- Aperture or Diaphragm
- Shutter Speed
- ISO Speed
Aperture
Aperture determines the amount of light that reaches the digital sensor. The aperture has a size or unit numbers. Typically, the size of the aperture starts with 2.8 - 4 - 5.6 to 8 - 11 - 16 - 22. Small numbers on the aperture value shows a large diaphragm, so the larger the diaphragm is open or smaller aperture value, more light enters to the lens.
Apart from the quantity of light that is allowed to get through, the aperture also determines the DOF (depth of field). The smaller the aperture the image will be even greater DOF and the larger aperture value will decrease the DOF.
For example : we take pictures of nature, if we want everything in the image is clear or slightly DOF so the aperture must be large, and if we want to take clear pictures on a particular object and the other object at the picture look DOF so the aperture must be small.
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| The Apperture 1.8 (f/1.8), more DOF |
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| The Aperture 8 (f/8), less DOF |
Shutter Speed
Shutter Speed is the length of time required to irradiate the CMOS or CCD sensor in digital cameras.
In the camera shutter speed is indicated by the figures 250,125,60,30,15 ff. This means the duration of exposure was 1/250 sec, 1/125 sec, 1/60 sec, and so on.
Bigger number means faster time to use, this will create the effect still (freeze), for example, which we will be photographing moving objects, eg cars, with the effect of silence, we need at least a shutter speed above 1/125 sec.
Conversely, if we will be photographing the object with moving effect, then the required shutter speed of less than 1/125 sec, should be done by following the direction of object motion, this technique called panning.
Two things also depend on the speed of the object is moving, the faster the object moves, it means that the higher the shutter speed required to obtain still or moving effects that we want, should be noted, the lower the shutter speed, will result in the greater likelihood of camera shaking , which will result in a rocking shots and not sharp.
To be safe, use a shutter speed above 30 or 1/30 sec, if it wants a lower shutter speed, eg 1/15 sec, 1/8 sec or less which, using a buffer or use a tripod.
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| Shutter Speed 1/1000 sec |
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| Shutter Speed 1/1 sec |
ISO Speed
ISO Speed (ISO) is the sensor sensitivity to light. Using a higher ISO can help the sensor responds to light more quickly, but the higher the ISO, will cause noise. Noise makes the picture look not clear. It is usually expressed with the following numbers : 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200. These numbers tell you how "fast" does the digital sensor react to the light sent through the aperture and shutter.
ISO figures have a greater sense of the greater sensitivity to light, with a high ISO will then be able to capture more light in low light compared to a low ISO.
A small number means that it takes a relatively long time to take a photo, a large number, a very short time. But there are two things that must be considered in determining the use of high ISO, the Noise / Grain. The higher the ISO, the more noise is generated. The lower the ISO, the less noise generated.
Understand the concept of Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO are fundamental in photography.
