Three Basic Elements of Photography

From the time I bought my camera, it has been two years. There haven't been many nice works, but I still keep learning and shooting when I have free time. I have become more sensitive about some photography concepts than before. And I think there are three key concepts for beginners.

Aperture

First one is the aperture. Aperture is the size of opening in the lens that permits light to enter the camera. Let’s take a look of the following image, it compared effects about the different amounts of light entered the camera.

Aperture comparison

With larger aperture, the more light will enter the camera, but the most noticeable is the depth of field.

Depth of field is the distance at which the subject you are shooting will be in focus in front of and behind the main point of focus. The larger the aperture, the larger blurred background when a subject is focused correctly. The smaller the aperture, the more parts of the frame are in focus.

Large aperture vs Small aperture

You need note that aperture of the lens is defined by a value known as ”f/stop”. The larger the f-stop number is, the smaller/narrower the aperture and vice versa. This number follows a sequence like this:

Size of aperture

There are some guidelines of the aperture you should choose depending on what you want to capture.

f1.4 - f2.8:

It’s performs well in low light environments, but keep in mind that it has a shallow depth of field. Note that capturing images with apertures between these values may result in background blur.

f4:

When shooting with auto focus, it's the minimum aperture when taking a portrait of a subject. If you use a larger aperture, there is a risk of blurring facial features.

f/5.6:

This aperture is ideal for capturing photographs of groups of people, particularly in a lifestyle setting. For instance, it would be a great choice for a Shutterstock Custom brief featuring friends interacting with a product in a park.

f/8:

It’s great for larger groups of people, such as in party scenarios. Shooting at f/8 will ensure that everyone remains in focus.

f/11:

This is a very precise aperture, ensuring that all the details in your shot will be in focus. It's perfect for capturing portraits or pictures of moving animals that require a sharp background, rather than blur.

f/16:

For shooting outdoors in bright conditions where a small aperture is necessary, it would be a good choice.

f/22:

For wide, landscape, or architecture shots where you want all details in focus, this aperture is the ideal choice.

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed refers to the length of time that a camera's shutter is open. It is an essential photographic concept that affects the brightness, sharpness, and overall quality of an image. While a fast shutter speed can freeze a moment in time and capture a sharp image, a slower shutter speed can create motion blur and convey a sense of movement or dynamism.

In general, shutter speed is measured in fractions of a second, ranging from as fast as 1/8000th of a second to as slow as several seconds or even minutes. Photographers can adjust the shutter speed to control the amount of light that enters the camera, and also to achieve creative effects such as long exposures or panning shots. In addition, some cameras have a bulb mode that allows the shutter to remain open indefinitely, enabling photographers to capture stunning night or astrophotography images.

An Illustration of Shutter Speed

Shutter Speed

Shutter speed refers to the length of time that a camera's shutter is open. It is an essential photographic concept that affects the brightness, sharpness, and overall quality of an image. While a fast shutter speed can freeze a moment in time and capture a sharp image, a slower shutter speed can create motion blur and convey a sense of movement or dynamism.

In general, shutter speed is measured in fractions of a second, ranging from as fast as 1/8000th of a second to as slow as several seconds or even minutes. Photographers can adjust the shutter speed to control the amount of light that enters the camera, and also to achieve creative effects such as long exposures or panning shots. In addition, some cameras have a bulb mode that allows the shutter to remain open indefinitely, enabling photographers to capture stunning night or astrophotography images.

Here are some guidelines for choosing the appropriate shutter speed for a given situation:

1/8000th of a second:

Use this very fast shutter speed to freeze action in high-speed sports, such as car racing, or for photography in very bright sunlight.

1/4000th of a second:

This is a fast shutter speed that can be used for capturing fast-moving subjects like birds in flight or athletes in motion.

1/2000th of a second:

Use this shutter speed to capture subjects that are moving relatively quickly, such as a cyclist or a dancer.

1/1000th of a second:

This is a good shutter speed for capturing people walking or running, or for photographing animals in motion.

1/500th of a second:

Use this shutter speed to capture a subject that is moving relatively slowly, such as a person walking.

1/250th of a second:

This is a good shutter speed for handheld photography in low-light conditions, or for capturing a subject that is moving slowly, such as a group of people.

1/125th of a second:

This is a slower shutter speed that can be used for handheld photography in low-light conditions, but you will need to be careful not to introduce camera shake.

1/60th of a second:

This is a slow shutter speed that is appropriate for capturing subjects that are not moving, such as landscapes or still lifes. You will need a tripod or other stabilizing device to avoid camera shake.

1/30th of a second:

This shutter speed is suitable for capturing dimly lit scenes, but you will need to use a tripod or other stabilizing device to avoid camera shake.

1/15th of a second or slower:

This shutter speed is appropriate for long-exposure photography, such as capturing star trails or light painting.

Overall, understanding shutter speed is crucial for anyone interested in photography, as it is one of the key elements that can make or break an image. By experimenting with different shutter speeds, photographers can create unique and visually compelling photographs that capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us.

ISO

ISO refers the camera’s sensitivity to light. It is an important setting in photography as it affects the brightness and quality of an image.

By adjusting the ISO, a photographer can capture more light in low-light situations, but at the same time, a high ISO can also introduce noise into an image.

ISO comparison

Here are some guidelines for choosing the appropriate ISO for a given situation:

ISO 100-200:

This is the standard setting for outdoor photography in bright sunlight. It provides the least amount of noise and the highest image quality.

ISO 400-800:

Use this setting for indoor photography or outdoor photography in low light. It provides a good balance between image quality and noise.

ISO 1600-3200:

This setting is appropriate for low light situations where you need to capture more light. However, it also introduces more noise into the image.

ISO 6400+:

Use this setting only in the darkest situations, such as night photography. It introduces a lot of noise, but it may be necessary to capture the scene.

Therefore, it is important to strike a balance between the ISO setting and other camera settings such as aperture and shutter speed. Understanding the concept of ISO is crucial for achieving the desired exposure and image quality in photography.

In the end

In conclusion, understanding the three key concepts of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO is essential for any beginner photographer looking to improve their skills. By mastering these concepts, photographers can gain greater control over the exposure of their images, and create unique and visually compelling photographs that capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us. Remember to experiment with different settings and techniques, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. With practice and patience, anyone can become a skilled and confident photographer.