Photography

Exploring photography. The key to photography is to just do it. Take many pictures and try to reproduce what you like: find the right subject matter, the right lighting, the right composition, the right framing. Then you can work on things like cameras, lenses, film, apertures, depth of field, plane of focus, filters, steadying the camera, etc. This section will focus on the mechanics of photography and leave the artistry to you.

The word photography is derived from the Greek words for "light" and "writing". Hence, photography is in essence writing with light. A camera is a device used for photography. The simplest camera involves light passing through tiny holes. EGs:

• Walk underneath a tree during a when the sun is a crescent shape during a solar eclipse and you will see many little crescents on the ground.
• The camera obsura devised by Leonardo da Vinci used a pin-hole to project an image onto a flat surface in a darkened area. The tinier the hole, the sharper the image.

Note that both of those methods involved the user hand-tracing the image. The first modern camera was invented by Joseph Nicephore Niepce in 1826, when he was able to photo-mechanically/chemically record the image generated by a camera obscura. There have been many improvements since but the essence of the all cameras since is the same.

• Camera Body. A light proof enclosure.
• Exposure Control. Controlling the exposure is to control the amount of light exposed to the film when taking a photo.
  • The Lens Diameter, aka D, determines the maximum amount of light that can enter the lens. This is usually the same as the aperture fully opened.
  • The Aperture of a lens is a hole that adjusts in size and helps determine how much light is gathered.
  • The Shutter determines if any light comes in the body at all and for how long. In many modern cameras the mechanism for the aperture and the shutter are the same.
    • The Shutter Release opens the shutter.
    • The Shutter Speed determines how long the shutter is held open.
• Lens Control. Controlling the lens adjusts the focus, the zoom, and the depth of field.
  • The Focal Distance is how far the subject is from the optical center of the lens. The focal distance is controlled by adjusting the distance between the optical center of the lens and the film. Some older cameras moved the film, but most modern camera move an element of the lens.
  • The Focal Length, aka f, of a lens determines the magnification, i.e. the Zoom or the size of the image on the film. The focal length is the distance between the Optical Center of the lens and the Focal Point (the point where light is focused when the focal point is infinite).
  • The Depth of Field is the range in which object will appear focused. This is a matter of both the focal distance and focal length.
    • Short focal lengths have large depth of field, whereas long focal lengths have small depth of field.
    • Long focal distances have large depth of field, whereas short focal distances have small depth of field.
  • The Lens Speed, aka ƒ, f-number, or f-stop. A ratio of the focal length to the fixed diameter, i.e. ƒ = f/D.
• Photography Film. The film records the image.
  • The Film Speed is a measure of how quickly the emulsion reacts to light. EG: ISO 200, ISO 400.
  • The Film Latitude (aka dynamic range, contrast) refers to the ability to capture a range of shades of darkness and tints of brightness.
  • The Film Format refers to the captures size of each photo taken. EGs: 35 mm, 1600x1200 pixels.

Just for personal convenience, here is my photography equipment:

• 35 mm film SLR camera: Canon Rebel S, purchased 1991.
  • Lens: Canon Zoom Lens EF, 35-105 mm, 1:4.5-5.6, 0.85m min. distance, purchased 1991.
    • Filter: Tiffen SKY 1-A, 58 mm. A UV filter with some warming.
  • Lens: Quantaray LDO, 100-300 mm, 1:4.5-6.7, 2m min. distance, SN 3117053, purchased 2004-04-28.
    • Filter: Quantray UV, 55 mm.
• Digital compact camera: HP PhotoSmart 315, purchased 2000.
  • Lens: f 5.8 mm, F 2.8.
• Digital camera on cell phone: LG VX6000, purchased 2004-05-02
  • Lens: 3mm, 1:2.8
• Tripod: Quantaray QSX 9001, 152.8 cm (60.2") max, 57.5 cm (22.6") min, 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) mass, 3.0 kg (6.6 lb) max. load.

2007-10-27 02:48:50Z