1. Aperture & Shutter Speed

2. STEP 1 - LEARN
In this lesson, you will learn about using aperture and shutter speed while taking photos.

3. Image courtesy of suphakit73 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
APERTURE
Size of the shutter hole
Also called f-stop (example: f/3.5)
Allows more or less light in
Controls Depth of Field (Background Blur)
Image courtesy of suphakit73 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

4. APERTURE
The larger the opening of the aperture, the smaller the number set on your camera.
Setting your DSLR to the AV setting allows you to control aperture while the camera auto sets the others.
Larger apertures (smaller numbers) allow for a smaller depth of field, limiting the objects in focus.
f/1.4
f/2
f/2.8
f/4
f/5.6

5. This photo was taken with a large aperture.
The large aperture creates a shallow depth field. Notice how only the camera at the front of the photo is in focus. The background is blurry.
This photo was taken with a large aperture.
Jesus Chavez, Monache High School [CA]

6. This photo was taken with a small aperture.
The small aperture creates a large depth of field. Notice how everything in the photo is in focus whether it is near or far from the photographer.
This photo was taken with a small aperture.
Parker Pamplin, Bryant High School [AR]

7. SHUTTER SPEED How long the shutter stays open
Measured in 1/x of a second
Faster: Stop Action (Sports), less light
Slower: more light, blur
The bigger the denominator, the faster the speed (ie: 1/1000 is much faster than 1/30)

8. This photo was taken with a slow shutter speed.
A slow shutter speed allows in more light so it works well in low-light situations.
This photo was taken with a slow shutter speed.
Becca Guevera, Horizon High School [AZ]

9. This photo was taken with a fast shutter speed.
A slow shutter allows the photographer to capture action without blurriness.
This photo was taken with a fast shutter speed.
Amanda Pankhurst, Amboy High School [IL]

10. SHUTTER SPEED
Setting your camera to the TV mode allows you to control the shutter speed while the camera auto sets the other controls.

11. STEP 2 - PRACTICE
By the end of class today, take two photos that demonstrate thought and understanding of aperture and shutter speed.

12. PRACTICE: APERTURE & SHUTTER SPEED
Photo 1: Change the aperture (f/stop) settings on the camera and take a photo that demonstrates shallow depth of field.
Photo 2: Change the shutter speed (1/X) settings on the camera to capture a subject in action.
Don’t forget to use photo composition techniques like Rule of Thirds, bird’s/worm’s-eye view, etc!

13. STEP 3 - DO
Over the course of the next week, take four photos, to be used in the yearbook, that demonstrate your understanding of aperture and shutter speed.

14. APERTURE & SHUTTER SPEED
Photos 1 & 2: Each must demonstrate the use of aperture to make the Center of Visual Interest (CVI) stand out.
Photos 3 & 4: Each photo must demonstrate the use of shutter speed to stop a subject in motion.
Write down the aperture/shutter speed you used for each photo and create a caption for each that includes the setting.
Submit your photos electronically using PowerPoint, Prezi or Google Slides.