Manipulating Exposure in a Digital Camera

[ad_1]

The exposure in a digital camera is governed by three main factors namely the ISO, the aperture and the shutter speed. While the ISO is the unit which represents the digital camera sensor’s sensitivity to light, the aperture refers to the size of opening in the lens at the time of taking the picture, and finally the shutter speed indicates the length of time during which the shutter remains open. Since these factors are sacred elements of exposure, they are collectively referred to as the exposure triangle.

Since exposure determines the quality and overall outcome of the photograph, it is mandatory for all aspiring photographers to learn the basics related to it. It is undoubtedly an aspect of photography, which requires a lot of practice and the only way to acquire mastery over this technique is to keep on experimenting with the settings until one finds a perfect solution.

Acquiring the right exposure entails adjustments on three counts and this feature of photography has been aptly compared to the act of juggling. As a juggler juggles more than two objects while concentrating on all of them at the same time, a photographer is expected to be aware of the current status of all three factors in order to attain the ideal exposure for his photograph.

The interdependence of the three main determinants of exposure namely the ISO, aperture and shutter speed is a slightly difficult concept, which the novice and amateur photographers may find hard to grasp. Therefore, an easier way of explaining this relationship is by making use of the metaphor of the window with a shutter wherein the learner is asked to imagine that the camera is a window which can be opened and closed depending on the needs of the user.

With the window serving as the digital camera, if the aperture is assumed to be the size of the window, then the amount of light permitted to enter is directly proportional to its size, meaning the bigger the aperture, the more is the quantity of light coming in. Similarly, if the shutter speed indicates the duration for which the window remains open, then in this case also, the quantity of light which enters varies in direct proportion to the time for which the window is left open.

Comparatively the ISO factor is a little more difficult to understand because of its implication on the sensitivity of the camera. To make the explanation simpler, the ISO is quoted as being low when an individual within the room with an open window shields his eyes with sunglasses and high when the same individual takes off his sunglasses.

Another popular metaphor, which is used in this regard, is sunbathing wherein a parallel is drawn between the body getting exposed to the sun for getting tanned and the exposure in a digital camera. Here, the variants are quoted as being the sunscreen which determines the amount of sunlight hitting the skin as the aperture of the camera and the duration for which one is exposed to the sun as explaining the shutter speed. The sensitivity factor or the ISO in this case is indicated by the skin type of the individual as in some skin types are more sensitive as compared to others.

According to experts, the technique of manipulating the exposure is best learnt while handling a digital camera due to the choice which it offers to the photographers. Such a camera not only enables them to take photographs in normal modes like the auto mode and the manual mode, but in a couple of semi-automatic modes as well like the aperture priority mode and the shutter priority mode.

With the window serving as the digital camera, if the aperture is assumed to be the size of the window, then the amount of light permitted to enter is directly proportional to its size, meaning the bigger the aperture, the more is the quantity of light coming in. Similarly, if the shutter speed indicates the duration for which the window remains open, then in this case also, the quantity of light which enters varies in direct proportion to the time for which the window is left open.

Comparatively the ISO factor is a little more difficult to understand because of its implication on the sensitivity of the camera. To make the explanation simpler, the ISO is quoted as being low when an individual within the room with an open window shields his eyes with sunglasses and high when the same individual takes off his sunglasses.

[ad_2]
write by Weaver

[ad_2]