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Photographic Principles: Exposure and Shutter Speeds

This module offers a brief guide explaining how to photograph a color checker and moving images using a DSLR. The correct exposure should be achieved by reading a light meter and appropriately adjusting the aperture and shutter speed.

Learning Outcomes

This project aims for a better understanding of the aperture and shutter speed of a DSLR. At the end of the assignment, the user should know how to change the aperture and shutter speed, and be able to recognize the relationship between the two. The user should also have a better grasp of using a light meter and tripod.

Materials Used

  • DSLR Camera

  • Tripod

  • Wireless camera remote

  • Color Checker

  • Studio with lighting

  • Outdoor space

  • Light meter

  • Smartphone

  • Macro lens

Software Used

  • Adobe Bridge

Setup Notes

  • Color checker should be hanging on a wall

  • DSLR should be secured on a tripod and set to an intermediate aperture opening

  • Make sure to record all photos using a RAW file format

  • Capture the files at the camera’s lowest ISO

  • Use auto white-balance

  • Turn off Noise Reduction

  • Turn off Sharpening

  • Set the Color Space to Adobe 1998

  • Confirm the surface of the color checker is evenly lit

Steps

  1. Set up a DSLR on a tripod in an outdoor area.

  2. Set the aperture of the camera to the lowest possible setting. In this case, f/4 was used.

  3. Using a light meter, record what shutter speed should be used with the set aperture and use the recorded shutter speed on the DSLR. In this case, the shutter speed used was 1/250.

  4. Take a photo of a moving object using the previously stated camera settings. In this case, the moving subject was walking in front of the camera and using a wireless remote to take the photos.

  5. Set the aperture of the camera one stop higher. In this case, f/5.6 was used.

  6. Using a light meter, record what shutter speed should be used with the set aperture and use the recorded shutter speed on the DSLR. In this case, the shutter speed used was 1/125.

  7. Take a photo of the same moving object using the previously stated camera settings.

  8. Set the aperture of the camera one stop higher. In this case, f/8 was used.

  9. Using a light meter, record what shutter speed should be used with the set aperture and use the recorded shutter speed on the DSLR. In this case, the shutter speed used was 1/60.

  10. Take a photo of the same moving object using the previously stated camera settings.

  11. Set the aperture of the camera one stop higher. In this case, f/11 was used.

  12. Using a light meter, record what shutter speed should be used with the set aperture and use the recorded shutter speed on the DSLR. In this case, the shutter speed used was 1/30.

  13. Take a photo of the same moving object using the previously stated camera settings.

  14. Set the aperture of the camera one stop higher. In this case, f/16 was used.

  15. Using a light meter, record what shutter speed should be used with the set aperture and use the recorded shutter speed on the DSLR. In this case, the shutter speed used was 1/15.

  16. Take a photo of the same moving object using the previously stated camera settings.

  17. Set the aperture of the camera one stop higher. In this case, f/22 was used.

  18. Using a light meter, record what shutter speed should be used with the set aperture and use the recorded shutter speed on the DSLR. In this case, the shutter speed used was 1/8.

  19. Take a photo of the same moving object using the previously stated camera settings.

Final Outcome

Shutter speed composite

Composite of varying shutter speeds

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