photography 101: you’ve gotta start somewhere
December 6, 2010 When I picked up my husband’s dSLR camera for the first time, I had no idea what was going to come of it. I’ve always been interested in photography but felt like it was one of those things I just wouldn’t be able to do. It seemed way over my head. I never thought about owning a fancy camera at any point in my life. Even when my husband bought ours, I didn’t use it for the first year.
too many settings. too many buttons. too difficult.
About three years ago, my interest in food started to peak. I’ve always loved food and the kitchen, but like photography, never really thought I would “do” anything with it. During grad school, for Architecture, I realized my love for documentation. Whether it be with photographs, graphic design, or written documentation, I loved it all...
My thesis, briefly explained here, was based on commonalities between food + architecture. My graphic representation + documentation was a large part of the process. This is around the time I started taking food photos, with my trusty little point n’ shoot. I had no clue what I was doing. Photography was new to me.
A little over a year after turning in my thesis project and graduating from grad school, I picked up the fancy camera. It was on our first wedding anniversary weekend. We rented a small house in the mountains of NC. The only plans were to eat + relax.
I’m not sure what made me pick up the camera that weekend. Maybe because I was so excited with the weekend menu I planned. Maybe because I brought pretty white plates and bowls to serve it on. Whatever the reason, all I know is that it happened.
Most of the recipes for the weekend came straight from 101 Cookbooks, the only food blog I knew of at the time [June 2009].
Here were my very first attempts at using the dSLR camera. I had it set to Av mode, with not a clue what that meant or what I was doing.
ISO? What the heck is that? Depth of field??? I didn’t even know that term existed.
RAW, manual, f-stop, ahhhhhhhhhh!
After a 2 month hiatus, I picked the camera up again. I had done little to no reading on photography, and still had no idea what any of the settings were supposed to be used for.
Trying to photograph bags of sucanat.
Why is this one darker? I had no idea.
Even darker!?
My 3rd attempt with the camera….wheat germ pancakes!
Not everything can make an interesting photo..what am I doing here??
By this point, I was hooked.
With still no real clue what I was doing.
We moved to Colorado a few weeks after I took these photos. I didn’t have a job lined up when we moved to CO, so I figured I had some extra time on my hands to really try and learn how to use this camera. For the first month or so after the move, I was blogging on my old ota.bars website and then changed things over to The Edible Perspective.
For many months, I still had no comprehension of how the camera actually worked or what the settings meant. Everything was trial and error. Finally, I decided it might be a good idea to actually learn the camera.
Good idea indeed. One that has taken a full year to really understand the definitions below. While it still feels weird to think of myself as a photographer, I’m loving this new passion of mine. I enjoy picking apart my photos, refining my technique, and teaching others.
It’s a learning process. One that doesn’t happen overnight.
[Terms to know]
Read these and then read them again. Try talking through them and playing with your camera at the same time. They are completely confusing at first, but will slowly start to make sense. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more detailed information about a lot of these definitions. This will include more explanations, dorky diagrams, and examples using my photos.
Please remember, I am not an expert, or even close. I’m self taught and still learning every.single.day.
Stay tuned!
Image Sensor - A chip that captures and records visual data. This is the digital equivalent to film.
CCD Chip - Typically, this is the type of image sensor/recording medium, used in dSLR cameras.
JPEG - A file format that compresses and saves the photographic data, as soon as the photo is taken.
RAW - A file format in dSLR’s, that saves all image information, captured onto the image sensor. This file format produces the highest quality images.
Minimum Focus Distance - Varied with each lens, this is the minimum distance you must be standing from your subject, for the lens to properly focus.
Focal Length - Distance from the center of the lens to the image sensor plane. This is measured in “mm” and determines how much of the subject/scene that the lens can capture.
Resolution - The amount of data/pixels recorded in an image.
Exposure - The brightness or darkness level of the photo, caused by the amount of light captured on the photographic medium. In other words, how much light you let into the camera.
Shutter Speed - The length of time, measured in seconds, that the shutter is open to capture and record the photographic data. 1”= 1 second : 1/50 = 1/50th of a second : The smaller the number the faster the shutter speed. Shutter speed affects exposure and the way movement appears in a photo.
Aperture - Measured in f-stops, aperture controls the size of the opening in your lens. The size of the opening controls the amount of light that passes through the lens to the image sensor.
F-Stop - Measurement of how much light passes through a lens, determined by the how open or closed the aperture is. This is used to regulate exposure and control depth of field. The wider the aperture opening, the more light passes through, but the smaller the f-stop number.
Depth of Field - The range of sharpness in front of and behind the subject. This is determined by aperture [f-stop], focal length, and focus distance.
Stop down the lens - A term referring to decreasing the size of the aperture [lens opening].
ie: increasing the f-stop # = Stopping down the f-stop -> # gets larger -> hole gets smaller -> less light comes in -> depth of field increases
Open up the lens - A term referring to increasing the size of the aperture [lens opening].
ie: decreasing f-stop # = Opening the f-stop -> # gets smaller -> hole gets larger -> more light comes in -> depth of field decreases
ISO - The camera’s sensitivity to light.
Noise - This is the unwanted appearance of a dusty or grainy look, due to increasing the ISO too high [typically]. Every camera has different ISO allowances where noise will be visible. For instance the ISO on my camera ranges - 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600. There is a slight, but noticeable degradation of quality [noise] when my camera is set to 800 ISO and very noticeable noise when set at 1600.
Photography 101
Reader Comments (76)
I am so excited you are covering your photography experiences right now. I just bought my first dSLR less than 2 weeks ago and it's the 1st "fancy camera" I have ever used. I plan to take a Digital Photography course in the Spring, but there is so much I want to know now. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley, I am SO GLAD you are doing this!! I finally picked up the book that came with my camera and learned a few things, but not nearly enough! I look forward to trying things out as I go and reading your helpful posts along the way.
What a fantastic idea for posts. I'm a new reader (just found you last week) and am excited about this. I have a Nikon D40 and two lenses (as well as higher-end Point-and-shoot), but still have SO MUCH to learn about my DSLR in particular. I'm completely self-taught as well; but unfortunately I don't have very much time these days to devote to learning more about manual settings, etc. I've always loved taking photos, and can't wait to learn more...
~
Love this! Thank you for sharin your knowledge.
I am SO happy to see this post. I bought a used, like-new dslr off Craigslist and the end of the summer. I really need to sit down and learn it, I've only been using the auto function. I bought it just before school started (I'm work at a university) so I didn't have much time to play. Winter break is in 2 weeks and I plan on playing with it ALOT. I'm a hands on learner so it's hard for me to just sit down a read a photography book. I'm looking forward to more photo posts. Thanks!
Mina
I can't wait for your other posts on photography! I am very interested in learning more about photography but just haven't had the time!!
I've only been waiting for this, oh for... FOREVER.
Hi Ashley, I loved this post and seeing your early photos!
I am actually also working on a guide based on just what I've learned in the past few weeks learning Manual mode. I am by no means taking the kinds of awesome food photos you are, but changing to Manual has added so much fun and depth to my adventures in photography.
Since switching to Manual, I just want to go for walks all the time and play with my camera. I didn't have quite the same feelings just using my point and shoot (except when traveling).
I loved your lightbox posts and I am looking forward to more!
This post is so invaluable! I've been wanting to step up my photography skills, even with my little point and shoot. Thanks for the info!!
Ashley, What kind of camera do you have/reccomend? your photos are so amazing.
You're so right. The best way to learn is to take it off auto and just go shoot! As I wanted to learn more about lighting and DoF, I either read it or played with it.
About 2 years ago, I jumped headfirst into a Flickr project just so I could learn the dang camera. I had to take a picture a day for 365 days. Not just a picture..a self-portratit of some shape or form. I learned so much that year and it naturally led over to food photography. I just started my second year of 365 because I got in a food pic only rut. :-(
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I'm still using a point and shoot but eventually would love to get a better camera and learn. I'm planning on making a light box this weekend with your instructions!
Very helpful post, Ashley!
This is exactly what I need!! I can't wait for more of your tips! I am so clueless!!!
I took photography in high school and a little in college, but I had really forgotten a lot of what I learned. You rock for sharing your self taught knowledge! :)
I love this post. I took photography in college, but I'm rusty. When I got my DSLR I read over the Pioneer Woman's photography 101. This is getting bookmarked along with that.
This is amazing...thank you!!!
Love this post- so detailed and makes me want to get a new camera!
Thanks for sharing the info!! I can't wait to see your work in the Peas and thank you book!
Thanks for the great info...I can't wait to read and learn more!
did you read my mind!? i JUST mentioned in my post how I needed your photography help! THANK YOU!
That is too funny!! haha :)
Welcome! I can't wait to see it either!
She definitely has some great tutorials!
Thanks Christin!!
Have fun making it!!
I almost started the 365 project too, but decided my blog kind of does that anyways. ;) You're so welcome!!
Thanks Nicole. My camera info can be found on my FAQ page. It's a few years old, so now I would recommend the Canon Xsi or T2i for a beginner!
Aw, I'm so glad Madeleine!! :)
Manual mode rocks. You learn so much so quickly!! :) Good luck to you!
bahahahaa....look at it as an early Christmas present...
Once you switch into manual mode you will learn so much!! Have fun playing with it over winter break :) Welcome!!!
You're welcome Laura!!!
Thanks for saying hi Angie!! I'm glad you found this post helpful! More coming soon :)
YAy!!! I'm glad too Jen!
Im so happy for this series!
I just got a dSLR to take pictures at culinary school and I am so clueless and have no time or attention span to read the book I have for it.
I'm sure a class would have sped up the learning process a bit for me, hehe. Have fun when you get to take it!
Very excited about this series. I go SO into reading photograph tips/manuals/websites for a period of about 3-4 weeks right when I got my camera, but haven't had as much time lately. I've been pretty much trying to learn trial and error. I think my biggest inconsistency is quality of light! It makes such a huge difference on the end result.
Oh yippee; I am going to EAT.THESE.POSTS.UP...I soooo need this information but have never taken the time to learn. Something about 3 kids, a hubby, a full-time job outside the home, 4 sporting events going on, etc. Hmmm...excuses, excuses - but I am THRILLED you are putting this together. :D
THANK YOU!!
oh thanks goodness i have you. i too am in the early phases with my (mom's) camera and im obsessed. its only been two months but im slowly learning the terms. you have been so helpful already - i cant wait to keep learning! thanks ashley :)
I love this post!! Can't wait for more of your photography posts! I've procrastinated taking a class so this could be the next best thing!
So informative and helpful! Thanks for this, I can't wait to start playing with my Christmas present DSLR :D
xo
So glad you wrote in an above comment that you would recommend the Canon t2i for beginners. I got one for Hanukkah and was SHOCKED. I did little to no research and my husband picked one and told my parents what to get. I am so glad I listened to your lecture at Foodbuzz even with my Point and Shoot and feel like I have a head start on learning the terms on the camera. It is awesome and I feel like I know what I'm doing a little bit. Can't wait to play more and re-read the packet!
Next up is learning about a second lens to get other than the one it came with. And a camera bag.
Thanks so much for this post! I'm really looking forward to your other posts! I'm trying to get into DSLR photography, but I'm just too scared (or lazy) to take the plunge and read up on it. I love your bog and all your photos, and I think this is the kick I needed to jumpstart my learning! Do you have a list of books/links that you refer to frequently?? Please share, and keep the photography 101 posts coming!!
I just posted about 'Diabetes 101'!! Ha ha--> Looks like we both decided to share knowledge that we are passionate about :)
Thanks SO much for the great post, I hope to 'graduate' to a DSLR one day!!!
I get to open up my DSLR in 19 days... so these lessons are coming at just the best time - except it's like reading Portugese to me right now...
wow!! nice...you're pictures today are so professional looking!
This is so awesome! My husband has a fancy dslr, and I've been wanting to use it, but have no idea how! I'm going to mess with it tomorrow, using your info here! Can't wait for the next installment!
Yay! Haha. It's weird, I took a photography course last spring, and I feel like it all went through one ear and out the other. But this fall my photography has been taking off, I've been able to actually get photos I want once in a while. I'm glad you're giving advice, it's nice to be reminded of what those terms are, and now I can see how I've been using them.
I am so proud that I know what you are talking about here. And you should be proud too, Teach.