How to Set Camera Exposure

Flawless exposure is the goal of every photographer. A perfectly exposed image will record value or detail in its lightest and darkest areas. Although digital single-lens reflexes (dSLR) offer an automatic mode, you can better control the ISO, shutter speed and f-stop by shooting in aperture-priority, shutter-priority or manual mode. Because the lighting conditions at each shooting site differ, it's recommended that you take multiple shots--each with slightly different settings--to ensure the best exposure.

Instructions

1




If possible, shoot with a low ISO.

Set the ISO on your camera. The ISO determines how quickly a picture will be recorded to the camera's sensor. It is advisable to shoot with the lowest possible ISO, as the higher the ISO, the grainier the image. Of course, in low-light situations, it's necessary to use a higher ISO. Luckily, with each new generation of dSLRs, ISO grain becomes less of a factor.

2




A large f-stop will yield shallow depth of field.

Set your f-stop (or lens opening). If shooting in aperture-priority mode, you will choose the f-stop and your camera will determine the corresponding shutter speed. It is best to shoot in aperture-priority mode when you need to control the photo's depth of field. According to The Luminous Landscape, depth of field "describes the range in a photograph, from near to far, that appears to be in focus." The bigger the f-stop (for example, f2, f2.8 or f4), the smaller the depth of field, meaning that less of the image will be in sharp focus. Conversely, the smaller the f-stop (for example, f16, f20 or f22), the greater the depth of field.

3




A slow shutter speed will record motion.

Set your shutter speed (the length of time that the shutter remains open). If shooting in shutter-priority, you will choose the shutter speed and you camera will determine the corresponding f-stop. It is best to shoot in shutter-priority mode when you need to either freeze motion or capture movement in your images. Shoot with a fast shutter speed to stop the action when photographing a bike race. Conversely, use a slow shutter speed (less than 1/60th of a second) to capture the soft flow of a waterfall.

4




A hand-held light meter can help you manually set your exposure.

Set both the f-stop and shutter speed manually. Use either the camera's built-in exposure level indicator or a separate hand-held meter. Shooting manually is recommended for more experienced photographers.

---

Flawless exposure is the goal of every photographer. A perfectly exposed image will record value or detail in its lightest and darkest areas. Although digital single-lens reflexes (dSLR) offer an automatic mode, you can better control the ISO, shutter speed and f-stop by shooting in aperture-priority, shutter-priority or manual mode. Because the lighting conditions at each shooting site differ, it's recommended that you take multiple shots--each with slightly different settings--to ensure the best exposure.

Instructions

1




If possible, shoot with a low ISO.

Set the ISO on your camera. The ISO determines how quickly a picture will be recorded to the camera's sensor. It is advisable to shoot with the lowest possible ISO, as the higher the ISO, the grainier the image. Of course, in low-light situations, it's necessary to use a higher ISO. Luckily, with each new generation of dSLRs, ISO grain becomes less of a factor.

2




A large f-stop will yield shallow depth of field.

Set your f-stop (or lens opening). If shooting in aperture-priority mode, you will choose the f-stop and your camera will determine the corresponding shutter speed. It is best to shoot in aperture-priority mode when you need to control the photo's depth of field. According to The Luminous Landscape, depth of field "describes the range in a photograph, from near to far, that appears to be in focus." The bigger the f-stop (for example, f2, f2.8 or f4), the smaller the depth of field, meaning that less of the image will be in sharp focus. Conversely, the smaller the f-stop (for example, f16, f20 or f22), the greater the depth of field.

3




A slow shutter speed will record motion.

Set your shutter speed (the length of time that the shutter remains open). If shooting in shutter-priority, you will choose the shutter speed and you camera will determine the corresponding f-stop. It is best to shoot in shutter-priority mode when you need to either freeze motion or capture movement in your images. Shoot with a fast shutter speed to stop the action when photographing a bike race. Conversely, use a slow shutter speed (less than 1/60th of a second) to capture the soft flow of a waterfall.

4




A hand-held light meter can help you manually set your exposure.

Set both the f-stop and shutter speed manually.

Enhance your photography skill,The Top Secret Photography Techniques

. Use either the camera's built-in exposure level indicator or a separate hand-held meter. Shooting manually is recommended for more experienced photographers.

---

• 
  

  Exposure triangle Digital Photography live

  digitalphotographylive.com/exposure-triangle

  Popular Posts. Exposure triangle; Rule of Thirds; Fireworks Photography Tips and Camera Settings... Basics of Exposure: Aperture, ISO, Shutter &... Photography

• 
  

  Glossary: Digital Photography Review

  www.dpreview.com/glossary

  Digital Photography Review: All the latest digital camera reviews and digital imaging news. Lively discussion forums. Vast samples galleries and the largest database ...

• 
  

  Photography Tips: How To Take Waterfall Photos Digital ...

  digitalphotographylive.com/waterfall-photography

  Popular Posts. Exposure triangle; Rule of Thirds; Fireworks Photography Tips and Camera Settings... Basics of Exposure: Aperture, ISO, Shutter &... Photography

• 
  

  CameraSim simulates a digital SLR camera - SLR Photography

  camerasim.com/camera

  The SLR controls: Lighting. Lighting is the single biggest determinant of how your camera needs to be set. With only a few exceptions, you can never have too much light.

• 
  

  Get faster boot times in 4 simple steps - Tips, Reviews and Advice ...

  www.komando.com/tips

  The Kim Komando Show: Americas top weekend talk radio program about all things digital! Free tips, downloads, software, newsletters, advice and more about the home ...

• 
  

  How does the iPhone 4S camera stack-up against other cameras?

  campl.us/posts/iPhone-Camera-Comparison

  A photo comparison from all iPhone version cameras taken with Camera+ (First generation iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, the new iPhone 4S), a point &

• 
  

  HOW TO videomapping.org - a blog for people interested in ...

  videomapping.org/?page_id=42

  Even if she was using a good camera in picture number 2 and a wide angle one from her phone in picture number 1 the object is not matching the beamer lens throw.

• 
  

  Howcast The best how-to videos on the web

  www.howcast.com

  Howcast is the best source for fun, free, and useful how-to videos and guides.

• 
  

  How To Set Up Archery Targets 3D Archery Targets Archery ...

  www.deertargets.com

  Follow these simple steps to set up archery targets. Also get some archery target tips and learn what are the best 3D archery targets, archery block targets and ...

• 
  

  How does the iPhone 5 camera compare to previous iPhone cameras?

  campl.us/posts/6iPhoneCameras

  Photo comparisons from all iPhone version cameras taken with Camera+ (First generation iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, the iPhone 4S, and the new

Read More

How to Make Your Own Photogrpahy Lighting Kit at Home

If you've decided to delve into photography but want to hold off on investing thousands of dollars on equipment, creating a lighting kit at home is a great way to save money while honing your craft. Creating a homemade lighting kit with equipment that's not designed specifically for photography might not produce as high a quality product as an expensive lighting kit. However, you can use relatively inexpensive computer programs to help produce a higher quality photo.

Instructions

1

Search your home for the listed supplies and materials. You can find the remaining items at your local hardware or convenience stores. Walmart or a local hardware store should also have all of the items.

2

Decide on a space to test out your lighting kit. The best place to take pictures in your home is in a room that receives little to no natural sunlight. You want to be able to control the light on your subject as easily as possible. It's difficult to maintain a constant lighting scheme with the sun shining through windows and clouds randomly passing behind.

3

Wrap tin foil around one side of the 5-foot-by-5-foot piece of cardboard to create a reflector. If you're having a difficult time finding a large piece of cardboard or don't have access to large amounts of tin foil, a large mirror will work just as effectively.

4

Lay the white bed sheet on the floor so that it lays up against one of the walls in the room. Tack the second bed sheet to the wall using the hammer and nails. Make sure the bed sheets meet where the floor meets the wall. Change the color of the bed sheets to control the lighting. For instance, use dark sheets to create an illusion of space around a subject.

5

Plug the extension cords into your power supply and plug them into the halogen lights.

6

Set up the three halogen work lights in a L-shaped formation. Place them on individual tables, chairs or ottomans. If you're purchasing the lights from a hardware store, set them up on the included tripod. The lights need to be easily movable to accommodate the various sizes, shapes and poses of your subjects.

7

Point the strongest halogen light directly at the front of the subject. This is known as the key light. It is used to ensure that one side of your subject is well-lit.

8

Shine the second light directly at the subject, but with a less powerful light bulb. This is called the fill light, and it is used to fill the shadows created by the key light.

9

Position the third halogen light from the back of the subject so that it lights the subject's rear. This is called the back light. It is used to distinguish the subject from the background.

10

Start snapping photographs of your subject.

---

If you've decided to delve into photography but want to hold off on investing thousands of dollars on equipment, creating a lighting kit at home is a great way to save money while honing your craft. Creating a homemade lighting kit with equipment that's not designed specifically for photography might not produce as high a quality product as an expensive lighting kit. However, you can use relatively inexpensive computer programs to help produce a higher quality photo.

Instructions

1

Search your home for the listed supplies and materials. You can find the remaining items at your local hardware or convenience stores. Walmart or a local hardware store should also have all of the items.

2

Decide on a space to test out your lighting kit. The best place to take pictures in your home is in a room that receives little to no natural sunlight. You want to be able to control the light on your subject as easily as possible. It's difficult to maintain a constant lighting scheme with the sun shining through windows and clouds randomly passing behind.

3

Wrap tin foil around one side of the 5-foot-by-5-foot piece of cardboard to create a reflector. If you're having a difficult time finding a large piece of cardboard or don't have access to large amounts of tin foil, a large mirror will work just as effectively.

4

Lay the white bed sheet on the floor so that it lays up against one of the walls in the room. Tack the second bed sheet to the wall using the hammer and nails. Make sure the bed sheets meet where the floor meets the wall. Change the color of the bed sheets to control the lighting. For instance, use dark sheets to create an illusion of space around a subject.

5

Plug the extension cords into your power supply and plug them into the halogen lights.

6

Set up the three halogen work lights in a L-shaped formation. Place them on individual tables, chairs or ottomans. If you're purchasing the lights from a hardware store, set them up on the included tripod. The lights need to be easily movable to accommodate the various sizes, shapes and poses of your subjects.

7

Point the strongest halogen light directly at the front of the subject. This is known as the key light. It is used to ensure that one side of your subject is well-lit.

8

Shine the second light directly at the subject, but with a less powerful light bulb. This is called the fill light, and it is used to fill the shadows created by the key light.

9

Position the third halogen light from the back of the subject so that it lights the subject's rear. This is called the back light. It is used to distinguish the subject from the background.

10

Start snapping photographs of your subject.

---

• 
  

  Wonder How To Show & Tell for Creators & Doers

  www.wonderhowto.com/following

  Wonder How To is your guide to free how to videos on the Web. Search, Browse and Discover the best how to videos across the web using the largest how to video index ...

• 
  

  How to Build Your Own Acoustic Panels (DIY)

  acousticsfreq.com/blog/?p=62

  How to Build Your Own Acoustic Panels (DIY) Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 April 2013 06:15 Written by AcousticsFREQ Thursday, 13 October 2011 08:41

• 
  

  Unclutterer: Daily tips on how to organize your home and office.

  unclutterer.com

  Eliminate the clutter with Unclutterer, the blog about getting and staying organized.

• 
  

  Learn how to screenprint your own t-shirts - YouTube

  www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_8IMx0uMo

  In this podcast, Bre brings in Matt, the screenprinting expert of etsy.com, to the Weekend Projects podcast. Have you ever wanted to create your own t ...

• 
  

  HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHILD A MODEL IN NEW YORK D&G

  www.dgphotostudio.com/modeling/children-modeling

  Children Modeling. What you should know before spending money on children modeling portfolio.

• 
  

  Photoflex Lighting School Photoflex

  www.photoflex.com/pls

  Basic Lighting. A good place to start. These lessons demonstrate professional lighting techniques using only basic lighting tools. Having good lighting equipment is ...

• 
  

  Photo Radar Scam - Info on How to Beat Your Photo Radar or

  photoradarscam.com/getout.php

  Defense Strategies, Information to beat Red Light Camera and Photo Radar Cameras Tickets and Citations in Court

• 
  

  How To Create a Website - Beginner Tutorials On How To Make

  www.2createawebsites.com

  How To Create a Website has lots of free web design tutorials for beginners on creating a WordPress website and lots more. Start to make a website today.

• 
  

  MAKE - YouTube

  www.youtube.com/user/makemagazine

  MAKE brings the do-it-yourself mindset to all the technology in your life. MAKE is loaded with exciting projects that help you make the most of your technolo...

Read More

How to Take Portraits Indoors With a Nikon

It takes more than a good camera to shoot a great photo. For portrait photos, the subject should be crisp and clear, and the background should be soft. If you are using a Nikon to shoot indoor portraits, there are a few things you need to know before you will be able to shoot the beautiful portrait of your dreams.

Instructions

1

Set the Mode dial on your Nikon to the "A" setting. Then choose the lowest f-stop value that you have on your particular camera. This will help to sharpen the background of your portrait.

2

Zoom in close to your subject. If you cannot zoom as far as you would like, simply get closer to your subject. This reduces the depth of field and helps your subject image to appear sharper and more defined.

3

Turn the flash setting to the "Off" position. Use the light that you have available to shoot the portrait to avoid red eye.

4

Press and hold the shutter button halfway down. This will make sure that the metering and auto focus are used before the portrait is taken. You can also change your camera mode to "manual focus" if you would rather manually focus the camera.

5

Press the shutter button the rest of the way down to take the photograph. Don't release the button after the auto-focus takes place; simply press the button further. View the photo in the photo viewer window and decide if you need to make any changes before you take the next photo.

---

It takes more than a good camera to shoot a great photo. For portrait photos, the subject should be crisp and clear, and the background should be soft. If you are using a Nikon to shoot indoor portraits, there are a few things you need to know before you will be able to shoot the beautiful portrait of your dreams.

Instructions

1

Set the Mode dial on your Nikon to the "A" setting. Then choose the lowest f-stop value that you have on your particular camera. This will help to sharpen the background of your portrait.

2

Zoom in close to your subject. If you cannot zoom as far as you would like, simply get closer to your subject. This reduces the depth of field and helps your subject image to appear sharper and more defined.

3

Turn the flash setting to the "Off" position. Use the light that you have available to shoot the portrait to avoid red eye.

4

Press and hold the shutter button halfway down.

Enhance your photography skill,The Top Secret Photography Techniques

. This will make sure that the metering and auto focus are used before the portrait is taken. You can also change your camera mode to "manual focus" if you would rather manually focus the camera.
5

Press the shutter button the rest of the way down to take the photograph. Don't release the button after the auto-focus takes place; simply press the button further. View the photo in the photo viewer window and decide if you need to make any changes before you take the next photo.

---

• 
  

  Digital Cameras - How To Information Page 1 eHow

  www.ehow.com Electronics Cameras

  If you notice that your child has developed an interest in your digital camera or in taking pictures, consider purchasing your kid his very own digital camera.

• 
  

  Aquarium Photography How to Take Great Aquarium Photos Nikon ...

  www.nikonusa.com/.../how-to-take-great-photos-at-the-aquarium.html

  At a wedding, watch what the photographer is doing and pick something different to shoot. If the photographer is shooting the cake cutting, take pictures of the band.

• 
  

  How to Take Great Group Photos - Digital Photography Tips:

  digital-photography-school.com/how-to-take-great-group-photos

  In this post we want to give you 12 tips for taking great group photos. One of the most common types of digital photographs is the group photo.

• 
  

  How to Take Sharp Photos - Photography Life

  photographylife.com Photography Tutorials

  Tips on how to take sharp photos, avoiding blurry pictures and taking sharp pictures, how to take sharp photographs - one of the things that makes photography ...

• 
  

  How to take pictures of lightning with a DSLR (nikon d300) -

  www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKbnMPZQLcA

  See my photos at http://momentsofnaturephotography.com Detailed video that explains techniques and equipment I use to take pictures of Lightning storm. I ...

• 
  

  How to Take photos of floating / flying / levitating people ...

  digital-photography.wonderhowto.com/how-to/take-photos-floating...

  Do you believe you can fly? Or at least, believe that you can take pictures where it looks like you or other people are flying? Or at least jumping really high? This ...

• 
  

  How to take better portraits with the Nikon D5100 - YouTube

  www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IqGAcMKCQ4

  Lens selection (featuring the 50mm, an overview on aperture and f-number) Colour selection (picture control) Portrait Mode (and other scene modes to help ...

• 
  

  How to Take Portraits 19 Portrait Photography Tutorials

  digital-photography-school.com/how-to-take-portraits-19-port

  Do you want to improve your portrait photography? Today I spent time digging through the Digital Photography School archives (there are now over 600 tutorials and ...

• 
  

  How to Take Better Pictures - KenRockwell.com: Photography ...

  www.kenrockwell.com/tech.htm

  Ken Rockwell's index of articles on How to Take Better Pictures, tests, reviews, technical and how-to articles abour photography, cameras and lenses

• 
  

  How to Take Care for Indoor Bamboo Plants

  ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Take-Care-for-Indoor-Bamboo-Plants&id=836682

  Nov 16, 2007 Care for indoor bamboo plants ensures in healthy growth of bamboo plant. It includes proper fertilization, nourishment and sapping. These in reality are ...

• 
  

  How to Take Better Photographs: 22 Steps (with Pictures)

  www.wikihow.com Photography Improving Photos

  How to Take Better Photographs. Many people think they'll improve their photography by buying a spiffy new camera. The truth is, in photography, technique is much ...

• 
  

  How To Take Unique And Creative Engagement Photos -- Ideas,

  hupchallenge.hubpages.com Engagement

  All of the things you should think about when trying to take unique and creative engagement photos.

• 
  

  Art & Home Accessories - How To Information Page 1 eHow

  www.ehow.com Home & Garden Home Design & Decor

  Don't just sit there scratching your head, find useful info on Art & Home Accessories on eHow. Get essential tips and learn more about everything from Tips for Using ...

• 
  

  How to Care for a Christmas Cactus: 7 Steps (with Pictures)

  www.wikihow.com Gardening Indoor and Patio Plants

  How to Care for a Christmas Cactus. A beautiful holiday plant,(botanically known as Schlumbergera or Zygocactus) blooms at Christmas and also sometimes around

• 
  

  Digital Photography Basics: learn how to build a digital SLR ...

  photo.net/equipment/building-a-digital-slr-system

  Get expert digital photography basics and learn how to build a digital SLR system at Photo.net.

• 
  

  How To Take Amazing Portraits With An Inexpensive 50mm Lens

  lenrapoport.hubpages.com Digital Photography

  Len Rapoport International Press Association President and publisher of IMPress Magazine shows you how to take truly amazing photos with an inexpensive 50mm

• 
  

  Sport Photos: a how-to and tip guide from Photo.net

  photo.net/learn/sports/overview

  Learn how to take the most compelling sports photos you can with our tips and tricks guide at Photo.net.

• 
  

  Digital Cameras - How To Information Page 1 eHow

  www.ehow.com Electronics Cameras

  If you notice that your child has developed an interest in your digital camera or in taking pictures, consider purchasing your kid his very own digital camera.

• 
  

  Indoor Iguana Cage - How to build an indoor iguana cage -

  www.iguanacageplans.com

  Discover how to build an indoor iguana cage. These plans for building an iguana cage will take you step-by-step throught the building of outdoor and indoor Iguana ...

• 
  

  How-To Popular Photography

  www.popphoto.com/how-to

  Our photography and photo tips, techniques, and how to instructions will turn you into a professional photographer in no time. From the editors of PopPhoto.com

Read More