Heart & Soul of Photography: Fire in the Sky!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Fire in the Sky!

WOW!!!! Have you been watching the sunsets the past few days? With the wildfires burning, and the sky full of smoke, the sunsets have been very dramatic. I really hope you are taking advantage and using your cameras to capture all of this dramatic color! Sunset has been happening about 7:45pm the past few days, so mark it on your calendar of things to do tomorrow.

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Photography Dictionary

This is designed to be a quick reference of photography terms. It can be a useful source of information for you by providing a quick and easy reference for terms you may not know or that need to be refreshed.

Aperture - This is the opening in your lens through which light passes, allowing it to expose the film. The size of the aperture can be fixed or adjustable. It is usually referred to in f-stops ( i.e. f5.6). The higher the number, the smaller the opening in your lens.

Aperture Priority - This is the AV setting on your camera. It allows you to pick the f-stop that you want and the camera will select the correct shutter speed for you for the right exposure. Each time you change the aperture, the shutter speed will automatically adjust.

Auto Focus (AF) - Your camera will automatically focus on the selected part of your subject.Automatic Camera - The camera automatically sets the aperture and shutter speed for proper exposure.

Bulb (B) setting - This setting allows for timed exposures. The shutter will stay open for as long as you hold down the shutter release button. This is great for fireworks, etc.

Backlighting - This is lighting that is coming from behind your subject towards your lens. It helps your subject stand out from the background.

Bounce Lighting - This is where you take the light from your source (i.e. flash) and you bounce it off of a reflector or a ceiling for the look of natural light. When doing this with a flash, it would need to be able to swivel or adjust.

Bracketing - This is useful when you aren't sure what the exposure should be. You take 3 pictures (of the same subject) at different exposures to determine which would be the best setting.

Composition - This is the way you arrange the elements (the subject, background and foreground) in your picture for a more pleasing look.

Contrast - This is the difference between the light and dark areas on your picture. Also called density.

Depth of Field - This is the difference between the nearest and farthest objects that appear in focus on a photograph. This is controlled by setting the aperture. The smaller the number, the less in focus. The larger the number the more in focus, creating a larger depth of field.

Double Exposure - This happens when two pictures are taken on the same film frame, or when two images are printed on the same piece of photographic paper.

Exposure - This is how much light (how long and the amount allowed through the lens) that is allowed on your film.

Fill In Light - This is when you some additional source of light (flash, reflector, etc) to fill in shadows or dark areas caused by the primary source of light.

Film Speed - This is how sensitive the film is to light. The film speed is referred to as ISO 400, 800, etc.)

Filter - A special piece of glass to place over your lens to change certain aspects of the scene (colors, eliminate or even enhance certain colors, soften, etc.)

Flash - A burst of light from an electronic bulb on your camera (or separate flash) used when there isn't enough light.

F-number - This is in reference to the size of the lens opening. The larger the f-stop number, the smaller the opening on your lens. (See aperture)

Front Lighting - When the lighting comes from the side of your subject facing the camera.

ISO Speed - The sensitivity of the film according to International Standards Organization.

Lens - A piece of glass that has been made to collect and focus rays of light to form a sharp image on your film.

Lens Speed - This is the largest lens opening (smallest f-stop) that a lens can be set to. A fast lens has a larger opening and lets in more light than a slow lens.

Macro Lens - A lens used for extreme close ups.

Overexposure - This is when too much light has reached the film. Often your print will be very light and not have much contrast.

Polarizing Filter - This is used to create a deeper blue in the sky. It is also useful in reducing reflections from glass, water, etc.

Program Exposure - The mode on an automatic camera that will automatically set the aperture and shutter speed for proper exposure.

Reflector - Something use to reflect light onto your subject. They can be purchased or be a simple as a piece of white foam core.

Shutter - Controls the amount of time that the film is exposed to light.

Shutter Priority - The program on your camera which allows you to set the shutter speed and the camera will automatically choose the aperture that will allow for the optimum exposure.

SLR (single lens reflex) camera - A camera which allows you to see the scene through the lens used to take the picture.

Soft Lighting - Lighting in which the contrast is low, such as a cloudy day.

Tripod - A three-legged stand used to hold the camera still. This is useful when using slow shutter speeds or in low lighting conditions.

Underexposure - When there wasn't sufficient light reaching the film to expose your subject properly. Your picture will be dark.

View Finder - The place on your camera through which you look to see what will be recorded on your film.

Zoom lens - A lens in which you can adjust the focal length over a wide range.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Fire in the Sky!

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