Week 1...Aperture
Aperture, also called f/stop, determines how much of your photo will be in focus. In super simple terms, low number equals less focus...high number equals more focus.
If you are using a bridge camera or DSLR camera you will find a setting for aperture priority, usually marked with an Av or A on the dail. In this mode you choose your aperture setting and the camera sets the shutter speed.
The challenge- Set your camera to aperture priority mode and take 3 pics of the same thing with different aperture settings. The first picture at the lowest setting, the second at a mid range setting, and the third at the highest setting. Then load your pictures into your photo editing software and compare the difference.
A tip for those of you using a point and shoot camera and can't changes aperture settings- be sure to turn on the macro (usually a little flower) then take a few steps back and zoom in on your subject. It will blur the background more, creating the look of a lower aperture.
I have a bridge camera (but I am saving up for a DSLR!) so my aperture settings don't have as large a range as found on DSLR cameras, but you can still see the difference.
f/3.3 - notice the dead grass in the background is completely blurred...
f/5 - you can see that the grass is a little sharper but still not in focus...
f/8 - the grass in the background is now in focus...
When doing a head shot or when I'm photographing one subject I like to use a really low f/stop to keep your eyes focused on the main subject and blurring out anything in the background that may distract from the subject.
If you decide to follow along with these lessons include a link to your blog in my comments so I can check it out!
Next week's lesson: ISO & Shutter Speed.
Happy shooting! :)
3 comments:
Your pictures of N are cute! She's such a model for you. I'm glad we are back to our challenges!
I am going to do this challenge with you and give myself a challenge! I'm so tired of not knowing anything about my camera. it's past time to learn. Also, MK is going to follow along too. Her early Christmas gift was a cannon rebel.
yay Trudy and MK!!!!
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