Photography Lingo
If we spend enough
time hangin' around photographers, we've probably heard a lot of phrases that have to do with what we do as photographers.
The problem with these phrases is they're open to interpretation.
And the meaning is dependent on the photographer using it.
This inconsistent use from photographer to photographer is confusing at best.
So, let's develop a visual vocabulary specific to light, camera operation, and compositional intent instead of relying on inconsistent jargon.
This week's jargon that we often encounter is:
Photography Lingo: Shutter Release
Hello
,
In case you didn't know what we call that button we push on our cameras to make a picture, it's called a shutter release.
And when we press the shutter release, an exposure is made.
But If we've got a DSLR or
mirrorless camera, a chain of events creates the exposure.
Depending on the type of camera we use, a series of events make the exposure.
The moment we press the shutter release, it sets a chain of events into action.
If it's a DSLR, one of the things that happens
is the mirror in the camera's body flips up, but what happens after that is the same as what happens on a mirrorless camera.
And this is what happens; the aperture changes to whatever size we set it because until then, it's wide open. The shutter also opens and then closes at whatever time we set the shutter speed.
These are the two components
of exposure, so when we press the shutter release, the aperture and shutter speed do their stuff, and that's what makes the exposure.
In a fully automatic exposure mode, we lose all control of the exposure and many other components of our composition and nearly all creative control.
Aperture and shutter priority modes get us partial
creative control.
We can control the aperture, shutter speed, and even the ISO only if we work in fully manual mode.
In a fully manual exposure mode, we gain all control of the exposure and many other components of our composition, and we have complete creative control.
The Introduction to Photography course is about working in manual exposure mode. And there's one starting today at noon.
And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture today.
That's all for now; thanks for reading!
Sam
I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me.
And what if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes? If that's the case, let's schedule a one-time lesson or a series of in-person or online private instruction that covers the same things as my group classes.
Ways to work with me are listed below.
