Introduction to Basic Photography Concepts

Overview

• Topic: Understanding how cameras work
• Approach: Basics first, no advanced questions
• Goal: Provide foundational knowledge for future use
• Key Concept: Physics and logic applied to photography

Demonstration: Light and Exposure

Key Points

• Water and Light Analogy: Pouring water to represent light exposure
  • Large opening: Quick pour (more light in a short time)
  • Funnel (small opening): Slow pour (same amount of light over a longer time)
• Concept: Same amount of light can expose a picture, whether over a short or long period depending on the aperture size

Shutter Speed

Function and Importance

• Shutter Purpose: Let light into the camera to expose the film
• Film vs. Digital: Foundational film knowledge helps in understanding digital photography

Historical Context

• Hasselblad Camera: Standard of the industry (e.g., 1972 model)
  • Used the same Carl Zeiss glass as modern Sony cameras
  • Original cameras: Required a lot of light (e.g., big box cameras with long exposure times)

Mechanical Shutters

• Evolution: From manual lens cap removal to timed mechanical shutters
• Demonstration: One-second shutter speed
  • Observation: Shutter speeds typically halve each time (1s, 1/2s, 1/4s, etc.)
  • Key Concept: Each halving of shutter speed allows half as much light

Modern Shutter Speeds

• Range: From 1 second to 1/2000th of a second (or faster in professional cameras)
• Light Difference: Significant variation in light exposure between 1 second and 1/2000th of a second
• Human Eye vs. Camera: Human eye can adjust to different light levels (range of 9 stops); cameras must do this mechanically

Aperture and F-Stops

Key Terms

• Aperture: Opening in the lens controlling light entry
• F-Stops: Measurement of aperture size (e.g., f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, etc.)
  • Concept: F-stop numbers represent fractions of the lens's focal length
  • Standard F-Stops: f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16
  • Light Relationship: Each standard f-stop allows half as much light as the previous one (e.g., f/4 allows half the light of f/2.8)
• Speed of the Lens: Determined by its maximum aperture size (e.g., f/2.8 is considered fast)

Practical Considerations

• Lens Purchase: Aperture rating may be adjustable; lenses are often identified by their maximum aperture (e.g., f/4 lens)