SLR Questions

[347Mike]

So I have been doing a lot of reading and educating myself on what Aperture, ISO, and Shutter Speed do and if my reading is correct they all do the same thing but are performed differently with different side effects?

I guess my question is how do you incorporate all of these together and know which one to use? I understand the side effects of ISO (noise) Aperture (Focus distance levels) and Shutter Speed has the (delay if you will). With that being said I have an idea of when to use which option.

I think I am looking for examples to illustrate how they take pictures for it to really make sense. Also, if I change the Aperture (A) and Shutter Speed (S) on my camera, then move to Manual (M) mode those settings will follow over and take pictures with both settings I selected, correct?

I have tried experimenting but I am not seeing great differences.
One example is when I was at the airport. I was taking a picture of a plane through the glass. When on "Auto" it came out perfect (color wise), but when I used manual (changed A and S manually then switched to M) settings it came out "blue", regardless of the ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture. I even copied the same settings as Auto and it still had a blue hue.

[8mpg]

You should shoot in Aperture priority mode 90% of the time if you are not going to shoot manual. Especially for a new photographer. Aperture gives depth of field and in aperture priority mode the camera calculates the shutter speed for the correct exposure. I cant think of many times you need shutter priority UNLESS you are need a very fast shutter time (high action sports shot) or trying for a LONG exposure to capture movement... even then, you probably will end up using a shutter release.

Aperture priority mode is where its at. I would recommend getting a cheap or free app for your phone to show depth of field calculations.

ISO noise really happens in the upper categories of ISO. Forget what camera you got but I try not to shoot higher than 2500-3200 area. Over that, the camera sensor is so sensitive you will get noise.

When trying to venture into manual, you should go from either shutter or aperture priority modes and use those setting and tweak one at a time for your manual exposure to see what happens. You can get over or under exposed pictures by changing these one at a time. To me, manual mode just isnt for someone who isnt a pro or aspiring to be a pro. There are some tricks you can do in manual and get some neat shots but you really have to know what you are doing.

Check out the website www.froknowsphoto.com and watch his videos. Lots of GREAT information about the 3 settings and how to get into using manual mode.



one other thing... try getting your camera up on a tripod or on a counter and taking the exact same picture in manual mode and adjust the settings one by one and see what it does. This will be one of the best ways to understand how ISO, Aperture and Shutter speeds relate. I also recommend shooting in raw format....not jpg. You will need to tweak your images on the computer but you can make way better choices than the camera will because the camera has no idea what you are shooting.

[90GT50]

The color of the picture has to do with the white balance, try changing that around.

[347Mike]

I got the Nikon D3000 (ISO max is 1600 I think). Those tips help though. I think the example I provided was due to the White Balance (NM Jeremy just posted it), so I am going to have to mess with that part a bit more.

I will have to look at that site you posted too. I have found youtube sucks and has a lot of repetative reviews and nothing useful IMO. I did however stumble along a set of videos where it explains some of this, has examples, and walks you through the steps which is a huge plus. I am a pictures person so I need to see what you are talking about... lol

[347Mike]

This was the other question I couldn't find an answer to. I am trying to take pictures in the dark of moving traffic and get their taillights "stretch out". However, no matter the setting I use (slow shutter) my camera says there is not enough light.

[8mpg]

This was the other question I couldn't find an answer to. I am trying to take pictures in the dark of moving traffic and get their taillights "stretch out". However, no matter the setting I use (slow shutter) my camera says there is not enough light.

for that, you need full manual mode and you need to have a shutter release and a tripod. You need to hold the shutter open for a few seconds. Manual mode is a must.

You might be able to get away with using the camera shutter speed without a shutter release BUT you have to have fast glass. Trying to get all the light you need for a good exposure at 1 second at night is going to be tough. Some of the best shots I have seen have 10+ second shutter times, sometimes 30+ seconds.


When you get time....really check out the website. Its much much easier than trying to scour youtube with shit videos and "unboxing" videos.

[03trubluGT]

Photography is manipulation of light whether it be available, or light you introduce through flash or continuous lighting.

ISO is NOT noise, it is the sensetivity of the sensor. The higher the ISO, the more likely you are to introduce "noise" or those digital anamolies that are introduced into the image on a random, unwanted basis.

This is an example, but keep in mind that in today's senors, it is not this bad.

[347Mike]

Photography is manipulation of light whether it be available, or light you introduce through flash or continuous lighting.

ISO is NOT noise, it is the sensetivity of the sensor. The higher the ISO, the more likely you are to introduce "noise" or those digital anamolies that are introduced into the image on a random, unwanted basis.

This is an example, but keep in mind that in today's senors, it is not this bad.

That is what I said. lol I was listing the side effects of those modes... With that being said though, if ISO allows more light, why doesn't the higher ISO picture look brighter?

[8mpg]

That is what I said. lol I was listing the side effects of those modes... With that being said though, if ISO allows more light, why doesn't the higher ISO picture look brighter?

ISO increases the sensors sensitivity. It doesnt really allow more light, just manipulates how it processes it. It will be brighter IF you are in manual mode and use the exact same settings for shutter speed and aperture. The reason you are not seeing more light is because the camera is calculating the correct shutter speed or aperture for a correct exposure. By upping the ISO and leaving the shutter/aperture in manual mode (from what the camera previously calculated for a correct exposure) then you will have an overexposed photo.

In either priority mode, you set one variable and it will calculate the other based on the ISO you are on.

Again, if you really want to see the difference these settings have, put the camera on a tripod (in manual mode) and adjust one variable at a time. Do 8 shots in the exact same conditions and bump the ISO on each picture progressively and not touch the shutter or aperture. Then go back to square 1 and start over by adjusting shutter speed for the next 8 pictures progressively, etc. You will then understand what is happening.

[8mpg]

Ok...so I hope this helps you understand. Just took 6 pics of my dog for you to understand. All 6 pics were shot at f/1.8, 35mm....

These 3 are in Aperture priority mode so the camera is adjusting the shutter speeds due to different ISO's. Again, the light difference isnt much because the camera is changing the shutter speeds because the ISO is making the sensor more sensitive to light. These 3 pics are "correct exposures"

f/1.8 ISO 200 1/10sec

f/1.8 ISO 400 1/25sec

f/1.8 ISO 800 1/50sec





Now contrast to these that are in full manual mode. Shutter speed stays the same, aperture stays the same and ISO goes up

f/1.8 ISO 200 1/8sec correct exposure (debatable )

f/1.8 ISO 400 1/8sec (over exposed)


f/1.8 ISO 800 1/8sec (way over exposed_)



One last thing... If I read this right, you are not going into manual mode correctly. When you set your shutter speed in shutter priority, then go into aperture priority, the camera is going to change your shutter speed based on ISO and aperture selected. Then when you switch into manual mode, you have the settings from the settings in aperture priority. You need to change your settings in manual mode. Take a pic...look at the screen and see how it looks. Then change one setting and see how it looks. Just dont get caught up into doing this after every single photo.

[03trubluGT]

That is what I said. lol I was listing the side effects of those modes... With that being said though, if ISO allows more light, why doesn't the higher ISO picture look brighter?

They could have changed the shutter speed.

[soap]

If you go to frys. They price match amazon.com. you have to ask though.
I went their yesterday to buy a dvd box set $60 buddy of who works their
told me about it. Amazon's price was $40 I saved $20. Just an FYI good luck.

[GE]

If you go to frys. They price match amazon.com. you have to ask though.
I went their yesterday to buy a dvd box set $60 buddy of who works their
told me about it. Amazon's price was $40 I saved $20. Just an FYI good luck.

Good to know even though it has absolutely nothing to do with what's been posted in this thread.

[347Mike]

Ok...so I hope this helps you understand. Just took 6 pics of my dog for you to understand. All 6 pics were shot at f/1.8, 35mm....

These 3 are in Aperture priority mode so the camera is adjusting the shutter speeds due to different ISO's. Again, the light difference isnt much because the camera is changing the shutter speeds because the ISO is making the sensor more sensitive to light. These 3 pics are "correct exposures"


One last thing... If I read this right, you are not going into manual mode correctly. When you set your shutter speed in shutter priority, then go into aperture priority, the camera is going to change your shutter speed based on ISO and aperture selected. Then when you switch into manual mode, you have the settings from the settings in aperture priority. You need to change your settings in manual mode. Take a pic...look at the screen and see how it looks. Then change one setting and see how it looks. Just dont get caught up into doing this after every single photo.

To your last part, I just learned how to adjust each one independently in M mode, which helps a LOT! The pictures you posted helps, like I said I am a picture person.

Do the A and S change back to last setting when you turn the camera off? I accidently changed the Aperture independently from the shutter speed using the same button I use to change them in M mode. Hope that made sense.

Since most of my picture taken will be in a car, I am thinking I would want a quicker shutter speed since objects will be moving faster than normal. Would I want to use manual mode for this? I already have a feeling that if I am in A or S mode it will have a motion affect from moving in a car.

[8mpg]

To your last part, I just learned how to adjust each one independently in M mode, which helps a LOT! The pictures you posted helps, like I said I am a picture person.

Do the A and S change back to last setting when you turn the camera off? I accidently changed the Aperture independently from the shutter speed using the same button I use to change them in M mode. Hope that made sense.

Since most of my picture taken will be in a car, I am thinking I would want a quicker shutter speed since objects will be moving faster than normal. Would I want to use manual mode for this? I already have a feeling that if I am in A or S mode it will have a motion affect from moving in a car.

A and S should stay whatever they were when you shut off the camera. If you change to a priority mode, they one will change to balance the other.

Even in a car, I wouldnt do shutter priority. If you are in bright day light, you should be fine. Lower amounts of light wont give you a good picture regardless of shutter speed. You are going eventually hit a point you dont have enough aperture to keep that shutter speed up where you need it and all the pictures will be underexposed and blurry. This is the place where fast glass (f/1.8 or f/2.8) is going to come in to play.

You will have to slow down when light levels go down. Bumping your ISO will only go so far.

And manual mode will not be a good idea for a beginner on this. You can be a your highest aperture (on a kit lens its probably f/3.5) and a moderate shutter speed 1/125sec and you wont get a picture worth a flip. When the ambient light in the setting goes down, you wont get a properly exposed picture.

Imagine sunset...you wont ever get a picture of a sunset from a moving car with a kit lens...period. Unless you have a D3s with 10,000 ISO and some fast glass (f/2.8 or better) it aint happening. All you will get is a dull dark picture. You will need to use your flash on your camera, and even then it probably wont be enough. It takes and amazing amount of light for a good picture.

Also, what are you picture taking conditions other than being in a car? What are you shooting? What lens are you using and what time of day are you shooting at. A good scenery picture (if you are on vacation) you will probably want a small aperture (like f/22) to capture all the detail in the scene.