Exposure Lessons, in order
I started this blog in order teach people how to use their digital SLRs better. Unfortunately, the blog format isn’t always conducive to lessons, since blogs read in reverse order and when you’re learning something you want to start at the beginning. If you want to work your way through the material in the order it was presented, use this page.
Basics
How your camera works: this is a six-year-old’s view of what’s happening inside your camera when you take a picture.
The three things that go into exposure: When you take a picture, there are three basic things you can control to affect whether the resulting image is too dark, too light, or just right. Here’s what they are.
Shutter speed
Shutter speed, how it works: The basics of shutter speed, and what different speeds look like.
Shutter speed, why you care: Some cool effects you can get by changing the shutter speed.
How your camera works– the meter: Your camera is pretty smart, and it’s good at guessing how to get the picture right. Here’s how that works.
How your camera works– exposure modes: What’s that funny dial on the top of my camera? What does Tv mean?
Exposure modes exercise: OK, this is it. We’re going to take the camera out of automatic mode and try out the controls. It’s scary, but I’ll hold your hand.
Shutter speed exercise: Let’s take some pictures! We’re going to play with different shutter speeds so we can see how they affect the resulting image.
Quick review: A quick summary of what we’ve learned so far.
Aperture
What’s that f-stop stuff anyway? What aperture is, and why it isn’t so scary.
What does f/8 look like? Visual examples of different f-stops, and a mini-exercise so you can look at your own.
Aperture: Why You Care Depth of field, and the cool effects you can get with it.
Quick Exercise: Focusing Grab the camera and watch how the focus point changes as you turn the ring.
Depth of Field: Another View Let the ruler show you how depth of field works.
Exercise: Depth of Field Get out your camera and try it yourself.
ISO
ISO: What is it? What does ISO mean, and how does it work?
ISO: Why You Care Examples of what your images might look like at high and low ISOs, and how to choose the best one for your shot.
Putting it all together
How much more light? How much less? Is f/4 twice as much light as f/2? Is a shutter speed of 1/100 twice as much light as 1/200?
How the settings play together If you change one setting, you have to change another one to get the same exposure.
Stumble It!
This is great, just what I’ve been looking for. I got a Nikon D40 for my trip to Alaska and want to make photography my Hobby.
Thank you! You’re exactly the sort of person I’m writing for.
Found you via Joe Decker’s blog - thanks for the plain language lessons. Just ordered my first SLR (Canon 40D) and every little bit of advice helps.
This was exactly what I needed to have a basic understanding of what my camera does. I really appreciate the information being given in such a clear (and witty!) way. Now I won’t feel SO lost on photography forums and so fumbly with my new dSLR! Many thanks!
thanks so much! this is a great blog - Got a Canon XTi for christmas, and knew a bit about making things work, but the simplicity of it is amazing! (Camera manuals don’t do this wonderful art justice)
Thanks for putting this blog together. I got a new Olympus Evolt E-510 for Christmas and I was pretty lost in Auto until I found your post. I would love to see read about more advanced features sometime in the future, especially white balance, etc.
I look forward to reading all that you have to offer hear. I currently only have a film SLR, but it is my dream to have a dSLR. Because of the cost of developing film I do not play with my SLR much. When I am not sure what I plan to take pictures of I use my point and shoot digital so that I can just keep shooting and then delete the ones I do not like. Again thanks for creating a blog for us to be able to learn from.
This is exactly what i needed as a complete beginner and has made me feel that i will get the hang of it! Its made study at home fun. Thank you.
Wow, what an amazing, informative site. I am working my way up to getting a DSLR camera and the lessons on this site have encouraged me to use the manual controls on my existing camera. Smiled at the gnomes behind the curtains frantically writing down what they see. I shall never look at my camera in the same way.
Thanks
hi,
came across ur site thyru a post on flickr and i love it.will look forward to it in future.keep up the good work.and while on it b,what about some light on exposure bias?
JJ
I’ve been trying to get comfortable using the different ISOs. I love the quality of ISO 100, but I’ve learned the hard way that I must use 1600 when using it without a flash while attending low light events. I have a book on the Rebel XTi and it says that ISO 1600 is actually better than 800. It helps to have an IS (Image Stabalizer) lens as well. This is a great blog. Thank you for taking the time to help us! Cheers!
I just happened along this site and I’ve got to tell you, I love it! Keep writing, I’ll keep reading…and learning!
Thank you for your site! I’m always so thrilled to come across a site like this, full of knowledge and willing to share. It seems disheartening a lot of the time searching the internet for understanding…only to find photographers who forget that they weren’t born with the knowledge. And it’s a shame how some of them forget about how the Artist Community functioned pre-AOL. Again, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I’ve sent this to all of my DSLR friends!