swheeler Page 12 of 34
IMT – Cholla Training Center
Switching to Manual mode allows me to
access the slowest shutter speed
available on this camera, 3 sec. while
keeping the aperture at F2.8 (the largest
aperture available). The effect is
immediately better, but it does seem a
bit too bright, giving an almost a daylight
effect.
Now it is just a matter of adjusting the
shutter speed and/or aperture to obtain
the desired exposure. I choose to close
down the aperture so as to increase the
depth of field also.
Manual Mode – Overexposed
Fujifilm FinePix E550
7.2mm, Programmed Auto, Pattern
Shutter Speed 3 sec., Aperture F2.8, ISO 80
Closing down the aperture to F4.0, a
more pleasant image is obtained with
enough dark areas to indicate it is night
time (dusk, really) and enough lighted
areas to reproduce what my eyes saw at
the outdoors skating rink of the
Mississauga Civic Center.
Manual Mode - Correct Exposure
Fujifilm FinePix E550
7.2mm, Programmed Auto, Pattern
Shutter Speed 3 sec., Aperture F4.0, ISO 80
ISO
For the three pictures above, I used ISO 80, the lowest ISO available for best image
quality. But what if at 3 sec. and F2.8 (i.e. at max. exposure possible for this
particular camera), the image still came out too dark? In this case, I would need to
increase the sensitivity of the image sensor to a higher ISO. Do note that increasing
the ISO also increases the amount of noise visible in your images.
Technique
• Take a number of shots at different shutter speed/aperture combinations.
• Immediately review the shot as soon as you’ve taken it.
• Ensure your LCD brightness is set to Normal, not Bright, for a truer
representation of your recorded image.
• A good aperture to start with is F4.0 or F5.6 (for greatest depth of field), and
adjust shutter speed up or down until you’re satisfied with the shot.
• For good measure, take an extra shot past your optimum exposure setting.
For example, if you were progressively using longer shutter speeds, and you
think you’ve find the correct one, take an extra shot with the next longer
shutter speed. Conversely, if you were using progressively faster shutter
speeds, take an extra shot using the next faster shutter speed.
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