Photography 101 - Week 2: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO

Week 2 we focused (no pun intended) on the fundamentals of photography. The instructor mentioned that this week may be the toughest one we will have to remember the rules but once they are remembered, you won't forget them (here's hoping). Anyway, I searched for a video on youtube that best explains what we went over. I find I benefit from actually watching a video or listening to an instructor versus just reading it from my notes.

In simple terms, an image can be classified in 3 ways: underexposed (too dark), properly exposed (enough light) and overexposed (too bright).

The 3 key settings of exposure are as follows:

Shutter speed - the length of time it takes to record a photograph
Aperture - the size of the opening in the lens
ISO - the level of sensitivity of the recording surface (sensor)

In order to have control over the exposure in the camera, set it on Manual Mode. This way you can adjust each setting individually to achieve the correct exposure for your picture.

Our instructor explained that the shutter speed and aperture are artistic choices and the ISO is a technical choice. Using different shutter speeds will create different effects in the photo and these speeds are represented in seconds. Slowing down the shutter speed will allow more light in.

It all comes down to practice, practice, practice..no way around that.
PS: our teacher has a favorite shutter speed and that is 1/15th second. I guess this wouldn't work for everything, but it must work for most things he does.

I am sure the video explains it better than I do...lol. I am still learning. My home assignment this week is to set my camera on Manual Mode, ISO 400, Aperture f/8, Shutter Speed 1/125, select a subject to photograph, take note of what the camera light meter is telling me, overexposed, underexposed?? and make adjustments to shutter, aperture and ISO until I achieve a properly exposed image. Post at least 3 images to the Flickr Group, including the correctly exposed one. Easy peasy??? we shall see. It is all about having fun. I can do that.