Hello,
So I've read the book "Digital SLR Cameras and Photography for Dummies," and understand in full what Aperture, ISO, and Shutter Speed are. What I don't understand is how to utilize them. When I get a DSLR in a few months, I would like to be able to know how to set these things so I get what I want from my photography. How do you know what shutter speed to set, and what aperture to set? How do I know how high or high low to keep the ISO? I think I understand ISO the best, followed by shutter speed, but I have no idea what I'm supposed to do to set the ISO. I'm going to be doing all types of photography out there, so I really need to know how to set these things in a lot of different situations and such.
Thanks for your help!
The Aperture basically controls how much of your lens is open and how much light is allowed in when you take a picture. Your shutter speed controls how long your shutter is open for when you take a picture.
Both affect how much light hits the camera's sensor. The smaller the aperture number, the more light hits the sensor, but you get less depth of field with lower numbers. Less will be in focus. This may be good or bad depending on your goals. For example,it may be beneficial to make your background less focused and less distracting.
The slower the shutter speed, the more light will hit the sensor but this increased opening time means motion will appear blurry. The motion includes both camera movement and subject movement. I can usually shoot at about 1/60th of a second without notable camera movement. Shooting something like sports will require a faster shutter speed. Using a tripod will allow you to shoot non-moving subjects at much lower speeds.
It sounds like you understand ISO which is how sensitive the sensor it too light. Using a higher ISO allows you to use either a faster shutter speed or get more depth of field with your aperture, but may mean a more grainy image
Having a properly exposed image (the right amount of light hitting the sensor) is a trade-off between these controls. I find a good way to start is to use your shutter priority control, setting your shutter speed for a rate that will freeze any motion (maybe 1/250 if you are outside with lots of light and maybe 1/60 if there is less light) and setting your ISO at 100. You can then see if you like the aperture that gives you. If you do not have enough light for a proper exposure, then bump up your ISO.
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So im reading through my book for dummies on dslr cameras and stuff and am in the exposure section..its saying :
aperture priority mode: you set the f-stop and let the camera determine the shutter speed making an EV change bump the shutter speed up or down.
Shutter priority mode: you set the shutter speed and the meter sets the f-stop, so an EV adjustment makes the aperture larger or smaller.
So what i get from this is like....you cant change them all together at once? Because aperture cant be changed the same time the EV is changed...im just really confused right now.
Is the EV something completely different than the aperture or is there a reason its the same basic thing just two different options? I hope this makes sense...I mean I know there is full manual mode but im not there yet, and i just dont understand this part, and kinda want to understand this before i move on.
Ok, if its not a setting. What is the difference between the f-stops and the -2 +2 bracketing?
EV is your exposure value. As you change one setting, the other has to be changed to keep your EV the same. There is a way to change both by yourself. Look for M, which is manual mode. But just know what you're doing first, or you could end up with underexposed or overexposed images and wonder why. If you want to practice with it, then set it on P for program (automatic setting of aperture and shutter), check the settings for shutter and aperture, then put it on M and set it for those settings. Then change the settings a little at a time to see what happens.
Don't let the term EV confuse you. EV is not a setting. It's just the proper exposure for your light conditions and the ISO you have set.
I just purchased my first 'real' camera. Well, an upgrade for me anyway from a point and shoot. I have the T2i Rebel. There is a "Canon for Dummies T1i" book. Would this still apply for most of my camera's settings?
All but the most advanced video features found on the T2i will be covered in the older book.
Basically all the fundamentals of using a camera, specifically the T1i will be covered and will keep you very busy for the next few years.
That book and your user manual should cover everything you need to enjoy your new camera
