During the introduction to Photography class today, when we were reinforcing what we covered from week one, the photographer participating in the meeting mentioned that she felt like she was juggling numbers while doing the homework. 

I couldn't agree more.

We juggle the numbers related to aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. 

At first, we learn to use these settings and their corresponding numbers to control tonality to achieve the tonality we want.

And after we achieve the tonality, we want.

 Then we juggle numbers more to add depth to our compositions while keeping our desired tonality. 

For example, assuming we're working with the same transmitting light source(s), let's say shade.

As long as I'm working in the same space and within approximately the same time I made the first picture; I can juggle the numbers to achieve an "equivalent" or "equal" tonality. 

So, If I decide to change the aperture setting to affect the depth of field, then that change in aperture changes the tonality by either increasing or decreasing it (making it brighter or darker).

Let's say I decrease tonality with the aperture to achieve a deeper depth of field.

While I achieved a deeper depth of field, I've also lost the tonality I wanted. 

So, rather than metering again and risking losing my baseline preferred tonality, I compensate for the change in the aperture by increasing tonality with one or both of the other settings, in this case, ISO and shutter speed, to achieve the same tonality. 

When we do this, we achieve an "equivalent or "equal" tonality but changed other aspects of the image to achieve the depth of field we want with the aperture. 

We always start with achieving a standard tonality and then changing the aperture, shutter speed, or ISO to achieve our preferred tonality. 

We can think of this, our preferred tonality, as a foundational composition layer to build on.

And we build on that by changing the aperture, shutter speed, or ISO to add the effect of depth of field and blur caused by motion or noise accordingly. 

This allows us to be agile and adaptive in our compositions.  

---Learn To Think Like A Photographer

Use the camera on your phone to learn about photography, camera operation, and composition. It only takes about an hour. 

---Getting To Know Your Camera
Start using your camera thoughtfully and effectively using the aperture and shutter speed as compositional controls.  

---Introduction To Photography
Learn to work your camera in manual exposure mode.

---Intermediate Photography

Refine, build and expand upon the skills learned during the introduction To Photography class.  

---In-Person or Online One-on-One Private Instruction

Sometimes, a customized lesson plan works best.

---Join my Online Learning Platform for photographers and study and practice with me at your own pace. 

---Take a free Photography and Camera Operation Test. Because if we're going to learn, we've got to know what we don't know. 

---Get guidance on going from where you are to where you want to be as a photographer. No charge. Photography Instruction Strategy Questionnaire.

---Get a Free Consultation With Sam To Improve Your Photography

Get in touch with me if you have any questions.