flight. Now I enjoy landscape and street photography. Lately my interest has been architectural photography. I want to learn more about flash and take pictures of wildlife. I am beginning to explore astrophotography and soon I will begin the miniature world of macro. I continue to shoot both film and digital. I consider myself an amateur photographer not really concerned with professional titles during my time behind or in front of a lens.
