The basics

SCANNER AND
CAMERA TECHNIQUES
24 ADVANCED PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 5.0 FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
This sequence is called F-stops and causes some confusion with new camera users as the scale
equates the biggest aperture hole with the smallest F-stop number.
By varying the combination of aperture and shutter speed the camera, or photographer, can
adjust the amount of light entering the camera to suit the sensitivity of the sensor. In bright
conditions it is normal to use a fast shutter speed coupled with a large aperture number (small
hole). Conversely, in low light situations a slow shutter speed and small aperture number (large
hole) would be selected.
Mechanics of exposure >> Aperture and shutter in combination control the amount of light that hits the sensor.
(a) The aperture opens to allow more light into the camera and closes to reduce exposure.
(b) The length of time the shutter is opened is displayed in fractions of a second.
In addition to these mechanisms controlling exposure they also change the way that the photo looks. The
aperture also controls the depth of fi eld or zone of focus in the photo and the shutter manipulates how motion
or movement is recorded.
2.03 Exposure compensation
Suitable for Elements – 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, 1.0 | Diffi culty level – Intermediate
Related techniques – 2.02
One of the real advantages of photographing digitally is the ability to review your efforts
immediately after shooting via the built-in screen on the back of the camera. With this tool it is
easy to determine the times when the auto exposure system is producing images that are not
quite the perfect exposure. When this occurs you can increase or decrease the amount of light
reaching the sensor by using the Exposure Compensation feature.
This control effectively changes the shutter speed or aperture selected in steps of a third of an
F-stop (sometimes also called EV – exposure value). Most cameras allow changes of up to plus,
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