GET TO KNOW YOUR CAMERA
1 WHITE BALANCE (WB) The camera analyses the scene and selects the correct colour temperature to be recorded in any given lighting situation, to neutralise colour casts (unwanted tints). Cameras have a choice of Auto WB or several Pre-sets.
2 INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANISATION (ISO) The sensor’s sensitivity to light is measured in terms equivalent to the ISO rating of film. Higher ISO speeds generate faster shutter speeds but suffer from increased noise (a grainy veil over the image).
3 LCD DISPLAY You can view, compose and focus photos using your camera’s large LCD monitor. You can also replay and magnify results. Many monitors are now articulated (flip screen) to help take photos from low and awkward angles.
4 SHUTTER SPEED Shutter speed determines the duration of the exposure. Depending on light and set-up, shutter speed can be as fast as 1/8000 of a second, or minutes in length.
5 F-STOP / F-NUMBER The number assigned to a particular lens aperture. Large or wide apertures are denoted by small numbers (for example, f/2.8) and small apertures by large numbers (for example, f/22).
6 DEPTH OF FIELD (DOF) The DOF is the amount of the scene or subject that appears sharp. This is primarily controlled by the aperture setting: the smaller the aperture (for example, f/22), the greater the depth of field. However, the zone of focus is also affected by lens focal length and camera-to-subject distance.
7 APERTURE The opening in a camera lens through which light passes to expose the sensor. The relative size of the aperture is denoted by f/numbers.
8 MODE DIAL Rotate this dial to
