Some basic questions...

[desertstrike]

hi guys
just would like to check with your...
when u r shooting manual...
how do ur decide where setting to give for aperture and shutter speed?

it is like, how do u even know what value to start with?
and if u decide with an aperture value, then how to decide what shutter speed to go with it?
thanks

 

[ahbian]

For me, it depends on if the effect I want- if it is the DOF , i decide aperture first, if its motion (or the freezing of motion) I decide shutter speed first.

 

[desertstrike]

For me, it depends on if the effect I want- if it is the DOF , i decide aperture first, if its motion (or the freezing of motion) I decide shutter speed first.

hmm.... say i just wan an object infront of me, then i set aperture to biggest and shutter speed fastest? how do ur even decide what value to give it? fast shutter speed is 1/500? 1/1000?

 

[lazarus7247]

Hmm im just another newbie here, took up photography 4 days ago to be exact.

Since you are new, constantly changing both the shutter speed and aperture can be a chore.
Why not try with Aperture Priority exposure first ?
The camera will adjust the shutter speed for you as you adjust the aperture.
For other basics such as depth of field and focusing, try youtube.com !

 

[desertstrike]

Hmm im just another newbie here, took up photography 4 days ago to be exact.

Since you are new, constantly changing both the shutter speed and aperture can be a chore.
Why not try with Aperture Priority exposure first ?
The camera will adjust the shutter speed for you as you adjust the aperture.
For other basics such as depth of field and focusing, try youtube.com !

hmm... i have tried many times already
just would like to know
how to people come out with a value
i know it is experience...
but just like to know "how" to give a value like 1/500,/1000
how to determine that value...

 

[ahbian]

hmm.... say i just wan an object infront of me, then i set aperture to biggest and shutter speed fastest? how do ur even decide what value to give it? fast shutter speed is 1/500? 1/1000?

Not too sure how to interprete your question, I take it as once we set either apperture or shutter speed, how do we set the other value such that the exposure is correct.

The short answer is to check your light meter on the camera. This is the first link I found that will give you and idea, might not be the best.

http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/camera/settings/fully-manual.shtml

 

[night86mare]

depends on situation.

ahbian has given a good answer.

 

[ahbian]

As for what values to start with, there are no generic answers if that's what you are asking.

For example, DOF can be affected by
1) focal length
2) how far your subject is
3) how far your backgroup, foreground is from your subject etc.
4) how much blur you want infront and behind the object

Shutter speed can be affected by
1) how fast your subject is moving
2) how much you want to freeze/blur your subject motion
3) is your subject moving away or across you
4) lighting conditions, ISO
5) how good is your panning tecnique (if you intend to pan) etc

Edited: Added point 4) for DOF

 

[desertstrike]

Not too sure how to interprete your question, I take it as once we set either apperture or shutter speed, how do we set the other value such that the exposure is correct.

The short answer is to check your light meter on the camera. This is the first link I found that will give you and idea, might not be the best.

http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/camera/settings/fully-manual.shtml

wah, thanks a lot,
i try rephrase my question
lets say i am look at a vase 3 meter away from me
how do i determined what aperture i need? f/2, f/2.8, f/4?

 

[ahbian]

hmm... i have tried many times already
just would like to know
how to people come out with a value
i know it is experience...
but just like to know "how" to give a value like 1/500,/1000
how to determine that value...

If you have tried many times and not get the effect you want. One suggestion is to post your photos with the exif and tell us the effect you are looking for. Then its easier for us to advice on the settings.

 

[desertstrike]

Just wanna find out how u decide/think, thanks

 

[desertstrike]

If you have tried many times and not get the effect you want. One suggestion is to post your photos with the exif and tell us the effect you are looking for. Then its easier for us to advice on the settings.

hmm.. yes... maybe i should post a few pic to ask for opinion...
but is a bit :embrass: cos i think my pic will be taken quite badly...

 

[desertstrike]

As for what values to start with, there are no generic answers if that's what you are asking.

For example, DOF can be affected by
1) focal length
2) how far your subject is
3) how far your backgroup, foreground is from your subject etc.
4) how much blur you want infront and behind the object

Shutter speed can be affected by
1) how fast your subject is moving
2) how much you want to freeze/blur your subject motion
3) is your subject moving away or across you
4) lighting conditions, ISO
5) how good is your panning tecnique (if you intend to pan) etc

Edited: Added point 4) for DOF

thanks a lot man
yup, i understand the theory, but somehow i just can't get it rite...
so dun know whats wrong...

i was thinking whether can get a value to start with, then i just add one more stop or minus one stop, to try or something, cos i usually take v long to decide what value to give...

 

[ahbian]

hmm.. yes... maybe i should post a few pic to ask for opinion...
but is a bit :embrass: cos i think my pic will be taken quite badly...

If you wish to get advice on the technical settings, focus on that first while taking the shot. Worry about composition later. I guess thats is the quickest way to learn. Of course, if you can google for information, do that too.

 

[desertstrike]

If you wish to get advice on the technical settings, focus on that first while taking the shot. Worry about composition later. I guess thats is the quickest way to learn. Of course, if you can google for information, do that too.

yup, actually i have read quite a lot, but all in theory, i dun seems to just get it out correctly...

i know that to focus on nearer object, i need a larger aperture, and to capture high moving object, i need high shutter speed like 1/1000, but usually lets say i need a large aperture, how large to i need? is there a noticeable difference if i set f/2 or f/2.8 if i wanna blur out the backgrd? so how do i decide whether i need f/2 or f/2.8?

 

[calebk]

...
i know that to focus on nearer object, i need a larger aperture, and to capture high moving object, i need high shutter speed like 1/1000, but usually lets say i need a large aperture, how large to i need? is there a noticeable difference if i set f/2 or f/2.8 if i wanna blur out the backgrd? so how do i decide whether i need f/2 or f/2.8?

You don't necessarily need a large aperture setting to focus on a near object. Again, like what has been explained to you, the settings depend on YOUR LIGHT METER.

 

[desertstrike]

You don't necessarily need a large aperture setting to focus on a near object. Again, like what has been explained to you, the settings depend on YOUR LIGHT METER.

i am using a 6 years old prosumer... dun think have A LIGHT METER

 

[two200]

yup, actually i have read quite a lot, but all in theory, i dun seems to just get it out correctly...

i know that to focus on nearer object, i need a larger aperture, and to capture high moving object, i need high shutter speed like 1/1000, but usually lets say i need a large aperture, how large to i need? is there a noticeable difference if i set f/2 or f/2.8 if i wanna blur out the backgrd? so how do i decide whether i need f/2 or f/2.8?

If you understand the theory then you have to decide what is important - depth of field or brightness because both are related.

If you do not know what value to start I suggest use P mode (so can fix the ISO) then read off the f-number and shutter speed, then start adjusting from there

Hope this helps

 

[desertstrike]

If you understand the theory then you have to decide what is important - depth of field or brightness because both are related.

If you do not know what value to start I suggest use P mode (so can fix the ISO) then read off the f-number and shutter speed, then start adjusting from there

Hope this helps

oh i see, thanks
hmm.. using this P mode, i can no longer set the aperture and shutter, but i can set the exposure compensation thing... is it the same for all camera?

 

[ahbian]

yup, actually i have read quite a lot, but all in theory, i dun seems to just get it out correctly...

i know that to focus on nearer object, i need a larger aperture, and to capture high moving object, i need high shutter speed like 1/1000, but usually lets say i need a large aperture, how large to i need? is there a noticeable difference if i set f/2 or f/2.8 if i wanna blur out the backgrd? so how do i decide whether i need f/2 or f/2.8?

That again depends on the points I have written on the DOF.

How do you decide if you need f/2 or f/2.8? The easiest way, take both shots, choose the one you like better using the computer screen.