Its easy to rely on the manual settings found on your DSLR, but learning how to fine tune the settings yourself will make all the difference. Learning these takes time, and I definitely recommend practicing as much as possible until you feel comfortable with them. Below, I will briefly explain each one and how to use them in your favor.
ISO
According to DPS, ISO is defined as the measurement of sensitivity of the image sensor.
On your camera, ISO is measured in numbers ranging from 100 -3200.
Basically, what this means to your photo's is how much light is needed for your image. If your in a well lighted setting, an ISO setting of 100 is sufficient for a nice photograph. However, the darker the scene, the higher you need to set your ISO setting.
But wait, theres a catch :) With ISO, a setting of 100 will provide you with a nice, soft image with no grainy effects. However, the higher the ISO setting you go, the more grain will appear in your image. Luckily there are ways to fix this post processing, and sometimes you cannot help but to raise your ISO.
The below photograph is an example I found accompanying the DPS article on ISO that shows a photograph taken with two different ISO extremes.
The photo on the left was taken with an ISO of 100, the photo on the right was taken with an ISO of 3200.
You will notice the right photo is darker, but is softer with no grain. The photo to the right is more lit, but there is a grainy texture to it.
Like I said in my previous article, its a good idea to familiarize yourself with ISO by taking a photograph at each different ISO, and documenting which is which. Upload them on your computer to get a better look at the differences.
Shutter Speed
Now you would think Shutter Speed is how fast your camera can take pictures. In a way that is true, but there is so much more to it.
Shutter Speed is the amount of time that the shutter of your camera is open.
The longer the shutter is open, the more light is allowed into your photograph and vise versa. What that basically means is, the slower the shutter speed the lighter the photograph. The faster the shutter-speed, the darker (as a fast shutter speed is not allowing a lot of light in).
Shutter speed is measured in seconds. I.e: 1/1000, 1/40. 1/1000 is a much faster speed than 1/40, thus allowing less time for light to enter your photograph, which brings me to my next point.
If you are interested in taking beautiful shots of the night sky, or any photographs in the darker hours, shutter speed is your friend. Grab a tripod, and set your shutter speed to a lower setting (i.e 1/10, 1/20). This will let more light in, and allow you to properly capture your subject.
Another thing that shutter speed is important for is action photogaphy. If you decide to shoot your child's soccer game, set the shutter speed to a faster setting, i.e 1/500 to be able to capture all those action shots.
I will be posting some more in depth articles on shutter speed, its my favorite setting that I have mastered.
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| I took this photograph using an in between shutter speed around 1/100. I wanted some added light, but also wanted to capture the movement of the bee in flight. |
Aperture
Aperture is defined as "the size of the opening in the lens of where your picture is taken" (DPS).
Once mastered, this setting will move you from so-so photo's to professional looking photo's.
Aperature is also referred to as the "f-stop" and is measured as f/7, f/5, and even f/5.6.
An easy way to remember what aperture does is this: Say you want those beautiful portraits where your subject is in focus, and the background is all blurred. Setting your aperture to a lower f stop such as f/5 or even lower, would achieve this look. Say you want to photograph a landscape, and prefer that everything in the picture is in focus. You would set your aperture to a higher setting like f/8 or f/9.
Another thing to remember with Aperture is that it will also affect the light let into your photographs. A larger f stop, the more light that comes in. The smaller the f stop, the less light will be allowed.
Bringing it all together
Scenario 1: You want to take a photograph of a flower, and would like to get the petals in focus, and the background blurred. You are in the shade, and need some added light into your photograph.
I had this issue today... What you would need to do, is set your camera's ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperature making sure each one compliments the other thus producing an amazing photograph. Heres how to do it....
I left my ISO at 100 since my natural lighting wasnt dark enough where i needed to boost it, also, I wanted to keep everything soft with as little grain as possible.
I decreased my shutterspeed, but left it high enough that i would get no blur from un wanted movements in my photograph. I set it at about 1/100.
Since i have allowed a little addedlight by decreasing my shutter speed, i then placed my aperature at an in between f stop of about f/5.6. This diminished the shade, and gave a sunkissed feel.
**Remember, if the f/stop is too low, you will need a tripod as unwanted hand shake is sure to add a blur in your photo.
Then i shot away at my subject. I got some great in focus shots of my subject, but the background came out blurred giving my photo a soft feel. See how it turned out below:
Bottom Line
Higher ISO: More Light, More Grain
Lower ISO: Less Light - Less Grain
Higher Shutterspeed: Less Light
Lower Shutterspeed: More Light - More chances for blurred images (As your shutter will be open for a longer time)
Higher F Stop: Less Light
Lower F Stop: More Light - More chances of blurred images without a tripod- as your image is being exposed for longer.
Hopefully this article gave you an a-ha moment when it comes to how your cameras settings can affect your photo. I once again recomend practicing as much as possible until it clicks. It took me a while of just shooting pictures of anything to finally understand these settings, and putting them all together.
As always, if you have any specific questions, feel free to shoot me an email and I will try to help as best as I can.
Thanks to Digital Photography Schools amazing articles for the definitions :)
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