The Three Pillars of Exposure: Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed

Overview: The next lesson in our use of the camera and how it works involves what is commonly referred to as the "three pillars of photography." They are Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO.

Today we are going to learn about all three and how they impact our photography.

Let's start with Aperture as it is probably the hardest of the three to full understand.

Directions: 
Go to this website and read about Aperture:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-aperture-in-photography

READ AND POST EXAMPLES: Once you are done reading - I want you to use google and find me an example of a photo taken at aperture setting F2.8 and an example of a photo taken at F16 or higher. DO NOT USE the photos on the website I sent you to, find different ones. Post those photos on your blog and label them.

ANSWER: Then answer the following questions:

1. What part of the body should we closely relate aperture?

2. Finish this sentence - the smaller the Aperture _____________, the higher the Aperture ________________.

3. In your own words tell me how aperture impacts Depth of Field?

Now lets move on to Shutter Speed. This is a little easier to understand but we should read about it here:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-shutter-speed-in-photography

READ AND POST EXAMPLES: Once you are finished reading about Shutter Speed, I want you to use google and find me an example of a photo taken with a high shutter speed and one taken at a slow shutter speed (you do not have to show blur unless you want but I still need to see an example of a photo that COULD have been taken at a slow shutter speed). Post them both on your blog and label them.

Then answer the following questions:

Do: 1. If you were assigned to shoot at Blue and Gold night, which was earlier this month, what shutter speeds (slow, medium, fast)  do you think you would have to shoot at the following events that night I would like you to answer the question for the following two situations:

At the beginning while the sun is still partially up and the courtyard has reasonable light

• a.) the dunking booth
• b.) the food eating contest
• c.) the rock climbing wall
• d.) someone working at a booth
• e.) the DJ/MC working at the middle of the circle
• f.) the Diamonds performance.

Towards the end when there is no sun and it is dark so there is not enough light to see from one end of the courtyard to the other.

• a.) the dunking booth
• b.) the food eating contest
• c.) the rock climbing wall
• d.) someone working at a booth
• e.) the DJ/MC working at the middle of the circle
• f.) the Diamonds performance.

2. List the THREE settings your camera has regarding setting shutter speed (these are found at #5 on the Shutter Speed website. Explain how each works - DO NOT COPY AND PASTE, use your own words.

Now for the last of the pillars, ISO. Lets go read some more at this website:

http://mansurovs.com/what-is-iso-in-photography

READ AND POST EXAMPLES: Once you are finished reading, please go to google and find me an example of a photo taken at ISO 200 and a photo taken at ISO 3200 or 6400. Post both on your blog and label them.

Then answer the following questions:

1. What are the advantages of shooting with a higher ISO setting at a sporting event like a night football game?

2. What suggestions did the author make about using a low ISO?

3. What suggestions did the author make about using a high ISO?

Practice: Now that we have a basic understanding of the three pillars, let's look at some direct examples of what happens in when you change Aperture and Shutter Speed. Go to the following website:

http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/shutteraperture.php

I would like you to experiment with all the settings so go through them step by step. Start with F2.8 and see what happens at each shutter speed, repeat for all of the Aperture settings at each stop on the Shutter Speed table.

On your blog list the exposure that looks best to you for EACH F-stop. I will help you with the first one here: F2.8 - looks the best at 1/125th of a second shutter speed.

Do: Now its your turn - tell me which ones look the best for:

• F4 
• F5.6 
• F8
• F11 
• F16 
• F22

Also please tell me what is happening with the backgrounds at each F-stop. Again here is the first answer:

EXAMPLE: At F2.8 there is no background visible - it is very blurry and all you can really see is the couple.

Now its your turn at each F-stop tell me what the background looks like. Is it in focus or blurry? 

Finally, what is happening to the subject (the people) at SLOW Shutter Speeds? What could the photographer do to help combat this problem?

What is the lowest Shutter Speed do you think a photographer can hand-hold the camera without a tripod?

If you want to see more of this - try this website - I like its exposure simulator too:

http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator.html

If you are brave - you should try clicking the manual button in the middle of the control panel. You will be shooting in manual next shoot......be ready!!!!

Now to our last stop today:

I want you to take the two tests. One is called "Image Sorter - Depth of Field." The other is called "Image Sorter - Shutter Speed and Motion."

How well did you do? Do you understand Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO better now?

Caption Writing: 5 Ws and H

Overview: An essential skill for photographers is the writing of informative, accurate and attractive captions to enhance the photos they publish. A photo might tell a thousand words, but the exact words needed to explain a specific story might not be easy to tell by simply looking at a photo. Captions provide the necessary background information needed to tell a story.

Directions: Before you begin to write a caption, a photographer must gather some essential facts needed to completely tell the story. Read the steps below to help you gather this information.

Step 1: Go to http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/01/us/the-flag-iconic-images/index.html?on.cnn=1

Step 2: Create a new blog post titled "Caption Writing: 5 Ws and H."

Step 3: TURN OFF the caption feature on the CNN Website. Select FIVE PHOTOS that you find striking. Answer the following questions for each of the five photos:

• 1. Who (Make up a first and last name) for everyone who is obviously meant as the subject of the photo. If there are more than three people that are subjects, all names are not necessary. Use a group name instead.
• 2. What (Think of a verb that could be used to describe the action that the subjects are doing in the photo. Use PRESENT TENSE action verbs. This means your verbs should usually end in "s" like "runs," "jumps," "prays." That also means to avoid passive verbs like "is" and "gets."
• 2. When (Think of a day of the week or even a time of the day) the photo was taken. If the event happened in the last week use actual days of the week like Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Don't use non-specific days like today or yesterday. If the event happened more than a week ago use the exact date like Sept. 3).
• 3. Where (Think of an exact place the event happened. This should be very specific. For example, the intersection of First Street and Slaughter Lane or on at Auditorium Shores Park in downtown Austin.
• 4. Why (Think of a reason the action is taking place. Again, be specific. Make up a cause for the action taking place.)
• 5. How (Think of a descriptive term that explains how the action is taking place. This could be an adverb such as "slowly" or "hurriedly." Or it could be the exact height of a jump or the yardage earned in a running back's run down the football field.

Your Mural Photos

Directions: Once you have organized your mural photos into the appropriate Group folder on the PhotoJ server drive, make sure you have posted these photos to your student blog.

You should post just your best 5 photos that will be printed out and attached to your mural.

Post these in a new blog post titled "Mural Photos."