Aperture and Depth of Field

In photography, one tool that can help make boring images into fantastic photographs is aperture. Aperture. Aperture refers to the size of the diaphragm in your lens, and is one of three basic features that controls an image's exposure. However, in this particular section, I'll tell you how aperture controls the Depth of Field (DOF).

Depth of field just refers to how much of your photo is in focus, and there is a shallow depth of field, and an expansive depth of field.

In shallow depth of field, and object (mainly the main subject) is in focus, while the background is all blurry. You've probably seen many photos that have shallow depth of field, and they really can make any subject look wonderful!

In expansive depth of field, the whole frame is mostly in focus. By looking at an expansive depth of field image, you can know exactly what is in the background, everything is sharp and clear. You've probably seen many of these as well, they are very common when shooting landscape photos and can really make a great photo!

Below are some examples of the different depth of fields:

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This image above of the paints are a good example of a shallow depth of field. It's easy to tell because the focus is on the tips and the actual paint, while the background is all blurry. 

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Above is a good example of an expansive depth of field. You can tell that it's expansive because you can see how clear and in-focus the entire photograph is, and there are no areas in this photo that is blurry. 

Now aperture is a little tricky to understand at first, but the more you work with it, the easier it becomes. 

Aperture is measured in something called "f/stops". If you look on your DSLR camera, you'll most likely see numbers like f/5.6, f/22, and f/8. Now there are many more f/stops than the examples here, these are just shown to show you how they will appear on your camera. Aperture determines how much light can enter and fall onto the image sensor. The bigger the opening in aperture, the more light can come in. 

Now here's the tricky part: The wider the aperture, the smaller the f/stop number. Likewise, the smaller the f/stop number, the wider the opening is.

So, if you have a small f/stop number like f/5.6, then your aperture (the opening) is a pretty good size. However, if you have a large f/stop number like f/22, then you have a pretty small aperture (opening). Now this took me forever to get use to, and sometimes I still do have to think a little about which one is which, so don't worry if you're a little confused! 

Now that we know how to make sure our aperture is the size we want it by using f/stops, it's time to apply the aperture size to the depth of field. 

Now the wider your aperture, the more shallow depth of field you will get. Please notice that this is referring to aperture, not f/stops. If we had a big f/stop, then there would be a small aperture.

Likewise, the more narrow your aperture, the more expansive your photo will be.

So, if you want an expansive depth of field, the you will want the set your aperture to, lets say, a stop of f/22 just for example. Since this is a big f/stop number, that will make the aperture very narrow. And as we just learned, the more narrow your aperture is, the more expansive your depth of field will be. It's very important you understand the difference between aperture and f/stops because they both play such a huge role in photography! 

Below is a chart that may help you understand the relationship between f/stops, apertures, and depth of field: 

 

Vogel, Rex. "Exposure Traingle: Aperture and Depth of Field." Vogel Talks RVing. WordPress, 13 Jul 2013. Web. 15 Dec 2013. <Mclaughlin, Lauren. Austin Texas Wedding Photographer. WordPress, 9 Jun 2013. Web. 15 Dec 2013. . >.

 

Mclaughlin, Lauren. Austin Texas Wedding Photographer. WordPress, 9 Jun 2013. Web. 15 Dec 2013. <http://www.lmaustintexasweddingphotographer.com/category/austin-texas-photography/>.

I hope that these charts help you as much as they helped me with aperture, f/stop and depth of field!

Aperture can make such a big difference in your photos! Here's an example below of the different depth of fields on the same subject:

Now, you can control your aperture manually, however I cannot tell you how to do it for your camera because my camera could be much more different than yours, so be sure to read your manual!! But, I will show you how I can control my aperture with my camera.

My camera is a Nikon D3000 and to change the aperture on this camera, I first switch the dial onto "A". If you're not sure how to switch your dial, here's a photo of one below:

  

In the photo above, the setting is set on "P", but to change your aperture manually, you'll want to set it to "A".

 Now that you have it set on the setting to change the aperture, you need to change your f/stop number the way you want it. To do this, just slide the switch left or right. This "switch" is located on the back of your camera, near the LCD screen. In fact if you look into the photo above, you can see it. It's directly beside the "AF-L" button. However, here's another picture below to show you exactly what it looks like:

Now when you slide this switch back and fourth, you will see your f/stop numbers changing on your LCD screen. Once you've set your f/stop, all you have to do is take your photo!

I hope this has helped! 

Parts of a Camera and What They Do

Parts of a Camera and What They Do

When you get a camera, you obviously want to make sure you know how to use it and what each parts of the camera do. Now a DSLR camera is much more complex than a Point and Shoot camera because it's all manual, meaning you control it. A Point and Shoot camera, although it does have some manual controls, is much more automatic. For example, in a Point and Shoot camera, you can shoot a photo up close and zoom into it and you will see on the screen (called the LCD screen) will adjust and sharpen by itself. On a DSLR camera, you have to zoom and then you are the one who adjusts the sharpness of the subject, the camera doesn't do it by itself like a Point and Shoot camera does.

Below are some photos of basic camera parts for both Point and Shoot and DSLR cameras. 

. Amazon.com. N.p.. Web. 15 Dec 2013. <http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-F30-Digital-Optical/dp/B000EJVWGS>.

 

"Photography Friday 1 [Introduction]." It's Overflowing. WordPress, 6 Jan. 2012. Web. 15 Dec. 2013. <http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2012/01/photography-course-overview/>.

 Now once again, these parts do not apply for all cameras. All cameras are different and may have different settings than the ones shown above. This is just shown to show the main functions that are common in most cameras. So if you have the instruction manual to your camera, then it would be a good idea to read it so you can know exactly how your specific camera is set up.

Now in the first image, the Point and Shoot has an electronic flash, zoom lens, lens cover, LCD panel, indicator LEDs, picture review finder, viewfinder, OK button, shooting mode dial, menu button/display control, memory card slot, USB port, and a battery compartment.

For the DSLR camera, some common parts are the flash, mode dial, power switch, control dial, shutter button, lens, leans release button, flash button, lens focus, viewfinder, play button, erase button, LCD display and the memory card slot.

Now you probably know a lot of the functions for a point and shoot camera. They aren't hard to understand at all! so it becomes easy to take photos once you've figured out how it works.

          Point and Shoot Functions:

    

     * Electronic Flash- The flash is responsible for the light that occurs when you take photo. The major purpose of the flash is to illuminate a dark scene or to capture quickly moving objects. The flash setting can be turned on or off or even automatic.

   

     * Zoom Lens- The zoom lens is obviously the zoom. You can take photos of a butterfly for example and you don't have to worry about scaring it away because you can just zoom in on the butterfly from a distance.

    

     * Lens Cover- The lens cover protects the lens. It can also prevent unnecessary light from entering into the lens which could result in a lens flare.

    

     * LCD Panel- In Point and Shoot cameras, you can see the subject you are about to shoot through this screen. Some Point and Shoot cameras also have a viewfinder, but not all. The LCD screen is also used to view your photos after they've been taken.

   

     * Indicator LEDs- Indicator LEDs show the camera's current status.

   

     * Picture Review Finder- This is the button you click when you want to view the photos you've taken.

    

     * Viewfinder- This is the frame you look through when you take a photo.

    

     * OK Button- This button is used when selecting operations that you would like to use for your camera.

   

     * Shooting Mode Dial- The shooting mode dial is used to change different scene modes, and you can adjust exposure (if you don't know what exposure is, don't worry, we'll talk about that later. For now just think of it as adjusting the light).

    

     * Menu Button/Display Control- This controls the amount of information shown in the LCD and menus.

     

     * Memory Card Slot- This is the compartment in which you put your memory card into. Be sure you place it in correctly or it can damage you card or even your camera.

   

     * USB Port- When you get your camera, they normally come with a wire. This wire gets plugged into your camera and then the other end gets plugged into your computer. This is one way in which you can put the images that's on your camera onto the computer.

     

     * Battery Compartment- The battery compartment is where you place your batteries in.

DSLR Functions: 

      * Flash- The flash, just like the point and shoot camera, is used to illuminate dark scenes. The flash can also be set on, off or on automatic.

     * Mode Dial- The mode dial is used to change scene modes. For example, if you wanted to shoot a photo of your dog, then the best mode to set it on is the Pets mode.

     * Power Switch- This is obviously the switch that turn the camera on and off.

     * Main Control Dial- This dial (in the majority of DSLR cameras) is used to change focal points, make exposure compensation, change ISO and more.

     * Shutter Button- This is the button you press when you want to take the photograph.

     * Lens- The lens is the part of the camera that determines the focal length and for viewing the subject you are about to shoot. 

     * Lens Release Button-  Since DSLR cameras have interchangeable lenses, the lenses obviously have to come off somehow. The lens release button is what you press to release the lens.

     * Lens Focus- The lens focus is used to focus on the subject that you want to shoot. 

     * Viewfinder- The viewfinder is the rectangular frame you look through when you take a photo.

     * Play Button- This is the button you press when you want to view the photos you took on your camera.

     * Erase Button- This button normally has a small trash can on it. You click this button to delete an image you don't like.

     * LCD Display- In my DSLR camera, you cannot view the subject through this screen. You can only view the pictures you've already taken. So in order to see your subject, you have to look through the viewfinder.

     * Memory Card Slot- This slot is where you place your memory card. Again, be careful that you put it in correctly. 

I know that this does look like a handful to know, but once you understand it and learn to use it, it's as common as breathing! I hope you find this helpful! 

What is Photography and What is a Point and Shoot and a DSLR?

What is Photography and What is a Point and Shoot and a DSLR?

     What is photography? Well this question can be easily answered. Photography is the art or practice of taking and processing photographs. Photography uses light to capture its images. This is all very easy and common knowledge and you're probably wondering when we're going to get into the good stuff, but in order to get into the good stuff, we have to learn some basics. Nowadays, people can capture images through many devices. People can capture images through cameras, phones, ipods, ipads, etc. However, the most common instrument used in capturing the best quality of images is through the camera. There are two (2) types of cameras. There is the Point and Shoot camera, and there is the SLR camera. 

     *Point and Shoot- Most people are more familiar with these types of cameras. These cameras are more compact digital cameras that are way more automatic than an SLR camera is. By automatic, it means that it can focus on the subject by itself and you don't have to adjust anything as much as you would with an SLR camera.

     *SLR- SLR stand for single lens reflex. This pretty much means that what you see is what you get. Early SLR cameras were filmed based, so the "newer" SLR cameras are called DSLR cameras in which the letter "D" stand for digital. SLR, or DSLR cameras, has way more control than a Point and Shoot camera. You have to be in control of camera.

DSLR cameras normally has these features:

     *Removable and interchangeable lenses 

     *A reflex mirror

     *DSLR cameras are designed to have far more manual control other than the point and shoot

Below are some photos of the different appearances between a Point and Shoot camera and a DSLR camera:

"Does a Point and Shoot Camera Still Make Sense to You?." Digital Photographer School. Digital Photography School, n.d. Web. 15 Dec 2013. <http://digital-photography-school.com/does-a-point-shoot-camera-still-make-sense-for-you>.

"The Four DSLR Camera for Every Budget." Gizmodo. Allure Media, n.d. Web. 15 Dec 2013. <http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2009/11/the-four-dslr-cameras-for-every-budget/>.

Please note that not all cameras look like the ones that are shown above. There are so many different types of cameras that exist. The ones above are just used to demonstrate the main differences between a Point and Shoot (First Image) and a DSLR (Bottom Image).

Now you might be wondering, which camera is better? Well it depends on what you are going to be shooting the photos for. If you're going to be shooting photos with friends and family and have fun with it, then the Point and Shoot will work fine. However, if you want to shoot more professional shots like senior photos or photos for a contest or anything, then the DSLR is a better way to go. 

Some things that makes the DSLR better for these types of photos is that they have a higher megapixel count, better color control, and much sharper images. However this doesn't mean that you can't get any good photos with a Point and Shoot camera. You can get so many amazing shots without having a DSLR camera. Below is an image that I took with my Point and Shoot camera before I got a DSLR camera:

Now this was taken with my Point and Shoot camera. It didn't turn out so bad, you can really see detail in the bird's feathers. However, if this image was taken with a DSLR, then this image could be uploaded and printed into a HUGE size without making the image look like a bunch of pixels unlike the Point and Shoot camera. This is because a DSLR camera has a higher megapixel count. There will be more detail on the megapixel count later. I hope you found this helpful and enjoyed it! :)