We've talked about aperture priority and hopefully by now you'll have got used to using it.
No? Well, do you know what that's really not a problem because dependant on how much time you have to give to your photography it may well be a little difficult to get your head around.
On that presumption, even after last week, there's more help coming :)
Once again, me not being that observant, this took me a while to realise why it was there! 😦
Go ahead and change the Aperture up and down, or even the ISO. You see it changes the shutterspeed as you change the ISO and Aperture.
If your lens won't enable you to use a wider aperture, then change the ISO!
No? Well, do you know what that's really not a problem because dependant on how much time you have to give to your photography it may well be a little difficult to get your head around.
Need more help with F Stops?
I know how long it took me to get my head around this so I'm going to make a presumption! That you could maybe need as long as me?On that presumption, even after last week, there's more help coming :)
What does the scale mean on my screen?
When you're taking photos take a look at the bottom of your screen at the little scale. Have you noticed it changes as you change your settings? This helpful little friend is there to help you know whether you're under or over exposed but it will also help you understand the changing settings too.Once again, me not being that observant, this took me a while to realise why it was there! 😦
Go ahead and change the Aperture up and down, or even the ISO. You see it changes the shutterspeed as you change the ISO and Aperture.
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| ISO400 Aperture set at F5.0 Shutter is at 1/8th of a second. Good job camera is on a tripod! |
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| ISO400 Aperture lowered to F3.5 Shutter now changes to faster shutter of 1/15th of a second. Still slower than I'd like at handheld! |
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| Now ISO800 with aperture at F3.5 the shutter has changed to a faster 1/30th |
This scale really is your friend
Now to explain a bit more about the little scale, I have changed my camera to Manual settings. |
| ISO800 Aperture F3.5 Shutter set at 1/400 the little scale tells me I'll be under exposed .. you see the -2.0 |
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| Now, same ISO but I've set a slower shutter speed of 1/50 and the scale says I'll be over exposed .... you see the +1.0 |
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| Once again I've changed my shutter speed, now to 1/100th and the little scale tells me it is correct exposure. |
Keep life simple
Now I could have changed the ISO up or down rather than the shutter and that too would have given me a correct exposure which certainly makes life easier when you're trying to have fun as well as take photos.If your lens won't enable you to use a wider aperture, then change the ISO!
In aperture priority just set the aperture you want and ISO
So, simply, you can get the images you want by changing the ISO and/or F stop (aperture). There is absolutely no need to fog your brain with the total manual set up until you're absolutely ready.
For instance, when out with my grandchildren I always have my camera on Aperture Priority and my ISO nearly always at minimum of 400 (because they move about a lot and I want to be sure my camera finds a fast enough shutter speed!)
Using those settings I was able to get this image of one of my granddaughters on the beach on a sunny day and keeping the background a dreamy blur.
Please don't think this was taken with expensive equipment. It wasn't. It would be kinda foolish to take my professional equipment to the beach - well unless, of course, I was on a paid shoot!
You can take pictures like this, I promise you. And with practice you'll do it without even thinking.
Next week I'll give you an example of the Aperture settings I use for different occasions.
Until then have a great week, have fun, enjoy and don't fog your brain with too many technical details.
Use what you have in front of you to help you.
“Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.”— Yousuf Karsh