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FUNDAMENTALS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
HOW A CAMERA SEES
Every digital camera contains a digital sensor which is a light-sensitive surface. Whenever a user presses the
shutter button to capture an image, the sensor collects and records the light that falls onto it. The captured
information is now then converted by the camera’s computer into data that is needed to make a digital image.
Understanding Exposure
• A digital camera sensor uses an array of millions of
light cavities or “photosites” to capture an image.
Particles of light or photons fall onto photosites
whenever they are exposed to lights. Once the
exposure to light ends, the camera counts the
photons in each photosite and uses this data to create
an image. Brighter areas of a photo contain a larger
number of photons recorded whereas darker areas
contain smaller numbers.
Seeing Light
• Light either reaches the camera direct from the light
source (1)— this is known as incident light— or
bounces off objects in a scene before it reaches the
camera (2), which is known as reflected light.
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Converting Light
• In creating a sharp photo, the light should be focused
on the sensor. This can be done by using a glass or
plastic optical system known as the lens.
Color
• A photosite only records brightness on its own. A red,
green, or blue color filter is placed over each phosite
to record color. A cluster of one red, two green, and
one blue photosite is combined to make up one pixel
in the final photo.
CAMERA ANATOMY
A digital camera is a computer designed to create photos. The following are the parts of a digital camera
(Taylor, Hallett, Lowe, & Sanders (2021):
1. Infrared shutter release sensor – Lets you
fire the shutter remotely.
2. Shutter button – Opens the camera
shutter to expose the digital sensor to
light and make a photo.
3. Self-timer light – Flashes to indicate the
self-timer duration before the shutter
fires.
4. Depth-of-field preview button – Closes
the lens’ aperture to let you preview the
extent of sharpness in a photo before you
take it.
5. Lens electronic contact – Lets the camera
communicate with the lens to set
aperture and focus
6. Reflex mirror – Light from the lens is
reflected up from the mirror to the optical
viewfinder.
7. Lens mount index – Helps you align your
FRONT
lens correctly when fitting it to the
camera
8. Lens release button – Disengages the lens
mount, letting you remove the lens from
the camera
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BASE TOP
1. Tripod socket – Lets you mount your camera 6. Hot shoe – Mount for an external flashgun.
on a tripod to increase stability and avoid 7. Secondary control dial – Used for setting
camera shake. the camera’s shooting and menu functions.
2. Battery compartment – The camera’s 8. Shooting option buttons – External controls
rechargeable batteries are fitted here. for setting a limited range of shooting
3. Mode dial – Lets you set the required functions.
shooting mode. 9. Top-plate LCD – Small LCD showing the
4. On/Off switch – Turns the camera on and shooting options currently set on the
off. camera.
5. Built-in flash – A small built-in flashgun,
useful as a fill-in light.
1. Menu and info buttons – Let you change
camera options and view camera status.
2. Optical viewfinder – Shows the image
passed through the lens and reflected off
the reflex mirror.
3. LCD monitor – Shows camera menus, Live
View, and Playback
4. Live View Stop/Start – Switches between
the optical viewfinder and Live View mode.
5. Playback button – Lets you review and edit
your photos or movies
6. Control dial – Used to set camera options
when shooting images or viewing menus
7. Delete button – Erases photos stored on
the memory card.
BACK 8. AF button – Activates the camera’s
autofocus feature
9. Zoom button – Magnifies photos in Live
View and Playback
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SIDES
1. Flash button – Raises the built-in flash
2. Microphone socket – Allows the fitting of an external microphone when shooting movies
3. Remote release socket – Used to attach an optional cable-type remote release.
4. HDMI socket – Lets you connect your camera to an HDTV to review your photos or movies.
5. Digital interface – Used to connect your camera to a computer so you can download photos and
movies.
6. Memory card cover – A slot that fits a memory card to store photos and movies.
CAMERA TYPES
Taking full control of your camera means improving your photography skills.
DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) MIRRORLESS
PROS PROS
• Versatile • Purely digital system
• A wide range of lenses and accessories are • Lenses are optimized
available • Relatively small in size and weight
• Quick focusing • High framerate in comparison to DSLRs
• Excellent battery life
CONS CONS
• Large camera lens and body • Mediocre battery life
• Need to switch to Live View mode to • Smaller range of lenses and accessories
preview images on-screen
• More expensive
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CAMERAPHONE COMPACT
PROS PROS
• Easy to carry around • Easy to carry around
• Apps allow you to alter images • Inexpensive
• Good zoom lens range
CONS CONS
• Fixed focal length lens • Limited number of physical controls
• Resolution and image quality can be • Restricted range of shooting modes
restrictive • Low-light capability is lacking
BRIDGE/PROSUMER SYSTEM
PROS PROS
• More control over exposure than compact • Image quality
or camera phones • Expendable capability
• Relatively inexpensive • Versatile
CONS CONS
• Lower image quality than system cameras • Bulky
• A zoom lens is fixed • More expensive
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USING A CAMERA
It’s easy to use a camera—you only have to point and shoot. However, taking a good photo is not so easy.
Many factors influence the outcome of a photo. Sloppy techniques will lead to disappointing results no matter
how exciting your subject is. Good techniques will improve your photo-taking skills.
Here are some Dos and DON’T’s when using a camera:
DOs DONTs
1. Use your left hand to support the lens from 7. Let your camera bag unbalance you.
below. 8. Hold your elbows out to the side of your
2. Grip the camera firmly. body.
3. Look through the camera’s Viewfinder if it 9. Hold the camera away from your face.
has one. 10. Jab sharply at the camera shutter button.
4. Hold your elbows lightly against your body. 11. Leave the lens unsupported.
5. Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width 12. Lean at an awkward unstable angle.
apart.
6. Breathe in and then slowly out—gently
press the shutter button fully down before
breathing back in.
CAMERA ACCESSORIES
A camera system is easily expanded by optional accessories. Accessories that are right for you will depend on
your style of shooting. The key to choosing a camera accessory is being honest with yourself and what will
help your photography. According to Taylor et al. (2015), the following are some of the essential camera
accessories:
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TRIPOD TRIPOD: THREE-WAY HEAD TRIPOD: BALL HEAD
To support cameras, tripods are Camera orientation is adjusted by Camera orientation is adjusted by
used so that it doesn’t move moving the head one of three ways loosening a ball-and-socket joint.
during exposure. Raising or using locking levers. This head can This head is small in size and
lowering the length of the tripod be relatively bulky, but each axis weight, but it can be difficult to
legs adjust the height. can be adjusted at a time. use to make fine adjustments.
REMOTE RELEASE FILTERS: SCREW-IN FILTERS: FILTER HOLDER
This allows you to fire the shutter Circular filters attach directly to the Square filters slot into a filter
without pressing the shutter filter thread of a lens. These filters holder that is attached via an
button. Cable remote releases offer a good range of types readily adapter to a lens. These filters can
attach to a special socket on the available. However, if you have be used on multiple lenses by
camera and often have a switch more than one lens, you often need fitting adapters, but they can be
to lock the shutter open. to buy multiple filters. initially expensive.
References
McHugh, S. (2019) Understanding Photography: Master Your Digital Camera and Capture That Perfect Photo. San Francisco, CA: No Starch Press.
Taylor, D., Hallett, T., Lowe, P., & Sanders, P. (2021) Digital Photography: Complete Course (2nd ed.). London, UK: Dorling Kindersley Limited.
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