Chapter 5: Exploring Exposure and Composition
Which aperture to use is one of the most common issues discussed by photographers. Understanding how other photographers approach a subject is an important part of learning to improve your own photography. It is helpful to think about the process of taking a photograph. If you want to be a successful photographer, you need to understand the mechanics of exposure and composition. Your job, with the support of your camera’s metering system, is to decide which combination is best for the scene in front of you. Although there are many automatic exposure options, I urge you to explore and learn more about how exposure works. Don’t just point and shoot, and then settle for what the camera gives you. Take charge and compose your images to create the results you desire.
The shallow depth of field in this image was achieved by using a large aperture.
Choosing the Right Exposure
You can turn almost anything into a camera, which is just a lightproof box. Even the room you are in could be a camera if you cover the windows and keep out all of the light. If you place a large white piece of paper on one wall and drill a hole in the other, you see an image of the outside world reflected upside down on the paper. Light travels in a straight line, reflecting from its source. The piece of paper is the light-sensitive material that captures the image. ...
