Basic question

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awec

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Edit My Images
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Hi all,

Fairly new to photography and this forum (hi!). Going to go for a walk tomorrow around a local nature reserve. My camera allows me to set shutter speed and aperature, and I am curious as to what these will affect in my pictures?

Thanks for any help. :thumbs:
 
Do you know what they mean? If not ill talk you through, and what camera do you have?
 
Not sure what they mean.

I have an idea that shutter speed is the length of time it takes to capture the image and aperature is something to do with the opening (cue everyone laughing at my wrong answers). Other than that (if thats even right), nada. :(

My camera isn't a dslr it's a finepix s2000hd, a "high zoom" camera I think it's called. Got it to start off with to see how I get on and tomorrow will be my first real outing with it, so want to fiddle a bit.

PS: Nice photos on your flickr!
 
No one is laughing, we've all been there and started out wondering what its all about.
Andy will give you a good answer, there's some good people here who will help you.
Good luck tomorrow :thumbs:
 
awec said:
I have an idea that shutter speed is the length of time it takes to capture the image and aperature is something to do with the opening (cue everyone laughing at my wrong answers)
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Basically right, but by the looks of it Andy is typing a pretty long post, so he'll probably do a better job than I will! And don't worry about asking 'stupid' questions, we all started somewhere and anyone being out of order will sharply get a clip round the ear by the mods :thumbs:

Stick around, you'll be amazed how much you're about to start learning :D

Chris
 
Your right about the shutter speed, thats how long the shutter is open. Your aperture is the size of the opening in the lens, in other words how much light you let in your camera. A low f number is a large opening meaning more light can come in. A high f number is a small opening so less light comes in. You can blur your background by letting more light in with a low f number. However having a high f number means the shutter speed will have to slow down. But that can work the other way round, The more light you let in the faster the shutter speed can be. ISO is how your camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. Some links for you to read now, - http://digital-photography-school.com/iso-settings. Read it and read it again. :) Its a good read. I can't really explain it better than what it says in the link.


Right, another piece for you to read: http://digital-photography-school.com/learning-exposure-in-digital-photography.

Bet your getting sick of me arnt you, :lol:.

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If you want to learn about aperture, heres a little task for you when you go out. Put the camera in A. Set your f number to low as you can, around f3.5 and take a picture, then take the same picture with a high f number, remember to focus on the same thing. Then check the pictures against each other. Look at the background. :) If the shutter speed goes red then that means your going to under expose your image, so lower aperture till it comes off red, following me?


If your just learning don't go right into manual, try using A and S first, A-Aperture mode, S - shutter priority. In aperture mode the shutter speed is automatic so you don't have to work it out and you can just change the aperture (your f number). In shutter priority mode then the aperture is automatic so you can change your shutter speed without worrying about your f number. Try different things, everyone is a beginner a one point.

If you have any Christmas money or any money saved up then you MUST buy this book, - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003. Its going to be one of the best buys you can think of for starting out with photography. Read it and read it again. Looking forward to seeing some of your pictures as well!
 
Cheers guys + Andy!

I'll post up any pics I take tomorrow for some critique!

Appreciate all the help!
 
Dont be worried about asking 'silly' questions. We all started somewhere and your assumptions are pretty much accurate, so you already know more then perhaps you thought you did.

Like Chris has just said, hang on, you are about the start a ride on the learning curve of your life and despite the frustrations along the way, you will hopefully love every minute of it. Oh yes, and welcome to the forum :thumbs:
 
TriggerHappy said:
*Waits to see Andy's response before explaining the same thing twice*
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Ive been thinking about writing an explanation, but will leave it to others. Much easier for me to explain in speak than writing it all down. Not sure if my grammer is up to it.;)
 
NigelPaul said:
Ive been thinking about writing an explanation, but will leave it to others. Much easier for me to explain in speak than writing it all down. Not sure if my grammer is up to it.;)
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:lol: I suspect you've seen another of my posts. Not normally my thing to make comments like that but on this occasion I couldn't hold myself back.
 
oh yes, another quick tip, if you put your make and model of camera in the 'kitbag' part of your profile, others can maybe give you more specific guidance on various settings, etc. It doesn't matter what it is, anything from a mobile phone to Nikon D3x, anything is acceptable as a tool, its what you do with it that matters.
 
Just updated my post, may want to reread :)

Oh, i forgot as well. Welcome to talk photography.
 
Thats sound advice from Andy and everyone else, there's also an interesting article written by a member regarding shutter speeds and apertures that might help you. The article is based on a dslr but the basics apply no matter what camera you use.

Click here

Trev
 
awec said:
Going to buy that book then!

Thanks again for all the help and the friendly welcome!
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Don't thank everyone here too much. If you hang around for long your wallet will be a lot lighter as the bug bites! :lol:
 
awec said:
:D

Christmas is just past, I doubt my wallet could be any lighter! :lol::lol: :thumbs:
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Ahahaha, is that what you really think?! Rookie ;) :D

Trust me, soon you'll be selling organs, children etc for that next camera/lens etc :D
 
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