Photography, Ideal Settings

[Phoenix Wynde]

As some of you may know, I've recently taken up an interest in photography and I'm beginning to really develop a love of the art. You could say my camera is my new girlfriend, just without the sex.

Anyway, I'm looking for some helpful information. I'd like to know what the ideal settings are for aperture during the various times of day, especially bright sunlight, and an explanation of shutter speeds and how they work. Also, any information on Macro photography would be helpful, such as how close or far away one should be from a subject would be nice.


I think this would be a great time for you photo experts to add to the BioWiki (ha, I coined a new phrase).

Many thanks in advance!

-Phoenix-

[tamlin]

A very basic (but quite effective) method of estimating correct exposure in sunlight it the famous "Sunny 16 Rule". This states that for an average scene taken on a bright, sunny day, use f/16 at a shutter speed equivalent to one over the ISO setting; that is, f/16 at 1/100 sec (or the nearest equivalent 1/125) at ISO 100, f/16 at 1/200 (or the nearest equivalent 1/250) at ISO 200 etc. You can read more about this rule here: Sunny 16 rule - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

However, most digital cameras these days come equipped with auto-exposure settings - the most you might need to do would be to bracket your exposures if the scene you are photographing has a lot of tonal variation.

The principle of shutter speed is pretty basic: the faster the shutter speed, the less light gets in. Fast shutter speeds are good for freezing action and cutting down the effects of camera-shake. Slow shutter speeds are good for low-light situations and creating those arty shots of blurred moving water.

As for macro photography, you just need to get as close as you need to get a good shot - it really depends on what you're shooting. The basic composition principle of "fill the frame" applies as much to macro photography as to any other field.

Hope this helps.

[Phoenix Wynde]

Okies, the first paragraph I don't follow, the rest, right on.

Do you know of any online photography dictionaries I can study?

I'm slow, so you'll have to explain things to me like I'm a three year old.

[tamlin]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Wynde

Do you know of any online photography dictionaries I can study?

Try these:

A Glossary of Photographic Terms: A

The Photographic Glossary: your Photo help page

Profotos - Photo Glossary (A-B)

Digital Photography Glossary of Terms

Anything specific you need clarification on, just ask.

PS: Moved this thread to the Photography forum.

[kokopedal]

Thanks for the links I know I will be using them quite frequently.

[chad.palmer]

Yeah check out the wikipedia page, it really helps! i love wikipedia!!

[chad.palmer]

Also those other websites posted by tamlin also help a great deal. Cheers.

[WhosThatGirl]

wikipedia has so much great info! It has really helped me figure out some great tips, I really sugest looking there!

[seobeglobal]

thank you tamlin for all your advices. They are very useful.

[pshopper]

I don't think 'rules' for taking pictures are of any use - anything that dictates to you how you 'should' shoot is inherently a bad thing and limits your creativity greatly. I just say shoot in Aperture priority and use the diagphram to your advantage. Let you and the camera fuse into one and just go with the flow!

[tamlin]

In art (and I include photography) a so-called "Rule" is not a rigid instruction - the Rule of Thirds for example - it's more of a guideline. You don't always have to follow the "rules", but familiarising yourself with them will help you when it comes to understanding things like composition and lighting.

[pshopper]

Anyway, as long as you understand the exposure triangle there is no need for rules, and 'sunny 16' is only meant for times when your light meter dies or you don't have one.

[squashed]

"Understanding Exposure" by Brian Petersen is an excellent read.