Lesson No. 2

Introduction

Okay, we’re a lesson through this course. Great job so far! This lesson is going to be all about the basic technicalities of point-and-shoot along with digital photography. This is basically which button to push, where to set your aperture and all the basics of that kind of stuff. So, let’s dive in!

Section 1

This section is all about the aperture, what it is, and how to control it. Aperture is the amount of light you let in through your camera lens. Often in point-and-shoot and digital cameras, this is displayed as a f/stop. Say you had an aperture of f/2. This is letting in more light than, say, f/8.6. If you want to focus on a singular thing itself, then use a higher aperture, like f/10. But if you want to let in a good amount of light and focus on multiple things, use a lower aperture, like f/3.1. Say, for example, when creating a portrait, you’d want a higher aperture, so you can focus solely on your subject. But when photographing a flower field, you’d want a lower aperture, so you can capture the whole subject area.

Section 2

This section is going to be all about shutter speed. It’s a pretty vague topic, so buckle up! Shutter speed is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the speed your shutter goes at. If you want absolutely no vibrations, or maybe to catch something that’s going pretty fast, then use a faster shutter speed. If you want only a blur of something, say a bird, bee, car, etcetera, then use a slower shutter speed. Usually, when you’re using a slower shutter speed, people tend to use a tripod, because this gives you great stability and only blurs what needs to be out of focus. A fast shutter speed is more powerful than any vibration reduction or image stabilization technology. Most digital cameras can go up to a speed of 1/4000 of a second! Shutter speed is a key aspect of photography, and it’s something to remember.

Conclusion

As the day draws to a close, it’s time to pack up your gear and reflect on the beautiful moments you captured through your lens. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this course should create a great start to your photography career. So, take a deep breath, pat yourself on the back, and get ready to share your unique vision with the world. Wow! Another lesson done already! Just one more to go! You can do it!