What kind of camera do I need? click here
THE CAMERA
Camera Basics - presentation
* The camera is my tool...through it, I give reason to everything around me...Andre Kertesz
* You don't make a photograph just with a camera, you bring to the art of photography all of the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved...Ansel Adams
Goal-- to capture and control light
There are 2 ways to do this
1) shutter speed: fractions of time; how fast you take a picture; this is a priority if movement is involved.
*60 or faster (1/60 of a second) = handheld
*30 or slower (1/30 of a second) = need a tripod for stability or images with have camera shake (softness/blur)
shutter speed chart- click here
2) aperture: lens opening; this is a priority when depth of field is important
* large aperture (like a f/2.8) = shallow d.o.f. (few things in focus)
* small aperture (like f/22) = great d.o.f. (many things in focus)
BUT how do you know when you have good exposure??????
answer = light meter (photographer's BFF): read your light meter to know what settings you should use to have balanced light; there are many different kinds- please research or see me
.....and don't forget to FOCUS-- think about the composition as you look through the lens of the camera and focus your lens on what is the most important part of the photo because then if you have shallow d.o.f, your main focal point will still be sharp.
Film = set your ISO (film speed) to 400 and review how to load film properly (see sidebar "loading film")
When in doubt GOOGLE it....
LOAD FILM
Here is a video on how to load film
Some additional points:
1) if your tab snaps out of the slot just try again; when you wind it make sure gears catches sprocket holes
2) don't forget to set your ISO
a) this is usually on your shutter speed dial-- pull up on the outer ring and turn until 400 shows through window
b) some cameras have this dial with the rewind knob instead-- push down on the button and turn to 400
c) some cameras will set this automatically-- if you have a series of silver beads on inside of camera where you insert the film canister than this will set automatically
3) do not open camera until you rewind your film
REWIND FILM
Here is a quick video on how to rewind film
Some additional points:
1) on manual cameras you must push the release button and then hand wind your film in the direction of the arrow until it is all back in the film canister;
2) if you do not push the release button and you go to rewind you will rip your film and ruin your photos
3) on automatic cameras it will usually rewind after you take the last photo
HOW TO PREP FILM
Step 1: to rewind video
manual cameras: you must push the release button and then hand wind your film in the direction of the arrow until it is all back in the film canister; if you do not push the release button and you go to rewind you will rip your film.
automatic cameras: it will usually rewind after you take the last photo
Step 2: prep film
Read through process
See video