Connecting the dots.

The easiest way to learn the connection between the three exposure component is by experimenting. In DSLR camera you notice that you can have 3 main mode which are, aperture priority, Speed priority and Manual. Aperture priority is what I use most of the time. you decide which f value you want to use for the shoot, the camera will adjust the camera speed automatically.

For a start, set your camera ISO to 100 and set your camera mode to aperture priority. change the f value as low as your camera permit between 4.5 - 2.8 and press half of your shutter speed. You will notice the camera speed will change depending on how well lit your object is. the brighter the object, the more speed you can get.

Usually during the day you can test shooting outdoor and indoor. with the same setting, shooting outdoor will let your camera operate in higher speed then shooting indoor.

Note: the faster your camera speed, the sharper your image. this is because the faster the camera speed, the less shake produced from your hand.

Tips: Know your hand, know your speed. I experiment taking picture of one object with different speed to know my own shutter speed limit. My speed limit is 100. meaning that if I shoot using shutter speed under 100, my image will sharpness will be reduced. some people with steadier hand can shoot with shutter speed 30 without losing its sharpness.

case study:

You set your camera to ISO100 and you want to shoot an object with aperture value of f4. because the lighting condition is not that good, your camera detecting that you need 30 for your camera speed. Your speed limit is 100. what should you do?

You have 2 option.

1. If you can tolerance your depth of field, you can adjust it to f2.8 ( so your camera sensor can capture more light) but your depth of field will be shorter. If the is not an option, then choose option 2

2. increase your sensor sensitifity by adjusting your camera ISO to 200 or 400. with higher ISO, you can take a picture with higher speed without sacrificing your depth of field.

HMPix photography