#6 What? (Fun With F-Stops)

Who am I kidding...ain't nuthin' under that patch but fur:/ Here's the Daily Chuck.

Anyway, this was an indoor shoot, and I've been having a heck of a time getting light going in this house. Not to mention the fact that I'm really new at this:P

My lens has numbers on the side 35-105mm, and 1:3.5-4.5. I am assuming the 3.5-4.5 is F-stop.

I spent some of the shoot convinced I had broken my camera:O Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying the learning process, and I really am committed to taking better pictures.

So, when I was on the "macro" setting on my lens, I was freaking out because sometimes the camera wouldn't take the shot, and sometimes the shutter just stayed open:/

I figured out a few things...when I was in macro (M-105) my lowest F-stop was no longer an option. I believe that's what the numbers on the lens mean. At the 105 setting, my lowest F-stop is no longer 3.5, it's 4.5, and when I'm past that 105, the lowest F-stop is even higher. Double check me here...do I have that right?

Also...bear with me...it's really dark in my house. If my F-stop is on a high number like F-22 the camera is letting in less light, (the shutter is actually smaller on a higher number F-stop) so the shutter was staying open for a really long time. (that's when I thought I broke the camera) I found when I lowered the F-stop, I had better results with inside shooting.

...and now my head hurts, so that's enough for today:P
*In case you're wondering, here's what I'm using to light up the joint. I found that if I used the umbrella to reflect the light I got a flatter less spotlight effect.

8 comments

  1. You are fancy-schmancy with all your f-stoppin' spotlightin' lingo. Not to mention that strategic modesty patch. Best prop ever.

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  2. (the shutter is actually smaller on a higher number F-stop) - actually it's the aperture. The opening in the diaphragm that allows light through to the sensor is called the Aperture - and a higher f-stop number is a smaller opening - or aperture. Smaller opening = less light = lower shutter speed. Lower shutter speed means the shutter stays open longer.

    Ain't it cool?

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  3. The teacher of the class I took said to think of it as a triangle. Shutter speed, ISO and F-Stop make up the three sides. If one changes, at least one other must also change to compensate. (Sorry if you've heard this analogy before.) So if you use a higher F-Stop, you need to use a faster shutter speed and a lower ISO or vice versa otherwise you'll have over/underexposure.

    It's complicated and I look forward to the day when I can just look at a potential shot and KNOW what setting to use.

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  4. I kind of don't know what any of this means. But I like your kitty.

    (That sounded dirty.) (Sorry.)

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  5. Wow, this is like an entire different language to me.

    The modesty patch made me giggle though.

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  6. My head hurts too but not just because of this post. But yeah, I generally get what you're saying. Forging ahead my friend...nice work.

    How was yesterday??

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  7. You're starting to speak the lingo, so cool! BTW awesome modesty patch..even if Mr. Smokey is naturally modest :-)

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  8. I love that shot! I haven't undertaken this photo challenge of yours, but I can sure learn a few things from you. Love the way you rigged up your light.

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