Do some of the camera settings intimidate you? Do you want to learn how to develop your photography skills and learn how to use your camera effectively without always going back to the "auto" function? These challenges are for you!
This week’s challenge is Aperture Priority and Narrow Apertures.
Explanation:
For this challenge, you will shoot in Aperture Priority Mode (A or Av generally on your dial) and shoot with the narrowest aperture value available for your given lens or lenses, typically f/22.
Basic idea:
Aperture is a measurement of the opening inside your lens that lets in light. A narrow aperture means that your camera is letting in less light, which requires a slower shutter speed but will give you the maximum depth of field, thereby keeping more of the photograph in focus. It is typically used in landscape photography, where the photographer wants maximum depth of field front to back. There are potentially other reasons for choosing a narrow aperture, such as slowing down the shutter speed to introduce motion blur, but for the purpose of this challenge we are primarily concerned with depth of field.
(A note on confusing nomenclature: aperture values are actually fractions, so f/4 is really 1/4, while f/22 is really 1/22. Thus, f/4 is actually a 'larger' number than f/22, even though 4 seems to be a 'smaller' number than 22. I prefer talking about wide vs. narrow apertures (rather than bigger vs. smaller) to avoid the confusion, but you may find all kinds of terms used in photography literature.)
Due to the slower shutter speed you will probably need to use a tripod or some other form of stabilisation, or alternatively raise the ISO.
Experienced photographers who are knowledgeable in this particular setting are encouraged to offer "kind and constructive" suggestions on the posted entries. Those entering this challenge want to learn and improve.
This challenge starts immediately, today, Saturday 1st February, and lasts until Wednesday 12th February, at 11:59pm GMT. All photos must be taken during these dates to be considered. Enter as many as you would like - the idea is to practice and learn. TAG your photo CSC14-03 AND post your picture in this thread to receive feedback from other experienced photographers specific to this challenge.
Voting will take place on Friday, February 14th (and remain open 24 hours), and the winner will be announced on Saturday, February 15th. The winner of the challenge will select an experienced photographer to host a new challenge. It is the winner’s option on who they want to host the next challenge; it may be someone they follow whose work they admire, or someone who is active offering suggestions on previous CSC challenges. The winner may also select an experienced photographer from the list of photographers who have agreed to host future challenges as another option. Here is the link to that list: http://365project.org/archaeofrog/365/2013-12-18 .
Expect to receive constructive suggestions on how to improve your skills.
How to post your photo on this discussion thread:
1) Upload your photo to 365, and be sure to add CSC14-03 as one of the tags.
2) Go to your page that has the photo you wish to post.
3) Copy the “share” code in the bottom right section of that page.
4) Return to this thread and paste the code under comments.
@dh As well as thinking in terms of "fractions" (the f/stop is actually the focal length divided by the diameter of the opening, note the diameter on the bottom of the quotient to give it the *fraction* behavior), think of them as *square root* fractions. The light value is proportional to the area of the opening that is proportional to the square of the diameter. So f/8 is not one stop down from f/4, but two stops down. One stop down from f/4 is f/5.6, which is 4 multiplied by the *square root* of 2.
So f/4 at 1/200 shutter is an equivalent exposure to f/5.6 at 1/100, as is f/8 at 1/50.
@dh Something to watch for with very small apertures. On all but the very best glass, the shot can get a lot more fuzzy (blurry, less sharp) than at the "sweet spot" of the lens. Usually about f/8 on most lenses, it varies by focal length for zooms. I remember shooting with the Tamron 18-270 super zoom, I don't have it any more but it was a useful lens to learn with, at f/22 at max 270mm zoom, and the images were unusably mushy even on a tripod with remote shutter release.
The other thing you could do, if you have some time, is search the tag for the last challenge ( http://365project.org/tags/csc14-02 ) and copy and paste the @ names of people who participated and then make a comment on this thread with all those names - just letting people know the new challenge has started, in case they miss it in the list.
@dh You're doing great at the challenge!! :) I will try to work on this one some, although do I have to set it at AV to do it? What if I just set it on all manual with the aperture set at 22. Or is that the same thing? :) @archaeofrog what say you? Looking forward to it! :)
Just saw this great idea here. So I will try to start tonight or tomorrow if it is ok. I am just off of auto for two days and want to learn more. Thanks for doing this.
Question,,,,my aperature setting only goes to f/11. It is a lumix DMC FZ30. Is that going to even be enough to learn how to do this? I am saving for a canon ti1. I figured it would be less expensive since it is so old to move up to one I can buy a lense for.
tx for the tag... ah yes... f/22 this should be fun! now to choose a subject and comp that will benefit from the narrow aperture... some examples include landscapes - especially if you want to include some foreground that is relatively close to your camera... another is long exposures in low light when you want to get the nice starburst effects... and of course, when shooting macro, f/22 gives you a chance of getting your full subject in focus if it's on an angle to you... will have to see what i can come up with!
@miata2u The idea is that by using a narrow aperture you should be able to get most of the shot in focus - so no blur. I think the problem is that the subject you have chosen is probably more suited to a wide aperture, where the subject is in focus but the background is blurred. Narrow apertures are more often used for landscapes, when you want foreground and background in focus.
Thank you. It was late in the evening but the sun was still out as you can see so why is it not as clear. Is it because I can only do f/11 and not highter or my settings?
You seem to have pretty good depth of field (meaning that most of it seems to be in focus). Which bit did you focus on? The usual advice is to focus about 1/3 of the way into the scene. Also did you use a tripod? That can help, otherwise you may need to raise your ISO level.
Luka was also using f/11 but using a nikon. And so much clearer than mine in all ways. I used a small tripod on the hood of my car and focused on the cabin. So not sure what it is. I will try to learn about my ISO. Not sure what that is or how to set it yet.
I had my bridge with me today and the smallest aperture I have on it is f/8. My big girl camera goes to f/32 but I don't carry it to work everyday like I do the bridge. I'll try this again this weekend, but in the meantime this is the one I took today.
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So f/4 at 1/200 shutter is an equivalent exposure to f/5.6 at 1/100, as is f/8 at 1/50.
Introduction to Aperture in Digital Photography: http://digital-photography-school.com/aperture
Aperture and the F/Stop Conundrum: http://www.boostyourphotography.com/2013/09/aperture.html
What an Aperture of F/22 Can Do for You: http://www.boostyourphotography.com/2013/09/aperturef22.html
The other thing you could do, if you have some time, is search the tag for the last challenge ( http://365project.org/tags/csc14-02 ) and copy and paste the @ names of people who participated and then make a comment on this thread with all those names - just letting people know the new challenge has started, in case they miss it in the list.
Apologies if I've missed anyone off.
@ f11
f/29 (I think - lots of motion blur in all of my other attempts!)
Another with f29
This challenge seems to be going on forever!