Photography is the art and science of capturing light to create images. Here are the key basics you should know:
1. Camera Basics
- Types of Cameras: DSLR, Mirrorless, Point-and-Shoot, Smartphone, Film.
- Lenses: Wide-angle, Telephoto, Prime, Zoom, Macro, Fisheye.
2. Exposure Triangle( 3 key settings that control brightness)
1. Aperture (f-stop): Controls how much light enters the lens.
- Low f-number (e.g., f/1.8) → More light, blurry background (shallow depth of field).
- High f-number (e.g., f/16) → Less light, sharper background (deep depth of field).
2. Shutter Speed: Controls how long the camera sensor is exposed to light.
- Fast (1/1000s) → Freezes motion.
- Slow (1/10s) → Motion blur (used in night photography).
3. ISO: Controls sensor sensitivity to light.
- Low ISO (100) → Less noise, best for bright conditions.
- High ISO (3200+) → More noise, useful in low light.
3. Composition Techniques
- Rule of Thirds: Divide your frame into a 3x3 grid and place subjects along the lines or intersections.
- Leading Lines: Use natural lines (roads, fences) to guide the viewer’s eye.
- Framing: Use objects like windows or arches to frame the subject.
- Symmetry & Patterns: Look for reflections, repeating elements, or balance in the frame.
4. Lighting
- Golden Hour: Soft, warm light just after sunrise or before sunset.
- Harsh Midday Light: Can create strong shadows—better for high-contrast shots.
- Artificial Light: Use flash, studio lights, or lamps for controlled lighting.
5. Focus & Depth of Field
- Autofocus vs. Manual Focus: Autofocus is fast, manual allows more precision.
- Depth of Field:
- Shallow (blurred background) → Portraits.
- Deep (sharp focus throughout) → Landscapes.
6. White Balance
- Adjusts color tones to match different lighting conditions (e.g., daylight, tungsten, fluorescent).
7. Post-Processing
- Editing software like Lightroom or Photoshop can enhance colors, sharpness, and composition.
Camera lens also have different types of motors -
- Ultrasonic Motor (USM)
This motor is fast, accurate, and nearly silent, and is often used in high-end lenses. It uses ultrasonic vibrations to drive the focusing elements. There are two types of USM motors: Ring type USM, which is larger and faster, and Micro USM, which is smaller and lighter. - Nano USM
This is an updated version of the USM motor that's very small but still delivers high autofocus performance. It's designed to provide the speed needed for stills while also offering smooth, steady adjustment for video. - Stepping Motor (STM)
This motor is operated by pulse electricity, which allows for a quick response time and high level of controllability. It's also structurally simple, which promotes smooth and silent operation
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