Basic Photography Terms You Should Know

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If there are 3 pillars in photography that you should know, then there are basic photography terms that you should know as well.

Here, the author cites the number as 10, so there are 10 photography terms that you should know, to help you in your SLR photography journey.

Here goes:

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10 Photography Terms You Should Know

Terminology is key to any form of photography. Know your terms and what you can do with those functions or features and your photographic world opens up to you. Terms are easy to learn. What is a challenge is to make use of what these terms describe.

Getting to grips with your terminology really frees you up to grow on your photographic journey. It may not seem necessary but join a group of avid photographers and you will soon realise your lack. So let's have a look at my top 10 terms you should know.

1. Aperture

Aperture is the size of the lens opening that determines how much light reaches the digital sensor or film in an SLR camera. It is measured in f-stops ranging from f1.2 to f32.

2. Shutter speed

How fast the shutter opens. It also determines for how long the sensor or film is exposed to the light.

3. ISO

This is the sensitivity to light of a digital sensor or the film in an SLR camera. The higher the ISO, the higher digital noise in a digital image or the grain in a film image.

4. Exposure compensation

When a camera light meter sets the exposure on a camera, it is sometimes not 100% correct. It either overexposes or underexposures. In order to correct this there is a setting called exposure compensation which allows you to change the exposure by stops of a third to half to a full stop.

5. Depth of field

This is the depth of focus of an image. When you look at an image and see the area that is in focus in front of and behind the subject it's called the depth of field. How much of it that is in focus is called either a narrow or wide depth of field. This is controlled by the size of the aperture setting. A small aperture gives a wide depth of field while a large aperture gives a narrow depth of field.

6. F-stops

These are the individual aperture sizes that help control the depth of field and regulate the amount of light that is allowed to reach the sensor or film.

7. Fill in flash

This is a very useful way of filling areas of shadow with flash especially outdoors in the full sunshine when shadows fall across a person's face.

8. Aperture priotity

When set to this setting the camera allows you to choose the aperture while it automatically chooses the correct shutter speed.

9. Shutter priority

This is opposite to the aperture priority. The camera chooses the aperture while allowing you to choose the shutter speed.

10. Rule of thirds

This is one of the basic rules of composition. Imagine a tic-tac-toe or noughts and crosses grid superimposed over the image. Where these lines intersect is where you place your focal point or subject creating a wonderfully balanced image.

Learn these ten terms and the principles, functions or  settings they represent and you will dramatically improve your photography.

Do you want to learn more about photography in a digital  world? I've just completed a brand new e-course delivered by  e-mail. Download it here for free by clicking here:  http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/. To learn how you can  take your photography from ordinary to outstanding click  here - http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/21steps.htm.


Wayne Turner has been teaching photography for 25 years and  has written three books on photography.

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Taken from Ezine article directory:
10 Photography Terms You Should Know
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Book to Read: Master Lighting Guide for Commercial Photographers

With time no longer on my side, I have to return this book to the library, or incur a penalty from not doing so. What else can I do, than to put it down here, so I can pick it up another day.

All I can do now is to put in here the back cover text, and what makes this book different from all the other photography books that has been written so far, printed or digital.

Here it is:

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MASTER LIGHTING GUIDE for Commercial Photographers
by Robert Morrissey

MASTER THE LIGHTING TECHNIQUES YOU NEED TO PRODUCE TOP-QUALITY COMMERCIAL IMAGES

Master the skills you need to produce images what will sell your clients' products in print ads or on the Internet. Includes step-by-step techniques for photographing products, models, rooms, automobiles, and much more.

FEATURES:

• Understanding the foundations of commercial lighting, including the types of light, the characteristics of light, and how to get a flawless exposure
• Tips on selecting the right equipment for commercial photography -- from cameras and flash units to light stands and modifiers
• Directions for creating simple setups to shoot products, rooms, reflective subjects, and more
• Using panels, honeycomb grids, umbrellas, and softboxes to refine your light for precise control and flawless results
• Special techniques for photographing corporate portraits, food, liquids, medical and scientific subjects, jewelry, glass and much more
• Business tips for success in a competitive market

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While much has been said, I'm sure there is something to learn from this book.

Reading on the features, I am sure that I will be looking for this book, and I'll make sure that I will read it, study it, and make use of what it has to offer.

Times and seasons come and go,
they bring along the changes, too;
While what was then, is true for now,
Our now back then, ain't true somehow.

And with that I hope that I have perked up your poetic mind a bit.

C'est tout!

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Book review: Photography at Night

Here is one more book that I picked up from the library, and it was something that I didn't expect really, being me who is one in the era of digital SLRs, while this book was mostly discussing on analog SLRs and analog films, or what is also called roll films.

Nonetheless, there is immense information that you can find here. Why is that so? My friend and I would usually go on a discussion, and while there is a ton of preset or auto settings in today's DSLRs, what would set you apart later on is how good you make use of the latest DSLR units set to manual mode, or program mode, at times.

And when we 'look back' and think, how good were these guys who would be able to come up with sophisticated or simply outstanding photographs - which was then using all manual and all analog SLRs - we can only say that they are the best of their times.

As has been said, this book deals mainly on analog SLRs and roll films, and how things are done in the dark room when printing form the negatives, and how certain manipulations are done to alter or enhance prints.

And one topic it has which is quite a challenge in itself, even with digital SLRs of nowadays: Photography at Night.

Again, the full title of the book is Photography at Night, Getting the most from low-light conditions by Richard Newman

I'm copying the back cover text of the book. Here it is:

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Photographing at night is an exciting challenge. All the normal rules of daylight photography are borkena dn the extreme contrasts in light levels allow you to create dramatic and evocative images. Photography at Night is a comprehensive guide to night photography, covering all the aisthetic and technical aspects of using conventional and digital cameras.

• Includes advice on choosing equipment and finding your own style
• Features inspirational portfolios from professional photographers, illustrating the range of effects that can be achieved
• Specific assignments send the phtographer out into the night to improve his or her skills and technique
• Packed with advice on how to get the best results from each assignment, and how to use the knowledge gained to improve future work
• Covers shootign with conventional black-and-white and color film, as well as digital photographic techniques

In one of the pages, I find it quite useful to know that using ISO 1600 compared to using ISO 400 then pushed to ISO 1600 during print processing yields a completely different (and better) result.

Then, in another part, Newman says this:

Stage

"Photographing artists on stage is an exciting and rewarding field of night and low-light photography -- but be aware that this is the artist's stage, not the photographer's, so the image-maker must remain out of the way and out of sight."

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What's your say on this book?

Let us know!

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Book review: On The Road With Your Digital Camera

If you are looking for a book to tell you on what to bring and what to prepare when going places, so you can do your digital photography - well, this is that book!

On the road with your digital camera by Michael Freeman.

There's a very good info on what weather you are expecting in a country, and what will be your camera settings suited in that place.

There's a map of the world's climate, and what will be your best shot, and what time.

Or, if you are from the northern hemisphere, and you go the opposite side, you may be disoriented... this book tells you that, and what to do to avoid being dazed or fazed.

A lite pack to bring? a medium pack? A heavy pack to bring for your photo-taking? This book also tells you what to put in, to avoid missing some, and avoid overloading.

Much to be told, but better read, check it out:

On the road with your digital camera by Michael Freeman.

Got your say on this book also? Let us know!

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35mm Photography

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This is one more book that I borrowed from the library, and it is dealing more with Analog SLR units. it do touch on DSLR cameras and technology, but the discussion, tips and techniques are more on Analog SLR cameras and photography.


Case in point, this book neatly discusses the history of SLR photography, the beginning and the developments throughout the years, and shows some pictures of the antique camera units that started it all, like the Leica I, Nikon F, etc., etc.


The book explains how the 35 mm came to be, and again, for roll films, how to be able to 'save' on the rolls, by cutting up the roll into smaller quantity and putting in empty cassettes, to be able to come up with 5 to 10 or so shots for a given ISO rating, which was then having the term "DX-nnn" convention. So a DX-400 means my ISO is 400; This has now changed in the DSLR, where each shot can be assigned its ISO value, but in those days (I remember this), rolls usually come in 36 shots. If you want to change the ISO value, take out the current roll, and of course, waste the unused shots, and put in the new roll. You can avoid this altogether, as this book suggests.


And quite frankly, there is nothing further from the truth: be it an Analog or a Digital SLR, the camera is simply but a tool, and how it works the wonders is largely the photographer's expression and discretion.


Here is the book's selling point, from the back cover: 35mm Photography, by Steve Bavister

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A complete guide to the most universal  and popular camera format, from choosing the right equipment through to developing, printing, string and even selling your photographs, by well-known photographer and author, Steve Bavister.

• comprehensive guide to camera equipment and accessories
• expert advice on subject matter and techniques
• digital photography, manipulation and printing
• invaluable fault-finding section

Steve Bavister has written more than ten books on photography. He is a former editor of Photo Answers and publisher of Practical Photography, and is currently the editor of The Photographer, a leading publication for professional photographers.
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Read that book. I'm sure it is not 'just another book' on photography. Though photography is a thing of the past, there is always something that comes up now and then. And each photographer, like you, will eventually make a mark - distinctly.


What's your say?

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3 DSLR Accessories - the basics!

One guy said that there are 3 lenses that you need: standard, telephoto, and a macro. I do agree about the first two, but for the third, there are many who disagreed, including me. I may go for a longer telephoto lens if I can. There are quite a number of problems attributed to a macro lens, so while it may be able to come close and give you a 1:1 rendition of your subject, you must be very good in using it to make it really a worthwhile piece of glass in your camera lens kit.


There is one article that I got from eZine, and it is quite an informative one, but it is not on the glasses that you should have. It is the accessories that you should have. Read on...

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3 Digital Camera Accessories Every Photographer Needs

There is a misnomer that digital photography is its own form of photography, quite untrue. The digital part of photography is just the method of recording so what applies to photography applies to digital as well. So let's take a look at the three accessories I think that every photographer needs.

These aren't listed in any particular order and I don't think in any order of importance either although if you were to push me for an answer I would place a tripod as my number one accessory. It will also depend on what type of photography you are pursuing as to which one will be number one to you. They are, however, accessories that I would list as essential to a photographer's gear bag.

1. A tripod

If you don't already have a tripod then get yourself one. Buy the most expensive one you can afford. A good solid tripod is essential to the kit of a photographer. There are many occasions when light conditions aren't good and the extra stability helps you create crisp, sharp images. Just a little camera shake will cause blurring to some degree in the final photo. A tripod is especially useful when shooting close-ups of flowers and small creatures and helps you to have complete control of your images.

2. Remote shutter release

This is coupled with the tripod and is essential when avoiding camera shake. Even when your camera is mounted on the tripod, the simplest action like pushing the shutter button can still cause camera shake and prevent you from taking the sharpest images. It works very simply either connected by a cable to the camera or using an infrared connection to activate the shutter.

3. A good circular polarising filter

A polarising filter cuts down glare and reflections off shiny surfaces. Those of you who have ever owned or used a pair of polaroid sunglasses will know the effect that it has on shiny and reflective surfaces. This includes foliage as well. When using polaroid sunglasses while looking at water you are able to see below the surface if the water is clear. The sky becomes bluer and the green vegetation greener. If you are landscape photographer you will really benefit from a polariser. I consider this essential. One tip though is that you should always use one that has the equivalent or higher quality of your lens. There is no point in putting bad glass in front of good glass.

Remember that these are my three top choices of accessories in no particular order. You need to choose which ones will serve your particular needs the best. I use all three equally but maybe if my photography changed slightly I would add another one or two to my list. Happy shooting!

Do you want to learn more about photography in a digital world? I've just completed a brand new e-course delivered by e-mail. Download it here for free by clicking here:  http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/ To learn how you can take your photography from ordinary to outstanding click here - http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/21steps.htm

Wayne Turner has been teaching photography for 25 years and has written three books on photography.

Article Directory: EzineArticles
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I have the 1st and 2nd, but not the 3rd; I'm currently on the lookout for it. Any idea? That would be great!

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