Basics of Digital Camera Key Controls: shutter settings, short exposure and long exposure, depth of field, sharpness and space, observer’s eye, image analysis, and shutter times

This is the type of article that covers a subject without the fluff. We’ll focus today on what allows you to be a better photographer than others.

We’ll be covering: key camera controls, shutter settings, short exposure and long exposure, depth of field, sharpness and space, observer’s eye, image analysis, and shutter times.

Disclaimer — this article uses AI, and sources material from the book: Digital Photography Masterclass, by Tomang.

key camera controls

Measuring progress in photography can be done by evaluating your attitude towards camera controls. Initially, camera controls may seem daunting and overwhelming. However, with practice and mastery, they become valuable tools that aid creative processes. Among all the camera controls, the shutter setting is the most distinctive and essential in photography.

shutter settings

Understanding the shutter setting is crucial in photography as it not only affects the exposure time but also plays a role in achieving sharp images. In the past, photographers would prioritize using short shutter times to ensure sharpness, followed by adjusting the aperture for correct exposure. However, with the introduction of cameras and lenses with image stabilization, the traditional approach is being challenged and revised. It’s important to consider the benefits of image stabilization when determining the optimal shutter speed for your shots.

When taking a photo, using a short exposure time can reduce the risk of movement affecting the quality of the image. This is because any blur caused by movement won’t have enough time to travel across the camera sensor, resulting in a sharper image. On the other hand, if the shutter is held open for a longer period of time, both the subject and camera movements can cause a blur that may be visible to the human eye. Even a small blur of only 0.1 millimeters can appear unsharp when viewed from a distance of around 20 centimeters (8 inches).

short exposures | longer exposures

When trying to capture a sharp image, using the shortest exposure time may seem like the best approach. However, it can have some negative consequences. Using a brief exposure may require a large aperture or a high ISO setting, or both. These adjustments can adversely affect your image quality. Using a large aperture can decrease depth of field, which requires precise focusing and can also decrease image quality. On the other hand, a high ISO setting can increase noise, which reduces the sharpness of detail and lowers the quality of colors. Therefore, it is important to consider these factors when attempting to capture a sharp image.

When it comes to photography, sometimes breaking free from the constraints of short exposure times and the pursuit of sharpness can lead to better results. Experimenting with longer exposures can produce interesting and dynamic blur and movement in your images. Additionally, modern cameras equipped with image stabilization technology offer new opportunities to capture movement while maintaining stability during long exposures. Don’t be afraid to try new techniques and embrace the possibilities that longer exposures and image stabilization can bring to your photography.

depth of field

Depth of field is an important concept in photography that refers to the range of distance within an image where objects appear sharply focused. While it may seem like a technical term, it actually plays a crucial role in creating visually compelling photos. In essence, depth of field is all about how an image handles space and solid objects, and how it creates a sense of depth and plasticity within the picture.

sharpness and space

When we look at a scene, only a small portion of it appears sharp to us (about five percent). However, our eyes continuously adjust their focus as we scan the scene, allowing us to perceive an overall sharp image. In traditional photography, achieving a large depth of field (where most or all of the image appears sharp) was difficult and often required photographing distant subjects, such as landscapes. However, advances in digital technology have made it easier to achieve extensive depth of field, resulting in many images appearing uniformly sharp. While this was initially seen as a positive development, it has also led to criticism for making images look too similar and making it challenging to highlight the main subject.

observer’s eye

There are three key factors that primarily influence depth of field in photography, which are aperture, focal length, and magnification. A smaller aperture, a shorter focal length, and a smaller magnification result in a greater depth of field. Conversely, to reduce depth of field, one must increase the aperture, use a longer focal length lens, or move closer to the subject. It is important to note, however, that the significance of these controls is subjective, and ultimately depends on the observer’s perception of sharpness and how critically they are viewing the image. Additionally, the size of the print at which the image is viewed can also affect the perception of depth of field. Generally, smaller prints tend to make the depth of field appear greater.

The quality of unsharpness, known as “bokeh,” can have a significant impact on the overall appeal of an image, as a large portion of an image is typically unsharp. In the past, the use of inexpensive lenses with odd-shaped aperture diaphragms in point-and-shoot cameras often resulted in unattractive unsharpness with uneven, harsh transitions and fringing. Nowadays, good bokeh is highly valued and considered to be almost as important as sharpness. To achieve good quality bokeh and control the plasticity of your image, it is crucial to have a strong command of depth of field. This means using larger sensors to create reduced depth of field and high-quality lenses for smooth blur.

image analysis

One of the delights of being a skilled photographer is discovering a beautiful, small-scale landscape that many tourists may have overlooked. However, it’s important to keep in mind the principle of “zero footprint” and to leave the place as you found it. Even though you may be excited to capture the moment, it’s crucial to be respectful of the environment and ensure that others can also appreciate the scene.

shutter times

The success of this image was largely due to the proper adjustment of the shutter setting. By using a shutter time that captured the water with just the right amount of flow, the overall image was enhanced. It is important to note that the shutter setting also affected other aspects of the photo, such as depth of field. With a shutter speed of 1/8 sec, the exposure was long enough to require a tripod, especially as a medium-long focal length of 130mm was used for the tight view. The scene had a lot of shadows and dark green tones, so an exposure override of minus one stop was applied to ensure that the brighter water areas were not over-exposed.

To achieve a sharp and detailed image that captures each level of water and greenery, it was necessary to use an extensive depth of field. This was accomplished by using a small aperture of f/22. However, since the light levels were low, it was also necessary to increase the camera’s sensitivity to ISO 400. Although this resulted in a high noise level, it was fortunately masked by the rich textures in the image. Timing was also a crucial factor in capturing the perfect shot, as the varying flow of water produced different cascades. It often takes multiple attempts to capture the ideal shot.

That’s a bit about the digital camera. I’ll be posting more information about the controls along with covering photography extensively as well as other subjects as I continue. To view some of my photography, feel free to check out my IG.