WEEK 8 TOPIC

⮚ Three Pillars of Photography

⮚ Camera Exposures
⮚ Exposure with flash
⮚ Photographic Filters

4/6/2020 PREPARED BY: MS. KATRINA A GAMBOA, RC

3 PILLARS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

BASIC
EXPOSURE TRIANGLE
The exposure triangle is an analogy to
explain the main elements that affect the
exposure in a photograph: aperture,
shutter speed, and ISO, and the way that
these elements are related.

According to the exposure triangle

definition, all three elements must be in
balance in order to get a
perfectly exposed photo. This often
results in having an exposure value EV equal
to zero when selecting the right
metering mode. If, after achieving such a
balance, you need to change any of the
settings that affect the exposure, you will
have to compensate by adjusting the other
two settings to continue maintaining the EV
WHAT IS

APERTURE?
Aperture is one of the Aperture in photography is the
photography basics and, opening of the camera lens, which is
along with the ISO and related to the amount of light that
shutter speed, one of the three passes through the camera lens
to the image sensor.
components of the “
Exposure Triangle.” The aperture mechanism in the lens
that allows more or less light to come
But aperture doesn’t just in is formed of a series of opaque
affect the exposure, it also “blades” called diaphragm. When the
plays a key role in other blades are open, your camera sensor
photography aspects, such as will capture more light, whereas as the
the depth of field, the blades progressively close, less light
will hit your sensor.
sharpness, and generally the
final result of your image.
WHAT IS A LARGE AND A SMALL
APERTURE?
A large aperture is a wide
A small aperture is the
opening of the lens, which
opposite: a narrow opening of the
allows it to capture more
lens blades that doesn’t allow the
light. This is also called low
passage of much light. It’s also
ranging, since it’s related
called a high aperture, since the
to low F-stop values, usually
F-stop values related to it range
ranging from f/1.4 to f/4.
from f16 to f22.
When you use the largest
When you use the smallest
aperture in your lens,
aperture in your lens, you’re
you’re using a “wide-
using a “stopped down”
open” aperture.
aperture.
HOW APERTURE AND EXPOSURE ARE
RELATED
As we anticipated in the This is the most important aspect of
introduction, aperture affects aperture in photography. Depending
exposure and plays a on what you want to capture, there are
fundamental role in determining, certain situations where you shouldn’t
along with the ISO and shutter change your ISO and shutter speed;
speed, the optimal exposure in an aperture will be the key to a proper
image. exposure.

With a fixed ISO and shutter speed, the wider the aperture (or lower F-
values), the brighter your image will be, and the narrower your aperture
(higher F-values), the darker it’ll be. Large apertures are also known as fast
apertures since they allow you to decrease the exposure time, and small
apertures are also known as slow apertures, since they allow you to increase
the shutter speed.
HOW TO SET THE APERTURE IN CAMERA
WHAT IS SHUTTER

SPEED?
WHAT IS SHUTTER

SPEED?
Shutter speed in
The shutter is a fundamental
photography is the time
piece in any camera, since it’ll
that the camera shutter is
determine the final exposure
open and, therefore, capturing
time and the motion that will
and exposing light.
be captured.
In film and digital cameras,
One of the
the sensor is covered by a
best photography tips for b
thin “curtain” that controls the eginners
amount of light that passes is to learn what shutter speed
through the lens. This is through practical exercises in
“curtain” is called the shutter. which you vary this setting in
manual mode.
HOW TO MEASURE
SHUTTER SPEED

Shutter speed is
measured in
seconds and
fractions of a
second, following a
sequence like this:

“…5″, 2″, 1″,½, ¼, 1/8,

1/15, 1/30, 1/60,
1/125, 1/250, 1/500…”
HOW TO MEASURE
SHUTTER SPEED
In this way, considering that other elements affecting
exposure (aperture and ISO) are set, the faster the
shutter speed, the darker the image will be, and the
slower the shutter speed, the brighter the image will
be.

Sometimes there are limits to raise/lower the ISO and to

change the aperture, so, in these cases, the shutter speed
will be essential for changing the exposure of the photo.
Besides, setting a slow shutter speed will be essential in
long exposure night photography to increase the
exposure of the image so that it isn’t too dark.
UNDERSTANDING SHUTTER SPEED
AND MOTION
The second and most
important effect of
shutter speed on
photography is motion.

By using a slower or faster

shutter speed, you’ll be
able to capture a more
static or dynamic image,
something that is also
known as motion in
photography.
SETTING SHUTTER SPEED ON
A CAMERA
To set the shutter speed on a camera,
you can do it through any of the
following ways: In film cameras, the shutter speed
● Manual: Shooting in manual button used to be on the top right of
mode (M), you can manually set the camera, which is where you can
the shutter speed after the ISO find the camera modes on most
and aperture according to the modern cameras.
exposure that you’d like to shoot.
● Automatic: Shooting in Aperture Today, the shutter speed dial is
mode (A), you can manually set usually on the top right of the back of
the aperture and ISO, and the the camera. Moving the wheel, you’ll
camera will automatically adjust
decrease or increase the shutter
to the best shutter speed.
speed according to your camera
settings.
HOW TO DO SLOW SHUTTER SPEED
PHOTOGRAPHY
To do slow shutter speed
In daytime slow shutter speed
photography, you must adjust the
photography, you’ll likely need Neutral
basic camera settings to take a
Density filters to reduce the light hitting
correct exposure while using a long
the sensor, or you’ll overexpose the
shutter speed.
image.
If it’s during the day, set the Base
If it’s at night, increase the ISO
ISO (Native ISO where your camera
according to the limits of your camera,
produces the best quality and no
use a wide aperture to capture as much
noise), a narrow aperture (consider
light as possible, and set a slow shutter
the side effect of diffraction if you
speed according to the external light and
close down your aperture below F16
scene that you want to achieve. In
as explained in our article on
Milky Way photography, for example, you
aperture), and decrease the shutter
can do a long shutter speed photograph
speed.
of 15-30 seconds.
HOW TO DO FAST SHUTTER SPEED
PHOTOGRAPHY
To do fast shutter speed
SHUTTER SPEED PRIORITY MODE
photography, you’ll make the
same adjustments, but your The Shutter speed priority mode is
goal will now be to use quick the last way to set the shutter speed on
the camera.
shutter speed.
Through this
The settings will depend
semi-automatic camera mode, you’ll
entirely on the light and the set a fixed shutter speed setting, and
scene, but generally, you’ll the camera will automatically calculate
have to use wider apertures the aperture. This mode is not very
to capture more light and a common, but it might be useful when
higher ISO to compensate and you need to make sure that you’re
shooting at certain shutter speeds, like,
take the right exposure.
for example, when using the shutter
HOW TO MEASURE
SHUTTER SPEED
As we move from the left to the right, the shutter speed will be
faster, with, for example, ½ indicating half a second and
1/2000 being a two-thousandth fraction of a second.

The distance between one shutter speed time and

another is called an exposure stop, and increasing or
reducing one stop in the shutter speed will double or halve the
total exposure time.

Understanding how shutter speed is measured is essential

before talking about the types of shutter speed in
photography that you’ll see now.
WHAT IS A FAST SHUTTER SPEED IN DIGITAL
PHOTOGRAPHY?

It’s essential to consider the The fastest shutter speed in

terms fast shutter speed and photography depends on the
slow shutter speed to camera, but in most of the
understand the shutter speed standard digital cameras on the
effects in photography that market, it’s 1/4000th of a second.
you’ll see below.
Fast shutter speeds are
We speak about fast shutter generally used to reduce time
speed when the camera and freeze the moment. For
shutter is open for a very short example, in wildlife photography,
time, generally a length of time fast shutter speeds are used to
below 1/60th of a second. capture a bird flying in the sky.
WHAT IS A SLOW PHOTOGRAPHY
SHUTTER SPEED?
On the other hand, a slow Slow shutter speeds are used to
shutter speed is when the increase time and capture
camera shutter is open for a motion. For example, you can set
longer time, usually above a slow shutter speed to
1/60th of a second. photograph the movement of the
water in a river.
The slowest shutter speed
in cameras is usually 30 Slow shutter speed
photography is also known as
seconds, but you can
long exposure photography.
increase this time by using an
For this type of photography, you’ll
even slower shutter speed need a tripod and
through the Bulb camera photography lens filters if you’re
mode and a remote shutter. doing
HOW SHUTTER SPEED AND EXPOSURE ARE RELATED IN
PHOTOGRAPHY

The first shutter

speed effect on
photography is the
change in exposure.
By leaving the camera
shutter up or down for
a specific period of
time, the sensor will
capture more or less
light, which will
translate into a
brighter or darker
exposure.
WHAT IS ISO?
WHAT IS ISO?
ISO in photography can be
In photography, ISO is a explained as a way to increase the
very simple tool to light information captured by the
increase the brightness of camera sensor.
your image in low light
conditions or when you Historically, ISO in photography
need a faster shutter comes from the acronym
speed, but you need to be “International Organization of
careful since using a high Standardization” and a time when
ISO sensitivity in camera manufacturers needed to
photography will be homogenize the sensitivity ratios in
detrimental to the final
film cameras. Today, ISO in
quality of your images.
digital cameras doesn’t follow
the standards of the ISO
HOW ISO IN PHOTOGRAPHY WORKS
The main effect of ISO in photography is to “artificially” increase the
light captured by the camera sensor, resulting in a brighter final image.

In simple terms, ISO in photography works the following way:

1. The camera sensor collects an amount of light that depends on

the aperture of the lens and the time that the sensor is exposed (
shutter speed). This light information is also known as “Signal” in
photography.
2. When this light (or signal) is received, ISO plays a role in making an
interpretation of it. This interpretation is related to the amplification
of this light.
3. When ISO amplifies this signal/light, the final image will be brighter,
but it will progressively start generating more digital noise as you
increase the ISO, compromising the final quality of the image.
HOW TO USE CAMERA ISO IN PHOTOGRAPHY
Considering the previous explanation
of how ISO affects photography, you’ll
use the ISO to decide the final settings
in your image.

ISO should always be used in

photography in relation to the
aperture and shutter speed. All three
form the exposure triangle and you
must aim at striking a balance among
the three by keeping in mind the light
of the scene and your photographic
goals.

For example, considering a fixed aperture

value, if you want to increase the shutter
speed from 1/2000th of a second to its double,
1/4000th, you should increase your ISO one
stop to maintain a constant exposure.
WHEN TO USE A LOW ISO IN PHOTOGRAPHY?

To capture quality images, the main goal is to set a Native ISO as low as
possible.

As mentioned before, as you start increasing the ISO, you’ll progressively

push the capacity of your camera sensor to “create” a brighter image, and
this will translate into digital noise.

Base ISO is the lowest Native ISO level, and it’s the ISO that you
should try to use when conditions are possible. In most cameras, Base ISO
is ISO 100.

ISO values like ISO 200 and ISO 400 are also considered low ISO values in
photography.

Examples where you should set a low ISO in photography are all scenes
WHEN TO USE A HIGH ISO IN PHOTOGRAPHY?

However, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies, and you’ll often
find challenging light situations where you’ll be forced to use a
high ISO in photography.

High ISO values in photography are mostly used in low light

conditions or situations where you need a fast shutter
speed.

Using a high ISO in night photography is one of the most

common situations for using high ISO, since some scenes like
photographing the Milky Way will require you to push the limits
of your camera to capture a dark scene in a relatively short
EXPOSURE
In photography, exposure is the amount of light which reaches
your camera sensor or film. It is a crucial part of how bright or dark
your pictures appear. It is the product of illumination and time. There
are only two camera settings that affect the actual luminous
exposure of an image: The Shutter Speed and Aperture

Exposure is computed by the use of light or exposure meter.

The amount of light coming from a source or the amount of light
being reflected by the subject is measured by the light meter. Proper
adjustment therefore becomes simplified.
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
FLASH UNITS - It is a device in photography producing a
flash or artificial light to help illuminate a scene. A major
purpose of a flash is to illuminate the DARK SCENE. Other uses
are capturing quickly moving objects or changing the quality
of light. Most current flash units are electronic, having
evolved from single-use flashbulbs and flammable powders.
Modern cameras often activate flash units automatically.
Flash units are commonly built directly into a camera. Some
cameras allow separate flash units to be mounted via a
standardized accessory mount bracket.
4/6/2020 PREPARED BY: MS. KATRINA A GAMBOA, RC
FILTERS is a homogeneous medium which
absorbs and transmits differentially
light rays passing through it.

Are transparent or translucent glass

or gelatin elements that attach to
the front of a lens. They protect the
camera lens, alter the
characteristics of light passing
through the lens or add special
effects and colors to an image
FILTER FACTOR

A color filter will work in such a way that it will transmit its own color
and absorbs all other colors.

By using filters in combination with black and white films, the

photographer can control the tonal values to get a technically correct
rendition or to exaggerate, or suppress the tonal differences for visibility,
emphasis and other effects. With color films, filters are used to change
the color quality of the exposing lights to secure proper color balance
with the film being used.
FILTER FACTOR
Because filter subtract some light passing through the lens,
an increase in exposure time or lens opening is necessary.
The number of times that the normal exposure must be
multiplied is called “filter factor”.

The filter factor value depends on the film type and light
source in addition to the absorption of the filter.
USE OF FILTERS IN PHOTOGRAPHY
1. Clear Filter - It is also known as window glass filters or optical flats, are
completely transparent, and ideally perform no filtering of incoming light at all.
The only use of a clear filter is to protect the front of the lens.
2. UV Filter - This is used to reduce haziness created by ultraviolet light. AUV filter is
mostly transparent to visible light, and can be left of the lens for nearly all shots.
UV filters are often used for lens protection, much like clear filters.
3. Color Correction - A major use is to compensate for the effects of lighting not
balanced for the film stock’s rated color temperature. The use of these filters has
been greatly reduced by the widespread adoption of digital photography, since
color balance problems are now often addressed with software after the image is
captured, or with camera settings as the image is captured.
4/6/2020 PREPARED BY: MS. KATRINA A GAMBOA, RC
USE OF FILTERS IN PHOTOGRAPHY
a. Color conversion filters - These are with reference number which is yellowish or orange, for
lowering the color temperature of the light. Filters with even numbers are bluish and raise the color
temperature. These set filters change a particular light source by the amount required for a particular film
type.
b. Color compensating filters - These are best bought as gelatins of various tints and strengths.
These allow you to "fine tune" adjustments towards warmer or colder results due to batch variations,
working conditions, non-standard light sources.
4. Color subtraction filters - These work by absorbing certain colors of light, letting the remaining colors
through. They can be used to demonstrate the primary colors that make up an image. They are perhaps
most frequently used in the printing industry for color separations, and again, use has diminished as digital
solutions have become more advanced and abundant.

5. Contrast enhancement - Filters are commonly used in black and white photography to manipulate
contrast. For example a yellow filter will enhance the contrast between clouds and sky by darkening the
latter.
4/6/2020 PREPARED BY: MS. KATRINA A GAMBOA, RC
TYPES OF COLOR FILTERS
1. BIue filters- These can be used effectively when photographing blood in black and
white. When used outdoors, it will make the sky or any blue objects appear white in the
photograph.
2. Green filters - Used in place of the blue filter for photographing blood often they work
better than the blue filter
3. Yellow filters - It can be used to photograph white cars. The details of the car will
stand out. Yellow filters also cut through haze to certain extent and can be used with
good results to photograph an accident on a hazy day.
4.Ultraviolet filter - It is not a filter for ultraviolet photography rather it is a filter which
screen out the violet end of the spectrum. When placed in front of a lens, it will not only
improve most of the police photographer's work but it will also prevent his lens from
being scratched.
4/6/2020 PREPARED BY: MS. KATRINA A GAMBOA, RC
TYPES OF FILTERS
5. Special 18A deep purple filter - It is the correct filter for ultraviolet
photography. These are often used in photography, its short wavelength
gives better definition of the fine details.
6. Polarizing filter - It is used to cut down light transmission. They do no
otherwise affect the color or tonal quality of the scene. It polarizes reflected
light from a non-metallic surface such as water and reduced reflection in the
photograph. It is the only filter than can increase the blue saturation in the
sky in a color photograph.

4/6/2020 PREPARED BY: MS. KATRINA A GAMBOA, RC

GENERAL TYPES OF FILTERS
TYPES OF FILTER IN BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY
1. Correction Filter – used to change the response of the film so that all colors
are recorded at approximately the relative brightness values seen by the eye.
2. Contrast Filters – used to change the relative brightness values so that two
colors which would otherwise be recorded as nearly the same will have
decidedly different brightness in the picture.
3. Haze Filter - used to illuminate or reduce the effect of serial haze
4. Neutral Density filter – used for reducing the amount of light transmitted
without changing the color value.
5. Polarizing filter – used to reduce or eliminate reflections on highly reflective
surfaces.