Use a SLR F-Stop Digital Camera
Digital cameras typically come with automatic settings, allowing the user to snap pictures while the camera figures out which settings to use. Settings include ISO, which regulates the sensitivity to light, and shutter speed that regulates how long the shutter will stay open when taking the picture. Another setting is the F-Stop, which regulates the size of the opening, or aperture, that lets in the light. With SLR Digital cameras users have the option to turn off the automatic feature, and make manual settings. But before you set your F-stop, it is important to understand the implications of the various settings.
Instructions
1. Learn how the size of the aperture affects the picture. The aperture is the size of the hole that lets in the light to take the picture. It is a setting of the lens. The smaller the hole the longer range of focus, or depth of field will result. If you make the aperture larger, to let in more light, the range of focus will be less.
2. Practice the exercise performed by student photographers to demonstrate depth of field. They line up three objects in a row, moving away from the photographer. The photographer focuses on the middle object, and makes the aperture as small as possible and then takes a picture. The photographer then takes a second photograph. Once again the focus is on the middle object, but this time the aperture is enlarged to let in more light before snapping the picture. In the first picture, where the aperture is small, all of the objects are in clear focus. In the second picture, with the larger aperture, only the middle object is in focus, the rest are blurred.
3. Balance the aperture size with the shutter speed. To achieve a properly lit photograph, the shutter will need to be left open, to let in more light, when the aperture is reduced in size. If the aperture is made larger, the shutter speed can be made faster to let in less light. When you change the aperture, it affects the range of focus. When you change the shutter speed, it will affects how quickly you can capture moving objects. A fast shutter speed is ideal for action shots, and a slower shutter speed will work fine with stills.
4. Remember to consider the ISO setting. The ISO setting regulates the sensitivity to light. A high ISO number will mean less light will be needed to capture a picture, which will mean you can use a faster shutter speed and smaller aperture.
5. Understand the F-Stop numbers. The numbers associated with the aperture size are F-Stop numbers. As the number gets larger, the aperture gets smaller. The smaller the F-Stop number, the larger the aperture size.
6. Choose the aperture setting on the digital camera to regulate the aperture. Many SLR digital cameras have a setting that allows you to manually set the aperture. On some cameras, this is indicated on the mode dial as an A. When you manually choose the F-Stop when using this setting, the camera will then adjust the shutter speed according to the F-Stop setting you make, to let in the necessary light.
