Fundamental Camera Settings
Introduction
Out of boredom, I was browsing through latest advancement in camera technology. I still remember the first ever compact camera that I invested is Canon Powershot S110, which now has been replaced by Canon G9x series.
10 years ago, we can see people carrying around various compact cameras and DSLRs during travelling. Now, almost everyone is taking photos using smartphone (including me). Below is a photo of camera and smartphone sales by year.
In fact, DSLR development has basically ceased across almost all camera brands (including Canon and Nikon) and R&D resources are shifted towards mirrorless technology. Nonetheless, newer camera innovation does not necessarily translate to better photo quality, rather it takes time for newer technology to mature too.
When comes to photography, never wait for you to invest in the best camera, but to use what you already have, being a smartphone, a compact camera, a DSLR or a mirrorless.
ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed
When we are taking an everyday photo using phone camera, most camera settings would have been automatically set based on the lighting condition. Nonetheless, if you would like to make manual adjustment, the 3 most important settings that you should know are ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed.
ISO = Camera sensor's sensitivity
- As you increase ISO number, your photos will grow progressively brighter. For that reason, ISO can help you capture images in darker environment.
- However, at the same time, the image quality decreases with higher ISO. There will be more digital noise or "grain"
- Higher ISO = More Light, but More Noise.
Aperture = Size of lens opening
- You can shrink or enlarge the size of the aperture to allow more or less light to reach your camera sensor.
- Lower f-stop = Larger Aperture = More Light
- Also control depth of field
- Lower f-stop gives you a blurred background with a beautiful shallow focus effect = ideal of portraits (e.g. f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8)
- Higher f-stop gives you sharp photos from the nearby foreground to the distant horizon = ideal for landscape or group photos (e.g. f/8, f/11, f/16)
Shutter Speed = Length of time the shutter is open, measured in seconds
- Controls motion blur.
- Anything from really fast (1/4000) for sports photography to really slow (30 seconds) for night photography
- A long shutter speeds is also useful to create a sense of motion on rivers and waterfalls while keeping everything else completely sharp.
Summary
All 3 of the settings above control the brightness of your photo, but they do so in different ways.
- Hence, always think about what is the important effect that you wish to achieve.
Nonetheless, never make taking photographs the core of any trip, but always remember to take a step back and enjoys the moment. Our eyes are the best camera.
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