Know your camera: Aperture Priority – Notes
As part of the “Know your camera” series, Ray set up a session on Aperture Priority, including Depth of field, Background Blur and Exposure compensation.
Understanding these concepts is key to move from snapshots to a more precise type of photography, where you are in control of the effect you want to achieve.
The theory (based on a video segment from CreativeLive – Fundamentals of Photography)
Know your numbers: from f/1.4 to f/22, these fractions control the amount of light reaching the camera sensor . They also impact the depth of field, allowing you to select the desired amount of sharpness or blur (bokeh).
The Background Blur will also vary depending on the Focal Length being used and the distance between:
- the camera and the subject;
- the subject and the background.
The practice
Using Aperture Priority as the only manual setting (leaving Shutter Speed and ISO on automatic) AND Exposure Compensation to increase or decrease exposure, we started shooting.
Sandra Y. (a Grimsby Photo Group member) and John H. (one of her neighbours) had kindly offered their gardens as a practice playground, and both were just perfect! As I am writing this blog, I sit in the morning light of my own backyard, reflecting on how much that space we call “garden” is a peaceful oasis where nature displays all sorts of shapes and colours.
Our little group happily dispersed and started clicking away under sunny and cloudy skies (thus creating different light situations), enjoying the moment and sharing tips.
Thank you Ray, Sandra and John, for this practical and delightful session.