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Camera Exposure Basics

  • Aperture
    • hole that opens to allow light in to hit the sensor
  • f-stop
    • f stands for "focal fength"
    • Fraction with "f" as numerator and the f-stop number as the denominator
    • f/1.2-f/2.8
      • Blurrier background with shallow depth of field
      • Good for low light
      • Good for portrait (one object of focus)
    • f/4-f/8
      • More objects in focus multifarious ranges
      • Greater depth of field
      • More contrast
    • f/11-f/32
      • large depth of field; most things will be in focus
      • good for well light scenarios
  • shutter speed
    • listed in fractional seconds such as 1/60 or 1/250
    • amount of time the aperture is left open
    • longer time = blurrier image but more light
  • ISO
    • image sensors sensitivity to the input light
    • higher ISO will produce noise