Terms

Diaphragm: controls the amount of light that enters the camera through the lens (the aperture). The diaphragm shuts out all other light so that overexposure is avoided. The diaphragm of the camera should be smaller (larger aperture) in bright light because it will let in less light. It should be larger (smaller aperture) in darker settings because it will let in more light.

Shutter Speed: The shutter speed determines how long the shutter will be open, controlling how long the picture is being captured and how much light is being let in. For images in motion, a fast shutter speed works best. The longer the shutter speed the more light is let in and visa versa. Longer shutter speeds works best on a still surface or tripod.

Depth of Field: The field of focus between a camera and a subject that is captured in an image. A small depth of field, as is frequently used in portraits, has a sharp subject and a background that gradually becomes more blurry with distance. A wider depth of field focuses on everything, like in a landscape shot. The length of a lens also affect the depth of field.

ISO: This refers to the sensor’s sensitivity to light. A low ISO is less sensitive to light and is therefore used in bright settings. In dark settings it s best to use a higher ISO.

Kelvins: Visible light is can be measured by temperature on the Kelvin scale. The color can change according to the different temperature. The higher the temperature is the more blue an image appears. Reds, blues, and yellows can be adjusted to make the light appear normal.  The white balance can be adjusted to adjust the way the lens perceives the light. This can be achieved automatically or manually depending on the camera.

Light Meter: The light meter displays the amount of light that entered your camera while capturing an image and is useful in allowing you to see how you should change your ISO, shutter speed, or aperture.


White Balance: Natural sunlight is a different color from the light produced by tungsten and fluorescent light bulbs. While our eyes adjust naturally to these changes, cameras do not. If your camera has a white balance setting, it will adjust automatically to different colored lights, and produce natural color no matter what the light source is. You can also adjust the white balance manually.


-Matt