Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Manual Camera Settings Guide

Manual mode can use blur, which can imply motion.


Many cameras today have automatic modes that make taking photos easy. Many also have a manual mode, which offers more control over the photo and makes creative photography easier. To use this mode, you need to know about the three most basic camera settings.


ISO Speed


The ISO speed describes the light sensitivity of the camera sensor. A low ISO, generally between 100 and 400, requires more light to create a quality exposure. As the speed increases, the image will get brighter if no other settings on the camera are changed. High ISOs, usually 1600 or above, can be extremely useful when taking low-light photos. However, as the ISO increases, so does the image noise. Most photographers use the lowest ISO possible to maintain image quality.


Aperture


The aperture is the iris of the camera. This mechanical device can be resized to be wide open or very narrow. The openness of the aperture controls the amount of light that enters the camera and also controls the amount of background blur in a photo. Although there is no "correct" aperture setting, most photos are taken within the f/1.8 to f/15 range. When adjusting the size, set it to match the amount of blur you want in the photo. If you have no preference, set it to reduce the amount of light.


Shutter Speed


The shutter speed describes the duration that the camera sensor is receiving light. Adjusting this controls the amount of light and motion blur in the image. As with the aperture, there is no "correct" shutter speed, but most images are taken between 1/50 and 1/1,000 of a second. Unless you want a creative amount of motion blur, the shutter speed is used primarily to control the quantity of light. Moving subjects generally require a shutter speed faster than 1/250 of a second, while long exposure photography usually uses one to 30 seconds.







Tags: shutter speed, amount light, controls amount, camera sensor, controls amount light