I’ll straight away begin with the technical definition of photography. Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. Now after that definition you might be going bonkers. So I’ll simplify it a bit. Basically photography is the art of capturing those subtle moments that most people tend to miss.
While this definition might be simple, the art of photography is very complex ranging from setting up the settings of your camera to photo-editing using a high end software. Lets now talk about the key terms that are essential for any aspiring photographer.
1. Exposure
- Exposure refers to the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor, determining how bright or dark the photo appears. It’s influenced by three main components: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
2. Aperture
- Aperture (measured in f-stops) is the opening in the lens that allows light to enter. A lower f-stop (e.g., f/2.8) means a wider opening, allowing more light and creating a shallow depth of field (blurry background). A higher f-stop (e.g., f/16) means a smaller opening, allowing less light and increasing depth of field (more of the image in focus). For example if you wish to click landscapes you will have to use a higher f-stop to generate more depth of field
3. Shutter Speed
- Shutter Speed is the length of time the camera’s shutter is open to let in light. Measured in seconds (e.g., 1/500, 1/30), faster shutter speeds freeze motion, while slower speeds can create motion blur.
4. ISO
- ISO measures the camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. A lower ISO (e.g., 100) is used in bright conditions, while a higher ISO (e.g., 1600) is used in low-light situations. Higher ISO can introduce noise or grain in the image.
5. Depth of Field (DoF)
- Depth of Field is the range of distance in a photo that appears acceptably sharp. It’s influenced by aperture, focal length, and distance to the subject. A shallow depth of field isolates the subject, while a deep depth of field keeps more of the scene in focus.
6. Focal Length
- Focal Length (measured in millimeters) determines the lens’s field of view and magnification. Shorter focal lengths (e.g., 18mm) offer a wider view, ideal for landscapes, while longer focal lengths (e.g., 200mm) zoom in on distant subjects.
7. White Balance
- White Balance adjusts the colors in your photo to appear more natural under different lighting conditions. Common settings include daylight, cloudy, tungsten, and fluorescent. It helps to correct color casts from different light sources.
8. Composition
- Composition refers to the arrangement of elements within the frame. Key concepts include:
- Rule of Thirds: Dividing the frame into thirds and placing subjects along these lines or intersections.
- Leading Lines: Using natural lines in the scene to draw the viewer’s eye.
- Framing: Using elements in the scene to frame the subject, adding depth.
Neel