Exercise 2: Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed

25.01.2017 & 26.01.2017 (Week 2)
Adrian Charles Chee Yew Chen (300666425)
Introduction to Photography

Exercise 2: Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed

Lecture:

At the start of the second class, Mr Vinod opened almost all of our blogs one by one to briefly go through the images they had selected for the first exercise given. He asked the students to give a short explanation on why they chose the photos. Mr Vinod taught us about the 'holy trinity' of photography which were the aperture, ISO and shutter speed. He also mentioned that there is a 4th element in photography that is not entirely in our control which is light (natural light). Aperture controls the amount of light entering the lens and the main stops for aperture are 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16 and 22. These stops are called the f-stops. The smaller the f-stop, the wider the hole of the lens. This can bring about two effects which are the darkening or lightening of the image, and the depth of field of the image. The lower the f-spot, the more shallow the depth of field of the image and vice versa. We conducted two exercises in class to prove that the aperture does affect the amount of light entering the lens and also the depth of field. Next, Mr Vinod explained about the ISO which is the number indicating a digital camera sensor's sensitivity to light. Lower ISO would require more light to capture a proper photo than high ISO. Lower ISO would also result in images with the least visible noise (black spots in the image), which is more desirable. The main stops for ISO are 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 and 6400. We did an exercise in class to prove that ISO affects exposure and sensitivity to light. Last but not least, Mr Vinod taught us on shutter speed which is the duration of time the shutter remains open to allow light to reach a digital camera's sensor. Higher shutter speed will result in the 'freezing' of fast-moving objects. Mr Vinod informed us that 1/30th of a second is the last 'non-tripod' shutter speed to get a clear image. In addition to that, we also performed a class activity together to create a Chinese New Year 2017 greetings through light trails as well as a solo shot of one of our classmates, Asif. 

For the CNY 17 greetings, we had the camera on the tripod. The camera's settings were (-------). The most important element at play for this shot was the shutter speed as well as good timing by those trying to form the alphabets and shapes. They needed to time it so that it takes them exactly 2 seconds from start to finish to draw out their alphabet or shape. This is because the camera's shutter speed was set to 2 seconds. 

For Asif's solo shot, we offed all of the lights in the classroom and used 5 phone flashlights to create the affect seen in the image above. 3 flashlights to shine on Asif and the other 2 flashlights to create the light trails behind him. The camera's settings were (--------). Once again, the most important element for this shot was the shutter speed. The 3 flashlights were required to 'paint' Asif's sides throughout the entire 10 seconds (shutter speed was set to 10 seconds). This is to create the effect that he had lights shining on the sides of his face while the centre part remains dark and mysterious. It was not easy trying to create the perfect shot for this as it requires some trial and error in order to achieve the right balance of light shining upon him.

Instructions:

• a) Aperture (in-class) Exercise Instruction:

Upon reading, viewing and discussing the material on aperture, we have come to agree that aperture affects exposure (Exercise 2a.1) and controls depth of field (Exercise 2a.2).

Your problem task today is to prove the theory as fact that aperture does effect exposure (Exercise 2a.1) and control depth of field (Exercise 2a.2) by devising a plan and acting on it.

When updating your ePortfolio ensure you describe your plan before showcasing the evidence that proves the theory.

All images must be in black and white, you can make the adjustment in the camera (if the feature is available) or make the adjustment later in an approprite software or Photoshop (directions: Image > Adjust > Black & White)

• Exercise 2c: ISO

Upon discussing the material on ISO, we have come to agree that ISO effects exposure (Exercise 2c.1) and effects the quality of an image (Exercise 2c.2).

Your in-class task today, requires you to prove that:

2c.1) ISO effects exposure

2c.2) ISO effects the quality of an image by increasing the noise and grain of a picture.

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Exercise 2b

Upon discussing the material on Shutter Speed in along with the discussions and exercises on Aperture and ISO, we have come to understand that Shutter Speed affects exposure and effects visibility of moving objects. While the evidence of shutter speeds affect on exposure is already evident in the Aperture and ISO exercise, the evidence of Shutter Speeds affect on moving objects has yet to be proven.

Your task in Exercise 2b is to showcase evidence of Shutter Speeds ability to freeze fast moving objects or blur moving objects.

Exercise 2a.1 Aperture affects exposure

Shutter Speed : 1/8 sec

Aperture : 5.6

ISO : 3200

Shutter Speed : 1/8 sec

Aperture : 22
ISO : 3200

Exercise 2a.2 Aperture controls depth of field

Shutter Speed : 1/15 sec

Aperture : 5.6
ISO : 6400

Shutter Speed : 1 sec

Aperture : 22

ISO : 6400

Exercise 2c.1 ISO affects exposure

Shutter Speed : 1/2 sec

Aperture : 16

ISO : 3200 

Shutter Speed : 1/2 sec

Aperture : 16

ISO : 12800

Shutter Speed : 1/2 sec

Aperture : 16

ISO : 100

Exercise 2c.2 ISO effects the quality of an image by increasing the noise and grain of a picture.

Shutter Speed : 2 secs

Aperture : 5.6

ISO : 100

Shutter Speed : 1/60 sec

Aperture : 5.6

ISO : 12800

Exercise 2b Showcase evidence of Shutter Speeds ability to freeze fast moving objects or blur moving objects.

Shutter Speed : 1/30 sec
Aperture : 4
ISO : 200

Shutter Speed : 1/800 sec
Aperture : 4
ISO : 6400

Feedback:

There are no feedback yet for this week's exercise.

Reflection:

Experience:

Working on this task made me appreciate a photographer's efforts much more. It has made me realize that taking a proper photograph is not as easy as just by a click of a button. It requires thorough knowledge and understanding of the basics of photography, patience, steady hands and a great sense of instinct and timing. It has also made me appreciate shots to freeze a moving object as I had the most difficulty with that exercise. It was not easy to get the right settings, lightings and timing while also trying to keep the main object focused by the camera for that very moment. 


Observations:

While working on this task, I came to notice that all three of the main elements in photography (ISO, Aperture & Shutter Speed) are inter-related and interdependent. Altering one of these elements would require us to adjust the others to ensure the proper exposure for a perfect photograph.  


Findings:

When I was doing exercise 2a, I found that aperture does in fact exposure and controls the depth of field. When my aperture was at 5.6, the picture had the right exposure but when I increased it to 22, the exposure was incorrect which resulted in a darkened image. As for exercise 2c, I found out that ISO too affects the exposure as well as the level of noise in an image. I presented 3 images for exercise 2c.1, one with the right ISO, one with high ISO and another with low ISO. The pictures turned out to be in perfect exposure, too bright and too dark respectively. Through exercise 2b, I found that shutter speed can freeze or blur moving objects. The first image had a pretty low shutter speed which resulted in a blurry image of the moving object whereas the second image had very high shutter speed which managed to freeze the moving object in mid-air.