Many beginners and amateurs of photography become quickly frustrated by the numerous amount of technical terminology used in the craft. But all is not lost, listed below are a few common terms that I have defined in an easy to understand language.
Aperture
This term is defined as a type of diaphragm inside all cameras which will change in size dependent upon the amount of light present. In this way, it is very similar to the human eye structure in that a circular opening enlarges or diminishes in size in response to the amount of light present at the time.
Nomenclature is the most confusing part for beginning photographers. Essentially, this is quoted in what is commonly referred to as 'stops'. If there is a smaller f-stop number such as f/1.8, there will be a wider opening from the aperture. However, if there is a larger number such as f/22, there will only be a tiny opening from the aperture.
Unless it is an SLR, your camera will have a range of available f-stops, for example f/2.8-f/8. This means that the widest the aperture can open is f/2.8 and the narrowest, f/8.
Sensor
Your digital camera contains a light-sensitive panel that records the light that hits it when you press the button to take a photo. This performs the same function that film does in older cameras. The sensor remains hidden behind the closed shutter (see below) and is only exposed when a photo is taken. Your camera records the light hitting the sensor when you take a picture, and stores the result on the memory card in the camera.
Shutter Speed
A shutter on a camera is located just in front of the image sensor. This piece is always closed until the button to take a photo is pressed. Once the button is pressed, the shutter opens for a specific period of time, exposing the sensor to light.
Most shutters are actually comprised of two curtains. At a fast shutter speed, the first curtain opens only a tiny gap between it and the second curtain, and travels across the sensor with the second curtain following close behind. For longer exposures the whole sensor might be exposed for a period of time before the second curtain closes it.
Shutter speeds are expressed in whole and fractions of seconds. A shutter speed of 1/640, for example, means that the sensor will be exposed for only a one-six-hundred-and-fortieth of a second.
Exposure
The term 'exposure' refers to exposing the sensor or film to light in order to take a photograph. In addition, a photograph is referred to as an 'exposure' for this reason.
As a photograph is taken, how much light reaches the light-sensitive sensor is determined by aperture and shutter speed. If a darker photo is desired, a slower shutter speed and larger aperture or combination of both may be required for a quality photograph.
The term 'correct exposure' refers to the approximation of what a photographer actually saw with his/her naked eye at the time the photo was taken. This is purely a matter of a taste. However, it is entirely possible to take a photo at night or in the dark with such long shutter speed that it actually appears as if it was taken in the daylight.
Aperture
This term is defined as a type of diaphragm inside all cameras which will change in size dependent upon the amount of light present. In this way, it is very similar to the human eye structure in that a circular opening enlarges or diminishes in size in response to the amount of light present at the time.
Nomenclature is the most confusing part for beginning photographers. Essentially, this is quoted in what is commonly referred to as 'stops'. If there is a smaller f-stop number such as f/1.8, there will be a wider opening from the aperture. However, if there is a larger number such as f/22, there will only be a tiny opening from the aperture.
Unless it is an SLR, your camera will have a range of available f-stops, for example f/2.8-f/8. This means that the widest the aperture can open is f/2.8 and the narrowest, f/8.
Sensor
Your digital camera contains a light-sensitive panel that records the light that hits it when you press the button to take a photo. This performs the same function that film does in older cameras. The sensor remains hidden behind the closed shutter (see below) and is only exposed when a photo is taken. Your camera records the light hitting the sensor when you take a picture, and stores the result on the memory card in the camera.
Shutter Speed
A shutter on a camera is located just in front of the image sensor. This piece is always closed until the button to take a photo is pressed. Once the button is pressed, the shutter opens for a specific period of time, exposing the sensor to light.
Most shutters are actually comprised of two curtains. At a fast shutter speed, the first curtain opens only a tiny gap between it and the second curtain, and travels across the sensor with the second curtain following close behind. For longer exposures the whole sensor might be exposed for a period of time before the second curtain closes it.
Shutter speeds are expressed in whole and fractions of seconds. A shutter speed of 1/640, for example, means that the sensor will be exposed for only a one-six-hundred-and-fortieth of a second.
Exposure
The term 'exposure' refers to exposing the sensor or film to light in order to take a photograph. In addition, a photograph is referred to as an 'exposure' for this reason.
As a photograph is taken, how much light reaches the light-sensitive sensor is determined by aperture and shutter speed. If a darker photo is desired, a slower shutter speed and larger aperture or combination of both may be required for a quality photograph.
The term 'correct exposure' refers to the approximation of what a photographer actually saw with his/her naked eye at the time the photo was taken. This is purely a matter of a taste. However, it is entirely possible to take a photo at night or in the dark with such long shutter speed that it actually appears as if it was taken in the daylight.
About the Author:
Tobias Sterling has been in love with photography for many years. He loves to write and share his knowledge with fellow enthusiast on Clivir.com where you can find his lessons including Beginners Photography Basics and Black and White Photography Tips.
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